Iowa State and Memphis will open their 2026-27 men’s basketball seasons at the Sanford Pentagon on Nov. 2, 2026.
It’s the second year in a row Iowa State will play at the Pentagon, with the Cyclones beating Mississippi State, 96-80, on Nov. 10, 2025.
“Two historic programs facing each other at the Sanford Pentagon, vying for an important neutral-site win, is the perfect way to open the college basketball season,” Vice President of Sanford Sports Jesse Smith said in a press release from Sanford Sports. “Thank you to Coach (TJ) Otzelberger and Coach (Penny) Hardaway for giving fans in our region the opportunity to see your teams compete. Both programs know how much this fanbase loves basketball, and their coaches, athletes and supporters will feel that electric energy throughout the game.”
Otzelberger coached at South Dakota State from 2017 to 2019, going 70-33 in his stint in Brookings. He then spent two seasons as UNLV’s head coach before heading to Ames.
Iowa State Memphis basketball to meet at Sanford Pentagon
