KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA – Iowa State is set to take on VCU Thursday in the opening round of the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla. In the previous two seasons under T.J. Otzelberger, the Cyclones have won the opening game of their Feast Week event.
IOWA STATE CYCLONES 4-0 overall (0-0 Big 12) -VS- VCU RAMS 3-1 overall (0-0 Atlantic 10)
This will be the first meeting against the Rams for T.J. Otzelberger. Iowa State is 14-5 all-time against the Atlantic 10. Otzelberger has faced a school from the Atlantic 10 just once in his career as a head coach, falling to Davidson at the 2020 Maui Invitational that was played in North Carolina.
Iowa State’s Hason Ward, who will miss the remainder of the non-conference season with a left foot injury, played at VCU for his first three seasons. Ward wore No. 20 for the Rams, a number that was retired for Bradford Burgess (2008-12). With special meaning to Ward, Burgess granted Ward permission to wear the number. Ward was named to the 2021 A-10 All-Defensive Team.
The Cyclones are 14-5 all-time against the Atlantic 10, including the 1-1 record against VCU. Six of the victories were against Saint Louis.
VCU’s Joe Bamisile played for Oklahoma last season. Bamisile did not appear in Iowa State’s victory in Norman, but played 10 minutes in Oklahoma’s victory at Hilton Coliseum. Bamisile had five points, two blocks and a rebound in the Sooner victory.
The Cyclones will play either Virginia Tech or Boise State in the second game of the ESPN Events Invitational on Friday, Nov. 24. With a victory over VCU on Thursday, Iowa State would play in the semifinals at 4:30 p.m. (CT) on Friday on ESPN2. If the Cyclones fall to the consolation bracket, they would play at 7 p.m. (CT) Friday on ESPNU.
