Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Jason Kinander

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 11: Christian Braun #2, Isaiah Moss #4, Silvio De Sousa #22, and David McCormack #33 of the Kansas Jayhawks walk onto the court after a timeout late in the game as the Baylor Bears defeated Kansas to win the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 11, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 11: Christian Braun #2, Isaiah Moss #4, Silvio De Sousa #22, and David McCormack #33 of the Kansas Jayhawks walk onto the court after a timeout late in the game as the Baylor Bears defeated Kansas to win the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 11, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – MARCH 03: Head coach Steve Prohm of the Iowa State Cyclones (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – MARCH 03: Head coach Steve Prohm of the Iowa State Cyclones (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /

8. Iowa State Cyclones

2019-20 Finish: 9th

Who’s Back?

Leading the way for the returning talent on the Cyclones is Solomon Young, a rising fifth-year senior. Young was a big-time contributor down low for Iowa State last season, picking up a solid load of the scoring when Tyrese Haliburton went down. Also back is Rasir Bolton, a Penn State transfer who averaged 15 points per game, as well as Tre Jackson, who started in Haliburton’s absence. The Cyclones will bring back at least three starters.

Who’s Gone?

Haliburton leaves Iowa State after a pair of spectacular seasons, with this past season cut short due to injury. Haliburton was a triple-double threat every night for the Cyclones and will certainly be missed, but at least Iowa State has been able to prepare for his departure given the injury. Zion Griffin, Prentiss Nixon, and Michael Jacobson are all gone as well.

Who’s Coming?

The biggest addition for Iowa State is that of 4-star center Xavier Foster. Paired in the low post with Young, the Cyclones could have themselves a formidable group of forwards. Other than Foster, not much else is heading to Ames, so Steve Prohm will need to build a team around developed talent.

The Bottom Line:

Like TCU, Iowa State could be competitive next season despite losing their top player. If Young stays, which he should, and Foster steps into a big role, the Cyclones should be in contention for a tournament spot. However, if the Cyclones remain as disaster-prone as last season, it’ll be another down year for Prohm.

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