STANFORD, Calif. − The season was barely over, however Iowa State ladies’s basketball coach Invoice Fennelly could not keep away from speaking about one of many program’s largest considerations heading into the offseason.
Fennelly needed to undergo a large makeover along with his roster after 5 gamers entered the switch portal on the finish of final season. He is already bracing himself for extra change to hit the Cyclones.
“I do not know what our roster goes to seem like,” Fennelly stated following his staff’s 87-81 loss to Stanford within the second spherical of the NCAA Match at Maples Pavilion. “I am being sincere. Who is aware of what is going on to occur? My strategy proper now’s to have fun what our staff did, assist them by means of the frustration of tonight and we are going to get again dwelling and consider the place we’re.”
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Change will seemingly happen. That is life within the transfer-portal period. However how a lot the Cyclones will change within the offseason would be the key. Iowa State is already dropping key contributors Nyamer Diew and Hannah Belanger, who wrapped up their faculty careers with the Cyclones. However barring any main developments, Iowa State will return a powerful core of its roster from this profitable season.
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This is a have a look at the place issues stand with the roster.
Iowa State ladies’s basketball projected beginning lineup for the 2024-25 season
Barring any massive strikes within the switch portal, nearly all of Iowa State’s lineup is ready. That’s to not say that adjustments will not occur.
Emily Ryan, Arianna Jackson, Audi Crooks and Addy Brown seemingly shall be again of their beginning roles subsequent season.
Belanger, who has wrapped up her eligibility, is the one anticipated departure from the beginning lineup. Her spot could possibly be crammed by Kelsey Joens, one other robust shooter, or Aili Tanke, an incoming freshman from Johnston.
If the Cyclones need go to with some measurement, they might transfer Jalynn Bristow right into a beginning spot.
May any of the Cyclones’ incoming freshmen be instantaneous contributors?
Tanke has an opportunity to be a big contributor for the Cyclones. She is an elite shooter who, because of her versatility, has drawn comparisons to Cyclones icon Ashley Joens. Tanke is coming off a senior season during which she averaged 15.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per sport whereas capturing 47.3% from the sphere. The freshman class additionally contains Reagan Wilson, a 5-foot-8 guard from Indiana.
Which Iowa State gamers are poised for a breakout season?
Almost everybody on the roster had massive first seasons. However a newcomer and two freshmen from this season may play even greater roles for the Cyclones subsequent season.
Bristow got here off the bench many of the season and supplied Iowa State with versatility and size. She will rebound and rating from a number of spots.
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Joens additionally spent nearly all of the season coming off the bench. The Iowa Metropolis native got here up with some clutch pictures all through the season. However like Bristow, the chance to constantly keep on the ground wasn’t out there throughout her freshman marketing campaign.
Ahead Alisa Williams will make her Iowa State debut. She sat out this season after getting into the switch portal late and coming to Ames from LSU. Williams will give Iowa State extra size and flexibility.
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports activities enterprise and options reporter, has been working on the newspaper since 2008. He is the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Yr. Attain him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.