Iowa State Cyclones- #5 Big 12 college basketball power rankings

Iowa State

Coach: Fred Hoiberg (2 seasons at Iowa State 39-27)

2011-12: Record 23-11 overall, 12-6 in Big 12(Tie/3rd)

Starters Returning (2) Chris Babb, Melvin Ejim

Preseason Tournament: Global Sports Classic in Vegas

Top Non-Conference Games: vs. BYU, at Iowa

Transfer Out: Tavon Sledge (Iona), Jordan Railey (Washington State)

Sat Out: Korie Lucious (Michigan State), Will Clyburn (Utah)

Early Departure: Royce White

Iowa State has become the place where transfers from other schools flock to. In 2010 the Cyclones brought in 4 transfers, most of those players help Iowa State get to the NCAA tournament last season. Now 2 of those transfers are got but head coach Fred Hoiberg brings in two more transfers that sat out last season. Hoiberg also brings in a solid recruiting class. While the Cyclones lose their top 3 scores they return everyone else.

Leading the Cyclones in the frontcourt will be power forward Melvin Ejim (9.3 ppg). Ejim is a very solid rebounder with 6.6 per game. Look for his number to really increase with being more focus of the offense. Starting for the center spot will be Percy Gibson (4.8 ppg) and senior Anthony Booker(3.5 ppg). Booker almost made 50 % of his three pointers last season. At small forward the Cyclones will receive a huge boost from Utah transfer Will Clyburn. In his last season at Utah he averaged 17.1 points and 7.8 rebounds. Depth could be a concern maybe not on talent but on experience. Two freshman Georges Niang and Nkereuwen Okoro will provide depth. Niang is a highly rated recruit.

Leading the way in the backcourt for Iowa State is Michigan State transfer Korie Lucious. In his last season he led Michigan State to the 2010 final four. He is a true point guard something this Iowa State team needs. Joining him the backcourt will be shooting guard and former Penn State transfer Chris Babb(7.8 ppg). Babb will be the team’s best three point shooter but he needs to make a higher percentage. He is also an excellent defender. Tyus McGee (7.7 ppg) will once again be the sixth man. Freshman freshmen Naz Long and Sherron Dorsey-Walker will also provide depth.

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