This article originally appeared in the Iowa State Daily on October 7, 2015. It has been republished with the author’s permission.
The expectations surrounding the ISU men’s basketball team this year are higher than they have been in a long time.
After winning its second straight Big 12 tournament title last spring, many expected a deep NCAA tournament run from Iowa State. And while that run was cut short, not a lot has changed from last year’s team.
Georges Niang and Monté Morris still pilot the Cyclones, who are once again ranked in the top 10 in ESPN’s preseason poll, and they are returning six experienced players from last year’s team.
But with first-year head coach Steve Prohm taking over, questions have arisen about how accurate these expectations truly are.
“Yeah, they’re realistic,” Prohm said. “I think we got the opportunity to have a special, special team, special season and a special year. But that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s still going to be a journey. It’s still going to be a process.”
Prohm officially kicked off the 2015-16 season Tuesday at the team’s annual Media Day and seemed confident with his group of players.
Redshirt junior guard Abdel Nader dunks during the Big 12 Championship semifinal game against Oklahoma on March 13 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. The Cyclones defeated the Sooners 67-65 to advance to the final championship game against Kansas on March 14. Nader had seven points for Iowa State. Kelby Wingert/Iowa State Daily
Tuesday also marked just the fourth official practice of the season, but Prohm isn’t trying to do too much too soon. For now, he is just looking for little improvements.
“My biggest focus right now is just trying to get the guys a little bit better defensively, get us a little bit tougher if I can, and the offense, let that part take care of itself,” Prohm said. “I’m trying to give them a lot of freedom and input into how they feel comfortable playing on the offensive end.”
One major improvement Prohm has noticed this fall is from Abdel Nader.
Nader didn’t have an outstanding season last year statistically, but players said he still made a big impact. Nader scored a career-high 19 points against Iowa and West Virginia and dropped 13 in the Big 12 title game against Kansas.
But it was his consistency that was the issue. Nader averaged just 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds last year. This fall, though, Prohm said it isn’t a concern.
“[Nader is] probably the most consistent guy we’ve had, to me, since I’ve got here,” Prohm said. “I think the stories I heard about [Nader] last fall at this time and what I’m coaching right now I think are two different men. I’m really excited about him.”
Nader said he is looking forward to expanding his role this season, saying that he just wants to fit in the best he can. But he believes his improved skill set can truly help the Cyclones this year.
“I think I can become the best defender on this team,” Nader said. “I’m offensively capable. I can shoot it [and] I can dribble it. I can do a lot of different things, so I think my versatility will come in handy.”
From the outside looking in, it is still too early to tell how much of an impact Nader will have this season, but Prohm isn’t questioning it. He said Nader not only has a good opportunity of making the starting lineup, but also could be one of the keys to the team.
Redshirt senior Abdel Nader laughs during Men’s Basketball Media Day. Lani Tons/Iowa State Daily
“He’s kind of the one guy that everybody forgets about,” Prohm said. “But I think he’s a huge, huge piece to this team and I’ve got to do a good job and my staff has to do a great job of making him understand how important he is to the success of this basketball team.”
Redshirt junior Abel Nader puts up a shot at the Big 12 Championship final against Kansas on March 14 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. The Cyclones defeated the Jayhawks 70-66 to win their second-consecutive championship. Nader had 13 points for Iowa State. Kelby Wingert/Iowa State Daily
With the first game still more than a month away, only time will tell how important Nader will be for the Cyclones this year.
But one thing is clear — he has made quite the impression on his teammates and coaches this summer.
“I’m so proud of [Nader]. Words can’t describe it,” said guard Naz Mitrou-Long. “It’s not really something that you can say, but something you can see. [Nader] has become a great man and is going to continue to do so.”