Preview: Iowa State Visits Kansas State in Big 12 Clash

MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — A surging Iowa State team riding a three-game winning streak will face a Kansas State squad seeking to halt a skid when the Big 12 rivals meet Sunday at Bramlage Coliseum.

The fourth-ranked Cyclones (19-2, 8-1 Big 12), coming off a dominant 97-67 victory over Colorado on Thursday, have established themselves as a national contender. Their only losses this season came on the road against ranked opponents Cincinnati and Kansas. Iowa State has won its last three games by an average of 27.3 points, showcasing a balanced attack and stifling defense.

Kansas State (10-11, 2-7), meanwhile, has lost seven of its last eight games, including a 59-54 defeat at West Virginia on Tuesday. The Wildcats have struggled to find consistency in conference play, though they are 9-3 at home this season.

Iowa State is led by guard Tamin Lipsey, who is averaging 12.1 points and 4.6 assists per game. He scored 24 points in a road win at Baylor on Jan. 7 and is coming off a 14-point, 5-assist performance against Colorado. Forward Milan Momcilovic (16 points) and guard Jamarion Batemon (17 points) were also key contributors in the rout.

For Kansas State, guard Nate Johnson has been a bright spot during the difficult stretch, averaging 10.2 points and 4.6 assists. He posted 17 points and six assists in a win over Utah on Jan. 20 and logged 38 minutes in the loss at West Virginia. David Castillo (15 points) and PJ Haggerty (16 points) led the Wildcats in scoring in that game.

The Cyclones have dominated recent matchups, winning the last five meetings. In their first contest this season on Jan. 31, 2025, Iowa State won 78-67 in Ames.

This game begins a challenging stretch for Kansas State, which will play seven of its final 11 games against teams currently ranked. Iowa State continues a road-heavy portion of its schedule, playing four of its next six away from home.

Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. EST Sunday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.