The Iowa State Cyclones are beginning their 2026-27 college basketball season with a bang. In their first game, they face the Memphis Tigers at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD.

Heading into the game, many expect Iowa State to take an easy win. Memphis is a solid mid-major program, often making it to the NCAA Tournament, but isn’t really able to compete with some of the nation’s top programs like the Cyclones. In addition, this Tigers team isn’t nearly as talented or as well-run. It makes it seem like Iowa State should be able to get an easy victory.

But what scares us the most is Memphis’s exhibition games, which do showcase some interesting things .

Their first game was against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on the road, a game where they not only won, but dominated, 75-58. Jayden Reid, the Tigers’ star player, put up 26 points in the contest, fueling the team's victory.…