Editor’s note: The 2021-22 Iowa State men’s basketball season is upon us.

With so many unknowns on the roster and coaching staff, all trying to mesh together, Matt Belinson and James Powell gave their predictions for the first season of the T.J. Otzelberger era, including record predictions and potential upset wins.

But it wouldn’t be ‘bold’ predictions without the guys offering up their individual bold takes for the season ahead.

X-factor to watch

Powell: Gabe Kalscheur (Guard, senior)

It could be because he’s from Minnesota like me, but I think Gabe Kalscheur is due to return to form.

If you watched his freshman year with the Gophers, he could turn into a fireball whenever he chose. I think what he needed most was a fresh start, and he’ll get regular minutes for T.J. Otzelberger, which should help.

If we see freshman Gabe Kalscheur, he could steal a game or two for Iowa State just with his shooting alone.

Belinson: Robert Jones (Forward, junior)

The answer of Tyrese Hunter is self-explanatory for us both here. Clearly, the true-freshman point guard will be a major indicator of progress and optimism for this season.

And so, in the spirit of picking someone different, I’m going with Robert Jones.

The Denver transfer has been highly touted by T.J. Otzelberger as a physical force in the post, priding himself on getting gritty rebounds and backing people down. 

Standing at 6-foot-9, 245 pounds, Jones presents the biggest threat size-wise and weight on the team. If the Cyclones want to get back to priding themselves as an in-the-mud, gritty team, Jones has to be the heartbeat of what they do. I expect him to earn a majority of the minutes at the five this season.

Potential spot for an upset

Powell: Jan. 15 vs. Texas

There won’t be many games against ranked teams where Iowa State is going to be favored or even a single-digit underdog. They’ll go through it at times, as they did all of last year.

But with the way T.J. Otzelberger is building this team and leading with heart and hustle, they can be a team that catches an opponent sleepwalking. Texas starts their Big 12 schedule on a lighter note, whereas Iowa State plays Baylor and Kansas in the first two weeks.

I think some big losses to start the Big 12 slate for Iowa State will have the team motivated to possibly steal one against a Texas team ranked highly to start the season.

Belinson: Nov. 24 vs. Xavier

How about a Thanksgiving upset?

Iowa State is heading to Brooklyn during the week of Thanksgiving for the NIT tip-off in Brooklyn against some decent preseason NCAA Tournament teams. The Cyclones are guaranteed to face Big East opponent Xavier, along with potential match-ups with Virginia Tech or Memphis. And I think the Cyclones could catch Xavier by surprise. 

I think the Cyclones won’t turn a lot of heads this year or make a crack to the NCAA Tournament, but this win, on an ESPN broadcast, will get people to pay attention to Otzelberger’s new direction in Ames.

Overall record? Big 12 standings?

Powell: 12-19 overall, 4-14 Big 12 play, finish 9th in the Big 12

This may be a bit bullish on my part, but part of the reason Iowa State’s record was 2-22 last year is that most of their non-conference games were chopped off before the season or were canceled during.

Factor that in with Otzelberger bringing a fresh and aggressive energy to this team, and I think they’ll “steal” one or two conference games and be good enough to win a couple more.

As for the Big 12 overall, I think Kansas rises to the top with Baylor losing so many players to the draft, as well as Kansas adding Remy Martin, who Cyclone fans will want to watch this season. He’s a baller.

Belinson: 13-18, 4-14 Big 12 play, finish 9th in the Big 12

James and I are on the same wavelength here. Iowa State will show obvious improvement record-wise from a season ago, but it’s not going to be a winning season this year.

There’s plenty of chances to stack wins in the non-conference slate like most seasons, but once we get to Big 12 play, I don’t see a ton of wins.

I think Iowa State takes two from Kansas State, its home game against TCU and steal a game on the road against Oklahoma State.

Belinson’s bold prediction: Tyrese Hunter wins Big 12 Freshman of the Year

You want bold? I’ll give you bold. 

I think if the stars align just right and the potential is fully met faster than we might think, I believe the Cyclones could be looking at a season to remember from the true-freshman from Racine, Wis. 

Hunter is going to be given the keys to the Cyclone offense, offering plenty of chances for him to fill up stat sheets and learn on the job.

There is a scenario where Hunter comes to Ames and lights it up from day one and becomes Iowa State’s best player pretty quickly. If we’re having that conversation, expect Hunter to contend for Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Powell’s bold prediction: Iowa State wins a game in the Big 12 tournament

I think my bold prediction could be directed to my prediction regarding their record, but I’ll be more creative than that. I think the Cyclones have a chance to steal a game in Kansas City.

Now, this all depends on how the conference plays out, as well as what, if any, injuries plague Iowa State this year. But if they start building what Otzelberger plans to build, paired with “Hilton South” coming back (to some extent), why not go out on a limb and say they could win one on day one of conference tournament play.