Wrapping up the Cyclone MBB Season & Offseason Priorities | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #61 cover art

Wrapping up the Cyclone MBB Season & Offseason Priorities | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #61

Wrapping up the Cyclone MBB Season & Offseason Priorities | Iowa State Cyclones LIVE #61

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 Episode Overview Host: Levi Stevenson (also associated with CF After Dark).Main Topics: Wrap-up of the 2025-26 Iowa State men's basketball season (29-8 record, Sweet 16 appearance), offseason priorities for T.J. Otzelberger's program, a brief note on quiet football spring practices under Jimmy Rogers, and a deeper dive into the women's basketball roster crisis plus Big 12 expansion news on flag football.Tone: Conversational, fan-focused analysis with optimism for MBB continuity, concern for WBB, and excitement about potential new sports. Men's Basketball Season Recap Season ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee (size/rebounding mismatch highlighted).Key injury: Joshua Jefferson (All-American forward) was unavailable due to ankle injury; he wasn't close to playing even in a potential next round. Without him, the team was "doomed" in that matchup.Strengths shown: Hustle plays, 3-point shooting at times, defensive effort.Weaknesses exposed: Rebounding (especially without Jefferson), free-throw shooting (team-wide issue, notably Blake Buchanan at ~49%), size down low against taller/longer teams like Tennessee.Levi notes the loss was a tough matchup; even beating Tennessee likely wouldn't have led past Michigan without Jefferson. Offseason Priorities for Men's Basketball Levi outlines clear focus areas for building on the core: Retain Talent: Confirmed/Expected Returns: Blake Buchanan (Jr, big, explicitly said he's back), Killyan Toure (rising freshman guard, strong defender), Jamarion Batemon (rising freshman guard, 3-and-D upside), Dominykas Pleta (big, returning). This gives a solid young core.Milan Momcilovic (elite 3-point shooter, ~16.9 PPG): Declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft (standard process; he can return). Future depends on draft feedback—likely mid/late first or second round. Levi sees development upside in defense, playmaking, rebounding, and toughness. Money/NIL will factor in; many expect him back unless a strong first-round projection. Address Size and Rebounding (Especially at 4/5): Need athletic length, motor, and rim protection/rebounding to avoid small-ball issues seen vs. Tennessee.Targets: Transfer portal for a versatile 4/5 (ideally 6'8"+ with hustle like a "Dustin Hogue" or "Melvin Ejim" type—high-motor rebounder who makes dirty plays).Incoming freshmen mentioned: Dorian Ronaldo Comlin (6'10" French big, raw but potential rim protector/lob threat; friends with Toure), Jackson Kiss, Christian Wiggins (Mr. Basketball Minnesota; bucket-getter with defense), Yusuf Gray (developmental). Replace Hustle/Junkyard Dog Role (Nate Heise/Tamin Lipsey): Losing two high-effort guys who made tough plays. Develop Dom Pleta into a taller, skilled version (6'8"+ Nate Heise type—hustle, rebounding, corner 3s, rim defense).Expand Pleta's game using his European tape (perimeter skills, shooting, attacking). Develop Young Core (Toure, Batemon, Pleta, Buchanan): Toure: Improve decision-making, pick-and-roll orchestration, jumper efficiency.Batemon: Control energy/adrenaline in big games; refine as a 3-and-D scorer who attacks selectively (Naz Long 2.0 upside).Buchanan: Free throws (priority—Levi cites Victor Wembanyama as proof bigs can shoot better), add strength (~10-15 lbs), low-post moves/touch, distributing off handoffs/pick-and-rolls. He's a "finished product" to some degree but still improvable.Pleta: Full offseason (visa issues limited last one) to get comfortable; potentially stretch him to 4 or develop as a hustle wing/forward. Free-Throw Shooting & Other: Team-wide emphasis (unacceptable last season).Portal activity expected for scoring guard depth and size; mid-major upgrades have been a successful Otzelberger strategy. Overall optimism: Strong returning pieces + portal/recruits position them well for another competitive Big 12/NCAA run. Women's Basketball Situation "Tsunami" of transfers: Down to essentially 2-3 players (Evangeline Apolk/Paulk, Ariana Jackson, Audi Crooks—her status uncertain). Multiple starters/role players (including Addy Brown, Jada Williams, etc.) entered the portal.Levi's take: Program "not working" for a while; recent tournament success tied to standout scorers/defenders like Ashley Joens or Crooks.Recommendation: Bill Fennelly needs deeper conversations with AD Jamie Pollard, family, staff, and remaining players to diagnose issues and plan forward. Heavy portal reliance incoming with limited high school recruits. Big 12 Flag Football News Report from Ben Portnoy (Sports Business Journal): Big 12 exploring flag football (likely women's, possibly men's) as an official sport, aiming for competition in 2028. Partnership with NFL involved.Context: Replacing the defunct gymnastics program. Women's wrestling was the expected favorite due to Iowa's wrestling culture and in-state talent pipeline.Levi's analysis: Flag football has lower startup costs (minimal equipment: flags, balls, cleats; can use existing indoor/outdoor facilities like football/soccer fields or rec ...
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