Iowa State basketball can weather Jameel McKay’s suspension

By Doug Winkey | Feb 12, 2016

Jan 30, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Jameel McKay (1) dunks against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Reed Arena. Texas A&M won 72-62. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

The Iowa State basketball team will be without suspended center Jameel McKay, but will it really matter?

Last week, per ESPN, Iowa State suspended senior center Jameel McKay after various attitude problems in practice finally reached an unacceptable level to head coach Steve Prohm. The two men met Monday morning and while McKay is cleared to join practice, he was still suspended for Wednesday’s road loss against Texas Tech. The team is 1-1 in games without the senior this year.

During Jameel Mckay’s suspension, I noticed a few things.

McKay is obviously still critical to the team’s success if they want to make a run in March. He is averaging 12.4 ppg, 9 rpg, and 1.7 bpg on the year while shooting 58% from the field. He hasn’t been relied upon to carry the team’s offense most of the year, but he has shown bursts of offensive ability while remaining a good rebounder and shot blocker.

However, he has looked lost at times of defensive rotations both on inside help and perimeter switches. His last time on the floor, the West Virginia Mountaineers embarrassed the Cyclone big man. They limited him to zero defensive rebounds in 30 minutes in upsetting the team in Ames. Fans have been questioning McKay’s drive for much of the year until he was suspended.

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Star Georges Niang moved into the 5 position with McKay not playing. The All-American scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds against both Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. He looked more free in post offense, but more easily got into foul trouble on D.

The new edition to the lineup in Deonte Burton. In his first start last Saturday, Burton scored 11 points, grabbed three boards, accumulated four steals, and shot 50% from both the field and three-point line. In his second start, the junior transfer scored a career-high 20 points in a loss. He has settled down for the most part after an inconsistent first several weeks. His versatility is not unlike that of Dustin Hogue, who was a good shooter and aggressive on the boards.

The reason I’m not scared of not having McKay is because fans have seen this type of Cyclone team before. Two years ago, the team rolled out the front court squad of Niang at three, Melvin Ejim at the four, and Hogue at center. That team made the Sweet 16 by playing fast, intelligent ball and outworking teams with pure athleticism. Nader is a reasonable approximation of Ejim, and Burton is more than fine as the new Hogue.

The biggest positive is how Hallice Cooke, Jordan Ashton, and Simeon Carter stepped in during the past couple games. Cooke showed some great confidence directing the offense against TTU, Ashton plays great defense, and Carter demonstrated the ability to run the floor in limited minutes the past two games.

The Sweet 16 team only really went six deep and it is possible to make runs without needing eight or nine guys. Giving these three playing time is just as important for next year, however little they see the floor right now.

Only going .500 in two games without McKay was frustrating (assuming he’s back for Texas) but Prohm’s comments regarding where he wants the team to go long term make the continued suspension just as unsurprising. He is setting a standard of behavior for future generations. I think the pieces outside of McKay are strong enough and have enough potential to keep the team right in the thick of the Big 12 title hunt.

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When McKay comes back, if he has righted his emotional levels, he can help lead a team as talented as any in America to a national title.