Questions surround the ISU women’s basketball team as the first game draws near.

The most pressing concerns the replacement of four-year starter and ISU career assist record holder, Lyndsey Medders. Along with fellow senior Megan Ronhovde, the pair accounted for more than 20 points per game for the Cyclones last season. More importantly, the duo provided leadership and stability for a young ISU team that, at times, lacked identity.

Last year’s team was able to finish the season on a high note, however.

The Cyclones finished as runners-up in the Big 12 Tournament and advanced to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament after struggling early on to live up to their coach’s expectations. At one point, coach Bill Fennelly was quoted as saying that he was at the “lowest point” in his coaching career, after falling to 1-3 in the Big 12.

Fennelly said the success and failure of this year’s team will hinge on returning players being able to step up their play and fill the gaps left by the departing seniors. Most specifically, the role of point guard to lead the Cyclone offense will be paramount to returning to postseason play. Sophomore Alison Lacey is currently slotted to start at the position in lieu of the emergence of a true scoring point guard for the Cyclones.

“I have a lot of confidence in Aus’ [Lacey’s] ability,” Fennelly said. “[Lacey] did a great job last year. She didn’t turn the ball over; she took care of the ball.”

As far as Lacey is concerned, the switch from shooting guard to the point is a small price to pay to help Iowa State do what it needs to do to win. The second-year player from Australia played some time at the position last year, and finishing the season with fewer turnovers than any of the Cyclone post players, a rare accomplishment for a guard.

“Last year I didn’t really have any responsibility getting in the offense,” Lacey said. “So I’ll be taking on the roll that Lyndsey had last year – getting everyone organized, getting the ball to everyone.”

Lacey won’t be the only Cyclone who will have to step outside of her comfort zone to keep the Cyclones on the hunt for a postseason berth.

With forward Toccara Ross, who is the only senior this season returning from last year’s team, nursing a back injury, developing on-the-court leadership will be key.

Iowa State will also have to rely on newcomers to share much of the burden if it plans on exceeding the Big 12 coaches’ expectations of a sixth-place finish in the conference.

“The tangible things of statistics and points and rebounds and assists, I honestly believe we can take care of,” Fennelly said. “It’s the intangible things that I’m concerned about, and those things take time.”