The rematch won’t happen.

Everybody seemed to want UK and Connecticut in a repeat of last year’s Final Four game — about 39,000 questions were asked in UK’s post-game locker room about the Huskies, compared to zero about Iowa State — but No. 9 UConn fell to No. 8 Iowa State 77-64 in its opening-round game.

Plenty of people seemed scared about the potential matchup with Connecticut. But Iowa State is a legit team. It went 7-7 against NCAA Tournament teams but notched some big wins, beating Kansas and Baylor.

The Cyclones are powered by F Royce White, an All-Big 12 selection who leads the team in points (13.1), rebounds (9.2), assists (5.1), steals (1.2) and blocks (0.9). In seven games against ranked opponents, White has averaged 17 points and 9.6 rebounds.

Iowa State also occupies the 3-point line, shooting 42 percent of their shots from outside the arc (and making 38 percent of those). Fresh off playing Florida and Vanderbilt, UK’s perimeter defense should be ready.

Here’s what Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg had to say about playing the Cats:

“Look, they’re the No. 1 seed in this thing for a reason. They’re so talented. The biggest thing we’re going to have to try to do is slow them down a little bit. Just watching that game today (against WKU), when they can get out and use their athleticism on the break, they’re impossible to stop. So the biggest thing we have to do is get back and force them to beat you with tough, contested shots.

“And same thing we talked about tonight is trying to control the glass. If you can do that, it gives you a chance. If not, it could get ugly.

The big thing about this game, it’s a home game for them. They had 12,000 at their 40-minute shootaround the other day. It’s unbelievable to see the following that they’ve had. I scouted games at Rupp Arena when I was working at the NBA, and it’s an unbelievable atmosphere, and the following is something like I’ve never seen.”