No. 16 Iowa State rolls into Sioux Falls to face Mississippi State

No. 16 Iowa State’s first game away from the friendly confines of Hilton Coliseum will be at a distinctive venue coach T.J. Otzelberger knows well.Iowa State heads to snowy Sioux Falls, S.D., for a solid nonconference test against Mississippi State on Monday at the Sanford Pentagon. Otzelberger coached there four times during his three-season stint at South Dakota State (2016-19).The matchup also marks the 100th Division I basketball game played on the Pentagon’s Heritage Court.It’s the second visit to the Sanford Pentagon for Iowa State (2-0), which defeated Colorado 68-62 in 2015. Mississippi State (1-0) makes its Pentagon debut as the two schools meet for the first time since 2021, a 95-56 home win for the Bulldogs.”Regardless of who we play and how we go about it, that’s going to be important that we keep building,” Otzelberger said Thursday following Iowa State’s 102-62 victory over Grambling. “So now it’s back to the practice court and do everything we can to keep elevating ourselves as we go into that game on Monday (against Mississippi State).”Iowa State point guard Tamin Lipsey continues to progress after he sustained a knee injury during practice in September.The program’s career leader for steals pocketed five against Fairleigh Dickinson in the season opener and five more versus Grambling. Lipsey is also shooting 60% (12 of 20) from the floor through two games — the Cyclones are at 53.4% (71 of 133) as a team — with 11 assists, 10 rebounds and one turnover.”The (Grambling) game was a little choppy at times because of the fouls and some of those things,” Otzelberger said. “But I thought (Lipsey) responded well in practice, responded well in the game and (it’s) really encouraging how he’s continuing to develop coming off the injury. I mean, (it) looks like he’s in great shape, great form and (it’s) exciting to see.”

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