Did Iowa State have more basketball fans in Tempe than Arizona State?

Iowa State is arguably the best college sports program in the country right now.

In October the Cyclones had the rare distinction of having their football team, men's basketball team and women's basketball team all ranked inside the top 10 of their respective AP Top 25 Polls.

The women's team has dropped out of the national rankings, but the men's team is ranked No. 3 and the football team finished the season ranked No. 15.

And the Cyclones have a rabid fan base that travels well — especially in the dead of winter when it's 15 degrees in Ames, Iowa.

On Saturday, with No. 3 Iowa State visiting new Big 12 member Arizona State for a men's basketball game in sunny Tempe, Arizona, it was a perfect storm for Cyclones fans to make the 1,400-mile trip to the desert.

By most accounts, there were at least as many Iowa State fans as ASU fans in Desert Financial Arena for the Cyclones' 76-61 victory. The Arena holds 14,198 and the official attendance was 12,762. That means there were probably a minimum of 6,000 Iowa State fans in attendance.

Even Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said it was a factor. And he was not happy about it.

"This was our largest free throw differential game of the season. Even at Gonzaga ... they shot 11 more free throws there," Hurley said after the game. "On our home court, which was more like a court that we practice on — it was like a home neutral I'll call it — based on how Iowa State came to the game today. It was disappointing."

Had Hurley ever seen that many fans of the opposing team in Desert Financial Arena?

"No. No, never," Hurley said. "Even when we played Kansas here years ago [there weren't as many opposing fans]. It was a different era, different time."

Even with the Arizona State football team in attendance to celebrate its Big 12 championship — which came against Iowa State — the cheers from the crowd were just as loud (if not louder) for Iowa State's big shots.

With Iowa State staying in Arizona until Monday's showdown with the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, it will be fascinating to see how many Iowa State fans traveled with the team for the back-to-back — and how many are able to get tickets to McKale Memorial Center.

Here's a snapshot of the social media reaction to Iowa State's impressive turnout on Saturday in Tempe.

Shoutout to you Tempe Clones!!! You sounds incredible!!! @CycloneMBB
— Elliott Frey (@Smelliott_Frey) January 25, 2025

40/60 Iowa State fans in Tempe is crazy. Great work Cyclone fans‼️ https://t.co/yxCXjoRwFD
— Faux TJ Otzelberger (@FauxTjOtz) January 25, 2025

10,326 in Hilton today to see the Cyclone women win. 9,500 for wrestling/gymnastics last night. And, what felt like 5,000-6,000 today in Tempe! Cyclone fans, you ARE the best! https://t.co/vOXhm8xYiW
— John Walters (@JWcyclonestv) January 26, 2025

Damn how many Iowa state fans went to Tempe today? It’s loud up in there
— Nicholas (@milehighclone) January 25, 2025

Cujo and the Iowa State fans bringing it in Tempe today. These Arizona back to backs are going to make good excuse to escape Iowa in the future. 😅 https://t.co/M8uiYKOj0P
— Brian Price (@bprice26) January 25, 2025

S/O to ISU fans. Impressive turnout in Tempe today. ASU being in a basketball conference will be fun (outside of game results).
— Johnathon Poppe (@jpopasu) January 25, 2025