Rob Gray
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robwgray.bsky.social
Rob Gray
@robwgray.bsky.social
Sportswriter. Gardener. Anti-authoritarian. Author. Dad (of kids and cats).
Jada Williams raised her already lofty ceiling along with ISU's spirits.

The always-electric playmaker has never been a portrait of efficiency — until she scored a career-high 44 points as the Cyclones crushed Cincinnati.

#BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/unco...
"Unconscious" Jada Williams' stunning 44-point performance helps ISU crush Cincinnati, 93-58, at Hilton - Cyclone Fanatic
Iowa State Cyclones’ guard Jada Williams (8) celebrates with team mates after winning 93-68 over Cincinnati Bearcats in the Big-12 women’s basketball on Jan. 21, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:11 AM
I was one of the journalists who sat down with new ISU head football coach Jimmy Rogers for a one-on-one interview today.

He goes inside the roster rebuild — and why Rogers "loves" the stress that accompanies it. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/stre...
Stress merges with excitement as Jimmy Rogers puts finish touches on ISU roster rebuild - Cyclone Fanatic
Iowa State head football coach Jimmy Rogers speaks to Rob Gray in a one-on-one interview on Wednesday. Photo by Jake Brend.  AMES — It’s been a whirlwind 47 days for Iowa State head football coach Jim...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Joshua Jefferson's second triple-double this month helped No. 9 Iowa State rout UCF, 87-57, on Tuesday at Hilton.

But it was a non-scoring hustle play that typified his historic night as the Cyclones ended a two-game skid. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/josh...
Joshua Jefferson's second triple-double this month helps No. 9 Iowa State rout UCF - Cyclone Fanatic
Jan 20, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; UCF Knights forward Devan Cambridge (35) defends Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) during the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Re...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Bill Fennelly told us today there’s a chance Arianna Jackson could be back to face Cincinnati on Wednesday. Huge. #BlueCy
January 19, 2026 at 9:11 PM
"You’ve gotta play almost like you’re ticked off and you’ve got something to prove again." — T.J. Otzelberger on his team's back to basics approach to ending a 2-game skid.

Next up for No. 9 ISU: UCF Tuesday at Hilton. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/no-9...
No. 9 ISU goes back to basics in hopes of ending two-game skid Tuesday vs. UCF - Cyclone Fanatic
Jan 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) looks to pass between Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) and Iowa State Cyclones guard Nate Heise (0) during the s...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:11 PM
“Train Dreams” on Netflix. A touching, haunting and powerful film.

Great acting, but the story and narration from Will Patton make this feel like an adult version of “Stand By Me” sans the murder-mystery element.

I teared up. 3.5/4 stars
January 19, 2026 at 7:37 AM
The No. 19 Iowa State women lost their fifth straight game, 86-58, today at Oklahoma State.

Here's my unhappy radio recap of the injury-depleted Cyclones' latest setback.

Very, very, very #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/no-1...
No. 19 ISU women drop fifth straight, 86-58, at Oklahoma State - Cyclone Fanatic
Iowa State Cyclones’ women’s basketball head coach Bill Fennelly calls a play during the fourth quarter in the Big-12 conference home opener on Dec. 21, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. © Nirma...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Milan Momcilovic called it a "recipe for disaster."

That's because his No. 2 Iowa State team were beaten in the areas they hang their hat on Saturday at Cincinnati — despite his career-high heroics.

Here’s my radio recap of a second straight loss. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/mila...
Milan Momcilovic's heroics can't save No. 2 ISU from 79-70 loss at Cincinnati - Cyclone Fanatic
Cincinnati Bearcats fans rush the court as time expires in the second half of the NCAA Big 12 basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Iowa State Cyclones at Fifth Third Stadium in Cinc...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Enough.

That's No. 2 ISU's attitude as it seeks to eliminate the slow starts that have plagued the team in Big 12 play.

Next up: Another desperate team in Cincinnati, at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Queen City. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/no-2...
No. 2 ISU aims to shake free from slow starts Saturday at Cincinnati - Cyclone Fanatic
Jan 13, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) attempts to dunk against Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse....
cyclonefanatic.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:33 PM
TBR: @JakeBrendTV, @ROBWGRAY, and @Ben_Hutchens_ sit down to react to Iowa State’s first loss of the season, talk about potential changes going forward, and make sense of Bill Fennelly’s four-game losing streak. Presented by Kelderman Manufacturing! #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/podcasts/the...
The Beat Reporters: Kansas Reactions, MBB fixes, WBB’s plummet - Cyclone Fanatic
Jake Brend, Rob Gray, and Ben Hutchens sit down to react to Iowa State’s first loss of the season, talk about potential changes going forward, and make sense of Bill Fennelly’s four-game losing streak...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:17 PM
“I know our kids are gonna do the things they can. And hopefully we’ll catch a break or two.” — ISU WBB HC Bill Fennelly after his 19th-ranked team's 68-62 loss at Colorado.

