Iowa State is participating in The Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City

[1UNI2ISU]

Out of all the non con tourneys, it’s one of the strongest.

But facts and all.

It is, for now

There's still teams waiting on money from last year and teams getting cold feet about this year. Virginia already pulled out.

 

[CyDude16]

It is, for now

There's still teams waiting on money from last year and teams getting cold feet about this year. Virginia already pulled out.

If the battle for Atlantis is still going, it’s going to be just fine

 

[Cycsk]

There is an extra game now so season tickets holders haven't lost any games yet

Do folks really care whether we have one more or less non-con games?

I buy my season tickets to attend:

• the first game just to see the new players in person,
• high profile non-con games,
• Big 12 conference games.

The rest of the non-con games are "freebies" that I give to other people who can't afford tickets.

 

[Cycsk]

It only annoys me because that game near Christmas is usually one I'm able to attend when I'm back in Iowa. Moving it south makes that a no-go now.

OK, that's a legit reason for caring about a non-con home game.

 

[Freebird]

Good for KC local fans to take in a game but lol if they think any contingent of fans is going to travel to see that matchup.

 

[cycloneworld]

Do folks really care whether we have one more or less non-con games?

I buy my season tickets to attend:

• the first game just to see the new players in person,
• high profile non-con games,
• Big 12 conference games.

The rest of the non-con games are "freebies" that I give to other people who can't afford tickets.

Exactly. Having one more game in Hilton against a 300+ NET buy game does nothing where at least games like this KC one give Missouri Cyclones an easier opportunity to see us play. And I'm sure it brings in more $$$. Don't really see a downside to this game.

 

[4cy16]

I wish the Iowa game would go back to Friday night

Saturday night would be even better.

 

[cyclones500]

Last year:
May 22 - Non-conference schedule
June 12 - Big 12 opponents (teams and locations, no dates)
July 1 - Players Era opponents
Sept. 9 - Big Monday schedule
Sept. 23 - Big 12 schedule
Oct. 1 - ABC announcement
Oct. 14 - TV designations

We already know a bunch of pieces for the 2026-27 schedule, just based off of what's already been announced.

Nov. 2 vs Memphis (in Sioux Falls)
3 Players Era games (in Las Vegas)
vs Purdue
at Iowa, likely Dec. 10
Dec. 18 vs Missouri State (in Kansas City)
Dec. 29 vs New Hampshire
18 conference games

That only leaves 6 unknowns.

I was thinking that leaves 5 unknowns, then I remembered they increased max # of games to 32 beginning w/ 26-27.

 

[rochclone]

Last year we played Syracuse, Purdue, Creighton, St Johns's . This year Missouri state.

We are also playing in Vegas again this year. Plus at Iowa, Purdue at home. The non-conference will be better than last year.

 

[rochclone]

True, fairly solid.

I wouldn't mind trying to get a H/A similar to Purdue, but would have to be the away game since Purdue is home this season, so that gives up additional home non-con. But even that leaves 6 open slots for what are likely the buy game cupcakes.

To this point, we know we have:
Players Era
Players Era
Players Era
Purdue
at Iowa
vs. Missouri State (Hall of Fame Classic)

Plus Memphis in Sioux Falls.

 

[rochclone]

Putting an awful lot of faith in the Player's Era not collapsing...

Well if it falls apart we can always buy a game against a MVC team.

 

[alexssdean12]

We already know a bunch of pieces for the 2026-27 schedule, just based off of what's already been announced.

Nov. 2 vs Memphis (in Sioux Falls)
3 Players Era games (in Las Vegas)
vs Purdue
at Iowa, likely Dec. 10
Dec. 18 vs Missouri State (in Kansas City)
Dec. 29 vs New Hampshire
18 conference games

That only leaves 6 unknowns.

I'm hoping for at least 2 of the 6 remaining games to be against teams above the 250 Kenpom/Net.

I can understand wanting to play a couple bad teams early in the year but this stretch last year sucked:

 

[chuckd4735]

Out of all the non con tourneys, it’s one of the strongest.

But facts and all.

Players Era NIL Payments Stalled in College Sports Commission Review

What remains unclear is the extent to which these delays are attributable to Players Era, the CSC, or the schools themselves.

www.sportico.com

Players Era Festival seeking massive TV deal, but networks aren't biting

Players Era Festival is reportedly seeking a TV deal worth $50 million annually, but no networks are biting on the price.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[cyclonespiker33]

I don't see a problem with this. We play enough tough teams so we don't need to be scheduling them for every game. Personally it gives me a chance to go experience a game in KC since the Big 12 tourny is during tax season which doesn't allow me to get down there then.

For me, I'm going to go down with some friends for my birthday weekend. Eat, drink, ISU basketball. Way less J-Hawk fans than Big 12 tournament. I don't see a downside.

 

[Remo Gaggi]

Just a one game / or play the other Drake/WSU as well?

Last year it was a two day event with championship and consolation game on day two. Freddy and Nebraska won

 

[harimad]

I'm going for

1. The bbq
2. The Cyclones

I’m guessing that’s in order too. Darn good bbq there.

 

[theshadow]

It only annoys me because that game near Christmas is usually one I'm able to attend when I'm back in Iowa. Moving it south makes that a no-go now.

The KC game is on Friday 12/18.

I wouldn't be surprised if they shoehorned another game at Hilton on Monday 12/21 or Tuesday 12/22, especially since the limit is now 32 games instead of 31.

 

[cyclones500]

Plus Memphis in Sioux Falls.

True. I updated my initial post after a couple of reminders posted by @theshadow

 

[cyclones500]

The KC game is on Friday 12/18.

I wouldn't be surprised if they shoehorned another game at Hilton on Monday 12/21 or Tuesday 12/22, especially since the limit is now 32 games instead of 31.

I'd expect that, too. With a game already schedule for 12/29, then Big 12 will start early January.

There is about a 3-week gap between Memphis (opening date of season) and Players Era, we probably have to have five in that stretch.

Last season, ISU had only 4 games total before Players Era.

Another option is one between PE and Purdue (as was the case last season).

I think my math is correct.

 

[cyclones500]

All this schedule talk makes me want next season to start within, like, a month from now.