College basketball is just under three months away, so it’s time to look ahead and see what Iowa State could do.
The Cyclones host one of the best non-conference opponents Hilton Coliseum may have ever seen, an easier conference opponent, and a possible sophomore breakout.
Defeat Purdue at home
During the 2025-26 season, the Cyclones impressively went undefeated in non-conference play despite taking on St. John’s, Creighton and Purdue.
In Iowa State’s 2025 game versus Purdue, the Boilermakers entered as the highest-ranked team in the nation. The Cyclones impressively put together one of their best performances of the season, beating Purdue 81-58 at Mackey Arena.
Now for the 2026-27 season, the opposite end of the home-and-home series will be played at Hilton Coliseum.
Despite Purdue being a consistent powerhouse in college basketball, the Boilermakers have lost some of their biggest strengths.
Purdue’s four leading scorers for 2025-26 all graduated. The Boilermakers’ scoring and assist leader, Braden Smith, was drafted by the Indiana Pacers.
Trey Kaufman-Renn was selected 59th by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Fletcher Loyer and Oscar Cluff both went undrafted and signed as free agents.
That means Purdue’s experience and old starting lineup is almost entirely gone. And not to discredit the Boilermakers, but the program is coming in relatively inexperienced.
The Cyclones also host Purdue this time around, and if Hilton Magic is alive and well, which it should be for this ranked matchup, the home court advantage for Iowa State should be overwhelming and allow them to put together a victory.
Less than six losses in conference play
During the 2025-26 regular season, Iowa State finished with a conference record of 12-6, meaning they won two in every three games.
The Big 12 across that season, though, was arguably the most stacked the Big 12 has been. In the 2026 NBA Draft, the first and second picks were both Big 12 alumni; AJ Dybantsa was selected first from BYU, and Darryn Peterson was selected second from Kansas.
The Big 12 itself also set a conference record for the most selections out of the conference, with 13 total and nine in the first round.
Although the Big 12 still seems powerful for the 2026-27 season, chances are Iowa State will not have to face off against opponents as impressive.
Even though dates aren’t confirmed, Iowa State plays home and away versus Kansas, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
Kansas will almost certainly win at least one game versus the Cyclones, but Iowa State should be able to pull away with two wins against both Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
Iowa State also hosts some tricky opponents. Arizona, BYU and TCU are all played at home, while Houston, Baylor and Texas Tech will all be away matchups.
Killyan Toure’s breakout season
Killyan Toure will be entering his sophomore year for 2026-27, and it feels almost guaranteed that he’ll break out and become a Cyclone star.
The Frenchman started every single game for Iowa State during the 2025-26 season, the only Cyclone to do so besides Milan Momcilovic.
Toure also averaged 8.6 points per game on 46% shooting and 3.5 rebounds per game as a 6-foot-3 guard.
A full offseason in Ames should allow Toure to really prove why he has the possibility to become one of the best players in college basketball.