Iowa State’s men’s basketball program unveiled its non‑conference slate for the 2026‑27 season on July 7, outlining a schedule that blends home‑court dominance with a series of high‑profile road tests.
The plan calls for eight regular‑season home contests at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, anchored by an exhibition game that will also be played in the same venue, giving the Cyclones a chance to fine‑tune before the grind begins.
Early‑season road challenges
The first test arrives early, with the Cyclones opening the season against Memphis at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on November 2, before returning home to host Southern Miss on November 6.
A nine‑day stretch in November will see Iowa State welcome Southern and Niagara to Ames, providing a compact opportunity to build momentum before the team heads to Las Vegas for the Players Era Championship.
Vegas showdown
In the Las Vegas tournament, the Cyclones will open against San Diego State on November 24 and then navigate a winner’s bracket that could feature teams such as Tennessee, Maryland and Texas Tech.
December showdown
December brings a back‑to‑back showdown with two Big Ten powerhouses — Purdue and the Iowa Hawkeyes — culminating in a much‑anticipated clash on December 10 where Iowa State aims for its fourth straight victory over its rival.
The non‑conference slate wraps up with games against Northern Arizona and New Hampshire, after which the team will await announcements on game times and television selections.