Wednesday night marked the beginning of the 1996-97 Iowa State basketball season, and I have been ready for a while.

This season could be one of the best seasons in Iowa State history. Last year we had a team that barely lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, not to mention won the Big Eight championship.

Let’s look at the team from last year for a minute.

Our starting five were five guys who had never played together. Four of the starters had never played under Tim Floyd, yet this team did so well.

This season we have the same starting five, and they have had a year to gel and become a team. I expect nothing but great things out of this season’s basketball team.

With the expansion of the conference to the Big 12, fans have more conference games to look forward to this season.

This also means more recognition for an already tough basketball conference. The Big 12 could become a premiere basketball conference.

The Cyclones are going to have a regular season record of 25-1 this season, with the one loss coming at Kansas.

Let’s face it, Kansas is tough and even tougher at home. We will, however, beat them at Hilton in front of a capacity crowd of screaming Cyclone fans.

This year’s team has some added talent to beef up the bench, and with the starting five returning, I look for a Big 12 championship and an appearance in the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.

The Cyclones were one step away from matching these goals last year, but the Utes from Utah halted them from advancing to the Sweet 16.

I know it seems like I have high expectations that may be considered arrogant at the beginning of the season.

But with Jacy, Dedric, Shawn, Kenny and Kelvin at their best, as well as some big time support from the guys off the bench, I think we have nothing to fear.

Probably the number one reason the Cyclones will do so well this season is Tim Floyd.

There are reasons why he was such a red-hot commodity during the offseason.

Big Eight Coach of the Year does not even begin to describe the caliber of Floyd and his capabilities.

He will lead this team and many that follow to great things, and we are lucky to have him.

This season will be one to remember, so be sure to be at all the games and support your Cyclones.

---

Brandon Belisle is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Plainfield, Ill.