Way-Too-Early Starting Lineup Projection for Iowa State Basketball in 2026-27

The Iowa State Cyclones starting lineup has had a few mainstays the last few years, with point guard Tamin Lipsey and forward Joshua Jefferson.

However, with both players exhausting their eligibility, there are going to be at least two new faces in the starting five for the 2026-27 season. Expect head coach T.J. Otzelberger to elevate some familiar faces into larger roles, while also scouring the transfer portal for experienced players to help.

Based on who we know will be on the roster for the upcoming campaign right now, here is what a way-too-early starting five for the Cyclones could look like.

Killyan Toure

A starter in all 37 games of his freshman campaign, the point guard torch is being passed from Lipsey to Killyan Toure. There are some similarities in their game, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where the Frenchman is already an impactful performer.

With plans to return to Iowa State, a starting spot is almost assuredly locked down by him. He will only get better in Year 2 under Oztzelberger, with his confidence on the offensive end emerging later in the season.

For as long as he remains in Ames, he will be the starting point guard.

Jamarion Batemon

Some people predicted that Jamarion Batemon would start alongside Lipsey as a freshman, but he was beaten out by Toure. But, as a sophomore, a starting spot could certainly be his.

This group is going to need more scoring with Jefferson departing, and he could provide it. Spacing will improve as well, adding a second shooter to the group who doesn’t lack confidence.

A strong defender as well, Batemon has a long Cyclones career ahead of him with the potential to be a two-way impact performer.

Milan Momcilovic

There is a chance that Milan Momcilovic doesn’t return for his senior year. He has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft and will test the waters to see what kind of feedback he receives.

We’re predicting that he will opt to remove his name from the 2026 NBA Draft pool and come back to Ames for his senior campaign. That will enable him to work on the things scouts told him he needs to improve upon as the unquestioned No. 1 option offensively.

Momcilovic thrived in the past playing off of stars such as Lipsey, Curtis Jones, Keshon Gilbert and Jefferson. He will be the star opposing defenses pay closest attention to now, providing him an opportunity to expand his skill set ahead of turning pro.

Jackson Kiss

Power forward is currently the biggest hole that needs to be filled on the roster. Replacing Jefferson with one player is going to be virtually impossible; it will take a total team effort to replicate that production.

It was Nate Heise who was called upon to replace him after he injured his ankle in the Round of 64, and he is also graduating. Jackson Kiss has received comps to Jefferson, but it will take some time for him to reach that level.

For now, he is penciled in as the starting power forward. However, this is a position Otzelberger will search high and low to fill in the transfer portal, looking to add some experience to the mix.

Blake Buchanan

After transferring in from the Virginia Cavaliers, Blake Buchanan was a starter in all but one game this season; he came off the bench for Dominykas Pleta once as a precaution when he missed practice time due to an illness.

Expect a similar split of minutes again in the 2026-27 season, with Buchanan remaining the starter. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and Iowa State has a good thing going with its center rotation.

There will be more competition with freshman Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan joining the roster as well, giving Otzelberger a nice mix of depth to choose from in the frontcourt.