Last Year: 29-8; 13-5, Second in the Big 12 Conference, lost in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament
Head Coach: TJ Otzelberger (Fourth Year; 70-35 at Iowa State, with three NCAA Tournament appearances)
Projected Starting Lineup
PG Tamin Lipsey – 6’1″, 200 Junior
G Keshon Gilbert – 6’4″, 200 Senior
G Curtis Jones – 6’4″, 195 Senior
F Milan Momcilovic – 6’8″, 225 Sophomore
C Dishon Jackson – 6’11”, 274 Senior
Experienced Reserves
G Nate Heise – 6’5″, 212 Senior
W Demarion Watson – 6’7″, 225 Junior
F Joshua Jefferson – 6’9″, 240 Junior
F/C Brandton Chatfield – 6’10”, 260 Senior
Freshmen
G Nojus Indrušaitis – 6’5″, 200
F Kayden Fish – 6’6″, 245 (redshirt)
C JT Rock – 7’1″, 260 (redshirt)
If TJ Otzelberger isn’t careful, he’s going to mess around and get himself crowned king of Ames, IA.
A popular former assistant at Iowa State and now heading into his fourth campaign as the head coach, Otzelberger is building his team into a monster. Following a 24-win regular season, Cyclones won the Big 12 tournament and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in three years.
The reason Hilton Coliseum feels more monstrous than usual to foes these days is that Iowa State is bringing back a whole bunch of the best things about that group. With their top four scorers returning – and each looking a year older, wiser, and better – there’s a fantastic foundation in Ames to build upon. And since ISU lost some other key pieces of the rotation and could mention that quartet of standouts as bait, ‘Coach Otz’ and his staff had a grand time in the transfer portal this spring.
The resulting roster that the Cyclones are going to trot out this fall is one of the nation’s best and most complete. Of course, along with that comes a series of expectations that are as tall as late-summer corn. That’s alright with the boisterous, constantly-enthusiastic Otzelberger, though. His intention is to build a program which will deal with high expectations every year.
If Coach Otz is the king of central Iowa, then his ‘dux bellorum’ is homegrown point guard Tamin Lipsey.
If Coach Otz is the king of central Iowa, then his ‘dux bellorum’ is homegrown point guard Tamin Lipsey. A kid from Ames whose legend has done nothing but grow since his teenage years winning a state title with a triple-double in the championship game, Lipsey racked up gaudy new accolades last winter. He was named first-team All-Big 12, All-Defense, and to the league’s all-tournament squad as a sophomore, and Lipsey is far from done. He had shoulder surgery in the offseason and his rehabilitation process sidelined him from the majority of practices this summer, but that also means that opponents are going to be going up against a fully operational – and fully aggravating – Lipsey in the fall.
With outstanding speed in the open floor and explosive quickness in tight spaces, Lipsey does it all at both ends of the floor. His aggressive approach, clever anticipation, and absolute audacity make Lipsey one of the best and most disruptive defensive players in America. He ranked 16th nationally in steals as a freshman, and last year, Lipsey came in fourth in the country in both steals and steals per game. Lipsey improved immensely as a shooter last year as well, hitting 39.1% of his triples and turning one of his weaknesses as a rookie into a strength in his second season. He’s been a sparkplug cruising through the lane for every team he’s ever played for, and Lipsey ranked fifth in the Big 12 in assists per game for the second year in a row last winter. Like the polish on his deep ball, Lipsey showed growth by committing fewer fouls and turnovers per game despite having gained the full, unwavering attention of all opponents. This year, a healthy Lipsey will be looking to take the next step as an All-American who leads his team even deeper into March.
It could be argued, as great as Lipsey was last year, that his backcourt partner Keshon Gilbert stole the show for the Cyclones. In his first season at Iowa State, Gilbert led the team in scoring while handing out the sixth-most assists in the Big 12. He also earned more free throw attempts than any conference player and made the second-most freebies, and Gilbert placed third in the Big 12 in steals. He was great late in the year, too, taking home Big 12 tournament MVP. The overlap in abilities between Lipsey and Gilbert, who is larger in stature, is what makes Iowa State truly dynamic at both ends of the court, and gives the team elite potential.
