NCAA: Can Iowa State Keep The Transfer Mojo Alive?
By Nathan Giese
In the weeks and months leading up to the start of practices in October, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest teams, players and stories for the 2014-15 NCAA college basketball season. Each team has one burning question we’ll take a look at.�
Unconventional is probably the best word to describe what Fred Hoiberg has started at Iowa State. In an era where most major programs are relying on freshmen to carry the load, the Cyclones have adopted the use of transfers, something that Oregon first made famous, but Iowa State has started to perfect.
It all began with Royce White and his move from Minnesota to Iowa State. The Cyclones saw a solid season with White, one that jumpstarted them towards this trend. The year after that was a combination of Korie Lucious (Michigan State) and Chris Babb (Penn State). Last season was Iowa State’s most successful one, using DeAndre Kane (Marshall) as their do-everything point guard on their way to the Sweet 16.
This time around, though, a Sweet 16 may not satisfy the Cyclones. In fact, anything short of a Final Four may be considered a let down.
Things certainly won’t be easy for Iowa State, but expectations are high in Ames. Hoiberg has led his teams one step closer to a national title in the past three season. Even though they lose their top two scorers, their top rebounder and top assist-man from last season, the Cyclones have enough returning talent and new, incoming talent to be a national threat.
It’s hard to distinguish just which loss will be the most difficult for the Cyclones to overcome. Melvin Ejim was the Big-12 Player of the Year last season, but Kane was either first or second in all major statistical categories. Both were vital parts to the operation and were a lethal one-two punch, one that most teams in the country couldn’t handle.
In order to counteract these losses, the Cyclones will need a big season from Georges Niang, a 6’8″ junior forward. Niang stood out for Iowa State last season while playing the role player role. He was a solid inside-out presence that helped the team stretch the floor a bit more. He can dominate inside when he needs to and looks even more physically healthy, something that should play into the leadership role he’ll be taking on this season.
Niang won’t be alone up front, though. He has some help in the form of Dustin Hogue, who contributed a near double-double (11 points, eight rebounds per game) last season. Hogue’s a versatile offensive weapon that should blend well with Niang once again this season.
On the transfer front, Iowa State brings in a few intriguing playmakers, most notably Bryce Dejean-Jones, who comes over from UNLV for his final collegiate season. BDJ isn’t the greatest shooter, but he’s a good ball handler and can create offense for a team that will need it this season. He’ll play the two-guard while Monte Morris takes over point guard duties. Morris led the Cyclones in three-point shooting last season and showed some nice flashes of patience and exciting play. He’ll be an interesting player to watch throughout the season.
The rest of Iowa State’s roster isn’t so hard to identify because of the options they have. Naz Long and Matt Thomas both return from last season’s team as key contributors. Long could battle Morris for the starting point guard role this season and Thomas could be elevated to starter status this year as well. There’s also the other transfers for the Cyclones that could get major playing time this year. Hallice Cooke (Oregon State) and Jameel McKay (Marquette) both should see good minutes for a winning team.
Winning the Big-12 will be a challenge for the Cyclones, however. It always is when you’re dealing with a Bill Self-led Kansas team, who have won 10-straight conference titles. Should they slip up in conference play, Iowa State should be there to pick up where they left off. Aside from Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma also present real threats to winning the conference. It should be a very interesting four-way battle at the top, maybe even a five-way battle if Kansas State can keep up with the big boys.
Normally, this area would be a sneak peak into Iowa State’s non-conference schedule. Unfortunately, with the exception of (maybe) two games, their overall non-conference is very weak. Also, the two games that are the highlights (vs. Georgia State and at Iowa) are completely dependent on if the teams live up to their preseason expectations. Maybe South Carolina surprises and becomes a threat from the SEC, but overall, Iowa State’s non-conference schedule isn’t anything to write home about.
Heading into this season, Iowa State should be ranked in the top 15 for most all preseason rankings and could see themselves in the top 10 in some places. They’re a very well coached team, have a potential first-team All-American in Niang and solid players up and down the roster. It’s no wonder why the Cyclones have high expectations surrounding them.
They’ve started the trend of success by using transfers, but Iowa State should be able to use a combination of more transfers and returning players to get them back into the national spotlight. Don’t be surprised to see them competing in late March and be able to call themselves Big-12 Champs when all is said and done.