The outstanding work just keeps happening out in Ames as Iowa State remains in notoriety. The Cyclones have been in a great position since TJ Otzelberger took over as head coach in 2021, with three trips to the Sweet Sixteen and impressive work in a very strong Big 12. It was more of the same for this program last season, though Otzelberger and company have no intentions of stopping this momentum.
Last year saw the Cyclones finish 29-8, tying for 3rd in the Big 12 race, and reaching that third Sweet Sixteen in five years. Despite being upended by Tennessee in that final game, Iowa State used an experience and talented roster and put together a strong season. While they certainly could’ve had an even more memorable year, the good news in Ames is that things might be even better this year.
Losing Milan Momcilovic in the portal was unfortunate while shedding Joshua Jefferson into the NBA isn’t great either; Iowa State returns much of the rest of their talent. If some eligibility rulings go their way they’ll have four of their Top 6 scorers back from last season. The Cyclones hit on some transfer additions of their own and just might have the well-rounded crew that can again do major damage in the Big 12 and beyond.
We’ll discuss this below, but Iowa State won’t be at full strength to begin the season and might be a bit shorthanded based on a surprise eligibility ruling. Regardless, this staff knows the talent they’ve assembled once again and have the pieces in place even if they get bad news in the weeks ahead. The Cyclones are a team to watch and let’s break down just who will be worth watching.
Projected Starters
Guard – Jaquan Johnson (Junior)
An absolutely monumental transfer addition, Johnson is a 5-9 point guard from Milwaukee who did outrageous things at Bradley as an underclassman. Despite his size, he averaged 16.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per game for the Braves, standing out as MVC Defensive Player of the Year and one of the conference’s best scorers. Now an upperclassman, he has a shot to be floor general and leader of the defense, with his feisty athletic play a big gain for the Cyclones.
Guard – Tamin Lipsey (Senior)
A cornerstone of Iowa State basketball through much of Otzelberger’s tenure to date, Lipsey could shockingly be back for a fifth season if he’s ruled eligible. He’s started all 137 games he’s played for the Cyclones and been an anchor, including 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.3 steals last year. A defensive menace and sensational ball handler, Lipsey is already the program’s all-time steals leaders and would be a veteran presence in a younger starting lineup.
Guard – Jamarion Batemon (Sophomore)
A former Top 60 recruit out of Milwaukee, Batemon put up some really solid figures off the bench as a true freshman with the Cyclones. He averaged 6.6 points and 1.2 rebounds while making 37% of his 3-pointers and now climbs into a much larger role with those offseason departures. The Cyclones really expect him to standout, potentially replacing Momcilovic’s role, but he’s a confident shooter with a great skill-set worth watching in the months to come.
Forward – Tre Singleton (Sophomore)
A 6-8 forward out of Indiana, Singleton heads westward after beginning his college career over at Northwestern. His freshman year in Chicago was filled with potential, averaging 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds as a starter for the Wildcats. The shooting numbers don’t exactly jump out, but Singleton has great size and intelligence and should take a big step forward in his second year, especially with the role expected in Ames.
Forward – Blake Buchanan (Senior)
Buchanan joined the Cyclones after playing two seasons with Virginia and put up the best numbers of his career. The Idaho native was good for 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds while making 64% of his field goal attempts in his first year in this lineup. His impact both on the boards and on defense really stand out, bringing the energy and efficiency both with and without the ball in his hands.
Key Reserves
Guard – Ryan Prather Jr. (Senior)
Prather joins Iowa State fresh off the best season of his college career with Robert Morris. He played briefly at Akron before joining the Colonials and just had 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in his second year in the Horizon League. Prather made 37% of his 3-pointers while also boasting solid figures in the mid-game and closer to the basket, though he’ll be playing a number of different roles as an experienced backup in this backcourt.
Guard – Yusef Gray Jr. (Freshman)
A 3-star combo guard from Milwaukee, Gray is another interesting player plucked from Wisconsin’s biggest city, and someone who could see the court this season. The potential return of Lipsey could limit that early production, though Gray projects as a solid shooter and floor general even without significant size or strength. He dealt with a shoulder injury late in his high school career but should be able to fight for minutes this year.
