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#36 Iowa State
Cyclones
Big 12
2004-05: 19-12, 9-7, 6th
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
Iowa State has enough talent to
improve on their one and done status. In last year’s tournament
the Cyclones were totally outmatched by North Carolina in the
second round. Iowa State fans will be looking at the Sweet
Sixteen this time around, barring another bad draw in the
bracket.
Who’s Out:
The frontcourt loses two starters in Jared Homan and Damion
Staple. Homan averaged 13.6 points and a team high 8.7 rebounds.
Staple added 5.8 points and 4.7 boards. The frontcourt also
loses roleplayers Robert Faulkner, Reggie George and Aaron
Agnew. Little used guard Dave Braet has exhausted his
eligibility.
Who’s In:
Some people spent their summer
collecting seashells. Coach Wayne Morgan spent his collecting
quality big men. Jared Homan can’t be replaced, but the Cyclones
have to try. The new group won’t bang under the basket like
Homan, but are talented enough to fill in. Shawn Taggart is a
great shot blocker and rebounder. The freshman averaged 20.2
points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.0 blocks as a senior at Mt. Zion
Christian Academy last year. Ross Marsden has a nice stroke for
a big man. He averaged 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds at Ames High
School en route to earning the 2005 Iowa Gatorade Player of the
Year accolades. Mike Evanovich will add even more depth to the
frontcourt, but it is Jiri Hubalek and Jessan Gray who have the
experience to contribute immediately. Hubalek, a native of the
Czech Republic, averaged 12.4 points and 8.6 boards last year at
Marshalltown (IA) Community College. Hubalek is a solid outside
shooter and has some decent low post moves. Gray averaged 10.9
points and 5.7 boards last season at Tyler (TX) Junior College
after transferring from Indiana. The former Hoosier is a solid
athlete and can step out and hit the mid-range jumper. Farnold
Degand is the only guard heading to Ames. The 6-3 Boston,
Massachusetts product can play either guard spot, but is best
off at the two. Degand’s shot will need some time to develop
more consistency.
Who to Watch:
Curtis Stinson is a delight to
watch. As a sophomore last year, the 6-3 guard averaged 17.2
points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals. His junior
season will be even better. Stinson is a tenacious defender, a
great scorer and the heart and soul of the Cyclones. He isn’t a
great three point shooter, but nobody on Iowa State is and they
have adapted well to not having a long range threat.
Projected
Conference Rank:
Curtis Stinson, Will Blalock and
Rahshon Clark are three quality starters. And having Tasheed
Carr come off the bench helps out the backcourt significantly.
The frontcourt is nothing but a giant question mark. However,
the options are, much like my favorite candy, good and plenty. A
5th place finish in the conference is disappointing,
but good enough for another trip to the NCAAs.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Will Blalock, Junior,
Guard, 12.3 points per game
Curtis Stinson,
Junior, Guard, 17.2 points per game
Rahshon Clark,
Sophomore, Forward, 7.3 points per game
Jessan Gray, Junior,
Forward, DNP last season
Jiri Hubalek,
Sophomore, Center, DNP last season
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