A closer look at the 9 most important Iowa State basketball games on the 2021-2022 schedule
It didn't take long for first-year Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger to make a major impact in Ames.
The Cyclones started a flawless 12-0 to begin the 2021-22 season, featuring big neutral site wins over Xavier and Memphis, an impressive road win at Creighton and a beatdown of in-state rival Iowa at Hilton Coliseum.
Few, if any, expected Iowa State to find itself in the top 25, let alone the top 10. Iowa State enters Big 12 play with realistic hopes at a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019; now, there are games on the schedule that could either help the Cyclones build upon their strong start, or stop the momentum in its tracks.
Here's a closer look at the nine most important games of the Iowa State basketball season.
Nov. 24: Iowa State vs. Xavier (NIT Season Tip-Off)
Iowa State heads to Brooklyn, New York, for the NIT Season Tip-Off, beginning with a matchup with Xavier. This is the Cyclones' first game away from Hilton Coliseum all season, and it comes against one of college basketball's most consistent programs. Xavier has made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances since 2000-01, missing the Big Dance just four times since then.
A strong performance here would give a young Iowa State team plenty of confidence going into the second half of the non-conference slate.
More: Iowa State basketball, Izaiah Brockington swarm Xavier in convincing non-conference upset
Dec. 4: Iowa State at Creighton
Not only is Creighton a good test for the Cyclones — they're also coached by Greg McDermott, who spent four seasons as Iowa State's head coach (2006-10). McDermott hired Otzelberger to be an assistant coach at Iowa State in 2006, so the two head coaches have plenty of familiarity.
Creighton made the NCAA Tournament last season at a 5-seed. The Blue Jays won two games before falling to eventual runner-up Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.
More: Iowa State basketball's defense keeps the Cyclones perfect with win at Creighton
Dec. 9: Iowa at Iowa State
Likely the most anticipated non-conference game of the season for the Cyclones, Iowa comes to town Dec. 9 for the annual Cy-Hawk game. This rivalry has been about as even as can be in recent years — the Cyclones hold a narrow 11-9 edge over the last 20 meetings, and it's a dead-even 5-5 over the last 10.
The Hawkeyes have won the previous three, however, including a 2019 win in Ames that snapped Iowa State's 8-game home winning streak in the series.
More: You can add Izaiah Brockington to Iowa State's pantheon of legendary Cy-Hawk performers
Jan. 1: Baylor at Iowa State
Iowa State won't have a chance to ease into the Big 12 slate this season. The first conference game on the schedule comes against defending national champion Baylor, which went 28-2 last year. Iowa State hasn't beaten the Bears since the 2018-19 Big 12 Tournament.
Baylor hasn't missed a beat since winning the national title a year ago; the Bears started a perfect 12-0.
More: No. 8 Iowa State basketball loses first game of the season in tight contest with No. 1 Baylor
Jan. 11: Iowa State at Kansas
Iowa State's first crack at the Jayhawks comes just four games into the Big 12 slate. The Jayhawks are once again among the nation's best teams, and this time, they have a familiar face: Jalen Coleman-Lands.
Coleman-Lands spent the 2020-21 season in Ames after transferring in from DePaul. He was second on the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game.
More: Peterson: Last-second loss at Kansas, although painful, proves Iowa State is for real
Jan. 15: Texas at Iowa State
The very next game on Iowa State's schedule is a big one. Texas, ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll, is in its first year under former Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard.
The Cyclones have had mixed results against both Texas and Beard's Texas Tech squads, most notably in 2018-19 when Iowa State won, 68-64, on the road at Texas Tech. That year's Red Raider team became national runner-up after losing the title game in overtime to Virginia.
More: What channel is Iowa State basketball vs. Texas? How to watch, livestream and listen to the game
Jan. 29: Missouri at Iowa State
Wait, what year is it?
Fans of the old Big 12 — or even the old Big 8 — will remember plenty of great battles between these two programs. Iowa State has only played Mizzou twice since the Tigers departed for the SEC after 2011-12, losing at Missouri in 2017 and winning in Ames the following year.
Feb. 1: Kansas at Iowa State
If the Cyclones can't pull off the win at Allen Fieldhouse in January, perhaps they can win the rematch in Ames. One thing is for sure: Hilton Coliseum will be packed for this Tuesday night game.
March 5: Iowa State at Baylor
In a weird scheduling quirk, both Iowa State's Big 12 opener and Big 12 finale come against Baylor. This one could provide the Cyclones with a final chance at a signature win before the postseason.
Waco has been a house of horrors for Iowa State in recent years. The last time Iowa State won at Baylor (87-82 in 2013), Fred Hoiberg was in his third year as head coach and current six-year NBA veteran Georges Niang was a freshman making his 14th career start.
Aaron Marner is a digital producer with the USA Today Network. You can follow him on Twitter @A_Mar32 or reach him at amarner@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 9 important Iowa State basketball games of 2021-22, including Texas
