Iowa State Basketball Drops Loaded 2025-26 Nonconference Schedule

Cyclones host eight games at Hilton and face national powers in the Players Era Festival

Iowa State’s 2025-26 non-conference schedule is set, and it’s got a little bit of everything: home cooking, battles with Big Ten foes, and a high-profile trip to Las Vegas.

The Cyclones open the season with a three-game burst: Fairleigh Dickinson (Nov. 3) and Grambling State (Nov. 6) at Hilton Coliseum, followed by a neutral-site clash with NCAA Tournament team Mississippi State (Nov. 10) in Sioux Falls.

Stonehill (Nov. 17) wraps the early home slate before the headliner—Players Era Festival in Vegas (Nov. 25–29)—where the Cyclones will join a loaded field featuring Alabama, Kansas, Gonzaga, Houston, and more. Thirteen of the 18 events’ teams reached the NCAA Tournament last year.

After the Sin City showdown, ISU hosts Alcorn State (Dec. 3) before back-to-back matchups with Big Ten opponents.

First up is a Dec. 6 road trip to Purdue, a Sweet 16 team last year, then a Dec. 11 showdown with rival Iowa in the Cy-Hawk Series. The Cyclones have won two straight in the series and are chasing their first three-peat since 2013-15.

The non-con slate finishes with three winnable home games: Eastern Illinois (Dec. 14), Long Beach State (Dec. 21), and Houston Christian (Dec. 29).

Iowa State will also play two exhibition games—at Creighton (Oct. 17) and at home vs. Northwestern (Oct. 26)—before the real action begins.

What matters: This schedule gives T.J. Otzelberger’s squad a shot to build momentum early, test themselves against top-tier talent in Vegas, and pad the NCAA résumé before Big 12 play. Eyes will be on the Cyclones’ defensive intensity and how the backcourt reloads following offseason departures.

Hilton will host eight regular-season games before New Year’s, giving fans plenty of chances to see a retooled roster before conference play.