Gilbert followed Otzelberger from UNLV, where the then-assistant coach had led Gilbert’s recruitment, and his breakout year is thus not such a surprise. He’s got a world of talent, and Otzelberger best knows how to utilize Gilbert in the ways that enhance what he does best. This year, Gilbert may even take on more of the playmaking duties, as he got to run more of the show this summer with Lipsey still recovering from surgery. He’s excellent as a ball-screen operator, and as last season wore on, Gilbert became Otzelberger’s go-to guy to drive in and create opportunities from the perimeter. Like Lipsey, Gilbert is a very good rebounding guard, and their combined talents have helped Iowa State disguise a not-exactly-elite group of bigs on the glass. He can still refine his jumper; Gilbert sank 59.9% of his looks near the rim, per Bart Torvik, but made less than 35% of all other shot attempts last season. He’s well-established now as one of two equally outstanding lead guards in Ames, and
As if Lipsey and Gilbert aren’t enough of a luxury, Curtis Jones is back to use his extra season of eligibility. In his first year after arriving from Buffalo, the rangy Jones fit in nicely as the Cyclones’ third guard. He can distribute, shoot, and pilfer the ball, and Jones provides great reliability when Otzelberger wants to go bigger, because he’s just as effective running alongside either Lipsey or Gilbert. He led Iowa State and ranked eighth in the Big 12 with 73 made triples, and Jones continued a career-long trend of taking great care of the ball. He committed just 30 turnovers while handing out 73 assists, and Jones gives ISU tremendous versatility in using playmakers who are big, little, or in between.
Since there’s just no end to Otzelberger’s embarrassment of riches on the perimeter, Nate Heise has transferred in from Northern Iowa following the best year of his career. He’s another big guard who scores and facilitates, and Heise came back from a season wrecked by injury to show off a more complete range of skills than ever last winter. He’s a smooth shooter and smart without the ball, and Heise’s comfort as one among a group of playmakers should make him a great fit in Ames. The fact that Otzelberger can mix and match his rotation without having to sacrifice shooting or quality decision-making is a rare treat.
“When Tamin is not out there, it gives Keshon a lot of reps at the point,” Otzelberger explained in August. “But it also gives you the opportunity to look and say, ‘Okay, if it gets to a point where we have a challenge, who would that third guy be that would initiate offense?’ And I think there are guys like Curt, Nate Heise that could do that.” The Cyclones turned their opponents over a half dozen more times than they gave away the ball last year, and may do so again this season.
There was a whole lot to like about Milan Momcilovic’s debut in Ames. A coveted 4-star prospect who, like Otzelberger, grew up in the Milwaukee area, Momcilovic hit the ground running as a dangerous floor-spacer right away. He converted a terrific 45.6% of his mid-range looks last year, per Bart Torvik, and Momcilovic has a veteran’s savvy already in slipping to his spots and moving without the ball. This summer, the young forward has had some clear objectives for improvement, also.
He started every game of his rookie year, moved the ball crisply, and was a must-cover talking point in defensive meetings around the country immediately. In the ‘con’ column, Momcilovic was not strong defensively or on the glass, and he did not score effectively near the basket as a freshman. He was a great spot-up shooter, but Momcilovic struggled with opportunities that brought him into the lane. He’s really not a back-to-the-basket big, and compounding that deficiency, Momcilovic sank just 40.9 of his shots as a cutter to the hoop last winter, per Synergy Sports. If the kid can make strides in guarding other forwards and define a go-to move or quick post-up, Momcilovic’s overall value will skyrocket.
Otzelberger & Co raided the non-major ranks of college basketball this spring, and found some good replacements for the stalwarts who graduated. Maybe the most highly-anticipated newcomer is Joshua Jefferson, who was enjoying a big breakout season at Saint Mary’s until a knee injury ended his sophomore season prematurely. A fluid athlete with perimeter and distribution skills, Jefferson has rehabbed fairly quickly this summer. He even joined his new teammates during the Cyclones’ eight-week window for summer practices even though he got hurt on February 10th of this year. The ISU coaches were impressed with what they saw from Jefferson in that small window, and plan to deploy him in a variety of ways this winter.
“Joshua, where he settles in from a positional standpoint remains to be seen,” Otzelberger mused this summer. “We’ve liked him at the four. We’ve liked him, at times, as a small-ball five. He’s been good that way too.” Though he’s not a classic wide-bodied bruiser inside, Jefferson’s combination of talents makes him a uniquely valuable player to keep developing. He hit 16 triples in his 26 games last year, and handed out 59 assists. With genuine three-level scoring prowess – he made 65.1% of his interior looks and shot a solid 40.8% from mid-range – Jefferson has the makings of a real mismatch against non-pivots. If there’s a future which can see Momcilovic and Jefferson effectively sharing the court surrounded by the Cyclones’ guards, the normally slow-paced Cyclones might be able to kick their offense into a whole different gear.
