Iowa State to play Villanova in Phil Knight Invitational

Mar 26, 2022; San Antonio, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Justin Moore (5) shoots the ball against Houston Cougars guard Kyler Edwards (11) during the second half in the finals of the South regional of the men’s college basketball NCAA Tournament at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State will play at least one of the nation’s best programs during its 2022-23 non-conference slate.

The Cyclones have been scheduled to face Villanova in the opening round of the Phil Knight Invitational on Nov. 24 in Portland, Ore., according to CBS Sports‘ Jon Rothstein.

The Wildcats went 30-8 last season, reaching the Final Four before losing to eventual national champion Kansas. The season was followed by the Earth-shattering news that longtime legendary head coach Jay Wright, who led the program to national championships in 2016 and 2018, would be retiring and be replaced by longtime assistant Kyle Neptune.

Jeff Goodman ranked the Wildcats No. 11 in his latest preseason rankings with three contributors from last season’s Final Four run set to return, including double-digit scoring guards Justin Moore and Caleb Daniels.

The winner of the game between Iowa State and Villanova will take on the winner of the contest between reigning national runner-up North Carolina and Portland. The other side of the bracket will feature Oregon taking on UConn and Michigan State squaring off with Alabama.

North Carolina is No. 1 in Goodman’s rankings while Oregon comes in at No. 15, Alabama is No. 18 and UConn is No. 23.

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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