Iowa State basketball: What Michael Jacobson brings to the table

Iowa State basketball has picked up yet another piece for the future in former Nebraska forward Michael Jacobson. What does the former Cornhusker bring to the table?

Transfer recruiting just never stops for Iowa State basketball. The Cyclones just picked up a potential rotation guy from Nebraska in forward Michael Jacobson. Chris Williams announced the commitment Monday afternoon.

Jacobson has to sit out next year but will be a big option up front for ISU starting in 2018-2019. The former Husker has two seasons of eligibility left. Let us break down what the young man has to offer his new program.

At 6’9″, 240 pounds, Jacobson has the size to battle in down low in the Big 12. He averaged 6.0 points and 6.2 rebounds for Nebraska this past season. The rebounding average was good for 10th in the Big Ten. He saw a drop in total FG% (from 43% to 39%, but that was mostly due to playing out of position at center where he was less comfortable. ISU has potential rim protectors in Solomon Young and Cam Lard, so Jacobson could easily be moved to the power forward spot and slightly more away from the hoop.

The Waukee, IA, native will fill a spot with plenty of vacated minutes to go around. Iowa State loses forwards Jeff Beverly and Hans Brase next spring, meaning the frontcourt will consist of just Young, Lard, Jacobson, and maybe wing/forward hybrid Terrence Lewis. Jacobson’s experience and toughness will go a long way towards keeping the position locked down. The team is also in hot pursuit of four-star forward Race Thompson of Plymouth, Minnesota, to supplement that group further.

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This is a nice pickup for ISU. Jacobson won’t dominate opponents, but he is an experienced big man with two full seasons to contribute. The Cyclones now have just one scholarship remaining for next year.