Jaren Holmes, a fifth-year senior transfer from St. Bonaventure scored a game-high 23 points in Iowa State’s 88-39 season-opening pummeling of IUPUI — and the smile on his face hadn’t faded by the time he met with the media after the final horn blared.
Defense still is the foundation for T.J. Otzelberger’s second edition of Iowa State men’s basketball, of course, but improved shooting also will be required if the team is to build off of last season’s stunning resurgence.
Every time the towering and talented Hason Ward of Virginia Commonwealth and Osun Osunniyi of St. Bonaventure clashed in the paint, trash talk didn’t accompany the bevy of blocked shots, array of dunks, nor numerous offensive rebounds. Verbal communication now flows freely for the former Atlantic 10 rivals-turned-Iowa State teammates.
A transfer from St. Bonaventure, new Iowa State guard Jaren Holmes just wanted a chance to prove he can play on the big stage.
Iowa State’s Osun Osunniyi, a transfer from St. Bonaventure, is an elite shot blocker. He’s hoping to expand his game as a Cyclone by developing as a perimeter threat.
St. Bonaventure transfer Jaren Holmes wants to follow in the footsteps of another Bonnie, Izaiah Brockington, who found success with the Iowa State men’s basketball program.
T.J. Otzelberger rebuilt the Iowa State men’s basketball roster and led the Cyclones to 22 wins as well as an unlikely NCAA tournament Sweet 16 berth in his first season. His contract now runs through June 30, 2027 and his annual guaranteed compensation has climbed from $700,000 to $1.2 million.
Big 12 Freshman of the Year Tyrese Hunter chooses an Iowa State conference rival to transfer to: Texas.
Iowa State men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger quickly found four proven players in the transfer portal to supplement his 2022-23 Cyclones.
The Iowa State men’s basketball program added more depth to its backcourt with the addition of St. Bonaventure transfer Jaren Holmes.
Izaiah Brockington told ESPN Monday he planned to enter the NBA Draft and not take advantage of an extra COVID-19 year at Iowa State.
Iowa State’s turnaround men’s basketball season is over, but the program’s foundation was set in T.J. Otzelberger’s first year as head coach.
Iowa State ran into a Miami team rippling with speed, length and athleticism in the Sweet 16 late Friday, and saw its remarkable season end in a 70-56 setback.
At least until late Friday night against Miami in the Sweet 16, the 11th-seeded Iowa State men’s basketball team keeps making memories, not savoring them.
Iowa State men’s basketball notes: First-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger was an assistant coach for the 2016 Sweet 16 run to Chicago — and the irony of being back in a program-leading role, albeit with a very different team, isn’t lost on him.
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