McDermott Talks Cyclone Hoops

With his first season in the books, Iowa State head basketball coach Greg McDermott can look forward to competing in one of the nation's toughest conferences with a full roster and a hint of optimism. McDermott's second season at the helm will coincide with the celebration of 100 years of men's hoops at Iowa State, as the Cyclones will honor their heroes from the past in a year-long tribute.

To say the Cyclones went through a whirlwind of adversity in 2006-07 is an understatement. McDermott was in for a rude awakening when he was hired in March of 2006 after eight players that were allotted scholarships for the 06-07 campaign left the program. Scrambling to field a team, McDermott and his staff received high marks for a late-effort job on the recruiting trail, inking four players in the final signing period.

Still, ISU only had nine scholarship players available for the 2006-07 season, leaving most soothsayers forecasting a poor finish in the rugged Big 12 Conference. After being picked for 11th in the preseason Big 12 poll, McDermott and his staff led the overachieving Cyclones to a tie for seventh in the league, finishing 15-16 overall and 6-10 in the Big 12.

"Building a program evolves over time," McDermott said. "The most important factor is getting your upperclassmen to understand what your expectations are and then having them help you pass that on to the younger players in the program. Last year we were constantly teaching that to everybody in the program because they didn't understand what we expected on a daily basis. They have a clearer understanding this year than they did a year ago. But there are only five returnees with quality playing experience, so it's going to be important that we move this younger group along as quick as we can and the leadership that we have from the upperclassmen in our program is going to be critical."

ISU fans caught a glimpse of the future of Cyclone basketball with McDermott patrolling the sidelines. The Cyclones displayed toughness on the defensive end and a disciplined offense which provided ISU a chance for victory every game. The Cyclones ranked in the top-100 nationally in scoring defense (65.4 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (42.2 percent) in McDermott's first season. On offense, the Cyclones broke the school record for 3-pointers made in a season with 203, including equaling the single-game mark for treys with 13 vs. Southeast Missouri State.

McDermott looks to improve upon the first-step of the foundation he constructed in his rookie season. The Cyclones will be more experienced in 2007-08, returning four starters who generated 68.6 percent of the team's points and 70.8 percent of the squad's rebounding efforts. Included in the returnees are honorable mention all-Big 12 senior guard Mike Taylor, who ranked fifth in the league in 3-pointers (2.48 3pg) and assists (4.5 apg), and sophomore forward Wesley Johnson, an all-Big 12 Rookie team member who ranked third in the conference in rebounding (7.9 rpg). Senior veterans Rahshon Clark and Jiri Hubalek, who both are Big 12-battle tested, also return for ISU.

McDermott added to the mix an outstanding recruiting class which features a group of athletes that will immediately step in and see quality playing time. McDermott hopes the newcomers and the veterans will provide better competition in practice and more tallies in the win column.

"Compared to last year, we're much, much deeper," McDermott added. "From a talent standpoint, across the board we're better, but we're also very inexperienced at a lot of spots. I would like to think that we have the versatility to put a lot of different lineups on the floor. We can put a bigger lineup on the floor, we can put a quick, athletic lineup on the floor and we can have four guys on the floor that can shoot the 3-point shot. It gives us as a coaching staff the flexibility to do certain things we were unable to do a year ago in large part because of our depth."

Depth is extremely important on gameday, but it is even more key during practice, where players push each other every day to improve all aspects of their game.

"Depth is a necessity in this game," McDermott said. "First of all, you need that kind of competition every day in practice to help yourself so that you become better. Secondly, from a coaching standpoint, you can't hold your players accountable on game-night if there is no option on the bench to give them a break. Especially in the guard court last year, we were really limited numbers-wise. And then in the front line with Jiri's suspension early and Marsden's illness, we were in a situation where we only had so many guys that could play. It was difficult to take guys out and hold them accountable for some mistakes that happened over and over again and I'd like to think that's an area where we can make great strides in this season."

The Backcourt

The backcourt will have the services of one of the most dynamic returning scorers in the league in Mike Taylor (6-2, 165, Sr.). Taylor made an immediate impact for ISU last year after transferring from Chipola JC, leading the team in scoring (16.0 ppg), assists (4.5 apg), steals (1.2 spg) and 3-pointers (77). The Milwaukee, Wis., native is great in breaking down defenses and creating his own shot. His 77 treys last year ranks sixth on ISU's single-season charts and he led the team with nine 20-point scoring outings.

