University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers, Cyclones Meet in Sioux Falls to Open 2026-27 Season
Mar 11, 2026 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis and Iowa State will open the 2026-27 college basketball season against each other in a neutral-site matchup at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Nov. 2.
The game marks the season opener for both programs and will be played on Heritage Court at the Sanford Pentagon, one of the premier neutral-site venues in college basketball. Ticket information for the event will be announced at a later date.
"Two historic programs facing each other at the Sanford Pentagon, vying for an important neutral-site win, is the perfect way to open the college basketball season," said Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports. "Thank you to Coach Otzelberger and Coach Hardaway for giving fans in our region the opportunity to see your teams compete. Both programs know how much this fanbase loves basketball, and their coaches, athletes and supporters will feel that electric energy throughout the game."
The matchup brings together two historic programs and provides an early-season test for both teams.
Iowa State is currently ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 and finished the regular season with a 25-6 record entering the Big 12 Conference Tournament.
"We're excited to be part of an event like this and to face a perennial top-10 program like Iowa State," said Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway. "It's a great opportunity for our team early in the season to measure ourselves against a really good opponent in a great setting."
The meeting will be the second all-time between the programs. Iowa State holds a 1-0 edge in the series after defeating Memphis 78-59 on Nov. 26, 2021, as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off in Brooklyn, New York.
Memphis is familiar with the Sanford Pentagon, making its third trip to Sioux Falls and sixth appearance overall in the facility. The Tigers previously faced No. 11 Wichita State there in 2014 and returned in 2020 for the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic, where they played Saint Mary's, Western Kentucky and VCU over a three-day span.
Since opening in 2013, the Sanford Pentagon has hosted more than 100 Division I college basketball games along with multiple NCAA Division II and NAIA national championships. The venue is also home to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the NBA G League affiliate of the Miami Heat.
ABOUT SANFORD SPORTS
Sanford Sports is the modern athletics arm of Sanford Health, the premier rural health system in the United States. Rooted in science and health care, Sanford Sports offers a combination of programs, services, events, facilities and partnerships intended to make active lifestyles accessible and rewarding for people of all ages and abilities. Based on the 500-acre Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sanford Sports has been changing the way athletes play for 25 years. With operations in three states, more than one million athletes use Sanford Sports facilities each year. Visit sanfordsports.com for more information
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
The game marks the season opener for both programs and will be played on Heritage Court at the Sanford Pentagon, one of the premier neutral-site venues in college basketball. Ticket information for the event will be announced at a later date.
"Two historic programs facing each other at the Sanford Pentagon, vying for an important neutral-site win, is the perfect way to open the college basketball season," said Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports. "Thank you to Coach Otzelberger and Coach Hardaway for giving fans in our region the opportunity to see your teams compete. Both programs know how much this fanbase loves basketball, and their coaches, athletes and supporters will feel that electric energy throughout the game."
The matchup brings together two historic programs and provides an early-season test for both teams.
Iowa State is currently ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 and finished the regular season with a 25-6 record entering the Big 12 Conference Tournament.
"We're excited to be part of an event like this and to face a perennial top-10 program like Iowa State," said Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway. "It's a great opportunity for our team early in the season to measure ourselves against a really good opponent in a great setting."
The meeting will be the second all-time between the programs. Iowa State holds a 1-0 edge in the series after defeating Memphis 78-59 on Nov. 26, 2021, as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off in Brooklyn, New York.
Memphis is familiar with the Sanford Pentagon, making its third trip to Sioux Falls and sixth appearance overall in the facility. The Tigers previously faced No. 11 Wichita State there in 2014 and returned in 2020 for the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic, where they played Saint Mary's, Western Kentucky and VCU over a three-day span.
Since opening in 2013, the Sanford Pentagon has hosted more than 100 Division I college basketball games along with multiple NCAA Division II and NAIA national championships. The venue is also home to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the NBA G League affiliate of the Miami Heat.
ABOUT SANFORD SPORTS
Sanford Sports is the modern athletics arm of Sanford Health, the premier rural health system in the United States. Rooted in science and health care, Sanford Sports offers a combination of programs, services, events, facilities and partnerships intended to make active lifestyles accessible and rewarding for people of all ages and abilities. Based on the 500-acre Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sanford Sports has been changing the way athletes play for 25 years. With operations in three states, more than one million athletes use Sanford Sports facilities each year. Visit sanfordsports.com for more information
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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