Nuggets on the 2016-17 hoops schedule

Around last year at this time, a home and home series with Cincinnati fell into Iowa State’s lap. The current hope around the program is that something similar will happen once again.

For the most part, Iowa State’s 2016-17 schedule appears to be set. Some games of note:

— There is the AdvoCare Invite (in Orlando) where Florida, Gonzaga, Indiana State, Miami, Quinnipiac, Seton Hall and Stanford will join the Cyclones. (Iowa State still hasn’t been notice as to its first and second round opponents in Orlando.)

— Cincinnati at home on Dec. 1.

— At Iowa on Dec. 8.

—Earlier this week, the Big 12/SEC Challenge pairings were released. The Cyclones will travel to Vanderbilt on Jan. 28.

What’s next?

— Iowa State really wants to add a high-major home game to its slate. The issue with that is the time of year: many, if not most, high-major programs have full schedules at this time. For the ones with open slots, matching up dates can be difficult.

— Much of the early non-conference schedule was filled with the intention of Monte Morris and Naz-Mitrou Long being gone – meaning it is lighter than the staff might have hoped.

It sounds like there are currently two spots to fill so a high-major and quality mid-major additions would be ideal.