AMES — Iowa State’s full 2025-26 basketball schedule hasn’t been released yet, but some details are starting to leak out.
Last week, the Big 10 announced schedules for men’s and women’s basketball, so the Big 12 should be out soon.
Here’s what we know about ISU’s 2025-26 basketball schedule:
ISU’s Big 12 opponents:
Home Only: Arizona State, UCF, Colorado, Houston, Texas Tech, West Virginia
Away Only: Arizona, BYU, Cincinnati, Kansas State, TCU, Utah
Both: Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State
Open exhibition at Creighton on Oct. 17
Cyclone fans can get a first-look at the team in an open exhibition at Creighton on Oct. 17. It’s only a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Omaha and could be worth it on an ISU football bye week.
Mississippi State game in Sioux Falls on Nov. 10
ISU coach TJ Otzelberger returns to the state of South Dakota, where he coached from 2016 to 19 at South Dakota State. The Mississippi State Bulldogs reached the NCAA Tournament last season.
St. John’s and Creighton matchups at Players Era Tournament Nov. 24-25:
ISU’s big feast week tournament this season is the Player’s Era Tournament in Las Vegas. Matchups with coach Rick Pitino and St. John’s and a rematch that counts with coach Greg McDermott and Creighton are the highlights.
Huge showdown at Purdue on Dec. 6
Otzelberger isn’t running from anybody in the nonconference portion of the schedule. ISU plays at Purdue in what will likely be a matchup of two top-ranked teams. Purdue returns the favor and plays in Ames during the 2026-27 season.
ISU hosts Iowa on Dec. 11
The Cyclones have won three of the past four Cy-Hawk matchups, including the past two at home.
Big 12 play begins on Friday, Jan. 2 with Iowa State and West Virginia
Monday, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported the first Big 12 conference game of the 2025-26 college basketball season will be on Friday, Jan. 2 as West Virginia visits ISU.
ISU plays two ‘Big Monday’ games
ISU is scheduled for two ESPN Big Monday games.
On Feb. 16 ISU hosts Houston (8 p.m.) and on March 2 ISU travels to Arizona (2 p.m.). ESPN is broadcasting both games.
Ben Hutchens is an Iowa State University beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at Ben.Hutchens@lee.net.
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