WRNL Staff Basketball Predictions

Iowa State basketball is once again here! Amazing to think considering it has been a hidden commodity this fall. Nonetheless we are here to predict all things that are about to happen to coming season! A few of our writers have made their predictions.

Levi Stevenson

Iowa State's Non-Conference Record

11-1. Only loss coming to Mizzou in the opener. The Puerto Rico Tip Off should a chance for three wins, with the only possible stumbling block coming in a championship game with South Carolina. By the time Iowa comes to Ames, the offense will be in good rhythm and a sneaky good defense will shut down the Hawkeye's offense.

Iowa State's Conference Record

9-9. Notable wins: vs. Oklahoma, vs. Texas, vs TCU, @Texas Tech. Kansas, West Virginia, and Baylor sweep the Cyclones, while we sweep Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech.

Final Big 12 Standings

1) Kansas 2) Baylor 3) TCU 4) West Virginia 5) Oklahoma 6) Iowa State 7) Texas 8) Texas Tech 9) Kansas State 10) Oklahoma State

All Big 12 First Team

Deovnte’ Graham | G | Kansas

Jevon Carter | G | WVU

Donovan Jackson | G | Iowa State

Vladimir Brodziansky | F | TCU

Mohamed Bamba | F | Texas

Big 12 Player of the Year

Deovnte’ Graham. The best player on the best team usually has the inside track to this award.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Lindell Wigginton. The ultra-talented freshman could be the leading scorer on an Iowa State team that starts to look fairly dangerous by the time February rolls around.

Big 12 Coach of the Year

Bill Self. Death, taxes, Bill Self winning an award for Kansas being good.

3 Random Big 12 Predictions

1) Texas continues to underwhelm with talented recruits. The Longhorns have had good recruiting classes under Shaka Smart, but have never been able to put it all together into anything meaningful.

2) Malik Newman turns out to be mostly hype. The once hyped freshman began his career at Mississippi State before transferring to Kansas last season. Bill Self will make him a serviceable player, but nothing close to the lottery pick he was projected to be coming out of high school.

3) Oklahoma State begins a long run at the bottom of the cellar. At minimum, Travis Ford recruited Oklahoma State to a few good teams. Brad Underwood did exactly nothing before bolting to Illinois, and there's no end in sight to the Pokes' misery.

3 Random Iowa State Predictions

1) Wigginton leads Iowa State in scoring in Big 12 play. DJack may lead them for the season due to a few big outbursts in non-conference play, but this will be Lindell's team by February.

2) Solomon Young and Cam Lard develop into a formidable duo down low.

3) Hans Brace becomes Jared Homan reborn.

Summarize Iowa State's Season with a GIF

David Shirbroun

Iowa State's Non-Conference Record

There were non-conference hiccups last year - Cincinnati, Iowa, and Vanderbilt all come to mind - and similar, early losses should be expected this year, especially with a younger squad. The Cyclones will go 9-3 in the non-conference, with losses to Missouri, South Carolina, and the low point of the season coming in a heartbreaker to Iowa at Hilton. Things will improve from there, and by the time Tennessee comes to Ames in late January, this team will operate at a much higher level.

Iowa State's Conference Record

Iowa State's definitely not finishing ninth like the Big 12 coaches predicted. In fact, the Cyclones should be able to manage a winning record in conference play and get to 10-8. Iowa State will start 3-0 in the Big 12 before losing on the road against Kansas and at home against Baylor, but the Cyclones will only lose one more at Hilton. In addition to a win in Stillwater, Iowa State gets road wins against Oklahoma and TCU.

Final Big 12 Standings

1) Kansas 2) Baylor 3) West Virginia 4) Texas 5) Iowa State 6) TCU 7) Oklahoma 8) Kansas State 9) Texas Tech 10) Oklahoma State

All Big 12 First Team Devonte' Graham | G | Kansas

Jevon Carter | G | West Virginia

Jeffrey Carroll | G | Oklahoma State

Vladimir Brodziansky | F | TCUMohamed Bamba | F | Texas

Big 12 Player of the Year

Devonte' Graham, Kansas

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Trae Young, Oklahoma

Big 12 Coach of the Year

Shaka Smart, Texas

3 Random Big 12 Predictions

1) Kansas loses twice in Big 12 play at Allen Fieldhouse and still manages to win the conference

2) Texas will make the NCAA tournament

3) TCU sneaks into Dayton... and loses

3 Random Iowa State Predictions

1) It's going to be a roller coaster, so buckle up, but the Cyclones will still manage to snag a 9 seed in March

2) Yes, Solomon Young can score, and he'll average 15 points per game

3) Powered by Babb Brothers BBQ, the Cyclones beat TCU on the road by 25

Summarize Iowa State's Season with a GIF

Kevin Fitzpatrick

Iowa State's Non-Conference Record

9-3. I'm expecting the season-opener against Mizzou to be pretty ugly given the team's current lack of chemistry. The other two losses will come in the championship game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tourney and against UNI in Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa will be a tough out, but I expect Hilton Magic to be able to pull through for that game.

