**** Official 2026 MBB Spring Transfer Portal Thread ****

[Cyched]

Otz is too quick. A bit of suspense is nice.

Getting the guys you want right away is boring. Let's go back to Prohm's method of offering anyone that can fog a mirror.

 

[cyclones500]

B. I really pray TJ is gonna play more than 8 for a change. How many years can you have injuries and burnout impact our conference championship hopes and NCAA Tournament hopes before you realize you’re gonna burn out with just 8 guys 9-10 times?

There’s gonna be plenty of very talented guys on this squad that shouldn’t be a liability on the court.

40 minutes of hell & some Loyola Marymount type pace would be epic.

When has ISU ever had 10-12 guys that are 4*, high level, proven college players? Not to use them would seem foolish.

For a long time, I've been in favor of having 10-ish players in rotation, still 7-8 core rotation, but a couple who can fill situational minutes on a more frequent basis. It could depend on game situation, opponent or both (and of course if needed with injuries).

That means sometimes a "9'er" doesn't play at all, other times maybe double-digit minutes. It offers more options for style and lineup arrangement, so game-planning against it could be more challenging. The main 7 still are going to get bulk of minutes, maybe slight reduction is specific #, but won't change that much.

This is effective only if you have high-quality depth, it can't be a generic plan. Some seasons sticking with 7 and a fringe 8 is reality.

2026-27 has a mix of good returnees (hopefully including Milan) and promising transfers. Seems like it'd favor a deeper rotation.

Will Otz do that? Signs point to "no," but maybe he just hasn't had a team so far that he believed is built that way.

 

[MTCyclone43]

Someone sell me on Taj Manning, I just don't see him panning out.

From what I see- the down side is multiple programs over successive seasons. I think the buy in for this guy is his defensive skills and length. Coach Otz is gathering matchup pieces. If TJ wants him to be a Cyclone it convinces me that Taj is going to fit.

 

[Cyhig]

We’re not going to have a 10 man rotation.

Lots of these guys we’re excited about have multiple years to play. Unfortunately, that likely means some folks we’re excited about now, won’t play as much as they’re hoping to and will transfer out again next offseason.

It doesn’t curb my enthusiasm too much, but does kind of suck to think we won’t see all these guys develop fully.

I think it may be a 9 man rotation, but yes, 10 is a stretch.

And if quality players transfer next year because of lack of playing time, then it simply shows the roster is deeply talented. That’s a nice problem to have

And you never know what may happen. Injuries can and do occur. Never a bad thing to have quality depth

 

[Cyforce]

I don't think he is dead set 8. He has just never had the real opportunity at Iowa State. We would even agree beyond that top 7 or 8 each year, there was a big dropoff.

We might have 5 transfers and 4 solid freshman. If Milan comes back we know we have 5 solid guys. If half of the newcomers are ready and a good fit, that dropoff happens after player 9 or 10.

Doing a quick analysis of TJs history, I wanted to see his hit rate of solid rotation players in year 1. Very subjective but I found this. Using year 1 only because I am only thinking about next year. I am also thinking in terms of whether they would have been in the rotation last year. Not if they were forced to play in their own year 1 because there was no other choice.

For transfers I went 9/20, but the 5 man learning curve is real and 4 of the 11 who struggled in year 1 were 5 men. If we get all 5, having 3 contribute makes sense.

Freshman have been 6 of 14. The only flyear one freshman who would have made this years rotation were Batemon, Toure, Pleta (duh), Hunter, Lipsey and Momcilovic. Prior to last year, the hit rate was 3 of 10. So next year, 1 of four hit in year 1. If last year is a new trend, it could be 3 of 4.

I think on the low end, Iowa State should have 8 guys before the drop off. High end is 11. Most likely is 9 or 10.

With so many possible, TJ will have his biggest team chemistry challenge yet. It seems like he has never had a toxic locker room problem with a player thinking they deserved more playing time. A lot more chances for that to turn toxic next season.

With potentially a full 15 players on the team, don't be shocked at all by a player or two leaving the team after practice starts or during the season. I have a feeling that if a players disappointment becomes toxic, that player will be off the team ASAP.

