The adidas turtleneck is still there. So is the caffeine-free Diet Coke he sips on every game.
Iowa State University men’s basketball coach Larry Eustachy is lacking just one thing from the Cyclones’ recent glory days — Big 12 Conference victories.
During Iowa State’s 70-51 loss to Kansas Sunday, Eustachy’s frustration stemming from a difficult Big 12 season got the best of him. He received a double-technical with 12:08 remaining and was ejected.
The eruption came after confusion as to whether Cyclone forward Jackson Vroman was called for a traveling violation or a charging foul after he ran into KU’s Nick Collison while driving for a basket.
“I walked out on the court thinking it was his fifth foul,” Eustachy said. “I had to sub somebody, and at the same time, I was pleading my case. I got a technical from left field, and it all went from there.”
The first technical caused Eustachy’s blood to boil, and as he persistently jawed at the referees, another technical was assessed, ending his day.
It was the second time during his tenure at Iowa State he had been ejected from a game. The first came in the 2000 NCAA Tournament, when Eustachy’s Cyclones lost to Michigan State, 75-64, in the Elite Eight.
“I’m not embarrassed at all,” Eustachy said. “I’m disappointed it affected the game. But players understand that I’m going to protect them.”
Even with Eustachy gone, Iowa State (12-9 overall, 2-8 Big 12) kept its fiery frustration. Just a minute later, Vroman was whistled for his fifth foul for shoving KU forward Wayne Simien. He then was given a technical of his own — a rare sixth foul.
It was the sixth time in Big 12 play that Vroman had fouled out this season. For the year, Vroman has received four or more fouls in a game 16 times.
“I don’t feel like I’m being picked on or anything,” Vroman said. “I played stupid today and got some dumb fouls.”
Iowa State travels Wednesday to College Station, Texas, to play Texas A&M. Despite losing their third straight Big 12 game, the Cyclones left Allen Fieldhouse happy with the mark they made against the No. 9-ranked Jayhawks.
“We’re pleased with the way we played today,” said guard Jake Sullivan, who scored a team-high 18 points. “Take away six or eight points on technical fouls, and we keep Kansas in the 60s.”
