I think 2022-23 is going to be a special season for many reasons and the NCAA has possibly set us up well.......I believe the Clones will be a 1, 2, 3, or 4 seed in the tournament next year.....I know some will think I'm crazy but if we get AJ Green, this team will be very special.....as in can win the Big 12 special..........as in can make a deep run in March special......
So how has the NCAA possibly set us up come March??......well one of the site's for the 1st and 2nd rounds is in Des Moines, IA which would make it very difficult for any team trying to beat us........massive fan advantage + GREAT TEAM usually means two wins and on to the Sweet 16......well if we get to the Sweet 16 in the Midwest Regional next year it's in Kansas City and Hilton South would be rocking in what could be a chance at a Final Four.......I know some of you think I'm getting ahead of myself but let's break down this roster:
UP FRONT:
I have watched as much Tre King film as possible and the kid can just flat out play......he's going to be really good at the four spot.......he can score, rebound, block shots, and he is also physical......likely starting next to him will be Osun Osunniyi, who is a MASSIVE upgrade over Conditt.....I love George and he was a solid Cyclone for the 12 years that he spent in Ames but he is not in the same class as Osun.........our defense will be very tough to score on with him in the middle but it gets even better because when he comes out of the game, Hason Ward comes in and is also a great shot blocker (think poor mans Hakim Warrick).......he's long and erases a lot of shots from the weakside......Jaz Kunc will be our do-it-all guy playing the 3, 4, or 5 off the bench.......and if Robert Jones does return, he provides tremendous depth.....Demarion Watson is not talked about by hardly anyone on this board but down the road he's going to show Cyclone fans that he's essentially Melvin Ejim with a little more dribble game........he's a keeper who should be impacting the team in 2023-24.
Overall, this front court is way better than last year as it's not even close
Losing Brockington and Tyrese obviously hurts but when you bring back Kalscheur and then add Jeremiah Williams, Jaren Holmes, and likely AJ Green, you are actually putting yourself in a better position......those four rotating with Caleb Grill provide all we need but as the the season progresses, I expect Lipsey and King to be pushing them as both are very talented and have a very bright future in Ames
Overall, this team is one of the deepest Cyclone teams ever and if AJ Green does in fact head to Ames, I truly feel this is a Top 10/15 team easily
Some people are surprised by TJ Otzelberger and how fast he has the program rolling but I'm not at all......that's because years ago I published the ISU scout page and got to talk with TJ on a weekly basis and there are three things about him as a recruiter that jumped out at me over the years:
1)He's a tremendous judge of talent.......he would constantly see guys at AAU tournaments that no one was talking about and then a month or two later, these players would fly up the rankings yet he had noticed them way before anyone else......some of the guys we would land but others kept rising and ended up at Duke, Arizona, KU, etc.......
2)He recruits guys who have a chip on their shoulder and who have some mental toughness........he brings in winners that will come in and practice hard and that are team oriented......
3)He's not afraid to compete for a recruit......a lot of people thought Osun was heading to Florida but TJ closed the deal and got him
He's currently going toe-to-toe with the big boys in regards to Omaha Biliew and while many sources are saying KU, I still feel we have a chance.......bottom line is he looks at ISU as a team that should be competing for Big 12 titles every year.....his expectations are through the roof and with us continuing to win in 2023 it's only going to enhance our chances to keep building a big time program
Whether we get Biliew or not, the other guy to pay attention to is Milan Momcilovic.......this kid is a flat-out stud (great shooter) from Wisconsin who we have been after for a long time.......he would be a massive get for the program
Overall, next season is going to be a lot of fun and if we do somehow get to the Final Four........it's in Houston......just in case you were wondering......Go Clones!!
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