Iowa State Cyclones
Overall Rank: #13
Conference Rank: #2 Big 12
Iowa State had a disappointing 2019-2020 campaign. After finishing 13-5 in 2018-2019, the Cyclones fell to 10-8 and just 18-11 overall. Now the team should be on a big upswing thanks to the return of four starters and a superb recruiting class. If all goes well, Coach Bill Fennelly’s team should not just reach the NCAA Tournament, but also compete for their first Big 12 regular season title since 2000.
2019-20 Record: 18-11, 10-8
Coach: Bill Fennelly
Coach Record: 504-261 at Iowa State, 670-321 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Ines Nezerwa, Forward, 7.1 ppg
Adriana Camber, Guard/Forward, 6.2 ppg
Jade Thurmon, Guard, 4.7 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Ashley Joens, Junior, Guard/Forward, 20.5 ppg
Kristin Scott, Senior, Forward/Center, 14.2 ppg
Rae Johnson, Senior, Guard, 8.9 ppg
Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg
Madison Wise, Senior, Guard/Forward, 2.7 ppg
Morgan Kane, Sophomore, Forward, 2.0 ppg
Maddie Frederick, Sophomore, Guard, 1.1 ppg
Key New Players
Lexi Donarski, Freshman, Guard
Kylie Feuerbach, Freshman, Guard
Aubrey Joens, Freshman, Guard
Emily Ryan, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
Ashley Joens was a double a digit scorer as a freshman, but her sophomore season really catapulted her onto the national radar. Jones averaged 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds. She is a solid outside shooter and very effective at the charity stripe. Kristin Scott is a 6-3 senior who averaged 14.2 points and 6.9 rebounds during her junior campaign, ranking second in both categories behind Joens. Scott is the team’s best shot blocker and is not afraid to take plenty of three-pointers. Rae Johnson and Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw are the main ball handlers and both are solid scorers from everywhere on the floor. Much of the team’s depth will come from their four incoming freshmen. All four are ranked in the top 75 and that does not just bode well for the team’s depth in 2020-2021, but the future as well. Lexi Donarski is the highest regarded of the recruiting class and could step right into the starting lineup. But keep an eye on Aubrey Joens, Ashley Joens’ sister. She was not quite as prolific in the scoring department during her prep career as her sister, but should be able to help give Iowa State the depth they need to have a very good season.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.4 (41st in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.2 (197, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.0 (83, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.1 (134, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.6 (16, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.1 (37, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.4 (23, 1)
Rebound Margin: 5.2 (54, 4)
Assists Per Game: 14.1 (92, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 17.0 (236, 9)
Madness 2020 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#12 Lexi Donarski
#45 Aubrey Joens
#48 Kylie Feuerbach
#54 Emily Ryan
