Iowa State Basketball: Cyclones’ 2017-18 season preview
By Doug Winkey
Schedule Overview:
This is not ISU’s strongest nonconference schedule. Contests against Missouri and Iowa will be great tests for a young squad. Mizzou has a super strong roster with potential lottery pick Michael Porter Jr. and four-star center Jeremiah Tilmon. The big question will be if Cuonzo Martin will have fully transformed a roster that won just eight games in 2016-2017. If so, ISU could be dealt its first 0-1 start this millennium.
Iowa will also present an interesting challenge as an improving in-state rival that ended a three-game losing streak in Iowa City last year. The Hawkeyes are searching for a new dominant scorer after Peter Jok’s graduation, but they have plenty of young guys with experience looking to win in Ames for the first time since the 2003 NIT.
Beyond that, the Puerto Rico Tip-Off holds a potential date with Final Four attendee South Carolina and the annual Big 12/SEC Challenge matches the Cyclones with SEC sleeper Tennessee. Overall the nonconference schedule is easier than usual, which is fitting for a young team finding its way.
Conference Finish:
It’s really anyone’s guess what this team could look like this season. A lack of established star power could keep them from challenging, but a top 40 recruiting class might keep them in the Big 12 mix. There is enough talent to keep them from hitting rock bottom, but challenging for the conference title is likely unrealistic.
Next: Stars of the 2017-2018 Big 12
I’ll project a finish somewhere between sixth and eighth in what will be a very interesting 2017-2018 for Iowa State basketball.