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5 bold predictions for the Cyclones 2024-25 season

Posted on by Vanessa
5 bold predictions for the Cyclones 2024-25 season

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The clue is just around the corner.

Expectations are high for Iowa State basketball as it enters the season as the sixth-ranked team in the USA TODAY Sports preseason men's college basketball team rankings and the fifth-ranked team in the Associated Press poll.

As the final countdown begins to Monday night's season opener against Mississippi Valley State, here are some bold predictions for the Cyclones' upcoming season.

Milan Momcilovic lands on an All-Big 12 team despite receiving no preseason honors

There are undoubtedly many talented programs and individuals within the Big 12, but surprisingly, Momcilovic did not receive any preseason Big 12 honors. Only Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert were featured at the All-Big 12 Preseason Awards, and USA TODAY Sports Network praised Lipsey and coach TJ Otzelberger for its preseason awards.

Momcilovic, a 6-foot-8 winger, showed plenty of potential as a freshman last season, averaging 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 42.4% from the floor and 35 .9% shot from distance.

He was one of three players to start all 37 of Iowa State's games last season.

More: Iowa State basketball was ranked third in the coaches poll; Lipsey, Gilbert Preseason All-Big 12

The Wisconsin native is looking to be more assertive offensively in his second season, and early signs don't point to a sophomore slump. This could be a big jump for Momcilovic, especially after he made 61 3-pointers last year, the second-most in program history by a freshman.

His improvement could be enough to land on an All-Big 12 team.

Iowa State Basketball ranks in the top 10 for offensive and defensive efficiency on KenPom

Otzelberger has done a great job at Iowa State since taking over the Cyclones after a 2-22 season prior to his arrival in March 2021.

Entering his fourth season, he has an overall record of 70-35.

His teams have shown a penchant for stubborn defense over the past three years, a trend that should continue into the 2024-25 season. According to KenPom, the Cyclones have been in the top 10 nationally in defensive efficiency over the last three years.

They have also developed offensively over the course of Otzelberger's tenure.

In its first season, the 2021–22 season, Iowa State ranked 171st in offensive efficiency. The following year it climbed to 114th place. Last season, the Cyclones ranked 52nd in offensive efficiency.

Iowa State has its top four scorers back in Lipsey, Gilbert, Momcilovic and Curtis Jones, and they stuck together for an entire year because they played together.

Initial rumors from the preseason suggest that the new additions Dishon Jackson (Charlotte) and Joshua Jefferson (Saint Mary's) could help give the offensive players more impact. Versatile guard Nate Heise (Northern Iowa) has also received widespread praise from his teammates for his shooting and relief abilities.

More: Iowa State Basketball's Lipsey and Otzelberger face USA TODAY Sports in preseason Big 12 action

If the Cyclones' returners and rookies play well together and live up to high expectations, this could be a season where the defense remains solid and the offense takes another step forward.

Iowa State men's basketball is having another perfect run at home

The Cyclones begin the new year on an 18-game winning streak at Hilton Coliseum, the fourth-best active home winning streak in college basketball.

It cannot be overstated how difficult and competitive the Big 12 is, with multiple teams vying for the top spot. Even midfield teams can pose a big challenge on any given night.

Protecting home court will be critical to team pride and conference standing.

The Cyclones have a prime non-conference game at home, December 4th against Marquette.

That's easier said than done, but if Iowa State can hold off No. 8 Baylor (Jan. 4), No. 1 Kansas (Jan. 15), No. 20 Cincinnati (Feb. 15) and No. 9 Arizona (March 1), ) At home, the path to another unbeaten streak at Hilton Coliseum isn't out of the question.

The Cyclones only have to face No. 4 Houston once and that game will be on the road.

Cyclones' Curtis Jones is Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year

After managing to get going in the second half of last season, Jones became an all-around weapon off the bench.

In his first 17 games, he averaged 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 37.5% overall and 33.3% from distance.

Over the final 20 games of the season, he averaged 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 39.9% overall and 36.2% from distance. He also had a stretch where he scored 11 or more points in 14 consecutive contests. Jones was also a bright spot in Iowa State's Sweet 16 loss to Illinois when he scored a season-high 26 points.

If Jones can pick up where he left off last season and put together a solid campaign from start to finish, he will be in the running in the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year discussions.

A season ago, he played starting minutes, averaging 26.9 per game, giving opponents another player to worry about in the backfield alongside Lipsey, Gilbert and Momcilovic.

The Iowa State Cyclones reach their first Final Four since 1944 despite having fewer wins than last season

Last year's Iowa State Sweet 16 team went 29-8, which was the second-most wins in program history.

The record for most wins belongs to the 1999-2000 team, which finished 32-5 after a loss in the Elite Eight.

This year's Cyclones have an opportunity to make a big statement early in the season by winning the Maui Invitational in a strong field that includes two-time defending national champion UConn as well as UNC, Michigan State, Memphis, Auburn, Dayton and Colorado. Maybe they can capitalize on this momentum and muscle their way through the crowded Big 12.

However, don't be surprised if this team takes a few bumps and bruises along the way before they start a run and finish strong.

The Maui Invitational is tough and the daily rigors of conference play could be even more difficult to overcome. But this is a battle-tested group and the focus is on coming out strong.

They may not break the program record for wins in a single season, but they have the skills and experience to go further than last year's team or the 1999-2000 Iowa State team.

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.

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