Mar 7, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) reacts during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Fun fact: Dystopian early 1980s classic, “Escape from New York,” was filmed largely in St. Louis.
Much more fun fact for No. 7 Iowa State: The Cyclones (27-7) will open NCAA Tournament play relatively close to home in the “Gateway to the West.”
ISU is the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region and will take on 15th-seeded Tennessee State in Friday’s first round game at a time to be announced at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
“In terms of location, (it’s) great for our fan base to be able to travel — and credit to our guys to be able to play in the Midwest, and play not too far from campus,” said Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger, who’s guided his team to its fifth straight berth in the so-called Big Dance. “So I think it’s a great thing.”
The selection committee considered ISU to be the third No. 2 seed, behind Houston and Connecticut, and ahead of Purdue, which beat No. 1 seed Michigan Sunday to claim the Big Ten Tournament title.
The Cyclones would play either seventh-seeded Kentucky or 10th-seeded Santa Clara on Sunday if they can beat the Ohio Valley Champion champion Tigers (23-9), who finished the season on a six-game winning streak under first-year head coach Nolan Smith.
Otzelberger — who has guided ISU to two Sweet 16 appearances in his five seasons at the helm — expressed deep respect for Smith, a former Duke star, and watched Tennessee State play a game earlier this season against UNLV.
“I caught part of that game and was just really impressed with how hard they play and how competitive they are as a group,” Otzelberger said.
The Cyclones, meanwhile, are bullish on their team-wide toughness and execution on both ends of the floor after taking No. 1 seed Arizona to the final horn in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament. The Wildcats beat Houston on Saturday to add a conference tournament title to its regular-season crown, but Otzelberger’s team left Kansas City convinced it’s primed for success as March Madness ensues.
“We’re playing very well right now,” said sharpshooting junior forward Milan Momcilovic, who was named to the Big 12 Tournament team after a 28-point performance in the 82-80 loss to Arizona. “We’re confident. We’re playing well on offense and defense. So I think going into this tournament we’re holding our heads high and working to come up with the best outcomes we can come out with.”
The Cyclones also — unlike last season — enter the NCAA Tournament relatively healthy, though star senior point guard Tamin Lipsey said he tweaked his groin against the Wildcats. He also returned to that game, however, and drained a 3-pointer to tie the score, 80-80, in the closing seconds — and looked good doing it.
“We haven’t practiced since (that loss) and he’s been getting treatment on it,” Otzelberger said. “Tamin’s as tough as they come and he’ll continue to take whatever steps are necessary, but we know he’ll be ready to be at his best on Friday.”
The rest of ISU’s players feel the same way, and aren’t looking to escape from anything. Just play loose and dig deep. Thrive and advance while keeping unneeded stress at bay.
“Even though the games are really serious, you don’t want to feel heavy,” All-American senior forward Joshua Jefferson said. “You want to feel free and be able to just play the game to the best of your ability. So just keeping everybody confident and keeping everybody light.”
