Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: 10 biggest questions entering 2023-24 season

By Cole Amundson

Mar 11, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks line up for the National Anthem before the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks line up for the National Anthem before the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports /
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Omaha Biliew #0 of McDonald’s All American Boys West. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Omaha Biliew #0 of McDonald’s All American Boys West. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4. What impact will Iowa State’s freshman class have on the team?

Entering the 2023-24 season, TJ Otzelberger and the Iowa State Cyclones bring in the seventh-ranked composite freshman class, per 24/7 Sports. Headlining the Cyclone’s talented freshman class includes five-star recruit Omaha Biliew and four-star recruit Milan Momcilovic — both of whom are projected to play crucial roles for the Cyclones this year.

Bielliew — the 13th ranked recruit in the 2023 class, per 24/7 Sports — brings a high-level motor with tremendous length, physicality and defensive prowess that will help him fit right into the starting lineup come Nov. 6. Bielliew has the skill set to be one of the Big 12’s best defenders this season — even as a true freshman. His ability to guard one through five speaks volumes on his defensive versatility and the instant impact he will make in his freshman season in Ames.

Complementing Bielliew is Pewaukee, Wisconsin native Milan Momcilovic — the 37th-ranked recruit in the 2023 class, according to 24/7 Sports. Momcilovic will immediately help fix an Iowa State offense that has, at times, sputtered throughout Big 12 play. His ability to shoot efficiently behind the arc while using his 6’8 frame to finish strong in the post or mid-post makes him a lethal versatile offensive weapon in the Cyclone’s system.

To round out Iowa State’s freshman class, the Cyclones welcome four-star center JT Rock, three-star forward Kayden Fish and three-star guard Jelani Hamilton.

TJ Otzelberger has a strong track record of utilizing instant-impact freshmen. From Tyrese Hunter in 2021-22 to Tamin Lindsey in 2022-23 — expect both Bielliew and Momciolovic to make an immediate impact on the court with hopes of leading the Cyclones to their third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

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