Not sure if we get to 10 but I do know only 8 simply isn’t happening. TJ has shown he wants two good centers. Too many times we got beat up on the boards without JJ. ( and on occasion with) So we’re gonna play two PFs. Unless he wants to strip the backcourt down to three starters and a sixth man we’re going at least nine deep.

Let’s say we only get one of the two between Milan and our fifth visitor and they start at the three. Bond is a skill set our guards don’t have. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play unless with get both of those two.

That leaves Johnson Toure and Batemon to cover the one and two. Where does anyone see where each of these guys aren’t necessary?

That said it’s entirely possible one of the incoming freshmen take one of these spots from the nine I listed but I don’t see how we don’t go at least nine given how the season ended.

 

[xr4ticlone]

Watching some Johnson highlights…dude gets to the rim and goes at big guys without fear.

Saw him take a 1 on 3 for a bucket. Hes got some Kenny Pratt type ball spin and moves that gets him buckets.

I don’t see how that guy sits.

 

[cyclones12321]

Some people like suspense. Some like to smash cake. Milan/Prather is still out there, so there's a little bit of something for everyone

Watching some Johnson highlights…dude gets to the rim and goes at big guys without fear.

Saw him take a 1 on 3 for a bucket. Hes got some Kenny Pratt type ball spin and moves that gets him buckets.

I don’t see how that guy sits.

For being 5’9 dude knows how to get his shot up at the rim

 

[bosco]

Jefferson's freshman year he averaged 2.2 pts and 1.4 rebounds as bench player.

His sophomore year he averaged 10.2 pts and 6.5 rbs

A lot of growth potential for Singleton.

 

[bawbie]

Watching some Johnson highlights…dude gets to the rim and goes at big guys without fear.

Saw him take a 1 on 3 for a bucket. Hes got some Kenny Pratt type ball spin and moves that gets him buckets.

I don’t see how that guy sits.

Put it this way - either he or Batemon is going to be the microwave scorer/energy burst/defensive intensity off the bench - and I think both can do it. I just think Batemon will get the starting nod, if he takes the leap I’m expecting.

I don’t see where Toure/Johnson/Batemon all start.

 

[bozclone]

Last year it was certain Jefferson, Tamin, and Milan would get about 30 minutes a game. Other than Milan, I not sure this roster has guys that will play that much. Time will tell.

 

[clone52]

Not sure if we get to 10 but I do know only 8 simply isn’t happening. TJ has shown he wants two good centers. Too many times we got beat up on the boards without JJ. ( and on occasion with) So we’re gonna play two PFs. Unless he wants to strip the backcourt down to three starters and a sixth man we’re going at least nine deep.

Let’s say we only get one of the two between Milan and our fifth visitor and they start at the three. Bond is a skill set our guards don’t have. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play unless with get both of those two.

That leaves Johnson Toure and Batemon to cover the one and two. Where does anyone see where each of these guys aren’t necessary?

That said it’s entirely possible one of the incoming freshmen take one of these spots from the nine I listed but I don’t see how we don’t go at least nine given how the season ended.

Going to have to disagree. He won't play 9 unless there is no drop off after 8. My worst case 8 man rotation scenario is this:

Toure
Batemon
Milan
Singleton
Buchanan

Pleta
Johnson
Bond

4 man rotation Singleton, Bond and a little bit of Milan .

I think this is really unlikely, though, as I think at least 1 true freshman cracks the rotation (probably 2), plus Prather if he comes. That's 11 and if you assume 1 injury, most likely it's a legit 9 or 10 man rotation.

 

[bawbie]

I think it may be a 9 man rotation, but yes, 10 is a stretch.

And if quality players transfer next year because of lack of playing time, then it simply shows the roster is deeply talented. That’s a nice problem to have

And you never know what may happen. Injuries can and do occur. Never a bad thing to have quality depth

Agreed - playing time is funny too, no one expected Dom Nelson to string together multiple DNPs when the season started.

Also, it really showed that Jefferson was the one spot we didn’t have depth behind him. When Tamin missed games early, we didn’t miss a beat.

I feel like last year they were worried about the ‘5’ and what Pleta could do any went with Mulder as a 3rd ‘5’ and didn’t really have a backup ‘4’. That’s where Manning is huge this year - he spreads out that depth more.

