Just pulled the trigger on this, great value here in my opinion. Iowa State or "Second Chance University" is going to have one of the most talented starting 5's in the league. The cyclones bring in transfers Chris Allen from Michigan State, a RSCI top 30 player in high school who averaged 8 points per game on two final four teams; Korie Lucious, another former Spartan who's a pure point guard; Royce White from Minnesota, RSCI top 20 player in high school who never got to play his freshman year because of trouble off the court, but the kid is poised for a breakout year. The Cyclones also bring in Will Clyburn from Utah, a guy who was top 3 in scoring in the Mountain West. ALL of the guys above can shoot the 3 ball, this will be a dangerous team from behind the arc because they have so many guys with range. Not to mention another transfer Chris Babb from Penn State who can also shoot the 3. They also return super soph Melvin Ejim who averaged 10 points and was top 11 in rebounding in the Big12 as a freshman.
The thing I love about this team is they are loaded at just about every position with the exception of center. I'm not crazy about Iowa State's coach. But when I look at the rest of the Big12 I can't help but think they have as good of a chance to win this league as anyone, given their talent. Their main competition will be Kansas, Baylor, and Texas A&M. Right now Kansas and Baylor are the favorites to win, Kansas is +175 and Baylor is +150. Baylor loses Lacedarius Dunn and returns their talent from last year, a team that finished 8th in the league with 9 conference losses. Bettors will be all over Baylor's nuts this year no doubt, but head coach Scott Drew hasn't won shit with the talent he's had. I'm not buying Baylor as the favorite one bit. Kansas has won the league the last 7 consecutive years. I'm doubtful that they have enough talent to win it this year. Bill Self is a great coach but they are going to be razor thin in the frontcourt (Justin Wesley, averaged 1 point per game at Lamar), plus they will be starting a point guard who has had a turnover problem. This will be the weakest team Kansas has fielded in the last decade. Iowa State +2000 is a bargain, folks.
The thing I love about this team is they are loaded at just about every position with the exception of center. I'm not crazy about Iowa State's coach. But when I look at the rest of the Big12 I can't help but think they have as good of a chance to win this league as anyone, given their talent. Their main competition will be Kansas, Baylor, and Texas A&M. Right now Kansas and Baylor are the favorites to win, Kansas is +175 and Baylor is +150. Baylor loses Lacedarius Dunn and returns their talent from last year, a team that finished 8th in the league with 9 conference losses. Bettors will be all over Baylor's nuts this year no doubt, but head coach Scott Drew hasn't won shit with the talent he's had. I'm not buying Baylor as the favorite one bit. Kansas has won the league the last 7 consecutive years. I'm doubtful that they have enough talent to win it this year. Bill Self is a great coach but they are going to be razor thin in the frontcourt (Justin Wesley, averaged 1 point per game at Lamar), plus they will be starting a point guard who has had a turnover problem. This will be the weakest team Kansas has fielded in the last decade. Iowa State +2000 is a bargain, folks.
