The Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball team has proven time and time again that when they are the underdogs and underestimated, it is when they play their best.

Entering the 2026-27 season, it certainly looks as if they are being undervalued by some people again. The injury to Killyan Toure is a massive blow to overcome, but the Cyclones were on the right side of one of the eligibility lawsuits filed in Indiana that included Tamin Lipsey .

The star point guard is currently eligible to play for Iowa State, and as long as he is in the mix, their ceiling is incredibly high. A steady two-way performer, he will raise the level of performance of all his teammates around him.

That is partly why their placement in the preseason top 25 ranking done by CJ Moore of The Athletic (subscription required) can be viewed as underwhelming. Ranked No.…