Iowa State vs. Long Beach State: What to Watch as the Cyclones Host the Beach
After spending the early part of the season on the West Coast, Long Beach State is finally venturing out of its time zone-and into one of college basketball’s tougher environments. The Beach head to Ames this weekend, where No.
4 Iowa State awaits at Hilton Coliseum for a Sunday evening matchup (5 p.m. CT, ESPN+).
The Cyclones are sitting at a perfect 11-0, coming off a 78-53 win over Eastern Illinois. But don’t let that scoreline fool you-there were some hiccups in that performance.
Meanwhile, Long Beach State is 2-9 and trying to snap a three-game skid. Two of those losses came in overtime, including a tight 89-83 battle with San Jose State.
Before the Beach make their way to Iowa, they’ve got a Thursday tilt against Pepperdine. But all eyes are on Sunday, where a red-hot freshman, a cross-continental reunion, and Iowa State’s quest for consistency will headline the storylines.
Here’s what to keep an eye on:
1. Gavin Sykes Is a Name to Know
If you haven’t heard of Gavin Sykes yet, Sunday might be your introduction. The 6-foot-4 freshman guard out of Sacramento has been the heartbeat of Long Beach State’s offense. He’s not just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently and in volume.
Sykes has dropped 20 or more in five of his last six games, including each of the last four. He’s averaging a team-best 17.1 points per game while shooting 45.7% from the field and 36.8% from deep. That’s not just solid for a freshman-it’s impressive at any level.
He’s a classic three-level scorer: he’ll pull up from beyond the arc, attack off the dribble, and finish through contact at the rim. And lately, he’s been in a groove-averaging 25.0 points over his last four outings and connecting on nearly 39% of his threes during that stretch.
Sunday will be his biggest test yet. Iowa State’s defense is physical, disciplined, and deep. If Sykes can find his rhythm against the Cyclones, it’ll be a statement performance.
2. A Reunion 4,000 Miles from Home
There’s a reunion storyline tucked into this matchup, and it’s a good one.
Long Beach State forward Petar Majstorovic is in his first year with the program after transferring from Syracuse. The 6-foot-8 sophomore played 31 games for the Orange last season before heading west for a bigger role. And he’s making the most of it.
Majstorovic is averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. He’s a physical presence inside, shooting nearly 63% from two-point range, but he can also step out and knock down a three if left open. Defensively, he’s been active-he’s recorded multiple steals in each of his last four games.
But what makes Sunday special? His former teammate from France, Iowa State freshman Killyan Toure, will be on the opposite bench.
Before either made their way to the U.S., they played together for ASVEL Basket Lyon-Villeurbanne in the French ProA U-21 league. Now they’ll square off more than 4,000 miles from where their basketball journey began together.
Both are playing important roles for their respective teams-and both will want to make the most of this unexpected reunion.
3. Iowa State’s Standard of Play
The Cyclones are undefeated, ranked No. 4 in the country, and have one of the most balanced teams in the nation. But even great teams have off nights-and last week’s win over Eastern Illinois was one of them.
Despite the 25-point margin, forward Milan Momcilovic didn’t mince words: “Probably one of the worst performances we’ve had this year,” he said.
Iowa State didn’t lead until nearly eight minutes into the game. They went the final 5:58 without a made field goal. And while they eventually locked in defensively, it took until the second half to find that gear.
Now, the question is: how do they respond?
With finals week behind them, Sunday’s game should offer a chance to reset and re-establish the high-energy, high-effort identity that’s defined this group so far. They’ll be heavy favorites against Long Beach State-but for a team with postseason aspirations, it’s not just about wins. It’s about how you win.
Expect head coach T.J. Otzelberger to challenge his group to play with urgency from the opening tip. The Cyclones have the depth, talent, and home-court advantage to control the game-but they’ll want to do it with the kind of sharp execution and intensity that’s carried them to this point.
The Bottom Line
Long Beach State brings a couple of intriguing pieces to Ames-Gavin Sykes is a rising star, and Petar Majstorovic has the tools to impact both ends of the floor. But they’re also a team still trying to find its footing, with just one Division I win so far this season.
Iowa State, on the other hand, is looking to fine-tune its game as conference play looms. Sunday’s matchup is more than just another non-conference contest-it’s a chance to get back to their standard.
And if the Cyclones bring the focus and fire they’ve shown for most of this season, they’ll be tough to handle in front of a packed Hilton Coliseum.