Iowa State's Conference Record

8-10. I foresee this team being the type that looks all-world on offense one night and unable to get anything going the next, mostly due to having fewer deadly outside shooters than we're used to. They should be pretty good on defense, which will fortunately keep them in a lot of games even if the offense isn't clicking. The sub-.500 record prediction is mostly due to playing in a deep conference even though ISU has some young talent. I'd be happy to be wrong!

Final Big 12 Standings

1) Kansas 2) West Virginia 3) Baylor 4) Texas 5) TCU 6) Oklahoma 7) Iowa State 8) Texas Tech 9) Kansas State 10) Oklahoma State

All Big 12 First Team

Devonte Graham | G | Kansas

Jevon Carter | G | West Virginia

Trae Young | G | Oklahoma

Jeffrey Carroll | F | Oklahoma State

Vladimir Brodziansky | F | TCU

Big 12 Player of the Year

Devonte Graham. He'll finally be the focal point of KU's offense now that Frank Mason is gone.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Trae Young. Oklahoma's freshman point guard is uber-talented and will have a similar role to Graham at KU, though with a lesser supporting cast.

Big 12 Coach of the Year

Jamie Dixon. The rebuild at TCU stays on the right track as Coach Dixon gets the Frogs into the NCAA Tournament.

3 Random Big 12 Predictions

1) West Virginia ties Kansas' conference record, but loses both head-to-head match-ups against the Jayhawks. Thus, the streak gets extended.

2) For the second year in a row, Kansas loses a conference game in Allen Fieldhouse.

3) Texas freshman Mo Bamba leads the conference in blocks.

3 Random Iowa State Predictions

1) Lindell Wigginton shoots 20+ free throws in a single game at least once.

2) Donovan Jackson ties Lucca Staiger's record for 3-pointers in a game (10).

3) The Cyclones qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but are in one of the play-in games.

Summarize Iowa State's Season with a GIF

Smddee

Iowa State's Non Conference Record

9-3. Key word for the first part of the season: Patience. This team will struggle early and often starting with a first game loss to Missouri. The other 2 losses will happen between these 3 games: In the Puerto Rico Tip Off to South Carolina, Iowa, and UNI @ Wells Fargo Arena.

Conference Record

8-10. Iowa State will struggle on the road this year. Without a traditional 4 year senior to lead the way, we will see offensive dry spells that plagued this team during the first part of last season. Look for Lindell Wigginton to get to the free throw line early and often. The key to offensive success this year will be who can step up and be the consistent 3rd scoring option after Donovan Jackson and Lindell.

Final Big 12 Standings

1. Kansas 2. West Virginia 3. TCU 4. Oklahoma 5. Baylor 6. Texas 7. Iowa State 8. Texas Tech 9. Kansas State 10. Oklahoma State

All Big 12 First Team

Devonte Graham | G | | KU

Jevon Carter | G | WVA

Trae Young | G | OU

Jeffrey Carroll | F | OSU

Mo Bamba | C | UT

Big 12 Player of the Year

Devonte Graham. This is a boring pick, but ultimately it will be correct. Best player on the best team in the conference.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Trae Young. This will be a 2 man race between Trae and Mo Bamba, the Freshman Center at Texas. Trae will have the ball in his hands more than Bamba, which will give him the edge.

Big 12 Coach of the Year

Not OSU Assistant Coach Lamont Evans.

3 Random Big 12 Predictions

1. Scorching Hot Take inbound: Kansas wins the Big 12 again

2. Trae Young only stay at OU for one year

3 Random Iowa State Predictions

1. Steve Prohm calls a timeout after an Iowa State made basket

2. Lindell Wigginton leads the team in PPG and APG

3. Iowa State makes the NCAA Tournament... Barely

Summarize Iowa State's Season with a GIF

Austin Meeks

Iowa State's Non Conference Record

12-0. Unfortnately for Iowa the Iowa-ISU game will keep Iowa from making their second straight NIT. They return a bunch of #depth for next season though.

Conference Record

18-0. Iowa State and Kansas have combined for the last 13 regular season conference titles. This year is no different. Kansas finishes second at 16-2.

