The Iowa State Cyclones enter the upcoming college basketball season with a fresh surge of optimism, landing at No. 12 in the latest CBS Sports power rankings.
A year ago the Cyclones rode a strong campaign that featured a two‑seed in March Madness, only to see their run halted in the Sweet 16 when star forward Joshua Jefferson succumbed to injury.
A New Core Emerges
Coach T.J. Otzelberger, now in his third year, is expected to extract the maximum potential from a roster that will look markedly different from the one that reached the Sweet 16.
Among the returning pieces, sophomore guard Killyan Toure stands out as one of the Big 12’s most effective defensive players, while point guard Jamarion Batemon showed flashes of playmaking brilliance as a freshman.
Their development will be pivotal; the Cyclones’ success hinges on Toure and Batemon stepping forward and filling the void left by departed veterans.
The team will also benefit from the experience of players like Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey, who contributed significantly last season before departing for other programs.
Analyst Gary Parrish has highlighted the importance of these dynamics, noting that the Cyclones’ depth could make them a dark horse in the Big 12 race.
Meanwhile, the St. John’s Red Storm saw their own ranking slip after an injury to Donnie Freeman, underscoring how health can shape postseason prospects across the conference.
Overall, the Cyclones appear poised to translate early‑season promise into a competitive campaign, with Otzelberger’s system designed to maximize the talent at his disposal.