Southern vs Iowa State prediction: Iowa State's ball-hawking defense greets a Southern roster rebuilt from zero
The No. 18 Cyclones bring back Tamin Lipsey and a turnover-forcing identity, while Southern returns almost nothing from last season and must find out in Ames who can handle pressure.
- Iowa State's pressure should test an entirely new Southern backcourt early, with the Cyclones' transfer shooters carrying the scoring.
- Tamin Lipsey and Bradley transfer Jaquan Johnson hunting steals against Niagara transfer Justin Page, a guard who started 20 games for Niagara last season.
- No line is posted yet; last season's final ratings had Iowa State 7th in adjusted net efficiency and Southern 286th.
Southern starts over
Every early-season November game asks how much of last year carries over. For Southern, the answer is almost none. Players on this season's roster accounted for just 1.4% of the Jaguars' minutes last season, and the lone notable returner, forward Lionel Bell, averaged 5.7 minutes a game.
That makes last season's 17-17 team, which finished as SWAC tournament runner-up, a weak guide. The biggest loss is guard Michael Jacobs, who averaged 17.3 points and 5.1 assists last season. Fourth-year coach Kevin Johnson rebuilt around transfers, and this trip to Ames is one stop in a five-game road stretch to open the season.
Iowa State is far more settled. The Cyclones return 53.1% of last season's minutes, enter at No. 18 in the AP preseason poll and have appeared in 53 straight AP polls. They were picked fourth in the Big 12.
Southern vs Iowa State: quick answers
When is Southern vs Iowa State?
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.