by Sports Xchange

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Attrition has largely prevented coach Greg McDermott from making many strides since leaving Northern Iowa and taking over at Iowa State. Stability this season, including the surprising return of F Craig Brackins, gives the Cyclones their best chance to make a move under their fourth-year coach. Play in the frontcourt will be solid with the return of Brackins and the addition of Gilstrap and Dendy, but the Cyclones must value the basketball better after ranking last in the Big 12 a year ago in turnover margin.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: F Craig Brackins, F LaRon Dendy, G Diante Garrett, G Marquis Gilstrap, G Lucca Staiger.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Stints with various German national teams enabled G Lucca Staiger to play in 35 games over the summer. Staiger went of 8-of-14 from 3-point range during the European Championships as his German squad finished 1-5.

--G Wes Eikmeier and F Clint Mann were two reserves who transferred during the offseason in hopes of finding more playing time with another program.

--F Melvin Ejim is the only commitment thus far for Iowa State's 2010 recruiting class. Ranked in the top 20 nationally among small forwards, Ejim averaged 12.3 points and 4.6 rebounds last season for New Hampshire's Brewster Academy. He is from Canada.