A natural two-guard, Taylor had to play the point out of necessity last year, which often led to too many turnovers. Corey McIntosh and Taylor took turns handling the point last year and both sometimes struggled starting ISU's offense. McIntosh, who averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 assists, decided to transfer at the end of the season. McDermott knows the turnover numbers must come down in order to improve. He is hoping he can alleviate the problem with a slew of incoming guards to take away some of the ballhandling responsibilities from Taylor.

"I hope to see Mike more at the two this season," McDermott said. "That certainly depends on the development of a couple young guys in our program. We asked Mike to do a lot last year and at times he was very productive and at times he made a lot of mistakes. My hope is that he'll learn from some of the mistakes he made and he can build on some of the positive things he did for us. He's got the ability to get a shot on his own and that's very critical in the college game when that shot clock's running down."

Diante Garrett (6-4, 170, Fr.), Marcus Brister (6-3, 210, Fr.) and Bryan Petersen (6-1, 175, Jr.) are three newcomers who will vie for minutes as the Cyclone floor leader. Garrett, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., is a long and athletic point who excels at getting to the basket. Garrett was a first-team all-state selection last year, averaging 15.2 points and 5.3 assists for the Wisconsin Class D1 runner-up state champions. He was rated No. 111 in the final 2007 Rivals.com national rankings.

"The point guard position will probably be as competitive as any because there will be three new guys competing for that spot," McDermott said. "I'd like to exhaust every possibility of not having to put Mike Taylor at the point before I have to go down that road. Marcus, Diante and Bryan are all going to get a look to see if one or a combination of the three can do that job for us. Obviously, Bryan has the upper hand early because he's got two years of college basketball experience. He played in a system at Kirkwood very similar to how we play and he's been a winner the last two years there. Marcus has the body that's ready to go, but doesn't shoot the basketball as well as the other two. He's got the ability to lead the team and he's got the size that you need to have to play the point in this league. Diante's got a ton of potential, but right now he's 170 pounds so we've got to get him stronger and get him to understand our system. Who picks up the system the fastest and who can guard the ball and run our team is probably going to be our starting point guard."

Brister, who hails from Duncanville, Texas, is a strong and physical guard who is an excellent passer. He averaged 13.1 points and 6.2 assists for God's Academy Prep in Dallas in 2006-07. Petersen, a native of Clinton, Iowa, also has a chance to compete for minutes at the point. McDermott convinced Petersen to walk-on at ISU despite receiving Division I offers from other schools. Petersen was a first-team Division II junior college All-American at Kirkwood Community College in 2007, pacing his team to a 26-6 overall mark and No. 7 national ranking. Petersen is a smart player who can extend defenses with his shooting. He was 106-of-260 (40.8 percent) from 3-point range in his two years in junior college.

Three more guards [Lucca Staiger (6-5, 220, Fr.), Charles Boozer (6-3, 190, Fr.) and Sean Haluska (6-3, 195, Jr.)] will add depth at the two-spot. Staiger, a native of Baulstein, Germany, is one of the best junior prospects from Germany and his shooting ability and great passing skills will no doubt get him minutes next season. Staiger played for Decatur Christian (Ill.) Prep School last year, averaging 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds.

"Lucca has a terrific feel for the game of basketball," McDermott said. "He passes the ball and sees the floor extremely well. He can make baskets both on the 3-point line and off the dribble. It's going to be a challenge for Lucca to learn a new system. The language is always a factor with a foreign player. It's our job as a coaching staff to make sure he understands exactly what our expectations are.

"Going through the Big 12 for the first time last year, I learned you have to have some big guards if you want to be successful," McDermott added. "At 6'5" and 220 pounds, Lucca has the body that's ready to go. He has the strength and size. I think he can rebound his position and I'm excited about what he brings to the table. He provides some great competition at those wing spots."

Boozer, who hails from Raliegh, N.C., is the younger brother of NBA star Carlos Boozer. The strong combo guard played at Stoneridge Prep in 2006-07, averaging 12.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. Haluska, a native of Carroll, Iowa, is the younger brother of 2007 first-team all-Big Ten guard Adam Haluska. Haluska is another recruited walk-on by McDermott who had offers from other schools. Haluska was a two-time all-Region XI pick at Indian Hills Community College, a team that was ranked No. 1 nationally throughout most of the 2006-07 season. Haluska is a great athlete who can shoot the three with tremendous accuracy.

"I'm hopeful that Charles will bring energy to our team," McDermott said. "That's what impressed me about him most, his tenacity on the defensive end. He's willing to do the dirty work on the backboard, diving on the floor for loose balls and he can make the open jump shot.