Former Seattle post Brandton Chatfield and Charlotte transfer Dishon Jackson operate as more traditional bigs, and will try to hold down the middle – and hold off a charge from a talented youngster while they’re at it. Jackson began his career at Washington State, but after two years there was forced to miss a season due to what has been described as a cardiovascular issue, but Jackson spent last winter at Charlotte and looked better than ever. He’s a big, wide dude in the middle, and while he’s not dominant at anything, Jackson is a very helpful presence inside. He has some touch and developed cleaner footwork as a 49er, and Jackson is always a good option to finish the play after setting a solid screen.
| Five Stats Which Tell The Tale (with national ranks) |
| 10.3 – Steals Per Game (2nd) |
| 3.1 – Blocks Per Game (220th) |
| 61.5 – Opponent Points Per Game (4th) |
| 71.9% – Defensive Rebounding Rate (230th) |
| 0.579 – Assists Per Made FG (40th) |
While Jackson was a freshman on the Palouse, so was Chatfield. After transferring to Seattle, Chatfield made steady strides over the past three years. He was never really a focal point for the perimeter-oriented RedHawks, but Chatfield converted the chances he got to the tune of a terrific 59.8% field goal rate in the Emerald City. He’s more mobile than it may seem, and Chatfield became an effective rim protector, though Chatfield is also no stranger to foul trouble. He’ll have to play clean minutes at both ends in order to carve out a consistent role in Ames.
Jackson is a capable shot blocker, but will need to bring all he’s got in a new league, too. Though it came in conferences outside of the rough-and-tumble Big 12, both Jefferson and Chatfield did a good job of contesting opponents near the rim, also. While neither is exactly a fearsome shot-blocker, they work hard in the post and combined to limit opponents to a 50.7% rate on shots near the goal last year, per Synergy Sports. If they can combine to change Iowa State’s fortunes on the glass, it could eliminate the team’s primary weakness from last season and give the Cyclones an even better chance late in March.
In addition to a fistful of young talent that’s set to join the rotation, Demarion Watson is back to add a powerful presence on the wing. He’s grown bigger and strong since coming to Ames; now he checks in at 6’7″, 225 and still has the quickness to roam the perimeter. Always willing to crash the glass or chase down a dunk, Watson is also a good defender who helps against bigger lineups. Redshirt freshman JT Rock was a 4-star prospect coming out of his school, and now the 7’1″, 260-pound rookie is ready to make his debut. He has a face-up jumper and can protect the rim, and Otzelberger has commented on the improvements he’s seen from Rock in strength training and aggressiveness around the lane since joining the Cyclones. After his developmental year, fans are excited to get a true look at Rock this winter. Strong-bodied forward Kayden Fish also spent last season as a redshirt, and improved his quickness and shooting during that time. His no-nonsense approach in the paint should translate well to the Big 12, and Fish will keep on competing with incredible intensity in practice until he gets his chance to climb the pecking order.
| Five Out-of-Conference Games to Keep an Eye on |
| N Auburn – November 25 |
| N North Carolina/Dayton – November 26 |
| vs Marquette – December 4 |
| Maui Invitational third game – November 27 |
| @ Iowa – December 12 |
The two true freshmen Otzelberger and his staff have added for the upcoming season are Nojus Indrušaitis and Dwayne Pierce. Indrušaitis has the size and emerging skillset to become a very worthy heir to Heise going forward. Though his shot selection has been questioned by some scouts, Indrušaitis is long, gets his shot off quickly, and has a clean release from deep or on pull-up shots. With a bit of time marinating in Otzelberger’s offense, Indrušaitis should emerge with a full set of skills. The powerfully-built wing is, like Watson, physically ready to go. Playing alongside Dylan Harper – the elite prospect who will star for Rutgers this winter – in high school, Watson has developed a good feel and playmaking instincts at both ends of the floor.
After showing how high their ceiling is last March, Iowa State’s returning core is ready to prove that they’re ready to win even bigger. Many of the country’s top contenders have swung for the fences and added big-name stars to their rosters. The Cyclones have added helpful veterans who should fit and enhance the development of ISU’s rising pieces. Continuing to grow what’s already on hand is the key, as Otzelberger and his staff will tell you.
“The team we were in November last year was a lot different than the team we were in March,” Otzelberger reflected this summer. “It’s no different this season. Maybe the fact that you return a lot of guys, you feel like there is a base…but it’s still going to be that same challenge of doing the hard work every day and continuing to improve throughout the season.”
Much was made of Iowa State’s cupcake schedule last year. A trip to Maui in November and an early December date with Marquette will rewrite that script. With March experience added to the hunger that Iowa State’s new guys are bringing, something very special is brewing in Ames. If the Cyclones can continue the trajectory they’re begun, Hilton Coliseum will be home to a genuine national title contender this winter.
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