DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Cyclone men’s basketball team is starting off the 2025-2026 season ranked. The Cyclones enter the season at #16 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll.

The Cyclones had a record of 25-10 last season, making it to the NCAA tournament and securing a win against Lipscomb before losing to Ole Miss to end the season.

The first game for Iowa State is an exhibition against another ranked opponent, #23 Creighton. That game is on Friday, October 17th at 7:30 p.m. in Omaha.

Rankings

Released October 13

1. Purdue
2. Houston
3. Florida
4. UConn
5. St. John’s
6. Duke
7. Michigan
8. BYU
9. Kentucky
10. Texas Tech
11. Louisville
12. UCLA
13. Arizona
14. Arkansas
15. Alabama
16. Iowa State
17. Illinois
18. Tennessee
19. Kansas
20. Auburn
21. Gonzaga
22. Michigan State
23. Creighton
24. Wisconsin
25. North Carolina

Others receiving votes:

NC State 101, Oregon 98, San Diego St. 74, Texas 35, Ohio St. 23, Kansas St 13, Mississippi 11, Southern Cal 10, Missouri 8, Washington 7, Vanderbilt 7, Iowa 6, Boise St. 4, Mississippi St. 3, VCU 2, Virginia 2, Saint Mary’s 2, Indiana 1, Oklahoma 1, Baylor 1.