The name of the game for ISU women’s basketball in recent years has been consistency. ISU coach Bill Fennelly will enter his 21st season at the helm of the program he has built from the ground up.

Fennelly has turned ISU women’s basketball into a perennial NCAA tournament team and last year was no exception. The Cyclones punched their ticket to the “Big Dance” for the ninth straight year.

While the program has been consistent in recent years, last season was a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows for the Cyclones. The high side featured three victories against top-10 teams — No. 3 Texas, No. 3 Baylor and No. 8 Texas.

The low side was a first-round exit in the Big 12 tournament, followed by a first-round exit in the NCAA tournament.

The Cyclones finished their season with an 18-13 record, including a 9-9 record in Big 12 play.

The team will have some holes to fill in its lineup this season after losing a trio of starters to graduation.

Nikki Moody, a four-year starter and WNBA draftee who owns the school’s career assist record, will leave a need at the point guard position. Jadda Buckley will attempt to fill that role after sitting out the majority of the past season due to a lingering foot injury.

Buckley was a major contributor her freshman season before the injury issues hampered her production and playing time during her sophomore season.

The Cyclones will also lose Brynn Williamson, who acted as the team’s sharpshooter and was a key contributor to the team for the past four seasons.

Looking to fill her shoes is Nicole “Kidd” Blaskowsky, who is an established sharpshooter in her own right and will likely serve an even bigger role in her senior season.

Fallon Ellis was the third senior to graduate this past season. Ellis acted as a role player for much of her career before being inserted into the starting lineup late last season.

Ellis, a key rebounder, will be replaced by fellow post players Bryanna Fernstrom, who started the majority of last season, and Claire Ricketts, who was expected to get big minutes before an early season injury derailed her freshman campaign.

Without some of its key contributors, Fennelly’s team will have to reload in preparation for the always tough Big 12.

Given Fennelly’s consistent track record, ISU fans can expect the team to be back in contention for another NCAA tournament bid when March Madness rolls around.