Cyclone Alert publisher Alec Busse recently sat down with Iowa State basketball insiders to preview the upcoming 2026‑27 campaign, highlighting the program’s evolving identity under head coach T.J. Otzelberger.
Otzelberger, now in his sixth season, is expected to lean on a deep bench that could feature as many as eight or nine reliable contributors, a depth not seen in previous years.
Among the newcomers, freshman Dorian Rinaldo‑Komlan arrives as a highly touted defensive prospect, bringing size and versatility that could reshape the Cyclones’ backcourt.
Rinaldo‑Komlan will battle for minutes against a group of seasoned players, including returning guard Blake Buchanan and forward Dominykas Pleta, both of whom have logged significant minutes in recent seasons.
A Deepening Roster
Coaches and analysts alike predict that the final rotation will be anchored by veterans such as Ryan Prather Jr., Leon Bond III, Taj Manning, JaQuan Johnson and Jamarion Batemon, while younger pieces like Tre Singleton and Killyan Toure add depth.
If the projected eight‑to‑nine player rotation holds, Iowa State could boast one of its most balanced lineups in the Otzelberger era, a factor that may prove decisive in a competitive Big 12 conference.