Iowa State Cyclones
Big 12 (25-8, 12-6)
Were it not for Kansas, Iowa State would have been in the Big 12’s driver seat. After a couple of good seasons under Frank Hoiberg, the 2014-2015 version of the Cyclones is built to make a run in tournament play. Not only have they played great competition all year, but they are a very talented team that has multiple options on the offensive end. Iowa State has the experience to be one of the final 16 – or better.
Big Wins: 1/10 at West Virginia (74-72), 1/17 Kansas (86-81), 3/2 Oklahoma (77-70)
Bad Losses: 1/3 vs South Carolina (60-64), 1/24 at Texas Tech (73-78), 2/28 at Kansas State (69-70)
Coach: Fred Hoiberg
Why They Can Surprise:
Experience and talent. At the top of the roster are several players that can make plays. Georges Niang, who suffered a leg injury last season, is one of the Big 12’s best. He is very athletic and can score, rebound and dish. Niang is one of the most complete players in America. Alongside him is Bryce Dejean-Jones, a star guard off the bench who is their defensive spark plug. Monte Morris, Dustin Hogue and Naz Long are just a few of the other contributors on this team. The Cyclones are very deep. Five players average in double-digits scoring, with another averaging 9.6 points per game. The balance they display is phenomenal and Hoiberg does a great job managing his rotation. They can compete with, and beat, just about anyone in the country.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Where Iowa State falls short is on the defensive side of the ball. They generally outplay their opponents, but other teams can find open shots against them. In a game against Texas Tech in late January, they allowed the Red Raiders to score 78 points when they average 60 per game. If other teams can match their intensity, then Iowa State can be in some trouble. In the games they have lost, the Cyclones have had turnover issues. The other team has just out-shot them. They cannot afford to have one of their stars go cold.
Probable Starters:
Monte Morris, Sophomore, Guard, 11.8 ppg, 5.2 apg
Naz Long, Junior, Guard, 10.3 ppg, 1.9 apg
Dustin Hogue, Senior, Forward, 9.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Georges Niang, Junior, Forward, 15.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.7 apg
Jameel McKay, Junior, Forward, 11.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Bryce Dejean-Jones, Senior, Guard, 10.9 ppg, 2.2 apg
Abdel Nader, Junior, Forward, 5.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Matt Thomas, Sophomore, Guard, 4.7 ppg
Daniel Edozie, Senior, Forward, 3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.3 (8th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.6 (261, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.5 (11, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.0 (123, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.9 (39, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.8 (70, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.5 (164, 5)
Rebound Margin: 2.0 (113, 6)
Assists Per Game: 16.8 (8, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.5 (69, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA Second Round win over North Carolina Central
2014 NCAA Third Round win over North Carolina
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2013 NCAA Second Round win over Notre Dame
2013 NCAA Third Round loss to Ohio State
2012 NCAA Second Round win over Connecticut
2012 NCAA Third Round loss to Kentucky
2005 NCAA Round of 64 win over Minnesota
2005 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
2004 NIT First Round win over Georgia
2004 NIT Second Round win over Florida State
2004 NIT Quarterfinal win over Marquette
2004 NIT Semifinal loss to Rutgers
2003 NIT Opening Round win over Wichita State
2003 NIT First Round loss to Iowa
2001 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Hampton
2000 NCAA Round of 64 win over Central Connecticut State
2000 NCAA Round of 32 win over Auburn
2000 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over UCLA
2000 NCAA Regional Final loss to Michigan State
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
