Iowa State Cyclones
Overall Rank: #21
Conference Rank: #4 Big 12
Iowa State Team Page
Iowa State comes into the season on a streak of nine consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with the 2003-2004 season being the last one it didn't qualify for. The Cyclones play seven of their 11 nonconference games at home, including the annual matchup with in-state rival Iowa. The team brings back a nice mix of underclassmen and veterans, led by three seniors.
2012-13 Record: 24-9, 12-6
2012-13 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Bill Fennelly
Coach Record: 396-182 at ISU, 562-235 overall
Strengths:
Hallie Christofferson comes back as the team's leading scorer at 15.6 points per game. Her 6.7 rebounds per game were second on the squad, while she also led the team in three-point field goals and field goal percentages with 40 percent and 52 percent respectively. Nikki Moody has been a stud point guard for the Cyclones. Last season, the now-junior, was named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team after averaging 8.4 points, 7.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Her assists average ranked third in the nation and she is already ninth on the all-time assist list at Iowa State. Brynn Williamson averaged 8.3 points last season and 4.5 rebounds, while being the team's top perimeter defender. Iowa State also brings in a nice recruiting class. Lexi Albrecht averaged 16.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 4.8 apg. Jadda Buckley is another player who can shoot the lights out. The incoming freshman made a school-record 131 three pointers. She was ranked as a top-50 player by multiple sites and was the Maxpreps.com Player of the Year. Seanna Johnson also brings a scoring punch. The 5'10 guard averaged 18.7 ppg, 11 rpg and over 4 apg. She was a top-75 recruit who grabbed over 1,000 rebounds.
Weaknesses:
While the Cyclones do return a nice nucleus, they also lose two key players that averaged in double figures. Chelsea Poppens averaged 13.4 points per game and Anna Prins 10.3. What might hurt the Cyclones most is that Poppens averaged 9.7 rebounds per contest. Other than those two players, Iowa State doesn't lose many significant players. Iowa State has plenty of experience in the backcourt, but not so much in the frontcourt. Christofferson is a natural forward, but Williamson is a guard/forward. Other than them, no other frontcourt player has made significant contributions.
Final Projection:
Iowa State will once again be in contention for at least a top-four position in the Big 12. With Baylor losing Brittney Griner, the Bears might be in for a slide. With the Cyclones bringing back six upperclassmen, the time might be ripe for the Cyclones to make their move. Christofferson was an All-American last season, as well as an All-Big 12 First Team member. If she, Williamson and Moody can get some help, it might be a great season for the girls from Ames. If the team can win most of their nonconference games, they will be well on their way.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Nikki Moody, Junior, Guard, 8.4 points per game, 7.4 assists per game
Brynn Williamson, Junior, Guard, 8.3 points per game
Hallie Christofferson, Senior, Forward, 15.6 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game
Nicole Blaskowsky, Sophomore, Guard, 6.6 points per game
Fallon Ellis, Junior, Guard/Forward, 1.5 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.4 (70th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 57.6 (77, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.7 (35, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.4 (58, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.6 (18, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.0 (64, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 80.5 (1, 1)
Rebound Margin: 7.9 (14, 3)
Assists Per Game: 16.6 (14, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 17.2 (187, 9)
Madness 2014 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#21 Hallie Christofferson
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