Cyclone Basketball: First-year coach knows there will be growing pains

AMES - Give him credit for being honest.

Fred Hoiberg's knows his first Iowa State men's basketball team is going to be a true work in progress. Fans near the floor at Hilton Coliseum watching the hometown boy coach his alma mater would be wise to keep one eye on their popcorn and the other on the game.

“You may see these guys throwing the ball in the third and fourth row the first month of the season,” Hoiberg said Wednesday during media day festivities.

A program overhaul has Hoiberg's youthful team pegged to struggle mightily. Big 12 coaches saw the Cyclones returning just three scholarship players with a group of young unknowns and unanimously picked them for last place.

That did not go unnoticed.

Hoiberg, known as the “Mayor of Ames” during his playing career at Iowa State, tacked that onto a sheet of paper on a bulletin board at the Sukup Basketball Complex.

“We'll use that as motivation to work harder,” said Melvin Ejim, one of six new players who figure to see playing time. “Everyone thinks we are going to finish last. We have everything to gain.”

If this undermanned and undersized group is to prove the doubters wrong - just 10 players are on the active roster - point guard Diante Garrett will be a big reason for it.

The senior will be the Cyclones' primary ballhandler, scorer and leader of a group that includes four freshmen and mainly complementary players.

“We are going to count on Diante for a lot of things,” Hoiberg said. “He's going to be our go-to guy. I think he's been ready for this for a long time - to be the featured player in the offense.”

Garrett, whose career scoring average is 8.4 points a game, knows he'll need to contribute in a big way.

Hoiberg's offense is designed to space the floor and let the player with the ball create.

“It's basketball,” Hoiberg said. “I think it's the right way to play. You put the ball in your playmaker's hands and you let him go make a play.”

Garrett has been a distributor most of his career. He'll be able to pass to 3-point shooters like junior Scott Christopherson and score in Hoiberg's scheme.

“I love it,” Garrett said. “It's a lot of ball screens, a lot of getting up and down the court. That's my style. I'm falling in love with this offense.”

The Cyclones open practice Friday.

Still awaiting word from the NCAA is Minnesota transfer Royce White, who is seeking immediate eligibility. The 6-8, 250-pound forward did not play for the Gophers last year as a freshman and was dismissed from the team in December.

“I'm staying positive and getting ready for the season either way,” White said. “If I can't play, I'll cheer. If I can, then I'll suit it up and get ready to go to war.”

His presence in the post would be welcomed, that's for sure.

Senior Jamie Vanderbeken, who is more of a threat away from the basket, and freshmen Jordan Railey, Calvin Godfrey and Eric McKnight are the only real options. Hoiberg said the 6-foot-6 Ejim will be asked to help out down low.

White was a top-20 recruit nationally coming out of Hopkins, Minn., near Minneapolis.

“It would be really good for us if we could get him to play,” Ejim said.

Ejim will play a lot in his first season.

“He's probably the most ready of our freshmen,” Hoiberg said. “He's got a Big 12 body. “These guys, whether they are ready or not, are going to be thrown into the fire.”

Athletics officials say the flood-damaged arena will be ready to go in time for the Cyclones' Nov. 5 exhibition opener against Dubuque.

Locker rooms and floor areas are still being refurbished. Temporary seating will be in place near the floor. Replacement bleachers have been ordered but are weeks away from arriving.