Five thoughts from Alec Busse entering a new work week.
Iowa State's nonconference schedule looks more challenging. Iowa State confirmed their matchup with Mississippi State at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD, confirming a report from the Field of 68's Jeff Goodman. The game against the Bulldogs is the latest in a growing nonconference schedule that should challenge Iowa State more than any other nonconference slate in the T.J. Otzelberger era.
The Cyclones have nonconference games booked against three opponents. Purdue, Iowa and Mississippi State, and the game against the Boilermakers is on the road in Mackey Arena, one of the toughest venues in for road teams in college basketball. The three standalone games are in addition to Iowa State's participation in the Players' Era tournament in Las Vegas around Feast Week, which includes marquee programs like Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas, Michigan, Oregon, St. John's and Tennessee. Iowa State's opponents and draw for the NIL incentive tournament will be released at a later date. The Cyclones will play three games in the tournament.
Using the latest CBS Top 25 and 1, Iowa State will play or could play any combination of No. 1 Houston, No. 2 St. John's, No. 3 BYU, No. 4 Purdue, No. 6 Texas Teech, No. 7 Michigan, No. 10 Arizona, No. 16 Oregon, No. 17 Kansas, No. 18 Auburn, No. 20 Tennessee, No. 21 Gonzaga, No. 24 Alabama next season when looking at Big 12 opponents the Cyclones will play at least once and confirmed or potential MTE opponents.
That could be a loaded slate for Iowa State, and something the Cyclones have not experienced before. Using Kenpom's nonconference strength of schedule metric, Iowa State should be on track to play its most difficult slate of the Otzelberger era.
2024-25 Kenpom nonconference SOS: 204 nationally
2023-24 Kenpom nonconference SOS: 345 nationally
2022-23 Kenpom nonconference SOS: 198 nationally
2021-22 Kenpom nonconference SOS: 327 nationally
Iowa State's ability to draw Purdue and Mississippi State in nonconference games outside of an MTE is a sign of the program's strength. The Cyclones rank No. 12 in the latest CBS rankings themselves, and will most certainly provide a strong challenge to any opponent they face next season. Top programs want to play Iowa State because Otzelberger's program has risen to a consistent top 25 team for the last two seasons.
Now, with a more difficult test, the question becomes, can the Cyclones continue to ace it?