The 1971–72 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team represented Iowa State University during the . The Cyclones were coached by Maury John, who was in his first season with the Cyclones. They played their home games at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Hilton Coliseum hosted its first Iowa State men's basketball game on December 2, a 71–54 win over Arizona. They finished the season 12–14, 5–9 in Big Eight play to finish in sixth place.