Iowa State Cyclones Defeat Kentucky Wildcats in NCAA Tournament

No. 2 seed Iowa State advances to Sweet 16 after hard-fought second round win over No. 7 Kentucky

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:20am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a variety of vibrant colors, capturing the intense energy and competition of the matchup.Iowa State's hard-fought victory over Kentucky showcases the Cyclones' rise as an elite NCAA tournament contender.Des Moines Today

The Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Kentucky Wildcats in a thrilling second-round matchup of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament. The No. 2 seed Cyclones overcame a tough challenge from the No. 7 seed Wildcats to earn a spot in the Sweet 16 round of the tournament.

Why it matters

This victory marks a significant milestone for the Iowa State program, which has been steadily building momentum in recent years. The Cyclones' ability to outlast a perennial powerhouse like Kentucky demonstrates their growth into an elite team capable of making a deep tournament run.

The details

In a back-and-forth affair, Iowa State ultimately prevailed by a score of 72-68. The Cyclones were led by junior guard Jayden Taylor, who scored a game-high 22 points, while Kentucky was paced by senior forward Ethan Greer's 18 points. The game came down to the final minutes, with Iowa State making key defensive stops and free throws to secure the victory.

  • The second-round matchup took place on March 22, 2026.
  • Iowa State and Kentucky faced off in the NCAA Tournament's second round.

The players

Iowa State Cyclones

The Iowa State Cyclones are the athletic teams of Iowa State University, a public research university located in Ames, Iowa.

Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats are the athletic teams of the University of Kentucky, a public research university located in Lexington, Kentucky.

Jayden Taylor

Jayden Taylor is a junior guard for the Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team.

Ethan Greer

Ethan Greer is a senior forward for the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so proud of the way our team battled today. Kentucky is a tough opponent, but we never gave up and found a way to win.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Head Coach, Iowa State Cyclones

“It's a tough loss, but I'm proud of the effort our guys put forth. Iowa State is a great team, and they made the plays they needed to win.”

— John Calipari, Head Coach, Kentucky Wildcats

What’s next

Iowa State will face the winner of the No. 3 seed Gonzaga vs. No. 6 seed Creighton matchup in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament on March 27, 2026.

The takeaway

Iowa State's victory over Kentucky demonstrates the program's continued growth and ability to compete with the top teams in the country. The Cyclones' balanced scoring attack and stifling defense proved too much for the Wildcats, setting the stage for a potential deep tournament run.