Iowa State Cyclones
Big 12 (23-11, 9-9)
Iowa State did not enter the 2018-2019 campaign with particularly high expectations. But Coach Steve Prohm’s team emerged as one of many teams capable to compete for a Big 12 title and but finished with a 9-9 record in conference play. That and the conference tournament victory was more than enough for the Cyclones to get back to the NCAA Tournament after a brief one-year hiatus.
Big Wins: 1/5 Kansas (77-60), 1/16 at Texas Tech (68-64), 2/16 at Kansas State (78-64)
Bad Losses: 11/19 vs Arizona (66-71), 3/2 at Texas (69-86), 3/6 at West Virginia (75-90)
Coach: Steve Prohm
Why They Can Surprise:
Thanks to the strong play of a couple freshmen, Iowa State has a surprisingly deep and talented backcourt. Tyrese Haliburton and Talen Horton-Tucker were supposed to make an impact as freshmen, but those two have become staples of Coach Steve Prohm’s lineup. Haliburton is not the most prolific scorer at this point in his collegiate career, but the 6-5 Oshkosh, Wisconsin native is a quality outside shooter, a very good passer and will even block a shot or two. Horton-Tucker and Lindell Wigginton are double digit scorers, but it is Virginia transfer Marial Shayok who has turned into the star in Ames. The 6-6 senior leads the Cyclones with 18.6 points per game and is a major threat to score from anywhere on the floor.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Injuries have hampered the frontcourt depth, but Iowa State has gotten plenty of production from Nebraska transfer Michael Jacobson. On the year the 6-8 junior is averaging 11.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. This is not a particularly intimidating frontcourt, but with the size on the perimeter, they are a very good rebounding group and will always play tough defense. The potential concern is with foul trouble, which could hamper Jacobson or one of the bigger guards who is defending a power forward.
Probable Starters:
Tyrese Haliburton, Freshman, Guard, 6.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.6 apg
Nick Weiler-Babb, Senior, Guard, 9.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.0 apg
Talen Horton-Tucker, Freshman, Guard, 12.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Marial Shayok, Senior, Guard, 18.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Michael Jacobson, Junior, Forward, 11.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Key Role Players:
Cameron Lard, Sophomore, Forward, 5.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Lindell Wigginton, Sophomore, Guard, 13.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.7 (59th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.8 (110, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.7 (31, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.2 (84, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.5 (100, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.2 (93, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.8 (97, 1)
Rebound Margin: 0.5 (176, 8)
Assists Per Game: 15.5 (39, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.0 (32, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Nevada |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Purdue |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Iona |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Arkansas-Little Rock |
| 2016 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Virginia |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to UAB |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over North Carolina Central |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over North Carolina |
| 2014 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Connecticut |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Notre Dame |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Ohio State |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Connecticut |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Kentucky |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Minnesota |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to North Carolina |
| 2004 | NIT | First Round win over Georgia |
| 2004 | NIT | Second Round win over Florida State |
| 2004 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Marquette |
| 2004 | NIT | Semifinal loss to Rutgers |
| 2003 | NIT | First Round win over Wichita State |
| 2003 | NIT | Second Round loss to Iowa |
| 2001 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Hampton |
| 2000 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Central Connecticut State |
| 2000 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Auburn |
| 2000 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over UCLA |
| 2000 | NCAA | Regional Final loss to Michigan State |
*all team stats through 3/10
