Iowa State Transfer/Recruiting Class 2023

[Cyclonepride]

Adding AJ shooting and Jerimiah Williams to this years team probably ends with 3-4 more wins. Both cases were the staff's plan for this year until May when AJ decided to go pro late and then JW got injured in the summer not allowing for the staff to find replacements. TJ knows he needs better shooters and I am confident ISU have some next year.

Maybe more. Williams could have provided leadership and scoring punch to that position and allowed Jaren to play off the ball more. AJ would have been the unquestioned go-to guy when we needed a bucket. That combination would really open everything up all over the court

 

[cyclonehomer]

not going to get any minutes if they aren’t bought in on D.

Which is part of the problem if you want to avoid the extreme lows on offense. I get making it a priority, but at some point basketball boils down to putting the ball through the hoop, and namely having guys that can do so.

Plus, it's easier to get a great offensive player to be passable on defense than vice versa (in my opinion). Obviously they've been successful to this point, and I get the idea that they wanted to establish an identity. But especially with a high level recruiting class coming in, it's time to let some guys play through some struggles on defense if they're much better offensively. I have to believe that bringing in a guy like Milan is a pretty good sign that they'll be doing so anyway.

 

[allfourcy]

While Drake impressed me, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Devries because the MVC player of the year couldn't buy a shot either. Unfortunately, as we all know, 'none' of the Cyclones could. But Drake did seem to have better options. Lipsey's development/ability to knock down enough shots will be huge, or those 'off the ball shooters' we all want so bad, get all the attention.

 

[allfourcy]

If you can't pull in the top tier transfer, its got to be hard to know what to prioritize for the staff. Obviously work ethic and wanting to be a Cyclone/team-first player is their priority. After that, a top shooter ...but is that more important than the guys that can keep their dribble and put pressure on the defense to penetrate/dish/get fouled....like Holmes did. Lets face it, with Grill/Kunz/Watson/Ward/Jones/Osun/ and some games Kalschuer...we had none of those guys that put much pressure on the defense going to the basket.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

I would much rather retain Hassan Ward than take Lampkin. Ward showed over the last few weeks he probably deserved a lot more playing time this season.

Agreed, I really hope he stays. TJ just needs to give him more playing time. I think he’s earned it.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

Let me know when those guys become available. There's not many, and Iowa St has little chance to get one.

I think over the last decade we’ve had plenty of impact transfers that would’ve been difference makers for this past season. Maybe NIL changes things a bit but I don’t see why we couldn’t continue that.

 

[Cyclonepride]

If you can't pull in the top tier transfer, its got to be hard to know what to prioritize for the staff. Obviously work ethic and wanting to be a Cyclone/team-first player is their priority. After that, a top shooter ...but is that more important than the guys that can keep their dribble and put pressure on the defense to penetrate/dish/get fouled....like Holmes did. Lets face it, with Grill/Kunz/Watson/Ward/Jones/Osun/ and some games Kalschuer...we had none of those guys that put much pressure on the defense going to the basket.

I think they know what to prioritize, but they definitely have to do their due diligence in finding those guys that want to be part of something special, to put in the work, and play for the passion of the game (Jaren Holmes laid that out pretty well yesterday after the game). The guys who are just looking for money are not going to be on the table for us.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

But the problem is...we have so many of the same type guy. Jones/Watson/Ward....no offensive threats. Might even throw in Tre although I hope he can impact with an offensive game more next year. He seems like he has more potential in there!

King definitely has the most potential there for sure. I think Ward just has all the physical tools - he generates enough rebounds and put-back’s to be useful. I agree for Watson and Jones though. Jones probably can’t do anything about it but Watson needs to add some shooting.

 

[isutrevman]

People said the same thing last year. I’ll believe it when I see it. Need to find a couple guys that can get to the rim along with two reliable shooters.

Who? Every fan I heard from was worried about how our shooting would be coming into this season.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Agreed, I really hope he stays. TJ just needs to give him more playing time. I think he’s earned it.

And it sounds that is the consensus of pretty everyone......even "staff" members on this site.

However I doubt any of that matters much to the coaching staff. And if he is to transfer I would think hitting the portal for a solid big then becomes about as important as getting a shooter or two.

 

[bosco]

And it sounds that is the consensus of pretty everyone......even "staff" members on this site.

However I doubt any of that matters much to the coaching staff. And if he is to transfer I would think hitting the portal for a solid big then becomes about as important as getting a shooter or two.

Even if he stays they need a big.

 

[WastedTalent]

I think over the last decade we’ve had plenty of impact transfers that would’ve been difference makers for this past season. Maybe NIL changes things a bit but I don’t see why we couldn’t continue that.

Brockington and Shayok are the only P6 transfers I can think of recently that made a significant impact. And they were before legal NIL.

 

[Statefan10]

Brockington and Shayok are the only P6 transfers I can think of recently that made a significant impact. And they were before legal NIL.

Deonte Burton? Just wondering how far back we could go.

 

[cyclone1209]

Drake is adding a couple PFs, I'm guessing we see a Niang body transformation next year. They have the bodies in place to be really good next year. Enright at point, Calhoun and Djamgouz at wings with Devries, add a couple PF plus Brodie has another year of eligibility and Ferguson will be back.

Great thing about their roster this year was we they went to their bench they sped up tempo with Enright, Calhoun and Ferguson.

I watched Brodie the big for Drake and was stunned at how good he looked. Looked like Glen big baby Davis to me, wish we could land a big like that as he has way more to his game than an Ossun or Jones.

But yes I think 3 point shooting has to be the #1, #2, and #3 priority in the portal.

 

[isucy86]

Agreed, I really hope he stays. TJ just needs to give him more playing time. I think he’s earned it.

I like Ward, but the ability to give him more minutes may be contingent on Watson growing his game and freshman like Biliew and Momcilovic being solid offensive threats as freshman.

My take on this past season was Ossuniyi and Ward lacked the physicality to play big minutes in Big12 play. The good thing if Ward comes back, he'll have an off-season to get stronger and develop as an offensive option at 5. Whether that's a go to move or just being comfortable rolling to the basket.

 

[BallSoHard4Cy]

Brockington and Shayok are the only P6 transfers I can think of recently that made a significant impact. And they were before legal NIL.

Gabe?

 

[WastedTalent]

Deonte Burton? Just wondering how far back we could go.

That's going back a ways, and I was thinking primarily backcourt players that improve our shooting/scoring issues. I guess Babb too, if you want to go back further. But even then that's 3 or 4 guys in 10 years.
It's much more likely TJ targets, and gets, mid major level guys.

 

[WastedTalent]

Gabe?

Yes, and I love what he's brought to the team the last two years, but everybody is looking for a consistent shooter, that is an upgrade from what we've had (Gabe).

 

[BallSoHard4Cy]

Yes, and I love what he's brought to the team the last two years, but everybody is looking for a consistent shooter, that is an upgrade from what we've had (Gabe).

I’m saying Gabe transferred from Minnesota, a P6 school, and had a significant impact.

Also he shot 35% from 3 this year. Definitely streaky, but I would say it will be tough to find an upgrade from Gabe, who was an elite perimeter defender.

 

[WastedTalent]

I’m saying Gabe transferred from Minnesota, a P6 school, and had a significant impact.

Also he shot 35% from 3 this year. Definitely streaky, but I would say it will be tough to find an upgrade from Gabe, who was an elite perimeter defender.

I agree. I was originally was responding to a post wanting TJ to bring in top-end P6 transfers, instead of mid-major guys. Which I don't say happening.