Updated

Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg and the Cyclones look ready to be nationally relevant for years to come, even after their breakout season ended in a Sweet Sixteen loss to Connecticut.

The Cyclones won 28 games and the Big 12 tournament title and reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 14 years. Iowa State (28-8) also put a pair of players on the All-Big 12 first team, including Player of the Year Melvin Ejim.

The season came to an end Friday night with an 81-76 loss to Connecticut in New York in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.