The preseason numbers may not match the buzz around Iowa State, but the Cyclones have built a reputation for thriving when people doubt them. That’s the backdrop again heading into the 2026-27 season, even with a major setback in the injury to Killyan Toure.
There is still a major reason for optimism in Ames: Tamin Lipsey. Iowa State came out on the right side of one of the eligibility lawsuits filed in Indiana that included Lipsey, and the star point guard is currently eligible to play.
As long as he’s in the mix, the Cyclones have a ceiling that looks far higher than their ranking suggests. He’s the kind of steady two-way presence who lifts everyone around him.
Still, CJ Moore of The Athletic placed Iowa State at No. 22 in his preseason top 25, a step below the No. 18 spot the Cyclones earned in the AP Preseason Poll. That leaves them as the No. 5 team from the Big 12 in Moore’s rankings.
The rest of the conference is well represented near the top. Arizona checks in at No.
4, Houston at No. 9, Kansas at No. 11 and Texas Tech at No.
- Baylor narrowly made the cut at No. 25 after strong preseason exhibition performances, giving the Big 12 six teams in Moore’s list.
That total ties the Big Ten for the most from any conference.
The lower placement isn’t hard to understand when you look at what Iowa State lost. Joshua Jefferson is now in the NBA after going in the first round of the 2026 Draft, and Milan Momcilovic transferred to the Kentucky Wildcats, who are not included in these rankings.
Even with those departures, there’s plenty for Otzelberger to work with. Lipsey’s return helps ease the damage, and T.J.
Otzelberger attacked the roster in the transfer portal to replenish the group. This looks like the deepest team he has had in Ames.
Jaquan Johnson, Tre Singleton, Ryan Prather Jr., Leon Bond III and Taj Manning are all expected to factor in after joining the program through the portal. The Cyclones also bring in Yusef Gray Jr. and Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan from the Class of 2026, both of whom could contribute as freshmen.
The returning core gives Iowa State more stability, too. Alongside Lipsey and Toure, the Cyclones bring back another starter in Blake Buchanan, plus key reserves Dominykas Pleta and Jamarion Batemon. Batemon appears positioned to join the starting five as a sophomore.
In Other News...
Iowa State Faces A Brutal Test Against Another Elite Big 12 Passer
Coming off a loss to Arizona, Jimmy Rogers was quick to point out what Iowa State is walking into next. The schedule has not offered many soft landing spots, and the Cyclones now turn around to face an Oklahoma State team that is still very much in the Big 12 race under first-year coach Eric Morris.
The matchup also brings another big challenge through the air in Drew Mestemaker, who has emerged as one of the conferences most productive young passers and is drawing national attention for the way he has played. For Iowa State, the issue is less about the name on the jersey and more about surviving another week against an offense that can stress a defense in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Tamin Lipseys Return Just Made Iowa States Biggest Question Even Bigger
Tamin Lipseys first appearance of the season in Iowa States preseason exhibition against Northwestern offered a timely reminder of how much the Cyclones lean on their point guard. He came back with 14 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals, and the contrast was immediate after Iowa State had dropped its first exhibition without him before handling the second one convincingly with him in the mix.
Even with that encouraging showing, the bigger issue around Ames remains unresolved because Lipseys eligibility for the season is still under NCAA review. For a team that views his presence as central to its success, the wait leaves Iowa State in a familiar spot for this time of year, with the on-court fit looking obvious and the final roster answer still hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Keeps Making Conference Play Harder Than It Should Be
Iowa State has spent too much of Big 12 play trying to climb out of early holes, and the pattern has made every conference game feel tougher than it needs to be. The offense has had trouble finding any rhythm, and the defense has not been able to steady things often enough against stronger opponents, especially on the back end where the secondary has been tested and beaten more than the staff would like.
The one bright spot on that side of the ball has been the linebackers, who have been a steady presence even as the rest of the unit has wobbled. With a schedule still packed with top-ranked Big 12 teams, the Cyclones do not get many chances to ease into anything, which only raises the pressure to start faster and play cleaner before the next difficult matchup arrives. [Read more 🡒]