The Iowa State roster is set to look very different in 2026-27, but one thing still gives the Cyclones some real backbone: Tamin Lipsey is back for a fifth season.
That matters because Iowa State is no longer carrying the same star power it had before. Milan Momcilovic is off to the Kentucky Wildcats, and Joshua Jefferson is headed into the 2026 NBA Draft as a first-round pick.
Even so, Lipsey’s return gives T.J. Otzelberger a proven piece to build around, and this group may actually be the deepest roster he has had in Ames.
When healthy, the Cyclones could go 10 players deep, which gives Otzelberger plenty of ways to mix and match depending on the opponent. But one of the most important pieces in that rotation may be Blake Buchanan, who is back for his second season and expected to help bring the newcomers along while learning the Cyclones’ way.
Buchanan may not pile up flashy numbers, but his value is hard to miss. Jon Rothstein identified him as one of the 10 best glue guys in men’s basketball, calling him “The anchor of the Cyclones' devastating defense under T.J.
Otzelberger, the 6-10 Buchanan always does his best work in the paint. A short distance specialist on offense and rim protector on defense, Buchanan rarely escapes the restricted area.
This guy knows what he's good at and is good at what he knows,” Roethstein wrote.
That description fits the way Iowa State wants to play. Buchanan’s size and athleticism make him a natural fit in Otzelberger’s aggressive, trapping defense, where big men have to cover ground quickly before retreating to protect the rim.
If Otzelberger were building the perfect big man for this system, Buchanan would be a strong candidate. He also brings value on offense by extending possessions with offensive rebounds and offering some playmaking touch.
With Jefferson gone, Buchanan could see the ball in his hands more often from the high post. At the very least, he gives Iowa State a steady connective presence on that end, screening, moving the ball, and keeping the offense organized.
And with more frontcourt depth available, Buchanan may also spend time sharing the floor with another big man, whether that’s Dominykas Pleta, Taj Manning or Tre Singleton. That kind of lineup could put his versatility on even better display.
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Iowa State Heads Into A More Complicated Baylor Trip Than Expected
Iowa States trip to Waco just got a little more complicated than the schedule alone suggested. Baylor fired head coach Dave Aranda after its loss to Kansas, and Joe Klanderman is now serving as the Bears acting head coach as the Cyclones prepare for a road game that already carried plenty of weight in the Big 12 race.
The conference announced Iowa State will face Baylor at McLane Stadium with an 11:00 a.m. CT kickoff on FS1, adding an early start to a matchup that has often been tight. The series history is close, with Baylor holding a 12-11 edge, and the coaching change only adds another layer to a game Iowa State now has to prepare for with a different feel than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Answered A Bad Loss In The Wildest Way Possible
After a rough loss, Iowa State got the kind of response every team wants but almost never gets: a chaotic, back-and-forth win that seemed to change shape every few minutes. The Cyclones and Oklahoma State traded momentum throughout a game packed with lead changes, onside kick recoveries and long touchdown drives, with Aiden Flora and Jaylen Raynor helping keep Iowa State in the fight offensively.
Kyle Konrardy ended up delivering the finish with a late field goal after Raynor helped set up the final drive, giving the Cyclones a hard-earned escape in a game that never settled down. Drew Mestermaker kept Oklahoma State dangerous with multiple touchdown passes, but Iowa State found just enough answers in the closing stretch to turn a frustrating week into a much-needed reset. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Showed Something Fans Needed To See In Big 12 Chaos
In a game that felt like it was being played at full speed from the opening snap, Iowa State found a way to steady itself when the chaos peaked. Kyle Konrardy drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Cyclones past Oklahoma State, 51-49, in a matchup where both offenses kept trading blows and neither side seemed willing to blink.
The win mattered not just because it came down to the final kick, but because Iowa State kept its poise while Oklahoma State handed over chances with penalties and miscues. In a Big 12 race that can turn messy in a hurry, the Cyclones came away with a result that should resonate with fans looking for a team that can survive a shootout and still finish the job. [Read more 🡒]