The Cyclones haven’t won a Big 12 football game. And they definitely won’t be smelling roses or bringing home a BCS Championship. The one good thing about the football team’s struggles — the basketball season. Long the savior of ISU fans frustrated by another disappointing football season, basketball has always provided hope, and not to sound political, change.

The men’s basketball team has seen its share of change, though. Wesley Johnson is gone, Rahshon Clark is gone, Juri Hubalek is gone. Is your hope gone yet?

Here’s five reasons you should get pumped for Cyclone basketball. And we start with the ISU women’s team:

1.) Iowa State at No. 3

The ISU women’s team was ranked third in the Big 12, in the preseason Big 12 coaches poll. Yep, third. And two coaches even voted the Cyclones as the top team in a tough, tough conference.

The Cyclones bring back their entire roster from their run to the NCAA tournament last season and excitement is bubbling because of the potential this team has to go deep in the NCAA tournament. It’s only preseason, but it’s not every day that an ISU team is regarded so highly.

2.) All patched up

What made the women’s tournament run more impressive was doing it with out Nicky Wieben and Toccara Ross. Both are leaders, and their absence left a huge hole in the post. Both are healthy, and, as seniors, could help take the team far.

3.) Coach Bill Fennelly

To take last year’s injury-ridden team to the NCAA tournament was a feat. But that’s the beauty of Fennelly’s teams. They always overachieve. Somehow he finds a way to get wins, no matter the situation. If this team overachieves, it could be a wild ride. If you’ve never been to a women’s game, go. This isn’t the WNBA. It’s better. We promise.

4.) Lucca’s free

Lucca Staiger, the ISU men’s team’s German folkhero, had to sit out all of last year because of a petty NCAA infraction. He was forced to listen to “Free Lucca” being chanted by fans demanding his freedom. But on Friday — in a moment more dramatic than when that big Killer Whale lept to freedom in Free Willy — Staiger will finally make his debut.

5.) Coach Greg McDermott has his crew

There’s no question turmoil has surrounded the roster since McDermott got here. But this is his third year and every single player on the men’s roster is one he recruited. The clock starts ticking now for McDermott to produce a tournament team. It shouldn’t be expected this year, but this is the foundation. Now we can finally see if McDermott can take his guys and mold them into his team.