2022 Record: 19-14 (9-9)

Head Coach: TJ Otzelberger (Career Record 140-90) (Iowa State Record 41-27)

Projected Rotation:

PG: Tamin Lipsey (7.3 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 4.0 Ast)

SG: Jackson Paveletzke (Wofford 15.1 Pts, 2.7 Reb, 3.7 Ast)

SF: Milan Momcilovic

PF: Omaha Biliew

C: Robert Jones (5.7 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 0.9 Ast)

6: SG Curtis Jones (Buffalo 15.0 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 3.0 Ast)

7: SG Keshon Gilbert (UNLV 11.4 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 3.2 Ast)

8: PF Tre King (6.1 Pts, 4.1 Reb, 0.2 Ast)

9: PF Hason Ward (2.8 Pts, 2.2 Reb, 0.3 Ast)

10: C JT Rock

11: SF Demarion Watson (1.7 Pts, 2.6 Reb, 0.3 Ast)

12: PF Kayden Fish

13: SG Jelani Hamilton

Tamin Lipsey had a great freshman season with the Cyclones last year. Lipsey started all 33 games last season and shot 48% from the floor. He wasn’t much of a three point shooter last year, but he has a chance to improve tremendously in that area. Lipsey is really known as being a true floor general. He is one of the best pure passers in the Big 12 and will gain more confidence on the court going into his sophomore season. Robert Jones is also returning to the Cyclones this season and should have a starting role this year following the graduation of Osun Osunniyi. Jones is really good on the defensive side of the ball, but is still a work in progress on the offensive end. SF Demarion Watson also returns to Iowa State. He had an up and down freshman season but has shown flashes of being a great player.

Iowa State also returns forwards Hason Ward and Tre King both of which will give the Cyclones some solid depth on both sides of the ball. King previously spent time at Eastern Kentucky and also briefly at Georgetown. King is a very physical player who makes a tremendous impact on the defensive end of the ball. Ward didn’t get as much court time as many expected last season, but he did make the most of his time on the court. He shot 67% from the floor this past season and also like King is a very physical player who defends really well in the post.

Iowa State also added 3 transfer guards this offseason. Keshon Gilbert from UNLV averaged double figures this past season while shooting 46% from the field and 38% from three. Gilbert had a season high of 25 this past season against Washington State. Gilbert’s transition from the Mountain West to the Big 12 shouldn’t be too bad even though there is a significant rise in competition. The starting SG spot is up for grabs with any of the 3 transfer guards in the running. All of the transfer guards will play pivotal roles on the Cyclone team this season. Curtis Jones out of Buffalo had his numbers rise dramatically this past season. Jones saw his averages rise from 2.5PPG in 2021-22 to 15PPG in the 2022-23 season. He’s also a great three point shooter who shot 36% this past season on 7 attempts per game. Wofford transfer Jackson Paveletzke started all 33 games for Wofford last season as a freshman. He shot 49% from the floor and 39% from three. He fits perfectly in the offensive system with the Cyclones and his skills on the offensive end should lead to him being the starter.

Iowa State also signed a very impressive class of 5 recruits this year. The class is headlined by 5 star PF Omaha Biliew ranked #12 in the country out of Waukee, IA. He should start immediately and make a massive impact in his freshman season. He has a chance to be a one and done going to the NBA next year. SF Milan Momcilovic is ranked as the #37 recruit in the country. He should also be in contention to start and will be another player who makes an immediate impact. Iowa State also signed 7-1 center JT Rock ranked as the #100 player in the country. PF Kayden Fish is ranked as the #163 player in the country and SG Jelani Hamilton is ranked as the #195 player in the country.

Iowa State should have no problem returning to the NCAA Tournament next season. Otz is one of the most underrated coaches in the country and Iowa State. The Big 12 becomes an even deeper conference with the additions made this offseason, but Iowa State should still be in the top half of the conference. Iowa State had a sensational defense last season but really struggled on the offensive side of the ball. Iowa State should be much improved on offense with the additions they made this season. Iowa State should finish anywhere from 5th-8th in the conference this season and make a return to the big dance.