ISU basketball picked fifth in Big 12 preseason poll
Sophomore Georges Niang attempts a layup against Texas Tech on Feb. 15. Niang had 17 points for Iowa State. The No. 11 Cyclones defeated the Red Raiders 70-64.
October 9, 2014
The ISU men’s basketball team has been picked to finish fifth by Big 12 coaches in the 2014-15 preseason poll.
The Cyclones finished third in the Big 12 last season, going 11-7 in league play and 28-8 overall. The season ended with a Sweet Sixteen loss to eventual national champion Connecticut.
The Cyclones return starters Georges Niang (16.7 ppg), Dustin Hogue (11.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Monte Morris (6.8 ppg, 3.7 apg), but lose last year’s Big 12 Player of the Year Melvin Ejim and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Deandre Kane. Iowa State also returns key reserves Naz Long (7.1 ppg) and Matt Thomas (6.8 ppg).
The Cyclones will also add transfers Abdel Nader after he serves a three-game suspension stemming from a DUI last spring, and 6-foot, 9-inch Jameel McKay will become eligible Dec. 20.
Kansas was selected to finish first in front of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas State.
Iowa State starts its season with an exhibition game on Nov. 7 against Viterbo, with the regular season starting on Nov. 14 against Oakland.
