If you’re checking your watch and wondering is Iowa State playing today, the answer is a resounding yes. But it’s not just about one game. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a massive day for the Cyclones across multiple fronts. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan looking for a bounce-back win or a follower of the Olympic sports, Ames has a lot on the line right now.
The biggest ticket today is undoubtedly the No. 2 ranked Iowa State men's basketball team. They are hitting the road to face the Cincinnati Bearcats. This isn't just another conference game; it’s a critical moment for a team that just suffered its first real setback of the season.
The Men’s Basketball Battle: No. 2 Iowa State at Cincinnati
Tipping off at 1:00 PM CST, the Cyclones are in Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena. If you’re trying to find it on your TV dial, you’ll need to fire up Peacock. This is one of those exclusive streaming games that sometimes catches fans off guard. Eric Rothman is on the play-by-play, with Brendan Haywood providing the analysis.
Honestly, this game is all about the "bounce back." Just a few days ago, the Cyclones took a tough 84-63 loss against Kansas in Lawrence. It was their first loss of the season after a blistering 16-0 start. Watching that game, you could see the frustration. Kansas shot the lights out, and Iowa State’s usually suffocating defense looked a step slow.
Now, they’re 16-1 (3-1 Big 12) and facing a Cincinnati team that is 9-8 and looking for a signature win to save their season.
Why the Cincinnati Game Matters
Cincinnati hasn't exactly been a powerhouse this year, but they play tough at home. They’ve historically been a rebounding force. However, Iowa State has some serious statistical advantages here. The Cyclones are shooting roughly 51% from the field this season. Cincinnati’s defense usually allows about 40.9%.
Keep an eye on the offensive glass. Iowa State is 10-1 this year when they win the battle for offensive rebounds. If they can control the second-chance points, they should be able to quiet the Cincinnati crowd early.
Other Cyclone Action Today
While basketball takes the spotlight, it's a "full department" kind of Saturday. The swim and dive team is down in Houston for the Big 12 Duals. They’ve been competing since Friday, and today marks the conclusion of that meet.
Also, the tennis team is over in Lawrence, Kansas, for the Jayhawk Invitational. It’s an all-day affair. It's funny how sports work—half the school is in Kansas for tennis, while the basketball team is out in Ohio.
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Looking Ahead to Tomorrow
If you’re already planning your Sunday, the schedule doesn’t slow down. Tomorrow, January 18, is actually even busier than today.
- Wrestling: The Harold Nichols Cyclone Open starts at 10:00 AM at Hilton Coliseum.
- Women’s Basketball: The No. 19 Cyclones are at Oklahoma State. That’s a 12:00 PM CST tip-off on FOX.
- Gymnastics: The team is in Durham, New Hampshire, for a quad-meet starting at 1:00 PM CST.
The women's basketball game is particularly interesting. They’ve actually lost four in a row after a 14-0 start. Audi Crooks is still a beast, though—she’s scored in double figures in 84 straight games. That is an insane level of consistency. They desperately need a win in Stillwater to stop the bleeding.
Actionable Tips for Following the Cyclones Today
- Check your Peacock Subscription: Since the men's game is streaming-only, make sure your login works before the 1:00 PM tip. Nothing is worse than missing the first ten minutes because of a password reset.
- Tune into the Radio: If you're driving, John Walters and Eric Heft are the gold standard. You can find them on the Cyclone Radio Network.
- Download the Varsity Network App: This is basically a cheat code for listening to any Iowa State broadcast for free from your phone.
- Monitor Live Stats: If you can't watch, the official Cyclones website has a live "StatBroadcast" feed that is usually faster than the TV delay.
The loss to Kansas was a wake-up call. Today in Cincinnati, we find out if this No. 2 ranking was a honeymoon phase or if this team has the grit to win the Big 12.
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Watch the rebounding margin early in the first half. If Iowa State is plus-4 or better on the boards by the under-12 timeout, they’re likely going to dictate the pace and walk out of Ohio with a win.