That looks like one of the more difficult non-conference schedules I can remember. That is certainly going to be a challenge for a young team, but there are numerous chances to build their CV for March in their (and even the cupcakes are less squishy than normal, which should help the SoS and computer rankings towards the end of the season if those mid- and low-majors on the schedule end up having good years on their own terms).
It should be fun. I am definitely going to go to the game against Southern Miss when I am back in Iowa before Thanksgiving. Should be my first time in Hilton since this game...
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/2015-01-31-iowa-state.html
...if I recall correctly.
Amazing a team with Monté Morris, Naz Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas, Bryce Dejean-Jones, Abdel Nader, Dustin Hogue, Georges Niang, and Jameel McKay did not accomplish more.
That is not even counting Clayton Custer riding the bench that year, the only one of them to ever play in a Final Four, and a serviceable big man in Daniel Edozie along for the ride.