Field Level Media Top 25: No. 17 Iowa State

Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Killyan Toure (27) moves the ball in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Field Level Media college basketball writers submitted ballots for their Top 25 men's basketball teams entering the 2026-27 season. The poll results are in: Here's a closer look at No. 17 Iowa State. 17. Iowa State 2025-26 record: 29-8 Outlook for 2026-27: It's not a brand-name program, but T.J. Otzelberger has transformed Iowa State into a team no one wants to play in February, least of all in Ames. The next step is to get deeper into March. What we like: Iowa State returns 52.9% of its minutes, a mark only a handful of high-majors can say they've hit. Killyan Toure and Blake Buchanan are fine Big 12 players, but everything comes back to the scoring, passing, defense and all-around steadiness of fifth-year guard Tamin Lipsey. Toure underwent surgery on a shoulder injury in August and is not expected back until mid-to-late January. Trouble ahead: With 3-point marksman Milan Momcilovic off to Kentucky, how much shooting the Cyclones have remains to be seen. Do-it-all forward Joshua Jefferson, a first-round draft pick, may be even harder to replace. Top newcomer: Bradley transfer Jaquan Johnson may only be 5-foot-11, but he was one of mid-major basketball's most multitalented guards last year, when he averaged 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals. He's also a career 37.5% shooter from three -- no Momcilovic, but part of the solution there. --Field Level Media