Editor’s Note: This is the third in a three-part series that is a lead-in to the Daily’s Big 12 special section, which will be running Monday.

If adversity within a basketball team can be a good thing, Omar Bynum and Clint Varley said it might have been for their team this season.

Varley and Bynum, both seniors on the men’s basketball squad, have dealt with the death of veteran play-by-play announcer Pete Taylor and the resignation of assistant coach Randy Brown in the last week. Before that, a promising 7-footer left the team when center Chris Alexander departed from the team last month. And players are still concerned for Marcus Jefferson’s mother as she fights a battle with tumors on her lungs.

Even Varley dealt with trouble first-hand as he was arrested on charges of operating while intoxicated last week. He was suspended for two games, but both Bynum and Varley played in their last game at home Wednesday night in front of the 12,723 in attendance.

“This team’s had more adversity this year than the teams the last three years have had combined,” Varley said. “It’s been a lot of stuff to get through. You really start to see how your teammates’ attitudes are and you get to see what kind of people they are.

“I was just thrilled to see that these guys were resilient and they would come back and come back again.”

Bynum said the way the team pulled through all of their troubles was a telling tale for the season and his final year.

“There’s been a lot of bumps in the road, but that’s just brought our team together,” Bynum said. “With all the bumps, there’s been a lot of good things too.”

One of the good things came when Iowa State upset Missouri Wednesday night. Varley came in early in the first half as the Cyclones’ big men were hampered with foul trouble. In 13 minutes of work, his only statistic was three rebounds, but like it’s been the last two seasons, Varley was off the charts in hustle and effort.

“[Wednesday] couldn’t have worked out much better,” Varley said. “Getting out there and being able to get some rebounds to help everybody out was exactly what I was trying to do and it worked out.”

Bynum is still bothered by an aching knee and hasn’t seen as much time on the court after a strong junior season because of the injury. He played the final two minutes of the contest Wednesday in front of his father, grandmother, sisters and mentor.

Despite his decrease in playing time, Bynum said he wouldn’t change his experiences at Iowa State for the world.

“I feel like I’m going out on a high regardless of what happened [Wednesday],” Bynum said.

“It’s been a fun three years for me. I wouldn’t change nothing about it. I love the players, I love the coaches and everything’s been great.”

Varley, a former walk-on who will receive his fourth letter after the season, said it’s gone by too fast for him as well.

“The time flew by,” he said. “You don’t realize it until it’s gone. It’s been a long time coming. When I first came here I didn’t know if I was ever going to play or if I was even going to stay for another year. Everything ended up working out good and it’s nice to finish with this win.”

Varley said it meant a lot to him to have the chance to suit up in his last home appearance. The Menlo native was told by head coach Larry Eustachy on Monday that he would dress.

“Being able to get back out there to feel like I was a part of something again was a feeling that I won’t ever forget,” Varley said.

A smile came to his face when he was asked if he was going out on top.

“Yeah, that’s the way to do it,” Varley said.