Iowa State
Iowa State

Iowa State Team Report

Updated: April 03, 2012 02:20 EST

Iowa State took a big step forward in 2011-12 by making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. The Cyclones could take an even bigger step next season -- if forward Royce White returns to school.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward turned plenty of heads this season as he led the Cyclones in scoring, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks. His stock likely rose when facing two likely lottery picks, Kentucky's Anthony Davis and Connecticut's Andre Drummond, when he had a combined 38 points, 22 rebounds and six assists in the two games.

"I will wait until after the season and talk to (Iowa State) coach (Fred) Hoiberg and see what he thinks and leave it in his hands," White said. "I trust him wholeheartedly."

There is a good chance White returns. Most mock drafts currently don't have him as a first-round pick, and he could be the centerpiece of an experienced, deep team.

Iowa State loses senior guard Scott Christopherson and Chris Allen but will replace them in the starting lineup with a pair of transfers, former Michigan State point guard Korie Lucious and former Utah wing Will Clyburn. Lucious fills the biggest hole from this year's team at the point, and coaches consider Clyburn to have the same kind of NBA future that White does.

They will join a rotation that includes Melvin Ejim, Chris Babb, Anthony Booker, Tyrus McGee and Bubu Palo, and that group comes back with tournament experience. The Cyclones will also bring in consensus top-100 recruit, Georges Niang, a power forward know for his athleticism, rebounding and post moves.

"We are going to get to work," Hoiberg said. "but we showed we can get back to this point, and that is important, and we got guys coming back, key guys, that will be a big part of our year next year."

After years of residing near the bottom of the Big 12 standings, the Cyclones won 23 games, tied for fourth most in program history, and they made the third round of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost 87-71 to Kentucky. Iowa State tied for third in the Big 12 and upset Top 10 teams Kansas and Baylor.

If White returns, the Cyclones likely would be one of the early favorites to win the Big 12.

--Of all the times for Iowa State to go cold from 3-point range, the NCAA Tournament was not the best occasion. Against Kentucky, however, in the third round, the Cyclones went just 3-for-22 (.136) from behind the arc. Long-range shooting was a strength all season, as Iowa State led the conference with 284 treys in the regular season and 164 in conference play. Their .385 percentage in Big 12 games was tops in the league. The Cyclones' inability to connect from that distance against Kentucky, however, was a factor in the 87-71 defeat. "We're not going to win very many games when we shoot the ball like that," coach Fred Hoiberg said.

--The Cyclones had a historic season from the 3-point line. Iowa State had four players hit at least 50 3-pointers for the first time in program history. Chris Allen made 76. Scott Christopherson hit 67. Chris Babb made 64 and Tyrus McGee ended the season with 50.

FINAL RECORD: 23-11, 12-6, third place in Big 12.

2011-12 SEASON RECAP: Iowa State started the season slow, dropping three of its first nine games as a team full of new players, including four transfers, needed time to jell and learn roles. By Big 12 play, things came together, as 6-foot-8 Royce White became the point forward, and the offense ran through him while the rest of the Cyclones sat on the perimeter waiting to hit a 3-pointer if White got double-teamed. Iowa State ripped off 12 conference wins and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. The Cyclones beat defending national champion Connecticut in their first NCAA game but fell to Kentucky in their next game.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I will always remember this team. They brought Hilton (Coliseum) magic to where it belongs, and we have a very bright future with this program." -- Coach Fred Hoiberg.

THE GOOD NEWS: As Iowa State comes off its best season in nearly a decade, the Cyclones will bring in one of its top recruiting classes in years. The class is highlighted by 6-foot-7, 235-pound power forward Georges Niang, whom Rivals.com rates as four-star prospect. The class is rounded out with three three-star Rivals.com guards Sherron Dorsey-Walker, known for his shooting ability; Naz Long, who could be Iowa State's point guard of the future; and Nkereuwem Okoro, an athletic wing from New York.

THE BAD NEWS: The Cyclones will miss the experience of departing guards Scott Christopherson and Chris Allen. Christopherson started the last two-plus seasons, while Allen, who played in 16 NCAA Tournament games, was the most experienced tournament player on the country this season.

KEY RETURNEES: F Royce White could be a preseason All-American if he returns to school. F Melvin Ejim and G Chris Babb are returning starters. Iowa State returns seven of its top nine scorers and its four top rebounders.

PLAYER NOTES:

--Sophomore F Royce White put together one of the best seasons in program history. He led the team in scoring (13.4 points per game), rebounding (9.3 per game), assists (170), steals (40) and blocks (32) while being named the Big 12 rookie of the year. He was a consensus first-team All-Big 12 selection.

--Senior G Scott Christopherson leaves Iowa State as the program's all-time leader in 3-point field-goal percentage at 44.3 percent. Christopherson averaged 12.6 points and hit 45.6 percent of his 3-pointers this season.

--Senior G Chris Allen hit 76 3-pointers this season, the eighth-highest single-season total in program history. Allen was second on the team in scoring at 12.6 points per game.

--Sophomore F Melvin Ejim rebounded from an early-season slump -- the starter was benched in December -- and played the best basketball of his career in Big 12 play, where he averaged 10.9 points and 7.1 rebounds in league play.