The biggest separator of these teams is the level of competition each team has faced to this point. Auburn holds a win over the KenPom’s No. 1 team, Houston, while Iowa State’s best win is Kansas City, which ranks No. 236 in the KenPom entering Monday’s action.

Iowa State briefly reclaimed the lead late, when Gilbert’s final two points — a pair of free-throws — put the Cyclones up 81-79 with 50 seconds left. But this time, it was Auburn with the answer: Dylan Cardwell found a cutting Miles Kelly inside for a layup, setting the stage for the pivotal last 30 seconds.

The fifth-ranked Cyclones lost their first game of the season. Columnist Travis Hines gives his thoughts on what went right - and what didn't