Here's my radio recap of the Cyclones' fourth straight loss. #BlueCy (very blue)

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/no-1...
No. 19 ISU women tumble to fourth straight loss, 68-62, at Colorado - Cyclone Fanatic
Iowa State Cyclones’ center Audi Crooks (55) and West Virginia Mountaineers guard Loghan Johnson (25) react after loosing 70-83 against West Virginia in the Big-12 women’s basketball on Jan. 11, 2026,...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:28 AM
No. 2 Iowa State fell to 16-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12 after Tuesday's humbling 84-63 loss at Kansas.

Here's my radio recap — which includes a bright spot for the Cyclones (Batemon, honorable mention to Heise) on an otherwise miserable night. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/kans...
Kansas humbles No. 2 Iowa State, 84-63, Tuesday night at the Phog - Cyclone Fanatic
Jan 13, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger watches the action during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Bi...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Iowa State freshman phenom Killyan Toure shares an affinity with MMA with his head coach, T.J. Otzelberger.

It shows on the court — and will be especially important as the No. 2 Cyclones seek their first win at Kansas since 2017.

#BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/kill...
Killyan Toure's MMA mentality will be key for No. 2 Iowa State at Kansas - Cyclone Fanatic
Iowa State Cyclones forward Killyan Toure (27) reacts after a dunk against Oklahoma State during the second half in the Big-12 men’s basketball on Jan. 10, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. © Ni...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Life without Addy Brown & Arianna Jackson for the No. 11 Iowa State women began with slick-shooting success, but ended in a torrent of turnover.

Here's my gamer after the Cyclones' 83-70 loss to West Virginia Sunday at Hilton. #BlueCy (very blue)

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/shor...
Shorthanded No. 11 ISU falls, 83-70, to West Virginia at Hilton - Cyclone Fanatic
Iowa State Cyclones’ guard Reagan Wilson (22) takes a three-point shot around nWest Virginia Mountaineers forward Kierra Wheeler (22 )during the second quarter in the Big-12 women’s basketball on Jan....
cyclonefanatic.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:55 PM
January 11, 2026 at 4:51 AM
We know Arianna Jackson is out indefinitely for the No. 11 ISU women's team, but fortunately didn't tear her ACL.

We don't know if Addy Brown will be back for the Cyclones in Sunday's 2 p.m. game vs. WVU.

Here's my preview of the big game.

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/no-1...
No. 11 ISU women seek to end two-game skid Sunday vs. West Virginia - Cyclone Fanatic
Iowa State Cyclones’ women’s basketball head coach Bill Fennelly calls a play during the third quarter against Iowa in the NCAA women’s basketball Cy-Hawk Series on Dec. 10, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum i...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:31 AM
How does Milan Momcilovic describe playing with Joshua Jefferson?

"It's a joy," the Iowa Star said of his fellow standout forward.

The feeling's mutual, of course, as their connection was on fully display in No. 3 Cyclones' win over Oklahoma State. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/josh...
Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic fuel No. 3 Iowa State's gritty win over Oklahoma State - Cyclone Fanatic
Jan 10, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger talks with Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) and Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) in thei...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:01 AM
"I mean, he's really, really good." — TJ Otzelberger on star PG Tamin Lipsey.

Yes he is — and the No. 3 Cyclones' senior standout eyes another record-breaking run.

Next up: Okie State at 3 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2) at Hilton. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/3990...
Tamin Lipsey's on pace to shatter idol Monte Morris' assist-to-turnover ratio record - Cyclone Fanatic
Jan 2, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger, guard Tamin Lipsey (3) and guard Nate Heise (0) watch the Cyclones play the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second ...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Iowa State's Bill Fennelly told us earlier today that guard Arianna Jackson did not suffer an ACL injury in the loss at Cincinnati, but is out indefinitely.

"I think she will be (back this season)," he added.

Addy Brown is also having an MRI on her back, he said (1/2) ...
January 9, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Iowa State's Bill Fennelly told us earlier today that guard Arianna Jackson did not suffer an ACL injury in the loss at Cincinnati, but is out indefinitely.

"I think she will be (back this season)," he added.

Addy Brown is also having an MRI on her back, he said (1/2) ...
January 9, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Rob Gray
CF POSTGAME: Chris Williams and Jake Brend react to No. 3 Iowa State’s road win against Baylor, courtesy of Karl Auto Group!

https://ow.ly/GoIY50XTgjW
CF POSTGAME: No. 3 Iowa State beats Baylor in rock fight - Cyclone Fanatic
Chris Williams and Jake Brend react to No. 3 Iowa State's road win against Baylor, courtesy of Karl Auto Group. https://youtube.com/live/idXx1BGPg3E
ow.ly
January 8, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Tamin Lipsey played QB in high school before hanging up his cleats to focus on hoops.

But did you know ... “I played a little bit of receiver, as well,” ISU's star point guard said after starring in the No. 3 Cyclones' gutsy win at Baylor. #BlueCy

cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/tami...
Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson fuel No. 3 Iowa State's road win at Baylor - Cyclone Fanatic
Jan 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Tamin Lipsey (3) reacts after scoring a three-point basket during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilio...
cyclonefanatic.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:18 AM
January 6, 2026 at 9:04 PM