What we learned is there’s a lot of pride in our program,” Otzelberger said. “And even though guys were out, they care about our program, they care about the product, the

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger discussed some of the factors that may be behind the Cyclones' recent losses to Houston and Oklahoma State.

Saturday, the Cyclones lost at Houston without their top two scorers, Curtis Jones (16.9 points per game) and Keshon Gilbert (14.1). Jones returned from the flu without a minutes restriction in a 74-68 loss at Oklahoma State on Tuesday,

Tamin Lipsey on team momentum entering Houston Iowa State basketball: Nate Heise scores season-high vs. Colorado Iowa State basketball: Dishon Jackson on Cyclones' 4-game win streak Iowa State basketball: TJ Otzelberger on Cyclones' scoring balance Iowa State basketball: TJ Otzelberger on Heise,

Iowa State (21-6 overall, 11-5 Big 12) sits fourth in the conference standings behind Houston (15-1), Texas Tech (12-4) and Arizona (12-4). Four regular-season Big 12 games remain

Otzelberger's contract pays him $4 million per year, with various incentives potentially adding hundreds of thousands more.

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger discussed some of the factors that may be behind the Cyclones' recent losses to Houston and Oklahoma State.

After Iowa State announced on Friday its two leading scorers, Curtis Jones (flu) and Keshon Gilbert (muscle strain) would be inactive, the spread for the difficult matchup at No. 5 Houston ballooned to -12.5 points in favor of the Cougars.

According to a USA Today database and various local outlets, Otzelberger is now the sixth highest-paid coach in the Big 12, behind Kansas' Bill Self ($9.6 million), Arizona's Tommy Lloyd ($5.25 million), Baylor's Scott Drew ($5.1 million) and Houston's Kelvin Sampson ($4.6 million).

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger talks turnovers in loss to Oklahoma State. Iowa State junior Tamin Lipsey talks Houston loss

Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger isn't in the business of participation trophies. The intense, firey head coach is as competitive as they come. But after losing 68-59 to No. 5 Houston ...

This extension is the third time Otzelberger’s contract has been amended since he was hired from UNLV on March 19, 2021. In three seasons at ISU, Otzelberger has led the team to the NCAA Tournament every year and has reached the Sweet 16 twice.