Iowa State men’s basketball starts the season with as high expectations as there have ever been, and tips off this afternoon in Sioux Falls … against Colorado.
I think the neutral site is a fine idea, since it gives western Iowa fans a chance to see the Cyclones in person. I have a huge issue with the opponent, even if ISU is being paid $125,000 to play the Buffaloes.
Ideally, Iowa State would have a blanket ban on events with any of the four universities that threw the Big 12 Conference into mortal peril. You don’t threaten to burn down the neighborhood and still get to have friendly visits. I understand that logistics and costs (or payments, see above) may make this less feasible in some cases — ISU has played Nebraska in volleyball every year except 2012 — but basketball should be off the table.
This ban wouldn’t or can’t apply to conference-dictated or postseason arrangements, of course. ISU has to go to Texas A&M this season for the Big 12-SEC challenge. Kansas has had to play Missouri in softball super-regionals. But when the university has a choice, the answer should be no.
(Of course, 125 grand isn’t chump change, but those are my principles, and if you don’t like them, I have others.)