The Iowa State Cyclones launch their 2026-27 men’s basketball campaign on Sunday afternoon, welcoming regional rival Creighton to James H. Hilton Coliseum for a marquee preseason exhibition. Tip-off is scheduled for noon CDT with live streaming coverage on ESPN+ featuring Evan Wessling and Derrin Hansen.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger enters his sixth season leading Iowa State, coming off a contract extension through 2036 following a 29-8 campaign that featured a Sweet 16 appearance and a 16-1 record at Hilton Coliseum. Ranked in the AP Top 25 for 52 consecutive weeks, the Cyclones boast a 42-game non-conference home winning streak, but must retool after losing primary scorers Milan Momcilovic (16.9 ppg, transferred to Kentucky) and Joshua Jefferson (16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, selected in the first round of the NBA Draft).
Iowa State’s engine remains fifth-year senior point guard Tamin Lipsey (13.5 ppg, 5.1 apg last season), the program’s all-time career steals leader (314) and the only player in Big 12 history to amass 1,500 points, 602 assists, 500 rebounds, and 300 steals. Lipsey anchors a starting group alongside center Blake Buchanan, though starting guard Killyan Toure (8.6 ppg) is sidelined until January while recovering from summer shoulder surgery. To replenish depth, Otzelberger brought in five transfer portal additions: Leon Bond III (Northern Iowa), Jaquan Johnson (Bradley), Taj Manning (Kansas State), Ryan Prather Jr. (Robert Morris), and Tre Singleton (Northwestern)…