Iowa State Cyclones: NCAA Tournament Profile

Iowa State Cyclones (26-7, 11-7 Big 12)-Statistically, this Iowa State team is one of the best offensive clubs in the country. They spread the ball out, can score from all positions, and lead the nation in assists per game at 18.5 per. Head coach Fred Hoiberg has done an outstanding job of turning this into one of the preeminent programs in the Big 12.

Senior forward Melvin Ejim was honored with the Big 12 Player of the Year award after averaging 18.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Ejim scored 48 on 20-of-24 shooting and grabbed 18 rebounds in a win over TCU and hung 30 and 16 on Kansas State. He is a terrific college player and could easily end up first-team All-America.

It doesn’t end with Ejim, though. DeAndre Kane (17.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.8 apg) is one of the best point guards in the country, and can take over games at will. Georges Niang (16.5 ppg) was outstanding in the Big 12 tournament as well.

This Iowa State team is good enough to reach the Final Four, but whether or not they get there will depend on how well Niang

KEY STATS:

1st Assists per Game (18.5)

6th Points per Game (82.9)

23rd Rebounds per Game (38.8)

40th Field Goal Percentage (.471)