Saturday, February 28th, 2026

I'm a little bummed today because the #4 Cyclones lost to #16 Texas Tech, 73-82. This was the first home loss of the season for Iowa State, and I had hoped that the Cyclones could have been perfect at home this season... but it was not meant to be.

I took Maxwell with me to today's game.  This was the 42nd men's basketball game that he has attended, and it was his second game vs. Texas Tech (2024 was the first). As for myself, this was the ninth time that I have seen the Cyclones play the Red Raiders in basketball.  The Cyclones had won all of the previous 8 games before today (2024, 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, and 2012). 

As for the game, Iowa State fell in a big hole in the first half and could never recover. Texas Tech led at halftime 45-29. For the game, Texas Tech made 14 of 29 from three point range. Joshua Jefferson led the Cyclones with 22 points. He was joined in double figures scoring for the Cyclones by Milan Momcilovic (20) and Tamin Lipsey (13).  On the bright side, tomorrow is the start of my favorite month!  Here's hoping to better basketball from the Cyclones in March. 

Monday, February 16th, 2026

 #6 Iowa State 70, #2 Houston 67

WOW. Tonight I took Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched probably the most exciting basketball game that I have ever been to. From the opening tip to the final play, the crowd inside Hilton was probably the best that I have been a part of.  Just tons of energy.  Of course the game was of huge significance, as it was a battle of top-10 teams.  So, when Iowa State fell behind by a score of 63-53 with about seven minutes to play, the team (and the fans) really had to dig deep to come out on top.  The Cyclones were able to end the game on a 17-4 run after that. Each of the 8 players that played for the Cyclones today scored at least 6 points, and the bench players really stepped up.  Jamarion Batemon made a 3 with a little over 2 minutes to play that put Iowa State on top 66-65.  Houston scored on the next possession before Nate Heise made the play of the night for Iowa State. He sank a 3 from the corner as the shot clock expired to put ISU up for good. Tamin Lipsey had a huge rebound for ISU down the stretch as well.

So, I would say the player of the game tonight was Nate Heise, who scored 11 points (including the clutch 3 at the end).  He was joined in double figures scoring by Joshua Jefferson (12) and Blake Buchanan (10). 

Tonight's game is the 52nd men's basketball game that Nolan has attended.  After tonight, there are only 3 teams left in the Big 12 that he has not witnessed Iowa State defeat (Arizona State, BYU, and Cincinnati). I believe that this is the 4th time that Nolan has seen the Cyclones defeat a top-25 team.  The previous games were against #22 Arizona last year, #5 Marquette last year, and #8 Kansas in 2023. 

As for myself, tonight's game is the first meeting I have seen between the Cyclones and Houston.  It was also the 11th time that I have seen Iowa State knock off a top-10 team.  The previous games were:

• #5 Marquette last season
• #7 Kansas in 2024
• #7 Texas in 2023
• #8 Kansas in 2023
• #5 Kansas in 2019
• #8 Texas Tech in 2018
• #9 Baylor in 2017
• #1 Oklahoma in 2016
• #9 Kansas in 2015
• #7 Michigan in 2013

GO STATE!

Saturday, February 7th, 2026

 Happy 9th birthday Logan!

The main reason I wanted to blog today was because I was able to take Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the #7 Iowa State Cyclones hold off Baylor, 72-69.

While the final score ended up close, the Cyclones really were never in a position to lose the game.  They were leading by 14 points with just over 2 minutes to play, before Baylor went on an 11-0 run to end the game.  Milan Momcilovic was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 21 points. He was joined in double figures by Joshua Jefferson (15) and Tamin Lipsey (14).  Iowa State now has a record of 21-2, and things seem to be lining up nicely for them to be well-seeded in the NCAA tournament. 

Today's game marks the 51st time that Nolan has been to an ISU men's basketball game, and it was his third time watching the Cyclones play Baylor. The previous games he has attended between the Cyclones and Bears were in 2022 and 2018. As for myself, this was the ninth matchup between these teams that I have seen.  That includes Cyclone wins today as well as in 2025, 2023, 2018, 2017, and 2013. The Bears came out on top in 2022, 2019, and in 2015. 

Today's game was a "white out", and they had white pom poms on every seat.