A Revamped Roster
Iowa State entered the offseason with a clear mission: replenish a roster that lost three pivotal contributors and position itself for a deep tournament run. The Cyclones added eight newcomers through the transfer portal and recruiting class, signaling a aggressive rebuild after a season that ended short of its historic goals.
The centerpiece of that effort is Tre Singleton, a transfer who earned a spot on CBS Sports’ list of ten breakout candidates for the 2026‑27 season after a freshman campaign at Northwestern in which he posted 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Singleton will step into the role vacated by Joshua Jefferson, who left for the NBA, and is expected to bring size and versatility to the frontcourt.
Coach T.J. Otzelberger has emphasized that Singleton’s skill set could provide the missing piece for a team that also welcomes back defensive standout Killyan Toure, whose offensive responsibilities are set to expand. The coaching staff believes the combination of Singleton’s interior presence and Toure’s perimeter defense will tighten the Cyclones’ identity.
Alongside Singleton, the Cyclones will rely on emerging talents such as Jamarion Batemon, whose shooting prowess off the bench could translate into a starting role, and veterans Blake Buchanan and Dominykas Pleta, who showed steady improvement last year. The departure of Tamin Lipsey to the NBA creates additional opportunities for these players to assume larger responsibilities.
The roster also includes newcomers from the transfer portal who bring diverse skill sets, including Milan Momcilovic, who entered the portal before signing with the Kentucky Wildcats. Momcilovic’s move highlights the fluid nature of college basketball’s transfer market, but his absence underscores the Cyclones’ focus on integrating fresh talent rather than retaining departing stars.
The ultimate ambition remains the same: to capture a Final Four berth, a milestone the program last achieved in 1944, and to restore the Cyclones to the national conversation. With a blend of experienced returnees, promising newcomers, and a breakout candidate in Singleton, Iowa State hopes to translate its offseason activity into on‑court success.