The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications.
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State men’s basketball team has announced its 2015-16 non-conference schedule, which features at least five games against teams that competed in last season’s NCAA Tournament.
The five non-conference opponents that were in the NCAA Tournament a year ago are the most for Iowa State since the 1990-91 team faced six tournament-tested foes.
Following an exhibition game on Nov. 6, the Cyclones open the regular season on Nov. 13 against Colorado at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The home opener will be against Chicago State on Monday, Nov. 16.
ISU has three home games in a row against tournament teams from Dec. 1-11. The stretch begins with North Dakota State on Dec. 1, which is followed by Buffalo coming to Hilton Coliseum on Dec. 7. ISU and Iowa meet in an Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series showdown on Dec. 11.
Times, television selections and Big 12 Conference schedule will be announced at a later date.
2015-16 Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown
Friday, Nov. 6 –TBA (Exhibition)
Friday, Nov. 13 – vs. Colorado (Sanford Pentagon – Sioux Falls, S.D.)
The Cyclones renew an old rivalry when they open the season against the Buffs at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It will be the 148th meeting (ISU leads the series 77-70) between the schools but the first since CU left the Big 12 in 2011. Colorado went 16-18 last season. Senior Josh Scott is the Buffs’ top returning scorer after averaging 14.5 points in the post last season.
Monday, Nov. 16 – Chicago State (Ames, Iowa)
Chicago State comes to town as a regional matchup in the Emerald Coast Classic. Chicago State went 8-24 in 2014-15. ISU is 7-0 all-time against Chicago State, with the last meeting coming in 2010.
Monday, Nov. 23 – Chattanooga (Ames, Iowa)
Iowa State will meet the Mocs of Chattanooga for the first time on Nov. 23 in the final regional game of the Emerald Coast Classic. Chattanooga, which went 22-10 last season, will be under the leadership of new coach Matt McCall, who comes to the school after spending four years as an assistant to Billy Donovan at Florida.
Friday, Nov. 27 – vs. Virginia Tech (Emerald Coast Classic – Niceville, Fla.)
Buzz Williams is in his second season as head coach in Blacksburg after going11-22 in his initial campaign. Williams will have a more talented roster in 2015-16 with a pair of four-star recruits and two three-stars entering the fold to play alongside Justin Bibbs, who was second on the team with 11.4 points as a freshman. Bibbs was recently named to USA Basketball’s U19 team. It will be the second meeting all-time against Virginia Tech, but the first since 1984.
Saturday, Nov. 28 – vs. Illinois/UAB (Emerald Coast Classic – Niceville, Fla.)
The second game of the Thanksgiving weekend tournament will pit the Cyclones against Illinois or give them a rematch of last year’s NCAA Tournament game against UAB. Illinois was 19-14 last season, while UAB finished 20-16.
Tuesday, Dec. 1 – North Dakota State (Ames, Iowa)
The Cyclones begin a four-game home stand against North Dakota State. The Bison will be the first of three games against opponents that advanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago. NDSU went 23-10 last season, falling to Gonzaga by 10 in the second round of the tournament. The Bison will have to replace their leading scorer, but A.J. Jacobson returns after scoring 11.6 points per game as a freshman. It will be the fifth meeting between the schools, with ISU having won the first four contests.
Monday, Dec. 7 – Buffalo (Ames, Iowa)
The Cyclones will host Buffalo for the first time since 1992. Buffalo finished the 2014-15 season with a 23-10 mark and will have a new coach when the season starts. Nate Oats replaced Bobby Hurley after he left for Arizona State. Leading scorer Justin Moss returns after averaging 17.5 points last season. ISU graduate assistant Nate Schmidt was an assistant coach for Nate Oats at Romulus High School in Detroit. Buffalo’s roster features three players from Romulus High School.
Friday, Dec. 11 – Iowa (Ames, Iowa)
The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series returns to Ames on Dec. 11 in what will surely be an anticipated showdown. It will be the 68th meeting between the schools, with ISU looking to win for the fifth time in the last six seasons. The Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes 90-75 last season at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Sunday, Dec. 13 – Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Ames, Iowa)
The Cyclones wrap up their home stand against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Golden Lions went 12-20 last season and are traveling to Ames for the fourth time. The Cyclones are 3-0 in the series, with the last meeting coming in 2002.
Saturday, Dec. 19 – vs. UNI (Hy-Vee Big Four Classic – Des Moines, Iowa)
Iowa State looks to improve to 4-0 at the Hy-Vee Big Four Classic when it faces UNI. Last time the two teams met, ISU erased an 18-point second-half deficit to win in overtime. It will be the 49th meeting between the schools, with ISU owning a 36-12 edge in the series. The Panthers went 31-4 last season, advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tuesday, Dec. 22 – at Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Another quick turnaround awaits the Cyclones as they take to the road for game at Cincinnati before the holiday break. The game will feature a matchup of former Murray State coaches – Iowa State’s Steve Prohm and Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin. Cincinnati made the third round of the NCAA Tournament last season, going 23-11 and beating Purdue in the second round. The Bearcats return their top six scorers and have been very good at home, owning a 354-76 (.823) record at Fifth Third Arena. ISU is 1-3 all-time against Cincinnati.
Wednesday, Dec. 30 – Coppin State (Ames, Iowa)
The final tuneup for the Big 12 season comes on Dec. 30 when they Cyclones host Coppin State in the final game of 2015. Coppin State was just 8-23 last season.
Saturday, Jan. 30 – at Texas A&M (Big 12/SEC Challenge – College Station, Texas)
About a month into the Big 12 season, league play will break for a weekend for the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Cyclones will face former conference foe Texas A&M, which will feature a matchup of Prohm and his former boss Billy Kennedy. Prohm spent much of his career coaching under Kennedy before taking over for him at Murray State. Texas A&M went 21-12 last season, advancing to the second round of the NIT. The Aggies were 14-4 at Reed Arena and they return their top three scorers and have the nation’s No. 7 recruiting class.
Wednesday, March 9-Saturday, March 12 – Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship (Kansas City, Mo.)
The Big 12 Championship returns to Kansas City for the seventh consecutive season. The Cyclones will look to defend their back-to-back tournament titles.
