ISU men’s basketball enters the 2026‑27 season with a mix of relief and uncertainty. A temporary restraining order from an Indiana court has cleared senior guard Tamin Lipsey to return for a fifth season, preserving a key piece of the Cyclones’ offense.
Lipsey’s eligibility restored
Late September brought news that Lipsey, who averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game last season, is eligible to play. The court’s ruling grants him a temporary reprieve, though the NCAA plans to appeal. If the appeal succeeds, the Cyclones could lose Lipsey once more, a scenario Coach T.J. Otzelberger hopes to avoid.
Injury concerns and new faces
Senior forward Killyan Toure suffered a shoulder injury at a summer camp and underwent surgery. The team hopes he will be cleared to play by January, adding depth to the frontcourt. Meanwhile, the Cyclones have added several transfers: guard Ryan Prather Jr. from Robert Morris, and Jaquan Johnson, a former Bradley point guard, who was slated to start before Lipsey’s return.
Junior forward Blake Buchanan, a 6‑foot‑10, 230‑pound presence, contributed 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds last season and will continue to anchor the interior.
Departures open up opportunities
Three‑year starter Milan Momcilovic left for Kentucky after withdrawing from the NBA draft, taking with him his 16.9 points per game and nation‑leading 48.7% three‑point accuracy. Senior forward Joshua Jefferson, a consensus All‑American who posted 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season, also departed.
These exits create room for younger players to step up, but also raise questions about how the Cyclones will replace the scoring and leadership those veterans provided.
Schedule highlights
The Cyclones open on Nov. 2 against Memphis in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, marking the first time since 2017 they begin the season away from Hilton Coliseum. They will spend Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas for the Players Era Men’s Championship, where a second‑round matchup could see them face Tennessee, the team that eliminated them in the Sweet 16 last year.
Key home games include a Dec. 5 showdown with Purdue and the annual CyHawk rivalry at Iowa on Dec. 10. The Big 12 opener arrives Jan. 2 at home versus Arizona.
Coach Otzelberger’s contract and defensive identity
In April, Otzelberger secured a 10‑year extension worth $6 million per year, underscoring the university’s confidence in his leadership. Since taking over in 2021‑22, his teams have posted a defensive average of 64.1 points allowed per game, ranking fourth nationally over that span.
Maintaining that defensive standard while integrating new talent will be a central challenge for Otzelberger, who has not missed an NCAA Tournament since assuming the head‑coaching role.
Outlook
If Lipsey remains eligible and Toure returns healthy, the Cyclones possess the experience and defensive foundation to contend in the Big 12. However, the roster’s fluidity—pending the NCAA appeal and the integration of transfers—means the season could still present unexpected hurdles. Fans can look forward to a competitive schedule and the chance to see new players step into larger roles as the campaign unfolds.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
