No 16 Iowa State opened up the 2025-2026 season with a dominating 88-50 win over the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights on Monday night. The Cyclones return to Hilton Coliseum tonight at 7 for a matchup against the Grambling State Tigers on ESPN+.
Who is Grambling State?
Grambling State enters the matchup against the Cyclones 1-0 on the young season after an impressive 91-47 win over Huston-Tillotson in their season opener. Under new head coach Patrick Crarey, the Tigers showcased a fast-paced, aggressive style built on pressure defense and attacking the paint. They forced 25 turnovers, which included 18 steals and 10 blocked shots. Their defensive identity is very similar to Iowa State’s. They thrive on disruption and transition opportunities.
Offensively, they like to get the ball into the paint with their length. They scored 52 points in the paint and added 30 fast-break points in their last game, emphasizing rim pressure and athleticism over perimeter shooting (just 21.7% from three). Grambling isn’t a great three-point shooting team, so Iowa State should be able to pack the paint.
Top Players to Watch
Jimel Lane, a 6’7 forward, led the Tigers in their opener with 15 points, showcasing his ability to finish inside and run the floor. The senior thrives in transition and brings defensive versatility, capable of guarding multiple positions. Alongside him, Devyn Franklin, a 6’8 guard, dominated the glass with 14 rebounds against Huston-Tillotson. He anchors Grambling’s interior presence. His size and athleticism make him a critical piece in their paint-oriented attack.
Freshman forward Antonio Munoz added 12 points in his Grambling State debut. His upside as an athletic finisher fits perfectly in Coach Crarey’s up-tempo and defensive style system. Veteran wings Jamil Muttilib and Rickey Ballard combined for 20 points in the opener. They provided experience and toughness on the perimeter. Their defensive versatility will be key against Iowa State. They are a long and really athletic team. The rebounding category will be one to watch for on Thursday.
Three Things That Stood Out in Iowa State’s 88-50 Win Over Fairleigh Dickinson
Milan Momcilovic’s Scorching Start
The junior forward exploded for a career-high 29 points, hitting 7-10 from three. His ability to stretch the floor and score at all levels makes him Iowa State’s most dangerous weapon. When he’s in rhythm, the Cyclones’ offense becomes hard to guard. Milan is quietly becoming a great screener. He has mentioned that he watches Steph Curry set screens and find ways to get open. He has been doing that in the earlier part of the season. The shots haven’t fallen consistently yet, but as he continues to learn and get a feel for finding the open spots in the defense, he is going to shred teams on the offensive end.
Tamin Lipsey’s All-Around Impact
Returning from a preseason knee injury, Tamin Lipsey looked sharp, he tallied 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and five steals. His defensive pressure and ability to control tempo were key in turning FDU’s 24 turnovers into easy points. Lipsey and Killyan Toure are one of the best one-two punches in the country on the defensive end. Those two will be fun to watch cause havoc against Big 12 backcourts.
Defensive Intensity and Depth
The Cyclones forced 24 turnovers, converting them into 18 points, and held FDU to 32% shooting. It finally feels like Iowa State’s defense is back to what it was in Otzelbergers’ first two years. Watching the speed of the guard play on the perimeter paired with the defensive minded bigs, Iowa State can really rely on that defense to win them games. We haven’t seen the rim protection from guys like Blake Buchanan, Eric Mulder, and Dominykas Pleta yet, but we know they can do it. It may take them longer than the guards to get up to speed on that end of the floor.
