Iowa
Iowa State Cyclones Will Face Challenging Task Against BYU Cougars
The Iowa State Cyclones are riding high following two massive wins against the Kansas Jayhawks and the Houston Cougars. Each of these victories has helped solidify them as a contender, but they will have another tough game on Saturday night.
As the regular season starts to wind down, the Big 12 has been hit hard by injuries of late. However, this is still considered one of the best conferences in the nation with multiple teams that could win a National Championship.
For the Cyclones, their upcoming matchup on Saturday night against the BYU Cougars will be a great challenge. Despite Iowa State being one of the best teams in the country with just three losses, all of those defeats have come on the road.
The Cougars have an excellent fanbase, and it will be rocking on Saturday night. For Iowa State, they will undoubtedly be trying to prove they can win marquee road games, but this will be a tall task.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger recently spoke with William Seals of On3 about the BYU offense and their star freshman AJ Dybantsa.
“They’re a prolific offensive team. I mean, (AJ) Dybantsa, there’s not a good answer for how to guard him. It’s not a one-person job. His free-throw numbers are off the charts. His ability to create his own shot, score the basketball is at such a high, high level.”
Stopping Dybantsa Will Be a Challenge
As one of the best freshmen in the nation, Dybantsa is going to challenge the Iowa State defense in this game. The talented scorer is going to be one of the first picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he has helped lead the Cougars to a special season.
For the Cyclones, stopping him will be their top priority on defense, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them try to use multiple defenders on him. Likely getting a bulk of the load will be their own freshman, Killyan Toure.
The Iowa State freshman has been one of the best on-ball defenders in the nation this year, and he has the length and size to potentially slow down Dybantsa a bit. A player of his caliber is rarely completely stopped offensively but slowing him down and making him less efficient should be the goal.
Even though Richie Saunders is out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL, this BYU team is still a threat at home. With a need for a win and one of the best homecourt advantages in the nation, the Cyclones will be tested in this one.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Senator Chuck Grassley said he’s recovering from a gallstone removal procedure.
His media team shared that he is working in Iowa “in good spirits and looks forward to returning to Washington soon.”
“I’m gr8ful [sic] for the excellent care from local health care providers,” he shared on X.
Over the weekend in Iowa I had a procedure to remove gallstones I’m gr8ful for the excellent care from local health care providers Be back to capitol ASAP
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 20, 2026
Grassley, 92, is the oldest senator currently in office and the sixth-longest-serving senator in U.S. history.
The Senate is in session this week.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Former Iowa State center Audi Crooks has committed to Oklahoma State via the NCAA Transfer Portal. She has one season of eligibility remaining.
Crooks made 99 appearances and 95 starts during her three seasons at Iowa State. She averaged 25.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this past season, while shooting 64.9% from the field. Additionally, the 6-foot-3 star shot 1-11 from 3-point range.
Crooks played a leading role for the Cyclones from the moment she stepped on campus. She is a three-time All-Big 12 First-Team selection and two-time All-American. On April 2, Crooks announced her intention to enter the transfer portal.
“Cyclone Nation, thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day. I’ve met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I’ve built during my time at Iowa State,” Crooks wrote. “Words cannot fully express how grateful I feel to have called this place home.
“I want to thank my teammates for their friendship and all the great memories. … I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I’ve done that here.”
Now, Audi Crooks will aim to thrive in her new environment. Oklahoma finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-10 overall record.
The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on April 6 and closes on April 20. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the women’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Five people were shot and injured at an Iowa City pedestrian mall near the University of Iowa campus overnight, police said Sunday. Students from the university were among the injured, according to school officials.
The Iowa City Police Department responded to a report of a large fight in the 100 Block of East College Street at 1:46 a.m. early Sunday, the department said in a news release. Arriving officers heard gunfire.
Multiple victims were hospitalized, police said. Police confirmed to CBS News that one person was in critical condition, while the other four victims are stable.
University of Iowa President Barb Wilson said in a statement that three students were among those shot. None of the victims has been publicly identified.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Police said they are seeking information about five “persons of interest associated with this shooting.” The university also shared the request for information.
The pedestrian mall was closed for several hours and reopened Sunday afternoon.
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