The Iowa State Cyclones are set for a whirlwind non‑conference schedule in the 2026‑27 season, a slate that stretches from the Midwest to the West Coast and includes a handful of marquee matchups that have fans buzzing.
A Non‑Conference Gauntlet
The cycle begins with a neutral‑site showdown at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, where the Cyclones will open the season against the Memphis Tigers. The event marks the first of several road trips that will take Iowa State across the country before the Big 12 slate even begins.
A short flight later, the team heads to Las Vegas to compete in the Players Era Festival, a showcase that pairs college programs with entertainment and media exposure. The festival appearance adds a national spotlight to the Cyclones’ early‑season experiments.
The next stop is Kansas City, Missouri, where Iowa State will play in the T‑Mobile Center for the NABC Hall of Fame Classic against the Missouri State Bears. The game is part of a broader effort to test the team in high‑pressure, neutral environments.
Perhaps the most anticipated home fixture is the showdown with the Purdue Boilermakers. The Cyclones will host the Boilermakers in a marquee matchup that last season ended in a 23‑point victory for Iowa State. Adding intrigue, Purdue will enter the next season without star guard Braden Smith and forward Fletcher Loyer, both of whom are sidelined for the upcoming campaign.
Key Storylines
Beyond the schedule, several narratives will shape the early season. The Cy‑Hawk rivalry renews in Iowa City at Carver Hawkeye Arena, a venue where Iowa State has never secured back‑to‑back wins but has managed three straight victories in the series overall. Iowa, fresh off an Elite Eight run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, will be without star guard Bennett Stirtz for the upcoming season, potentially altering the dynamics of the rivalry game.
Coaching storylines also abound. Iowa State’s head coach T.J. Otzelberger will be looking to build on his early success, while Purdue’s Matt Painter will navigate the loss of key contributors. Meanwhile, Iowa State’s own roster features returning standouts such as Gicarri Harris, as well as newcomers like Henry Annen, Jack Benter, Omer Mayer, Daniel Jacobsen, and the ever‑watchful Braden Smith’s former teammates adjusting to new roles.
Looking Ahead
As the Cyclones move through the non‑conference gauntlet, the early results will provide a barometer for their Big 12 ambitions. The blend of neutral‑site challenges, high‑profile home games, and rivalry matchups creates a narrative that extends beyond win‑loss records, offering a glimpse into how the team will adapt to new roster compositions and opponent strategies. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether Iowa State can translate its early‑season momentum into a strong conference run.