Final Big 12 Standings

1. Iowa State 2. Kansas T-3. Kansas State, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas

All Big 12 First Team

Donovan Jackson | G | | ISU

Lindell Wigginton | G | ISU

Terrence Lewis | G | ISU

Cameron Lard | F | ISU

Solomon Young | C | ISU

Big 12 Player of the Year

Hans Brace. Hans will become the first player in Big 12 history to earn Big 12 Player of the Year honors but earn honorable mention all-conference honors. There was a hanging chad in the voting process or something.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Jeff Beverly. This guy is a grown. ass. man. Wigginton probably deserves it but Beverly will threaten to steal his intramural champion t-shirt from flag football if he doesn't hand over the award.

Big 12 Coach of the Year

Brad Underwood. Voters forget he moved onto Illionis after one year. Will become first coach to win COY honors in multiple conferences during the same year.

3 Random Big 12 Predictions

1. Baylor goes the whole year without having a player murder another teammate.

2. West Virginia does not.

3. Oklahoma State files restraining order with Doug Gottlieb

3 Random Iowa State Predictions

1. Iowa State fans will give officials a standing ovation after Kansas game.

2. Quick Change will have a wardrobe malfunction during their half-time show

3. Fran Fraschilla gets caught dry humping the outside of Hilton Coliseum

GIF that describes the Season:

Beating Kansas isn't as hard as it seems...

Ian Rewoldt

Iowa State's Non-Conference Record

9-3. Will lose to Mizzou in the opener on Friday and then will lose 2 games among Iowa, Tennessee, UNI and the Puerto Rico Tip off tournament.

Iowa State's Conference Record

7-11. Notable wins: @Kansas State, Sweep Oklahoma State, beat either KU or WVU at home

Final Big 12 Standings

1) Kansas 2) WVU 3) TCU 4) Baylor 5) Texas Tech 6) Oklahoma 7) Texas 8) Iowa State 9) Kansas State 10) Oklahoma State

All Big 12 First TeamDevonte Graham | G | KansasJevon Carter | G | WVU

Jeffrey Carroll | F | OSU

Vladimir Brodziansky | F | TCU

Udoka Azubuike | F | Kansas

Big 12 Player of the Year

Devonte Graham. He will be an assassin a la Frank Mason last year.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Player. Lindell Wigginton. Once the conference season hits Wiggy will become option 1a to Donovan Jackson's 1b for the Cyclones setting up a huge sophomore year next season.

Big 12 Coach of the Year

Jamie Dixon - TCU. Huggy Bear makes a run for this but Dixon will take TCU from going completely defeated in conference play a few years back to the NCAA tournament.

3 Random Big 12 Predictions

1) Texas Tech will surprise a lot of people. They bring back a bunch of their core and will be on the right side of the dance bubble come tourney time.

2) Kansas loses at least 2 games at home. They will still win the conference, but West Virginia will finally get them and they'll drop another one to a team in the top half of the conference.

3) Bruce Weber and Shaka Smart's squads again perform below expectations, yet neither of them are fired.

4) Udoka Azubuike for Kansas will be very, very good as a rim protector and finisher this year, turning himself into a first round pick.

3 Random Iowa State Predictions

1) Jakolby Long receives consistent minutes and showcases that he will be a very solid player for the next three years at Iowa State.

2) Cameron Lard plays more minutes and has better numbers than Solomon Young by the end of the season.

3) The Cyclone shoot less than 33% from three as a team.

Summarize Iowa State's Season with a GIF

Matthias Schwartzkopf

Iowa State's Non-Conference Record

10-2, loss to Mizzou in the opener and one random one that we shouldn’t lose but do anyways. We take out Iowa though.

Iowa State's Conference Record

8-10. Things may be bumpy early on but a late push in the conference schedule makes things interesting.

Final Big 12 Standings

1) Kansas 2) WVU 3) TCU 4) Baylor 5) Texas 6) Oklahoma 7)Iowa State 8)Texas Tech 9) Kansas State 10) Oklahoma State

All Big 12 First Team

Devonte Graham | G | Kansas

Jevon Carter | G | WVU

Trae Young | F | Oklahoma

Jeffrey Carroll | F | OSU

Mo Bamba | C | Texas

Big 12 Player of the Year

Devonte Graham. Just because who else on Kansas can win it.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Lindell Wigginton. As the season goes on Lindell will show why he was so highly sought after in high school.

Big 12 Coach of the Year

Bill Self. As Kansas races to another conference title, Bill will roll into another coach of the year.

3 Random Big 12 Predictions

1) Conference is won by Kansas in the last week of the season.

2) Bob Huggins gets T’ed up multiple times

3) Big 12 wins the Big 12/SEC challenge

3 Random Iowa State Predictions

1) Steve Prohm runs out of chap stick.

2) Iowa State wins in Phog Allen again.

3) Lindell Wigginton scores 35 in a game.

Summarize Iowa State's Season with a GIF: