REPORT: Iowa State to play Creighton in 2021 Big East-Big 12 Battle

Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.

The matchups for the 2021 edition of the Big East-Big 12 Battle are reportedly set and Iowa State’s comes loaded with storylines.

Iowa State will travel to Omaha to take on Creighton, and the program’s former head coach Greg McDermott, this winter in the second iteration of the event, according to a report from CBS Sports‘ Jon Rothstein.

McDermott, who hired current Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger as an assistant in 2006, compiled a 59-68 record in four seasons at the helm in Ames. His tumultuous tenure at Iowa State ended when he left to take over as the head coach of the Bluejays following the 2009-10 season, which opened the door for the return of Fred Hoiberg.

In the years since, McDermott has won nearly 67 percent of his games while leading Creighton through its transition from the Missouri Valley and into the Big East. During his tenure, the Bluejays have won two conference tournaments, two regular-season conference titles and made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1974 this past March.

Iowa State and Creighton have matched up on the hardwood 32 total times with the Cyclones having won each of the last six games, including a 91-88 triumph at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Nov. 21, 2010. The two programs last played in Omaha on Jan. 18, 1995, in a game Iowa State won 70-52.

A 76-66 upset win over No. 16 Seton Hall made Iowa State one of only two Big 12 teams to win their game in the first Big East-Big 12 Battle back in December 2019.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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