1978–79 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team

The 1978–79 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team represented Iowa State University during the 1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cyclones were coached by Lynn Nance, who was in his third season with the Cyclones.They played their home games at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

They finished the season 11–16, 6–8 in Big Eight play to finish in sixth place. The Cyclones lost in the first round of the Big Eight tournament to Kansas, falling 91-70.

Schedule and results
!colspan=6 style=""|Exhibition

!colspan=6 style=""|Regular Season

!colspan=6 style=""|Big Eight tournament