STANZ: Otz evaluates next steps for Iowa State hoops

Mar 25, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger yells through the second half in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes within the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the boys’s school basketball NCAA Match at United Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports activities

Greensboro, N.C. — T.J. Otzelberger is already serious about what comes subsequent.

Iowa State’s head coach met with reporters Saturday morning to look towards the way forward for the Cyclones’ males’s basketball program after Friday evening’s 59-41 loss to Pittsburgh within the first spherical of the NCAA Match.

There isn’t a resting on laurels. The preparation for subsequent 12 months’s workforce is already beginning.

“We’re actually happy with what our guys completed this 12 months,” Otzelberger stated. “As disappointing because it was the way it ended. It was lots of nice reminiscences and moments while you have a look at 9 prime 25 wins, six prime 10 wins and the way in which our guys rallied late within the season. It says rather a lot about their character. I feel the inspiration for our program transferring ahead is in place. We’re going to proceed to be very selective of who we usher in and guarantee that the character and everyone are in alignment. We really feel actually good about the place we’re at and the way issues work the place they stand transferring ahead.”

Iowa State already is aware of it can lose 4 seniors in Gabe Kalscheur, Aljaz Kunc, Jaren Holmes and Osun Osunniyi. Tre King and Robert Jones have the chance to and are each at present anticipated to return to this system subsequent 12 months.

They’ll be a part of Tamin Lipsey, Demarion Watson and a top-10 recruiting class to kind the inspiration of subsequent 12 months’s roster.

Attrition, as at all times in at the moment’s age of faculty basketball, can in all probability be anticipated on some stage, as nicely.

“We’re one scholarship below, so this week, after which the subsequent week, it’s time to fulfill with all of the younger males in our program and simply discuss to them in regards to the imaginative and prescient and the longer term. You see the place issues are at that time,” Otzelberger stated. “We anticipate there’s in all probability going to be room for a switch or two, however, at this level, I don’t precisely know the way that each one shakes out till you may have these conferences.”

Followers can count on to see capturing be a big emphasis with anybody Iowa State pursues out of the switch portal this offseason. Additional assist in the frontcourt can be welcomed as nicely.

These issues shall be sorted out within the coming weeks, although.

Within the meantime, Otzelberger will meet with the remaining members of this 12 months’s workforce, and begin a complete assessment of this system’s route in an effort to chart the trail ahead.

“I feel greater than something, you have a look at each facet of this system, you actually consider what are some issues that really feel like we’re doing nicely, the place some areas we will enhance,” Otzelberger stated. “You have a look at scheme. You have a look at personnel. All these issues are elements. We’ll proceed to judge these accordingly. To me, an important factor is the folks which can be in your program, proper? Much more than, ‘Hey, this man is a superb shooter. This man’s a degree guard,’ it comes all the way down to, are they nice human beings? Are they nice folks? Do they love being a Cyclone? That’s the place we’ll begin.”