As the NCAA Tournament comes to a close, GMS likes to review some of the power conference or power program teams that made it to the Big Dance and ask whether or not they’ve got a shot to return to the show next season. We continue on with teams eliminated in the Sweet 16.
Recruit and Reload: Iowa State Cyclones
Key Losses: Georges Niang, Abdel Nader, Jameel McKay, Deonte Burton
Key Returners: Monte Morris, Naz Long, Matt Thomas
Key Newcomers: Emmanuel Malou, Jakolby Long, Donovan Jackson, Cameron Lard
Breakdown: Despite returning one of the most offensively diverse, experienced teams in the country, first year head coach Steve Prohm was unable to garner any sort of real consistency throughout the year. The good news for him is that Morris has elected to return for his senior season and the NCAA granted Naz Long another year of eligibility.
Now, the key will be incorporating a host of high-level, highly sought after JUCO recruits into the fold. If he can do that, then there shouldn’t be as significant of a step back in Ames as some have predicted.
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