Iowa Basketball Fans Celebrate NCAA Tournament Wins for Cyclones and Bulldogs

DES MOINES, Iowa — Fans of Iowa State and Drake men’s basketball teams celebrated their achievements Friday night as both teams advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Iowa State secured their win earlier in the day, while Drake triumphed the previous night, marking a significant moment for basketball in the state.

At Big Grove Brewery in Des Moines, Iowa State supporters filled the venue to watch the game. “You see everybody walking in and wearing Cyclone gear,” said Katie Vincent, an Iowa State graduate. “It’s just that sense of community.” Parking was reportedly full before the game began, reflecting the enthusiasm and pride among the fans.

The Cyclones, who showcased their potential in the tournament, will now face Ole Miss on Sunday. T.J. Rushing, another Iowa State graduate, reflected on the team’s journey and historical context. “Iowa State fans will remember back in 2000 when we had Marcus Fizer and Jamaal Tinsley, and Michigan State took us out in the Elite 8,” he said, recalling a painful memory but expressing hope for this year’s squad.

On the other hand, Drake fans continued to celebrate their team’s historical win against Missouri, which marked the first time in over 50 years that Drake will compete in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. “The environment was electric. The vibes were fantastic,” said Tom Florian, a Bulldogs fan who watched the game in Wichita with friends. “It’s really been cool to see some of the former Drake alumni from the 1969 Final Four team.”

John Riemenschneider, a longtime Bulldogs fan, expressed his joy for the team’s victory, which prevented a first-round exit. “The last couple of Drake teams made it to the NCAA Tournament but lost in the first round,” he said. “So finally, we get this team that can kind of finish the job and head to Round 2.”

Both sets of fans agree that Iowa is rapidly becoming a “hotbed for basketball.” “Iowa’s really becoming a hotbed for basketball, and that’s really exciting to see,” Rushing said, capturing the growing momentum of basketball in the state as both programs shine on a national stage.