 

[cyclones12321]

Next year we are going to be pretty young but good returning experience and battle tested. I likey

 

[bawbie]

Next year we are going to be pretty young but good returning experience and battle tested. I likey

I think that’s why they were willing to bring in a couple of one year guys in Bond and Manning (although maybe he can play 2 with a med RS). Prather too, if he comes.

Assuming Milan is back, he and Buchanan provide the senior leadership - but I think this is Toure’s team next year. I don’t know how vocal of a leader he is - but on the court everything is going to go start with him (my guess).

 

[cyfan92]

He’s definitely a starter.

If johnson starts, we'll have one of the smaller lineups in the conference. Not a great recipe for success. If Milan is gone, I think the lineup is

Toure
Bateman
Bond
Singleton
Buchanan

Pleta and Johnson will play a lot. Manning will have the Chatfield level minutes at 4.

Prather Jr hopefully commits which would give us 9 solid guys. Then you don't need anything from the freshman, or they surprise and bump minutes from others.

If Milan returns, we are guaranteed top 10 preseason.

Toure
Bateman
Milan
Singleton
Buchanan/Pleta

Bond plays Heise minutes as a 6th starter and Johnson can also play a lot. Manning would finish your top 8 and you run with that. Every spot but Milan would have a really solid backup option

 

[purpleclone]

Going to have to disagree. He won't play 9 unless there is no drop off after 8. My worst case 8 man rotation scenario is this:

Toure
Batemon
Milan
Singleton
Buchanan

Pleta
Johnson
Bond

4 man rotation Singleton, Bond and a little bit of Milan .

I think this is really unlikely, though, as I think at least 1 true freshman cracks the rotation (probably 2), plus Prather if he comes. That's 11 and if you assume 1 injury, most likely it's a legit 9 or 10 man rotation.

Bond isn’t a 4 man at the B12 level. He can switch to the 4 but Singleton, Milan, Manning, and Kiss(probably) are the true 4’s next year.

 

[Cyforce]

Going to have to disagree. He won't play 9 unless there is no drop off after 8. My worst case 8 man rotation scenario is this:

Toure
Batemon
Milan
Singleton
Buchanan

Pleta
Johnson
Bond

4 man rotation Singleton, Bond and a little bit of Milan .

I think this is really unlikely, though, as I think at least 1 true freshman cracks the rotation (probably 2), plus Prather if he comes. That's 11 and if you assume 1 injury, most likely it's a legit 9 or 10 man rotation.

We aren’t going with one PF. Everyone saw that doesn’t work. You’re judging a player based on the ****** up situation he left.

 

[NENick]

If johnson starts, we'll have one of the smaller lineups in the conference. Not a great recipe for success. If Milan is gone, I think the lineup is

Toure
Bateman
Bond
Singleton
Buchanan

Pleta and Johnson will play a lot. Manning will have the Chatfield level minutes at 4.

Prather Jr hopefully commits which would give us 9 solid guys. Then you don't need anything from the freshman, or they surprise and bump minutes from others.

If Milan returns, we are guaranteed top 10 preseason.

Toure
Bateman
Milan
Singleton
Buchanan/Pleta

Bond plays Heise minutes as a 6th starter and Johnson can also play a lot. Manning would finish your top 8 and you run with that. Every spot but Milan would have a really solid backup option

Your lineup with Milan is 9. I agree with it.

 

[NENick]

PG: Toure, Johnson
2: Batemon, Prather
3: Milan, Bond
3 without Milan: Bond, Prather
4: Singleton, Manning
5: Buchanan, Pleta
That's a 9 or 10 man rotation.

Not much room for the freshmen, unless they really step up, like Toure did.
Gray might get some backup PG minutes.
Wiggins maybe some 2/3 minutes if Milan doesn't return.

 

[Fall Creek]

Could see Buchanan's minutes decrease significantly with all these transfers and freshman commits. Decent player but bad hands, liability at the FT line, and not powerful enough to dunk through people.

This team should be much more athletic next year, be better at shooting, and could really put teams in a tough position trying to guard everybody and then Milan.