Guard – Leon Bond III (Senior)
Another new face coming over from the state of Wisconsin, Bond played a year with Virginia and two at Northern Iowa before transferring this offseason. Last season represented a major step forward in his career, putting up 11.9 points and 4.7 rebounds while helping get the Panthers into the NCAA Tournament. Bond was MVC All-Defense, made a decent clip (36%) from outside the arc and can do a bit of everything as an experienced new piece in this puzzle.
Forward – Taj Manning (Senior)
Last year was the first time we really saw much of Manning on the court. He spent three years at Kansas State, barely playing in the first two before averaging 4.2 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Wildcats last season. Manning was a resourceful role player in the Big 12 last season and can be that again for the Cyclones, becoming a key rebounder and bench weapon in this frontcourt.
Forward – Dominykas Pleta (Sophomore)
A 6-11 forward from Germany, Pleta found his collegiate home at Iowa State last year and settled into a decent role off the bench. He wasn’t playing a ton of minutes but was still reliable for the Cyclones, averaging 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. The 22-year old has great size and physicality and we’ll see if he can be even more of a school and playmaker in the post with more minutes likely in his future.
Guard – Christian Wiggins (Freshman)
The highest-rated freshmen recruit in this year’s class, Wiggins is a 6-3 guard from Minneapolis who fits the profile of an Iowa State guard. He doesn’t shoot the cover off the ball and his highlights aren’t going to scream star, but he does the little things and impacts the play on the court in a number of ways. We’ll see how his development progresses over this first season, but he’s quick, can score from everywhere on the court, and isn’t afraid to get dirty on defense.
Guard – Killyan Toure (Sophomore)
A 6-3 guard originally from France, Toure made quite the impression as a freshman with the Cyclones last season. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists as a full-time starter right off the bat, though it’ll take some time for him to match that production. A shoulder injury is expected to keep him sidelined until at least January, though at full strength he’s clearly getting starting minutes in this lineup with his athleticism and defensive pressure.
Schedule Outlook
Game one of the regular season features a trip to Sioux Falls, with the Cyclones taking on Memphis on November 2nd. They’ll be back in Ames for three straight games but then they’re heading west for a major test. The Players Era will give them matchups with San Diego State, then Tennessee or Maryland, and at least one more foe as they look to make an early statement under the bright lights in that tournament.
This team heads back to Ames for a few games, though that includes a highly-anticipated December 5th matchup against Purdue. Just five days later it’s a quick trip to Iowa City, with the Cyclones facing off at rival Iowa, another Big Ten foe. That pretty much settles the notable matchups in nonconference play, though there will be eyes on them on December 18th, facing Missouri State in Kansas City for the Hall of Fame Classic.
Big 12 play is always a roller coaster and a tall task looms early, with conference play beginning against Arizona on January 2nd. It’s the Cyclones’ only look at the Wildcats, though they’ll see Kansas twice along with Oklahoma State and West Virginia. Their only games at Houston and Texas Tech come on a road trip in mid-January, though February looks much easier than that beginning stretch. The regular season concludes against West Virginia for Senior Night on March 6th.
Season Outlook
We mentioned that the Cyclones wouldn’t be at full strength, with Toure’s injury a real bummer of the offseason. Lipsey’s eligibility could go either way at this point, though Otzelberger and his staff weren’t initially expecting him anyways. What we’re trying to say is that the Cyclones are a talented bunch even if they are short-handed at points this season and are a major threat in the Big 12.
Even before Toure’s return, the backcourt is loaded with talent. Iowa State fans already know what Lipsey brings, while Johnson is like having a mirror version of him who can score and defend at a high level just the same. The Cyclones also expect Batemon to make major strides in his sophomore season while one of those new faces on the bench could really stand out if Lipsey is unavailable this year.
Those two big departures left holes in the frontcourt, though the talent still remains for the Cyclones to make major noise. Both Buchanan and Singleton are penciled into major roles, while both are expected to take their games to the next level this season. Beyond that there’s a lot to like about Pleta’s size and Bond’s reliability off the bench, though someone else could potential emerge in a key role in the paint.
It’s impossible to find a direct replacement for the nation’s best outside shooters, but it’s about the whole package for the Cyclones. They have a backcourt full of athletic guards that feed into what should be another season of elite defense for this program. There’s talent at every position and reinforcements are clearly coming when Toure gets back in the lineup during Big 12 play. Will Iowa State be firing on all cylinders with these new pieces by then?
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