The Cincinnati Bearcats have locked up a home-and-home men’s basketball series with the Iowa State Cyclones. The first game will be played here in Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena on December 22, 2015. The second game will be played at Iowa State on December 1, 2016.
Iowa State was 25-9 this season and won the Big 12 Tournament last year. They also made the NCAA tournament, losing to UAB in the second round in Louisville where UC beat Purdue. The Cyclones are an early favorite to cause Kansas some trouble next year in the Big 12 and make a deep run into March. Iowa State will return 4 of their 5 starters, and many believe the Cyclones will begin the season ranked in the top-5 in the country.
Next year’s schedule is sure stacking up. So far we know the Cats will face Butler and Iowa State at home and VCU and Xavier on the road. UC also will also participate in the Barclays Center Classic tournament in Brooklyn, New York, in November, along with Nebraska, Tennessee, and George Washington.
These games with seriously talented opponents will be great to watch, and provide a great out-of-conference “tune up” before entering postseason play.
By Andy Smith