Iowa State Cyclones
Overall Rank: #39
Conference Rank: #6 Big 12
Iowa State Team Page
Iowa State began the 2013-2014 campaign with 14 straight wins, including a 3-0 start in Big 12 play. However, the team ended up with just a 9-9 record in conference play and went into the NCAA Tournament as a seven seed. With games in Ames, it looked like Iowa State could win a game or two in the tournament despite their slow finish to the season. However, the Cyclones offense forgot to show up and ISU lost 55-44 to Florida State in the first round.
2013-14 Record: 20-11, 9-9
2013-14 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Bill Fennelly
Coach Record: 416-193 at Iowa State, 582-246 overall
Strengths:
This team knows how to shoot. They ranked 11th in the nation in three-point field goals per game and first in the country in free-throw percentage. Nikki Moody is one of those shooters, but the point guard does most of her scoring inside the arc. She dished out 5.3 assists and her senior leadership will be huge for this team. Jadda Buckley and Seanna Johnson were also double-digit scorers last season. Buckley, a 5-8 sophomore, shot 40.2 percent from beyond the arc and is not afraid to get to the basket either. Johnson is a bigger 5-10 sophomore who also led the team with 8.1 rebounds per game. If those two can avoid sophomore slumps, they will be a great scoring duo that Moody will set up. Brynn Williamson was the team’s most prolific long range shooter and she went 91.9 percent from the charity stripe. Williamson, a 5-11 senior wing, also blocked 24 shots on the season and will be asked to do a lot in the frontcourt this season. Nicole Blaskowsky usually came off of the bench last season, but she was very productive in that role. A bigger role could be waiting now.
Weaknesses:
The problem Iowa State is going to have this year is in the frontcourt. Hallie Christofferson is a massive loss for the Cyclones. The 6-3 forward averaged 18.4 points and 7.2 rebounds. Like the rest of the team, Christofferson could shoot from outside and she spent a lot of productive time at the free-throw line. Without her, Iowa State has virtually no experience in the frontcourt. Johnson and Williamson have enough size to help, but it would be great if all of the talented guards had a true post player to work through. Coach Bill Fennelly does have some options though. Fallon Ellis has some experience, but is another big wing, not a post player. Even the best incoming freshman, Emily Durr, is a big guard, not a forward. On this team though, she could spend time in the frontcourt. Madison Baier has been limited by injuries, but she is 6-4 and freshmen Claire Ricketts and Bryanna Fernstrom will get an opportunity to see major minutes.
Final Projection:
In the end, Iowa State will likely run a small lineup most of the time. The team as a whole should still be solid on the glass even with the smaller lineup. Having five players on the floor who are a threat to shoot can be tough to defend. That is the way it was last season too, but one of those players was Christofferson. How this team comes together without her will make all of the difference between a squad that can make serious noise in the Big 12 and a team that takes a step back.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA Tournament
Projected Starting Five:
Nikki Moody, Senior, Guard, 12.5 points per game
Jadda Buckley, Sophomore, Guard, 10.9 points per game
Nicole Blaskowsky, Junior, Guard, 6.7 points per game
Seanna Johnson, Sophomore, Guard, 10.2 points per game
Brynn Williamson, Senior, Forward, 9.4 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.7 (66th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.4 (105, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.0 (141, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.7 (187, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.9 (11, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.0 (97, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 80.4 (1, 1)
Rebound Margin: 1.9 (124, 6)
Assists Per Game: 14.0 (120, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.1 (30, 2)
Madness 2014 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#70 Emily Durr
See All Top 44 Women’s Basketball Previews
