When Cameron Lard and Zoran Talley Jr. returned to the rotation Monday against North Dakota State, their roles were a lot different than last year.

Lard, a redshirt sophomore, and Talley Jr., a redshirt senior, combined for 27 starts a season ago (Lard had 16 and Talley Jr. started 11). Lard was the third-leading scorer on the roster and the leading rebounder, while Talley Jr. averaged 7.5 points per game as a secondary scoring option. The two combined for 26 minutes on Monday.

Unlike last year however, Iowa State doesn’t need Lard or Talley Jr. in order for the team to be successful. The 6-1 start to the season is evidence of that. As a result, Lard and Talley Jr. will need to adapt to the rest of the team, not the other way around, in order to get playing time.

“I like our chemistry,” said coach Steve Prohm. “I think that they understand what they need to play for, and that’s for Iowa State. Everybody will benefit if they can do the right things.

“Are we playing the right way, are we playing with energy, how are we defensively?”

Lard made his presence known defensively a season ago. He recorded 63 blocks (2.2 per game) which ranked fourth in the Big 12. But he also showed his age at times, getting into foul trouble and letting his guard down during big, emotional swings.

Lard committed 4.2 fouls per 40 minutes last year, according to KenPom. That would be the second-highest mark on this year’s team among the eight scholarship players who have been in the rotation.

Talley Jr. is in a different position. He wasn’t a star on last year’s roster, but he fit in due to his energy off the bench (and, later, in the starting lineup).

The good news for Lard and Talley Jr. is their athleticism. Both have the ability to contribute immediately and provide a spark.

The issue will be fitting in with the culture being molded by guys like Marial Shayok, Mike Jacobson, Tyrese Haliburton and other newcomers.

“It might take a little [bit] of time to get them back in the flow,” said Jacobson, a redshirt junior averaging 17.0 points and 7.7 rebounds. “The first couple games — but it’ll be good, it’ll be good.”

Lard’s best bet is to play inspired defense. Jacobson has turned himself into a viable weapon from the perimeter, something Lard hasn’t shown yet. The two bigs can coexist as long as Lard provides rim protection and an ability to score in the paint, which would give Jacobson more room in the high post.

Talley Jr. faces a similar situation in that his defense and athleticism are the key to playing time.

The lineup of Haliburton, Shayok, Nick Weiler-Babb, Talen Horton-Tucker and Jacobson has shown a lot of defensive potential. Horton-Tucker is the shortest among that group at 6-foot-4, meaning Iowa State almost always has a length advantage with that lineup. Talley Jr.’s lanky 6-foot-7 frame fits right into the mold.

According to KenPom, Iowa State is 18th in the nation (out of 353 Division I teams) in steal percentage. The Cyclones’ defense has been aggressive. Using Talley Jr. as the four in a small lineup would keep the perimeter switching available, since Talley Jr. can guard wings, while also keeping enough length in the lineup to deflect passes and maintain pressure.

For now, the Cyclones don’t need too much help. The biggest challenge for Lard and Talley Jr. will be their ability to fit into the puzzle that has formed in their absence.