The Iowa State Cyclones will begin the 2026-27 men's basketball season with an exhibition match against the Creighton Bluejays at Hilton Coliseum, but they will be missing star point guard Tamin Lipsey. According to a school spokesman, Lipsey will not play in the game, although no specific reason has been provided. There is speculation about potential eligibility issues, as Lipsey is seeking a fifth year under the new 5-in-5 eligibility rules.
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Lipsey is currently enrolled at Iowa State, having been named in a lawsuit in Indiana which affects his status. However, the school’s decision to hold him out might indicate uncertainty regarding his eligibility. In addition to this, Lipsey dealt with an injury during the summer, which prevented him from participating in NBA Summer League games with the Indiana Pacers. This injury could still be a concern, prompting Iowa State to prioritize his health ahead of the regular season.
The Cyclones' backcourt is already thin due to the absence of Killyan Toure, who is sidelined after shoulder surgery and is expected to miss time until mid-January. Without both Lipsey and Toure, the team will rely heavily on transfer Jaquan Johnson, the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, alongside Ryan Prather Jr., a transfer from Robert Morris. Sophomore guard Jamarion Batemon may also step up as Iowa State experiments with its lineup before the season opener against the Memphis Tigers on November 2.