MBB: Who Should Iowa State Want Their Basketball Rivalries To Be?

[JakeBrend]

With just three home and home games each year in Big 12 play moving forward, who should Iowa State fans want to play?

I've got my list of 1-15 here. Would love to know your thoughts!

Who Should Iowa State Want Their Basketball Rivalries To Be? - Cyclone Fanatic

Last week, the Big 12 Conference released every school’s 2025-26 home-and-home opponents. In the new structure, with 18 games and 16 schools, each team only gets to play three teams twice in the regular season… a far cry from the beautiful round robin. The Cyclone men’s three opponents are...

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[michaelrr1]

Stick with the old Big 8 schools that have stayed with the conference. Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State.

 

[RustShack]

I think Kansas and K State are locks. For three, I’d probably lean Oklahoma State. Wouldn’t complain about Colorado, West Virgina, or Cincinnati.

 

[madguy30]

KU and KSU are good starts...the third almost needs to be someone that will at least be decent every year (Houston, BYU) to draw the excitement but that's probably not fair since it's not guaranteed.

OSU does fit the bill for an old Big 8 deal.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Stick with the old Big 8 schools that have stayed with the conference. Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State.

Like this but Houston and BYU have kind of organically become newer rivals in a short amount of time.

KU is still number 1 by a mile.

 

[cycloner29]

Kansas must be destroyed!!

 

[CyberJJJ]

With just three home and home games each year in Big 12 play moving forward, who should Iowa State fans want to play?

I've got my list of 1-15 here. Would love to know your thoughts!

Who Should Iowa State Want Their Basketball Rivalries To Be? - Cyclone Fanatic

Last week, the Big 12 Conference released every school’s 2025-26 home-and-home opponents. In the new structure, with 18 games and 16 schools, each team only gets to play three teams twice in the regular season… a far cry from the beautiful round robin. The Cyclone men’s three opponents are...

cyclonefanatic.com

Nice conversation article. A few follow up points:

• Kansas - you mentioned the record, but it was one game off as we shouldn't count the one where they got the extra free throws! Hard to mention them without mentioning Jamaal Tinsley's quote that Phog Allen is "just another basketball arena". Glad you mentioned the Niang injury, but the cool part was all the kids wearing a Band-Aid like Georges the next night. Doesn't Perry Ellis still have eligibility?
• Kansas State - While Tang provides theatre, the biggest problem playing Kansas State twice a year is if you have to look at those gosh-awful two different shades of purple shorts and shirts.
• Oklahoma State - Kudos for mentioning "The Great Flopper" but you have to give a shoutout to the pep band and students for all flopping in unison when Smart was introduced in Hilton. I also think Deandre Kane deserves a shoutout as Smart tried to flop on him twice in the same sequence of play and was called for a blocking foul.

 

[VeloClone]

Nice conversation article. A few follow up points:

• Kansas - you mentioned the record, but it was one game off as we shouldn't count the one where they got the extra free throws! Hard to mention them without mentioning Jamaal Tinsley's quote that Phog Allen is "just another basketball arena". Glad you mentioned the Niang injury, but the cool part was all the kids wearing a Band-Aid like Georges the next night. Doesn't Perry Ellis still have eligibility?
• Kansas State - While Tang provides theatre, the biggest problem playing Kansas State twice a year is if you have to look at those gosh-awful two different shades of purple shorts and shirts.
• Oklahoma State - Kudos for mentioning "The Great Flopper" but you have to give a shoutout to the pep band and students for all flopping in unison when Smart was introduced in Hilton. I also think Deandre Kane deserves a shoutout as Smart tried to flop on him twice in the same sequence of play and was called for a blocking foul.

*"...just another gym."

EDIT:

 

[CascadeClone]

KU
...
KSU
...
...
...
OSU
CU

I get the UH and BYU votes, but I think I'd rather play them once and win more often in regular season. In terms of "want" anyway.

Also, can WV be like a reverse-rival? So we play them 0 times per year? Although maybe with HuggyBall a thing of the past, they're OK now.

 

[isucy86]

IMO the Big12 Tournament is always the chance to have the best Big12 teams square-off and settle any questions who the best Big12 hoops team was that season. So no need to play the other top Big12 teams like Houston automatically twice. If the Big12 wants to do so for TV purposes, the so be it.

The Big12 regular season is the chance for rivals to square off home & home. I would prefer to have ISU play KU, KSU, OSU, CU, etc. at least twice. I'd go as far as, it's not necessary to play every Big12 team, every year.

 

[ISUTex]

With just three home and home games each year in Big 12 play moving forward, who should Iowa State fans want to play?

I've got my list of 1-15 here. Would love to know your thoughts!

Who Should Iowa State Want Their Basketball Rivalries To Be? - Cyclone Fanatic

Last week, the Big 12 Conference released every school’s 2025-26 home-and-home opponents. In the new structure, with 18 games and 16 schools, each team only gets to play three teams twice in the regular season… a far cry from the beautiful round robin. The Cyclone men’s three opponents are...

cyclonefanatic.com

Kansas
Houston
BYU
Kansas State


Screw Okie State. Put some fans in your arena and maybe we'll talk.

 

[CycloneT]

It’s Kansas Kansas St and Houston. It’s not even a debate

 

[CyCrazy]

It’s Kansas Kansas St and Houston. It’s not even a debate

I would add OSU if I could.

 

[CycloneT]

I would add OSU if I could.

They gave up on basketball as soon as the Thunder arrived. Playing at GIA just seems depressing

 

[CyCrazy]

They gave up on basketball as soon as the Thunder arrived. Playing at GIA just seems depressing

Ya and that sucks, shouldnt have expanded the arena. Big 8 days were great.

 

[WISCY1895]

Kansas and K-State. Outside of that I guess I’ll say Colorado. Oklahoma State is just a joke these days. Nobody goes to their games. It’s completely irrelevant

 

[CyCity]

Kansas, Kansas State and BYU.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Kansas and Kansas State, and no real preference for #3, other than I don't think any of the Texas teams or Central Florida make sense.

 

[NWICY]

IMO the Big12 Tournament is always the chance to have the best Big12 teams square-off and settle any questions who the best Big12 hoops team was that season. So no need to play the other top Big12 teams like Houston automatically twice. If the Big12 wants to do so for TV purposes, the so be it.

The Big12 regular season is the chance for rivals to square off home & home. I would prefer to have ISU play KU, KSU, OSU, CU, etc. at least twice. I'd go as far as, it's not necessary to play every Big12 team, every year.

I'll strongly disagree with the not play every team every yr, minimum of 1 game a yr I like playing everyone, it makes for a more entertaining season. IMO.

 

[CyberJJJ]

It’s Kansas Kansas St and Houston. It’s not even a debate

Actually, it is a debate or there wouldn't be so many posts in this string. Sorry, this came across like one of my kids arguing with a sibling then pivoting out of the room to ensure they got the last word in. Comes across like not valuing anyone else's opinion. Reminds me of this take on an old Stephen Butler quote:
“A man convinced against his will,
Is of the same opinion still.”

Having said all of that, I agree with our three choices as top rivals.