No. 4 Iowa State Looks to Continue Dominant Start Against Eastern Illinois
Iowa State (10-0, 0-0 Big 12) aims to maintain its perfect season and extend one of the best starts in program history when it hosts Eastern Illinois (2-7, 0-1 OVC) on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 12 p.m. CT. The game, taking place at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, will be broadcast on FS1 with Alex Cohen, Derrin Hansen, and Shannon Ehrhardt providing commentary, and can also be heard on the Cyclone Radio Network with John Walters and Eric Heft calling the action.
The Cyclones are coming off a thrilling Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk victory on Thursday, overcoming a 13-point deficit against rival Iowa for the second consecutive season. Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger has now secured a 4-1 record against the Hawkeyes, further solidifying his impressive tenure at Iowa State. “We showed a lot of resilience in that game,” a senior official stated, referencing the team’s comeback.
Eastern Illinois, meanwhile, seeks to break a four-game losing streak and secure its first win against Iowa State in program history. The Panthers last tasted victory on November 19 against Tiffin, but have struggled with consistency due to a rash of injuries, forcing coach Marty Simmons to utilize six different starting lineups through nine contests.
Cyclones Riding High in National Rankings
At No. 4 in the AP Top 25 Poll, Iowa State has been consistently ranked for 38 straight weeks – the sixth-longest streak in the nation. Only Houston, with a streak of 112 weeks, boasts a longer run in the Big 12 and nationally. The Cyclones and Cougars stand as the only two programs in the conference with streaks exceeding 20 weeks.
The team’s success is also reflected in its individual accolades. Iowa State had three players – Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic, and Joshua Jefferson – named to prestigious preseason watch lists. Lipsey is a candidate for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, and also appears on the Wooden Award and Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch Lists. Momcilovic earned his first Big 12 weekly honor on December 8 after scoring a team-high 20 points in a road win at No. 1 Purdue. Jefferson, who was named the Big 12 Player of the Week on December 1 for averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in Las Vegas, is on the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Watch List and, like Lipsey, is also a contender for the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Jefferson recently achieved a rare feat, becoming just the third player in the last 30 years to record consecutive 10-plus assist, zero turnover games.
Otzelberger’s Impact on the Cyclones
Under Coach Otzelberger, who boasts an overall record of 204-108, the Cyclones have flourished. His four-year tenure has yielded a 105-45 record, including a program-record 95 wins in his first four seasons. He secured his 100th win at Iowa State against Rick Pitino and No. 14 St. John’s on November 24, and reached his 200th career win the following day against his former mentor, Greg McDermott.
Iowa State’s dominance extends to non-conference play, with a 58-10 record under Otzelberger – the seventh-most wins in the nation and the fourth-highest winning percentage (.853) during that span. The Cyclones have also proven their ability to compete against top-tier opponents, securing 27 wins over Top 25 teams since Otzelberger’s arrival in 2021-22, tied for the fourth-most nationally. “He’s built a winning culture here,” one analyst noted. Otzelberger is the first Iowa State men’s basketball coach to lead multiple teams to the Sweet 16, and currently holds the school’s highest winning percentage.
Panthers Face Uphill Battle
Eastern Illinois enters Hilton Coliseum with a challenging task. The Panthers have lost all four previous matchups against Iowa State, with an average margin of defeat of 23 points. They will attempt to become the first team from the Ohio Valley Conference to defeat the Cyclones, who hold a perfect 22-0 all-time record against OVC opponents.
This contest marks the third time this season Eastern Illinois will face a Top 10 team, trailing only No. 12 Alabama (4) in that category. The Panthers have undergone significant roster changes, returning four players from last year and adding a combination of freshmen and eight transfers. Despite being picked to finish 10th out of 11 in the OVC Preseason Poll, the team is looking to build momentum under fifth-year head coach Marty Simmons, who has a career record of 325-339. EIU is currently ranked No. 345 in the NET, No. 337 in KenPom, and No. 351 in ESPN’s Basketball Power Index.
The game promises to be a compelling contrast between a nationally ranked powerhouse and a rebuilding program facing a significant challenge on the road.
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