No. 6 Duke | No. 8 Oklahoma | Full List
No. 7: IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Last Season: 25-9, 12-6 Big 12
Fred Hoiberg's departure devastated his former players, alma mater and hometown. But his replacement, Steve Prohm, should keep the mojo going in Ames. A top-10 talent pool will certainly help.
At Murray State, Prohm helped mold Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne into unlikely NBA draft picks. Point guard Monte Morris, who averaged 11.9 points per game and 5.2 assists per game last season, could evolve into a pro under Prohm, too. Morris will lead this sturdy Big 12 contender along with preseason all-Big 12 first-teamer Georges Niang. Marquette transfer Deonte Burton and Jameel McKay, the Big 12's reigning defensive player of the year, will round out a team that could stop Kansas from winning its 12th consecutive conference crown. But Hoiberg raised expectations after leading the Cyclones to four consecutive NCAA tourneys after a dark chapter in the program's history. If Prohm struggles, he'll be reminded of his predecessor's achievements. Often. -- Myron Medcalf
Best Case: Iowa State has teased us a bit over the past few years. The Cyclones have been talented and had the most efficient offense in the Big 12 while ranking in the national top 20 in that regard. And, the Cyclones are FUN. They can score and have skilled players at every position. Georges Niang simply knows how to play and is one of the quickest players from the catch to the release in the past decade. Monte Morris is one of the most efficient point guards in the country, and he will find shooters. If Iowa State defends at a higher level, there is no legitimate reason the Cyclones cannot finish second in the Big 12 and reach a regional final and compete favorably for a Final Four slot.
Worst Case: With Fred Hoiberg gone, former Murray State coach Steve Prohm takes over. Prohm is the first coach in Iowa State history to take over a team that had won 20 or more games the previous season (ISU was 25-9 last season). Nobody knows how a new coach will do, and if Prohm and the players don't connect early and aren't on the same page late, Iowa State could bow out early.
"They have great offensive firepower, and Georges Niang is a mismatch nightmare. But they need to stay healthy because they aren't deep. Depth is a major concern for me -- as is the fact that Steve Prohm will face pressure night in and night out in the Big 12 and also with having to follow The Mayor, Fred Hoiberg."
No. 6 Duke | No. 8 Oklahoma | Full List
