Iowa State Aims to Upset Kentucky in NCAA Tournament

Cyclones look to continue hot streak and advance to Sweet Sixteen

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:07pm

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The Iowa State Cyclones dominated their first-round NCAA Tournament game against Tennessee State, winning 108-74. However, they now face a tough test against the seventh-seeded Kentucky Wildcats. Iowa State will need to rely on their depth, with players like Killyan Toure, Nate Heise, and Dominykas Pleta stepping up, in order to stop Kentucky star Otega Oweh and pull off the upset.

Why it matters

Iowa State has been one of the hottest teams in college basketball lately, and a win over Kentucky would cement their status as a legitimate national title contender. A loss, however, would end their tournament run earlier than expected.

The details

Despite the lopsided first-round win, Iowa State will face a major challenge against Kentucky. The Wildcats are led by star player Otega Oweh, who had 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in their overtime win against Santa Clara. Iowa State will need strong defensive efforts from their guards like Lipsey, Toure, and Heise to slow down Oweh. They'll also need secondary scoring options like Toure, Heise, Buchanan, Pleta, Batemon, and Nelson to step up with leading scorer Joshua Jefferson likely out.

  • Iowa State dominated Tennessee State 108-74 in the first round on March 20, 2026.
  • Iowa State will face Kentucky in the second round on March 22, 2026.

The players

Otega Oweh

A star player for Kentucky who had 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in their first-round overtime win.

Killyan Toure

An Iowa State guard who will need to step up on both ends of the floor with Joshua Jefferson likely out.

Nate Heise

An Iowa State guard who will be counted on to provide scoring and defense against Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“We've been playing great basketball lately and I'm confident our depth will be the difference against Kentucky.”

— Killyan Toure, Iowa State Guard

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa State-Kentucky matchup will advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Chicago.

The takeaway

Iowa State has the talent and momentum to pull off the upset over Kentucky, but they'll need their supporting cast to step up big in the absence of Joshua Jefferson. A win would cement the Cyclones' status as a national title contender.