With six transfers and multiple new faces for this season, the Iowa State Cyclones entered the campaign with high hopes and expectations. They’re coming off one of the most impressive seasons in program history last season, drawing plenty of attention and stealing the headlines for college hoop enthusiasts all over the world.

Needless to say, the biggest challenge will be to keep up with those expectations and live up to the hype, but the Cyclones have more than plenty of talent to do so. Even if they’ll only have five returning players for this season, four of whom were able to play due to Tre King’s NCAA ineligibility.

Despite all the new faces, this program is fresh off a trip to the Sweet Sixteen and will take anything less than that as a major failure this season.

They put together a solid freshman class consisting mostly of defensive-minded, hungry players who won’t be denied another trip to the Big Dance. Iowa State is known for creating top quality talent, as you can see in this list of best players ever of the team: clutchbuzz.clutchbet.com/iowa-sports/best-iowa-state-basketball-players/

Of course, maybe we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves just yet. But talking about a 20+ win season for the Cyclones shouldn’t be out of the question, not even with all the new faces. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 3 players to watch in T. J. Otzelberger’s squad for this season.

Iowa State Cyclones: Talents To Watch

Tre King

As we previously mentioned, Tre King is one of just five players coming back for the Cyclones this season. However, the Eastern Kentucky transfer was a late addition last season and was deemed ineligible to play.

King was a bucket-getter during his days at EKU, shooting nearly 50% from the field and making 28 appearances (27 starts) for the Colonels. He’s strong and well-built, and coach Otz will look for him to dominate and make the most of his athleticism and physical traits.

Tre can finish through contact, knock down threes at a high clip, and is a much more versatile defender than the eye test gives him credit for. He’s a switchable 6’7’’ player who’s only going to get better.

Jaren Holmes

While Jaren Holmes didn’t steal most of the headlines during his days at St. Bonaventure, he was exactly what you’d want from a point guard: He’s a solid passer, an intelligent player, and a guy who knows how to take care of the basketball.

Holmes is an extension of the coach in the hardwood. He knows how to make his teammates better and put them in a position to succeed, helping them get to their spots with his playmaking skills. And he’s not a defensive liability.

Holmes will have to earn his minutes and will most likely spend plenty of time playing at the two. But it’s just a matter of time before coach Otz realizes that he might as well be his best playmaker.

Eli King

While not the most athletic or flashy player on the roster, Eli King could earn plenty of minutes for this team, especially if the Cyclones rather play Holmes at the shooting guard spot instead of letting him run the offense.

King is an instant offensive spark who can create his own shot from all three levels. He’s a bucket-getter and a guy who could outplay Tamin Lipsey for playing time, especially down the stretch.

He’s not exactly an elite defender and chances are he’ll never be a factor on that end of the floor, but he could be an offensive catalyst and a very entertaining player to watch for the hungry Cyclones in 2022.