Editor’s Note: Daily staff writer Jeff Raasch recently caught up with former ISU basketball standout Shane Power. Power left the ISU basketball program last April after averaging 13.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Cyclones as a sophomore. He signed with Mississippi State in June and will sit out this basketball season due to NCAA transfer rules.

JR: How are classes going for you at Mississippi State? You’re a communication studies major, right?

SP: Yeah, they’re going all right. I’m just taking my TV classes and I’ve been getting involved at the TV station.

JR: What do you like best about Mississippi State?

SP: Probably the weather.

JR: I suppose it’s a little warmer there?

SP: Yeah, people were wearing flip-flops and shorts here yesterday.

JR: Besides the weather, what are some of the other reasons you chose Mississippi State over some of the other schools you visited after you left Iowa State?

SP: I liked the conference and I liked the team a lot, the guys on the team.

JR: How have your workouts with the team been going?

SP: About the same as most teams’ workouts right now. We’re working hard, but we’re a little sloppy. We’re just trying to clean everything up and get better.

JR: Have you made quite a few friends down there with people on and off the basketball team?

SP: Yeah, I was able to meet a bunch of people. I feel like I know a fair amount of people.

JR: Did it feel weird putting on that different jersey?

SP: Yeah, it really has. Everything has gone so fast that my head is still spinning. I’m kind of getting used to wearing maroon and I’m trying to get used to that — seeing myself in a different jersey.

JR: I know Mississippi State had ‘Maroon Madness’ recently, where the teams put on an exhibition at midnight of the first day the NCAA permits practice to take place. They let you play in that too, didn’t they?

SP: No, actually I didn’t play. I’m injured right now, so I didn’t play in it.

JR: What’s keeping you down?

SP: I’ve got quad tendinitis right now.

JR: I see that Sam Weaver, who was an assistant at Iowa State under Tim Floyd, joined the staff over the summer. Do you two ever talk about times back in Ames?

SP: Yeah. We’ve been talking about the football team a lot. He spent some time at Iowa State there and it was great to meet him.

JR: You’re a pretty competitive guy, so how hard is it going to be for you to sit on the sidelines this season?

SP: Yeah, it’s definitely going to be hard. It’s been hard already. I’m trying just to get better and learn from a different perspective — from the sidelines.

JR: Do you plan to work on anything specific in your game during that time?

SP: For one, just learning how to play in this offense and defense. The schemes are a lot different, so I’ve got to relearn those. Really, I’m going to take a look at the [Southeastern Conference] opponents, because I’ve never seen anyone play firsthand in this conference, so I need to see what I can do against some of the other opponents.

JR: What are some of the differences between the basketball teams at Iowa State and Mississippi State?

SP: They run a motion offense, which is different from [Iowa State’s] high-low. Everything, from the terminology to the sets, are different with the offense and defense. I’ve got to learn everything again.

JR: Does it feel like you’re a freshman again?

SP: No, the good thing is that I know the basic concepts. I’ve just got to sharpen up the rest of the stuff.

JR: Are you keeping an eye on Iowa State at all these days?

SP: Oh yeah. I check the athletic Web sites a couple times a week. I’ve had a bunch of people over here watching the football games. I check up on all the teams.

JR: Is there a possibility you might go to the bowl game if the Cyclones make one?

SP: Yeah, I’ve been watching the football team all year and I’m so happy for those guys. They’ve always been humble and just kept working hard and look where they’re at now. They’re what every other football team in the country, that’s not in the top 25, is trying to do. They’re the example for everyone else, so I’m so happy for them, especially after being close with a lot of them there.

JR: Do you talk to quite a few of your former ISU teammates?

SP: Yeah, I talk to a lot of people from Iowa State pretty regularly.

JR: It sounds like you’re pretty happy there, but do you have any regrets about leaving Iowa State?

SP: You make what’s the best decision for you at the time, and I’m never going to look back on any choices in my life and regret them. Iowa State’s a great place, but I needed to move on for certain reasons. I don’t regret leaving.

JR: I know you’ve been asked a million times, but what are some of those reasons you chose leave Iowa State?

SP: (chuckling) I left because the reporters asked me tough questions. No, I’m not going to go into those, but it was nothing. (pause) I definitely enjoyed my stay at Iowa State. I met a bunch of people in the community that I won’t forget and I’ve got some lifelong friends from Iowa State. I’m still always going to be a Cyclone too.

JR: All right, good luck at MSU and we’ll be keeping an eye on you in the years to come.

SP: Well, thank you, I appreciate it. Take care.