The Sports Bank’s college basketball season previews undergo a face lift this season. Rather than counting down the top 111 teams in 111 days, we will go conference-by-conference. I’ve already counted down the Pac-12 and now we turn our attention to the Big 12.
Despite losing their top two scorers from last year’s Sweet 16 squad, Fred Hoiberg and the Iowa State Cyclones reload thanks to… shocking… a few key transfers.
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Last Season: T-3rd, 11-7 in Big 12, 28-8 overall
Predicted Big 12 Finish: 3rd
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Georges Niang (Jr)Georgios Tsalmpouris (Fr)
F: Dustin Hogue (Sr)/Jameel McKay (Jr)/Daniel Edozie (Sr)
G/F: Bryce Dejean-Jones (Sr)/Abdel Nader (Jr)
SG: Naz Long (Jr)/Matt Thomas (So)/Sherron Dorsey-Walker (So)
PG: Monte Morris (So)/Clayton Custer (Fr)
Gone: F-Melvin Ejim, G-DeAndre Kane, C-Percy Gibson (transfer-Oakland), PG-K.J. Bluford (transfer-Northern Arizona)
2014-2015 Outlook:
Iowa State was one of the top scoring teams in the nation a year ago and though they lose nearly 35 points per game with the graduation of DeAndre Kane and Melvin Ejim, the Cylcones return Georges Niang who averaged 16.7 points per game as a sophomore. An inside/outside threat, Niang dropped about 25 pounds this off-season and that should add even more versatility and athleticism to his game.
The physical and explosive Dustin Hogue was a key contributor as a JUCO transfer last season and should play an even bigger role in attempt to replace Ejim. Hoiberg also gets a boost at forward with the additions of transfers Abdel Nader and Jameel McKay who both sat out last season. Nader averaged 13.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Northern Illinois and is versatile and strong enough to play either forward spot. McKay won’t be eligible until the second semester but is a lengthy, athletic forward who is terrific cleaning up the glass.
Hoiberg typically uses a smaller, more versatile lineup and the only true big man on the roster is intriguing freshman, Georgios Tsalmpouris. While still a work in progress with his all-around game, the 7-1 Greek could be a huge x-factor for ISU if he transitions smoothly to the college game.
A third transfer joining the roster is former UNLV wing, Bryce Dejean-Jones. The graduate transfer is immediately eligible and provides Iowa State with an experienced wing who can create off the bounce. He has been known to be a bit of a chucker which could actually fit well in Hoiberg’s up-tempo style of play as long he doesn’t force the issue too often.
Kane made the most of his lone season in Ames and the Cyclones have a trio of guards who will try to collectively replace his production. Sophomore Monte Morris assumes the full-time point guard while Naz Long and Matt Thomas share the duties at shooting guard. Both Long and Thomas are snipers from downtown though Thomas struggled with his outside shot during a fairly underwhelming freshman campaign.
In typical Hoiberg style, the Cyclones added another key transfer in former Oregon State point guard, Hallice Cooke. He must sit out this season per NCAA transfer rules but will add even more backcourt depth in 2015-16.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/17 vs. Georgia State
11/24 vs. Alabama (CBE Classic)
11/25 vs. Arizona State/Maryland (CBE Classic)
12/4 vs. Arkansas (SEC/Big 12 Challenge)
12/12 at Iowa
1/3 vs. South Carolina (in Brooklyn)
OTHER BIG 12 PREVIEWS:
PAC-12 PREVIEWS:
#1 ARIZONA WILDCATS
#4 UCLA BRUINS
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.