In a highly anticipated college basketball showdown, the No. 2 ranked Houston Cougars are gearing up for a challenging road game against the unranked yet formidable Iowa State Cyclones. According to the point spreads, the Cougars are the most likely candidate from the top-ranked trio to face a potential upset.

Kelvin Sampson's undefeated Cougars, boasting a remarkable 14-0 record, enter the matchup as a slim favorite with a 2.5-point spread against the Cyclones. Although Iowa State currently holds the No. 12 position in the NET rankings, their performance in the first two quadrants has left room for improvement. With a 1-3 record against such opponents, the Cyclones have yet to secure a significant victory that would propel them into the national rankings.

Despite their unranked status, Iowa State remains a strong contender, having recorded an impressive 11-0 record against teams outside the top 65 in the NET rankings. However, their inability to clinch victories against top-ranked competition has hindered their ascent in the rankings.

Tuesday's clash at the Hilton Coliseum promises to be a thrilling encounter, with an electric atmosphere anticipated both on and off the court. Should the Iowa State Cyclones capitalize on their home court advantage, they have the potential to pull off a monumental upset, thus ending the Houston Cougars' unbeaten streak.

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As this exciting battle looms, fans and basketball aficionados alike eagerly await the outcome of this intense clash between the No. 2 Houston Cougars and the unranked yet resilient Iowa State Cyclones.