Bracket Projection: Iowa State

The return of Fred Hoiberg may be the best thing to happen to the Iowa State Cyclones since, well, the arrival of Fred Hoiberg. In 2012, in his second season as coach, the former Cyclone great led his alma mater to its first NCAA tournament berth since 2005 and a second-round win over Connecticut. This season, what does "The Mayor" do for an encore?

ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams, in order to help you make smart picks in your bracket. Plus, as Lunardi fills out his bracket, he'll give you his prediction on how each team will fare.

Lunardi's Logic

Fun to watch and fearless, the Cyclones fire at will and play to the wire. Just ask Kansas (twice). But the Dayton Arena isn't Hilton Coliseum, and Iowa State may find a sterile tournament setting a little less energizing. The Cyclones didn't beat an NCAA team away from home all season and I don't see it happening against Notre Dame in the second round.

TOURNEY PROFILE

Best wins: Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Worst losses: at Iowa, at Texas Tech, at Texas

To read the complete tournament guide preview for the Iowa State Cyclones, and to gain access to all of ESPN Insider's NCAA tournament coverage, sign up today.

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Charlie Creme | email

Women's College Basketball

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Charlie Creme projects the women's NCAA Tournament bracket for ESPN.com.