I know there are a number of postseason threads, but I've done a "state of the program" end-of-season summary every year for the nearly 20 years CF has been around. This is the easiest update I've ever had to write. Warning - You should know by now these are long posts. Also, I'm a realist, not a pessimist or optimist - despite how the following will read.
Current Overall Status = Great, 2nd Most Wins in School History
Direction of Program = Steep Trend Upwards
TJ came into a gutted program coming off a ****-show 2-22 season with no momentum. He came in with a plan of how to turn things around the quickest while pouring a foundation for the future. Little did he know that his first years would be during one of the all-time highs of Big 12 MBB, already the best conference in the land, and a changing conference landscape. Not only was there a crater to dig out of, it was at the base of a mountain we also needed to ascend. Oh yeah, NCAA athletics just so happened to be entering massive turmoil and change like never before.
Iowa State has some advantages - rabid fans, amazing home court environment, historically above average success over the past 20 years, and energy surrounding the program.
Iowa State also has some disadvantages - bottom of the league NIL support, location - to some degree, and recency bias against us.
I first talked to TJ on the phone in 2006 and have been in love with him ever since. He is Iowa State at his core, not just on the outside. He is a man of integrity, self-directed mandate to do things the right way, and genuinely open and honest even with kids that sometimes aren't used to that. He knows Iowa State better than any coach coming into a head coaching position could ever know a program and it's needs. The unique passion he has makes him sitting across the table from recruits a walk in the park.
TJ knew the only way to jump-start the program was to be excellent at the one thing that he would be able to get the right players for in quick order. Defensive talent is within Iowa State's NIL budget, the Portal has plenty of proven hard workers that you know what you're getting from the get-go, and he knew offense was the most expensive and least attainable short-term prospect.
With arguably the biggest turnaround in MBB history in his first year, he proved that Iowa State can be a contender, and immediately. The focus on defense meant that we could keep almost any game within reach, even with below average scoring abilities. The guys he brought in were hard working, passionate players hungry for development. Their passion to raise us out of the ashes has lead the teams to be some of the most beloved in program history, even without a ton of high-level talent.
As time has progressed, Iowa State has maintained that focus on defensive intensity as it's still aligns with the immediately impactful players we can get. But, each year we've brought in more and more scorers - both via the Portal and via HS recruiting. That, despite a Portal that is built to make play makers incredibly expensive and in short supply. However, the early success and trajectory has given offensive players a reason to at least take our phone calls.
With NIL what it is, Iowa State will always have a very difficult time getting the Top 20-30 scorers in the Portal in any given year, they're just too expensive. What Iowa State has shown is that because of our 5-star culture, our fanbase, and our on-court success, those Portal players just a tier down have a reason to consider taking less money to play at a place they know will set them up for life-long success and give them every opportunity to develop for the NBA if skills align.
We've missed out on some huge difference makers solely because of a lack of NIL funding, players/scorers that could have gotten us to the Final 4. But, we've also been able to attract guys like Omaha, Milan, Rock, etc that could have gotten very high 6-digit figures to go elsewhere but took our low 5 digit offers because of the intangibles listed above. Those are the guys that are bought into the passion and want to develop for the prospect of longer-term financial and life success.
As we come out of the third season of Otzelberger-mania, the transfers and recruits look better each and every recruiting cycle. Our disadvantages are being offset in many cases by our advantages - and more so every year. That's the recipe for success at Iowa State, and TJ knew it... despite a ton of doubters. Yeah, we still struggle on offense, but you can see the leaps and bounds we're making. A team that was picked to finish 7th in the conference finished the year 4th in the nation. A team that can go 10 minutes without scoring was one of the best teams in the country, yet again.
Looking ahead, the Big 12 continues to look like it will be the best league in the land, and potentially get even tougher. At the same time, our recruiting classes are Top 10 in the country and we've maintained a Top 5 defense. Offense will come, but it is much harder to get and develop so will continue to take iterative steps. Believe in the process and progress. It won't happen overnight, but it's not because it isn't a focus or goal of the staff - so don't doubt their realization of our ceiling without scorers.
So as we look ahead and what appears to be the brightest future we've ever imagined, let's take a look at a couple things before cynics continue to doubt the process. Despite a 2-22 season the year before, TJ has accomplished...
- 3 NCAA Tournament Appearances
- 2 Sweet Sixteen Appearances
- Only ISU Coach To Reach 2 Sweet Sixteens (in 3 years no less)
- A Top 5 National Ranking (at the fricken end of the season)
- 2nd Most Wins In a Season (29 wins) in School History
- Best Conference Finish In Years
- Beat Overall #1 Team In Country Twice (and once by nearly 30pts)
- Top 10 Recruiting Classes
- One of 4 Finalists For 2023-24 National Coach of the Year
Again, as we enter the off-season, remember that despite the season coming to an end, we've done more in the first three years under TJ than almost any other school in the country that isn't a top-tier blue blood. That after a 2-22 season. That with a huge NIL disadvantage. That despite the toughest league being at it's all-time high. That without a Top 100 offense.
I've written these posts for almost 20 years and the past 3 years they've basically written themselves. Yeah, they're long winded and sound incredibly optimistic for a realist - but it's important to recognize how far we've truly come, how good we are compared to our historical averages or highs, and where the program looks to be headed.
Trust The Process. Trust The Progress. Soak It In. Enjoy It. It's Just Getting Started.
One additional note; While none of us like having to, now is the time to consider giving to the
We Will Collective. Our advantages have gotten us where we are, but we need to keep building our NIL infrastructure to reach our true potential.
On a more personal note; April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. Please also consider donating to the
Michael J Fox Foundation to support Parkinson's research. There are more charities than ever needing funds, but this one is especially close to home.
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