NFL
By: Kevin Lucas
For a team that has National Championship aspirations, the Iowa State Cyclones sure don’t get enough mention in those conversations. TJ Otzelberger and his staff have done a fantastic job of laying a foundation in Ames that prioritizes playing a chaotic brand of defense with a free-flowing offense that is guard-friendly. After finishing 2nd in a gritty Big 12 Conference last season with no home losses, ISU will look to repeat that success this year as well as go deeper in the NCAA Tournament after falling to Illinois in the Sweet 16.
Keshon Gilbert, Curtis Jones, and Tamin Lipsey form one of the most intimidating backcourts in all of college hoops. Averaging over 17 ppg, Gilbert has undoubtedly turned himself into a star and become the Cyclones go-to guy late in games when they desperately need a bucket. His creativity in isolation situations and ability to finish through contact at the rim with either hand makes him tough to slow down. There are not five better guards in the country than Keshon Gilbert. Curtis Jones is the 6th man for this team, but he plays the 2nd most minutes after Gilbert at 27.6 mpg.
Highlights from Last Night’s Victory ⤵️#Cyclones | #C5C pic.twitter.com/XLkipZf5LO
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) December 9, 2024
His shot-making expertise opens up driving lanes for his teammates and puts defenders in a tough spot because when he is on the floor, you must know where he is at all times. On this young season so far, Curtis Jones is averaging 16.3 ppg while shooting 46% from the field and 40% from 3 on seven attempts per contest. If you don’t get a hand up on him, he will make you pay every single time. Tamin Lipsey is the straw that stirs the drink for coach Otzelberger’s club. Lipsey is a primetime floor general who sets the tone for this team by picking up 94 feet defensively. As a hometown product and in his 3rd season, Lipsey is the epitome of being an extension of his coach on the floor.
He creates havoc for opposing teams with his steady ball pressure and active hands. Offensively, he has a knack for getting the ball into the paint and freeing up looks for his shooters to knock down quality shots. When he has it going, there is nothing you can do with Iowa State.
As for the rest of this team, they have positional size and dudes that take pride in rebounding. At 6’8, Milan Momcilovic is one of the biggest X-factors in the nation. Like Curtis Jones, Momcilovic has an uncanny shot-making ability that just looks effortless. His triple-threat package is so advanced because he has a deep bag that only requires a few dribbles. As the season goes along, Milan will only get better. Saint Mary’s transfer Josh Jefferson has been a great addition to this team. Jefferson is another 6’8 wing who can guard multiple positions and leads ISU in rebounds at 7.8 per game.
His game is predicated at or around the rim and just gives them that physicality on the perimeter that they lacked a season ago. After losing both Rob Jones and Hason Ward, Iowa State had to get some more frontcourt depth. They did just that by bringing in Dishon Jackson, a 6’10 center from Northern California who transferred over from Charlotte. Jackson is a grown man who fortifies the paint like no other. His lateral quickness guarding screens has been impactful as well. On the other end of the floor, he is an active lob threat who also creates 2nd-chance points with his offensive rebounding. The Cyclones frontcourt depth has versatility for days.
All in all, Iowa State hasn’t played the toughest schedule, but they have made some major noise by knocking off Marquette at home and taking Auburn down to the wire in the quarterfinal game of the Maui Invitational after being up by as much as 18 points. Their defense and rebounding alone are going to win them a lot of games, but it’s their offense that’ll take them to new heights during this 2024-25 season. TJ Otzelberger and his Cyclones are the cream of the crop in the Big 12, and they are only just getting started.
