Mar 7, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jamarion Batemon (1) goes to the basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
You’re Iowa State. You’re in a close game during this postseason. You need a bucket. Either at the rim or beyond the arc.
It doesn’t matter.
The clock shows 15 seconds to play. Down 2 points.
Who do you want on the floor?
Of course, you want Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic and Blake Buchanan. Team facilitator. Best all-around player. Top deep shooter in college basketball. An offensive rebounding machine.
It’s the Big 12 tournament. It’s the NCAA Tournament.
It doesn’t matter.
You’re down a basket, regardless which tournament. With very little time remaining on the shot clock, and/or in the game. During the postseason.
You’re T.J. Otzelberger. You’re just a fan. You’re concerned about your office or family bracket prediction on which you spent so much time.
It doesn’t matter.
When it’s crunch time, who is the other Cyclone you trust during this survival-of-the-fittest (and most talented and best-coached) part of the season?
Nate Heise or Killyan Toure or Jamarion Batemon?
Senior and two true freshmen. Outcome on the line.
Who’s the other player?
It matters.
Heise made a 3-pointer to put Iowa State up by two, with about 90 seconds to play against Houston.
Toure, one of the finer on-ball defenders on the team, has streaking ability. Multiple times, he’s jumped in front of a pass, then streaked to the other end for a rafters-raising dunk.
Batemon is second on the team in 3-pointers made and long-range percentage.
Who do you want on the floor?
Hummm.
Batemon has made seven of his last 15 3-point attempts. He gets shots off quickly. He’s had just two turnovers while playing an average of 23 minutes during his last five games.
“He just has such gravity to how he plays, so much energy and enthusiasm,” Otzelberger said, who has likened Batemon’s shooting to that of past Cyclone super shooter Tyrus McGee. “When he’s at his best, when he’s defending and rebounding, his offense really goes well for him.”
Toure has missed his last 11 3-point attempts. He’s missed 14 of his last 16 shots, regardless of distance. He’s started every game.
“He’s disruptive in the open court,” Otzelberger said, referencing defense in each game, and offense earlier this season.
Heise has missed each of the two 3-pointers he’s attempted over the past three games. He’s the best combination of defender and rebounder on the team.
“I love everything about Nate,” the coach said.
Still uncertain?
All three players were involved in Iowa State’s remarkable 24-0 late-game barrage of points against Arizona State last Saturday. All three have made significant contributions throughout the season.
Batemon and Toure make between 70% and 75% of their free throws. Heise makes them around 68% of the time.
So, back to the question. Trailing by two points with 15 or so seconds left.
Of course, you want Batemon on the court — along with Lipsey, Jefferson, Momcilovic and Buchanan.
You want a player who can shoot, drive to the basket, and a player with the fewest turnovers among Otzelberger’s top eight players. The last thing you need in this situation is an empty possession.
But who takes the Plan-A shot?
You want a repeat of the fadeaway 3-pointer along the baseline with just four ticks remaining on the shot clock that Momcilovic made early in the second half against Kansas at Hilton Coliseum. Absolutely you do.
And of course, you want Batemon attracting defensive attention on the opposite side of the court.
So there’s your answer. Momcilovic, Lipsey, Jefferson, Buchanan and . . .
Jamarion Batemon.
(Columnist Randy Peterson, a past Iowa Sportswriter of the Year winner, can be reached at [email protected] or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)
