Iowa State defense proves to be championship-caliber in blowout win over Baylor

Iowa State showed why it's on the shortlist of men's college basketball national championship hopefuls with an emphatic win over conference rival Baylor.

The Cyclones downed the Bears, 74-55, thanks to an outstanding defensive performance. Associated Press No. 3 Iowa State (12-1, 2-0 in Big 12) held Baylor (9-4, 1-1 in Big 12) to 29.7 percent (19-of-64) on its field goal attempts. The Cyclones also forced six steals and five blocks.

Per KenPom, Iowa State ranks eighth in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency. Even with its impressive start to the season, Iowa State's defense has lagged behind the offense during the team's first 14 games.

Iowa State entered Saturday ranked eighth in the country in scoring (87.7 points per game). It has six players averaging at least 10 points, led by sixth-man Curtis Jones, who had 14 points and a team-high four steals in the win over Baylor.

Sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic has become one of the country's top sharpshooters. He was 4-of-7 from deep against Baylor and is shooting 45.4 percent from beyond the arc this season.

Iowa State will face tougher defenses as it gets into the teeth of its Big 12 schedule, but its multitude of scoring options should help it remain near the top of the conference all season.

And if the offense falters, the Cyclones showed on Saturday that it has a defense capable of carrying the load.

Last year, Iowa State reached the NCAA Tournament as a two-seed and lost in the Sweet 16 to three-seed Illinois, 72-69. The Cyclones have all the pieces necessary to go on a deeper tourney run this season.