Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger set an intense tone for the upcoming men’s basketball season during media day Monday, emphasizing daily work habits, culture and relentless accountability as the Cyclones look to build upon last season’s 29-win campaign.
Entering his sixth year leading the program, Otzelberger stressed that the Cyclones are embracing a daily grind focused on internal growth and development, establishing a foundation rooted in physical defense and competitive toughness regardless of roster fluidity.
The central storyline of the session revolved around senior guard Tamin Lipsey, who has returned to practice while awaiting clarification on his NCAA eligibility status.
Otzelberger confirmed that Lipsey is fully cleared medically and is steadily rebuilding his game conditioning after missing earlier live five-on-five scrimmages. Rather than dwelling on administrative uncertainty or legal proceedings, the coaching staff is actively preparing for two distinct operational blueprints—one with Lipsey directing the backcourt and one without him.
“I’m somebody that always looks at like what are the controllables and what are the things outside of your control,” Otzelberger said. “And right now what’s in the realm of our control is having Tamin in practice every day… Instead of speculate what that might look like, what we’re going to do is be prepared. If Tamin’s able to play, it’s one scenario. If he’s not able to play, it’s another scenario.”
Otzelberger emphasized that the program will focus strictly on variables within its control, refusing to spend time complaining about administrative delays or future eligibility rulings.
“There’s not going to be any time we spend complaining, venting, expressing our frustration,” Otzelberger said. “We’re going to do the best job being the problem solvers we can with the situation and the task at hand.”
That backcourt preparation has taken on added urgency with sophomore point guard Killyan Toure sidelined by an injury until at least January. To manage playmaking duties, Iowa State is relying on junior transfer Jaquan Johnson, a former Missouri Valley Conference standout who ranked among the national leaders in steals last season while posting a solid two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio in practice. Redshirt senior transfer Ryan Prather Jr., who previously led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio, and freshman guard Yusef Gray Jr. are also taking on point guard responsibilities as the rotation adapts.
Up front, Iowa State expects major contributions from its returning core of second-year rotation players, tapping into a historical trend where Cyclones elevate their performance significantly in their second season. Otzelberger specifically highlighted player development coaches Nate Schmidt and Eric Crawford for driving that developmental leap, explaining that returners transition from learning the system’s physical demands to becoming true program stewards.
“Something that’s been consistent for us in our program is guys have made a big jump in year two,” Otzelberger said. “The first year a lot of times guys come into a program there’s a lot of learning and understanding and adapting, and then when you know what that is, now I feel like you’re able to take a step from a performance standpoint, a leadership standpoint.”
Senior forward Blake Buchanan anchors the defensive unit, earning the nickname “fireman” from Otzelberger for his elite ability to extinguish defensive breakdowns, switch onto perimeter guards, and protect the rim.
“For Blake, he brings so much to the table,” Otzelberger said. “Defensively, his versatility, his ability to—call him a fireman on defense to put out fires and make plays—is elite.”
Buchanan has also expanded his offensive repertoire with a refined short-range floater and improved free-throw shooting after contributing to last year’s postseason run. Beside him, sophomore forward Dominykas Pleta has shown improved competitive stamina, with Otzelberger publicly encouraging Pleta to demand post touches and assert himself in the paint.
“Coach wants him to demand the ball,” Otzelberger said. “We want to give him the ball more in the paint. We want the ball to hit his hands. We want him to seal and yell for the basketball. We know that he’s a weapon. He’s a force. He’s bigger and stronger than he thinks he is.”
Perimeter scoring will be heavily bolstered by sophomore guard Jamarion Batemon, whom Otzelberger envisions as a potential lead scorer and perimeter shooter. However, the coaching staff underscored that Batemon’s offensive success remains directly tied to his defensive intensity, specifically his ball pressure and rebounding effort.
To maintain its trademark defensive identity, Iowa State added proven perimeter stoppers in Johnson and redshirt senior guard Leon Bond III. The frontcourt depth is rounded out by sophomore forward Tre Singleton—a Northwestern transfer who combines forward size with guard playmaking—redshirt senior forward Taj Manning, and athletic freshman forward Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan.
Freshman guard Christian Wiggins will miss the season following surgery, but drew high praise from Otzelberger for showing up to the gym immediately after his procedure to support his teammates.
“The day after surgery, he’s the first guy in the building, the first guy in the gym,” Otzelberger said. “Who knows what is even in his body, what meds and what’s going on, but man, that was his way of saying, ‘I’m with you guys. I may not be able to wear the uniform this year, but I’m with you.”
Looking ahead to exhibition play against Creighton and the regular season, Otzelberger framed the year as a 150-day progression aimed directly at the Big 12 Conference Tournament in Kansas City.
“Individually and collectively we have 150 days until we play in the Big 12 conference tournament,” Otzelberger said. “So if this group can embrace one day at a time for 150 days… you’re going to be in a great spot when the dust clears and we end up going to Kansas City and playing at Hilton South.”
Otzelberger emphasized that playing time and starting spots across the board will be strictly production-driven.
“It’s going to be production driven and make your deal work,” Otzelberger said. “The guys who are doing those things are going to get more and more opportunities on the day of the game… Once you get in the game, first time you get in the game, it’s immediate impact.”