Another impactful Big 12 clash comes late Saturday night, though it’s a game that’s lost a bit of its luster on one side. There’s no question that both Iowa State and BYU have postseason aspirations and both have a chance to mix up those Big 12 standings, but it’s all about what these teams can put together in this big showdown.
The season-long work out of Iowa State (23-3) has been really something. The Cyclones have that great win at Purdue and have recently stockpiled impressive showings in the Big 12. Iowa State does have a few tough road losses, including at TCU less than two weeks ago. Since then, this team has downed both Kansas and Houston in great performances at home and now head back on the road for another challenge.
The situation is a little more tenuous for BYU (19-7), who have really fallen out of the Big 12 title race. The Cougars dropped four straight games a few weeks ago and had started to bounce back when star forward Richie Saunders suffered a season-ending ACL tear. A loss at Arizona in their first game without him wasn’t an unexpected nightmare, but being down a major weapon doesn’t bode well for those postseason aspirations.
Iowa State vs. BYU: When and Where
Date:Â Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:30 pm ET
Location:Â Marriott Center in Provo, Utah
Iowa State vs. BYU: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch:Â ESPN
Streaming: FuboTV
Iowa State vs. BYU: Betting Odds
Spread: Iowa State -3.5, BYU +3.5
Moneyline:Â Iowa State -175, BYU +155
Total: 155.5
Iowa State vs. BYU: Series History
All-time series:Â Iowa State leads 7-3
Last meeting:Â BYU 96, Iowa State 92 (March 13, 2025)
Projected Starting Lineups
Iowa State Cyclones
Milan Momcilovic (18.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
Joshua Jefferson (16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.2 apg)
Tamin Lipsey (13.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5.3 apg)
Killyan Toure (9.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.5 apg)
Blake Buchanan (8.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
BYU Cougars
AJ Dybantsa (24.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.8 apg)
Robert Wright III (18.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.8 apg)
Kennard Davis Jr. (7.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg)
Keba Keita (6.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
Mihailo Boskovic (3.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
Saturday presents a major opportunity for both teams. Iowa State has been on a roll this last week and can really punctuate that with a great showing on the road. Momcilovic and the rest of this team have been playing at a high level and can once again showcase that ability as a real contender. On the other hand, BYU has to adjust to life without Saunders but let’s not cry over the Cougars. Dybantsa remains one of the nation’s best players while Wright is an elite point guard in nearly every aspect of the game. BYU has the talent to win important games in the weeks ahead and need to figure out just how to do that shorthanded against a sensational defense.
Do the Cyclones get the job done and grab yet another ranked win during this sudden winning streak? Could we see BYU find their footing and get enough from Dybantsa to take care of business on their home court again?