"There can't be any team in the country that has two new walk-ons as good as we have," McDermott said about Haluska and Petersen. "They both had Division I scholarship offers at the lower level and they chose to stay home and become Cyclones. Sean has been very focused and has worked extremely hard and I'll be shocked if he doesn't compete for playing time. The guys that are going to bring it everyday usually find a way onto the floor somehow. Sean and Bryan are showing they are going to be those type of guys."

The Frontcourt

The Cyclone frontcourt will be experienced with the return of three starters, Jiri Hubalek (6-11, 225, Sr.), Rahshon Clark (6-6, 200, Sr.), Wesley Johnson (6-7, 195, So.) and one key reserve, Cory Johnson (6-7, 230, So.). The middle will also be bolstered by the arrival of Craig Brackins (6-10, 220, Fr.), who was considered one of the best power forwards in the class of 2007, Alex Thompson (6-10, 230, Jr.), a transfer from Iowa who sat out last season as a member of the Cyclone practice squad, and Clayton Vette (6-9, 245, Fr.), Iowa's "Mr. Basketball" in 2007. All six players give ISU its best frontcourt depth its had in years.

Hubalek arguably was one of the most improved players in the Big 12 last season. McDermott transformed Hubalek from a face-the-basket player to a quality low-post threat in just a short period of time. At times during the season, the Prague, Czech Republic, native was virtually unstoppable in the post with a variety of nifty moves. Hubalek averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, ranking 10th in the league in rebounding. Against Big 12 competition, he was even better, posting a 12.4 ppg scoring clip and grabbing 7.7 rebounds. He posted 26 points vs. Oklahoma and 25 points vs. Texas Tech late in the season.

"Jiri was able to provide a post presence for us last season that we desperately needed," McDermott said. "He needs to build on that and it's important that he gets a little stronger and I know he is working on that. His defense has to improve. Our defense as a whole has to improve. It's really important that you can guard on the ball and it's really important that you can guard in the post."

Clark is ISU's most experienced player and is one of the most dynamic athletes in the Big 12 Conference. A native of Queens, N.Y., Clark is a long, athletic swingman with incredible leaping ability. His numbers dipped last season from his first two campaigns, but his athleticsm and leadership will be counted on in his final year as a Cyclone. Clark, who needs 183 points to join ISU's 1,000-point club, averaged 6.4 points and 5.9 rebounds while starting all 31 games in 2006-07. He currently ranks in ISU's career top-15 in blocks (8th-73), 3-pointers (10th-80) and steals (14th-120).

"Rahshon has done everything we've asked him to do and obviously he was able to do more things in a pressing, trapping system," McDermott said. "We may be able to be a little more up tempo and take a few more chances defensively this season than we could a year ago because we have more people and I think the personnel we have fits that better than it did a year ago. That may lend itself to Rahshon being a little more effective, but most importantly he bought in to what we wanted him to do defensively. He became the guy that guarded the other team's best player and that's what I'm most pleased with. His skill development needs to improve, there's no question. He's working on that from a ball handling and shooting standpoint, so I'm hoping that we'll see some positive changes out of Rahshon on the offensive end of the floor."

If Hubalek was one of the most improved players in the league last season, then Wesley Johnson was one of the biggest surprises of the Big 12. The Corsicana, Texas, native came out of nowhere to emerge as one of the best rookies in the nation. Johnson was named honorable mention freshman All-American by Collegehoops.net after averaging 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds last year. He ranked third in the league in rebounding and had the second-most double-doubles in the Big 12 with 11. With his extreme athletic ability, the sky is the limit for Johnson's rise as a star for years to come in the Big 12. His leaping ability allows him to succeed down low and he also possesses a sound outside game, as evident with the 32 treys he made last season.

"The system here is in place for him to really move forward with his game," McDermott said. "He seems to be very committed to his strength and conditioning training which is going to be critical to his development. But he's not going to surprise anyone this year, so I've tried to explain to Wesley why that sophomore slump happens every once in awhile. Sometimes young people have success as a freshman and they take it for granted and they don't prepare themselves for their sophomore year and they get kicked in the teeth before they realize they've got to get back to work. We're trying to make sure that doesn't happen to Wesley. His approach has been good and eventually I would like to slide him more on the perimeter. Whether we are able to do that this year is yet to be seen."

ISU fans are already excited to see two new post players contribute right away next year in Brackins and Thompson. Brackins, a native of Palmdale, Calif., is one of the highest-rated recruits to ever sign with the Cyclones, ending the year ranked as the 18th-best player nationally according to the final 2007 Rivals.com rankings. Brackins is a skilled four-man who can score on the low-block and take defenders out on the perimeter. He averaged 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds at Brewster Academy (N.H.) and will fight early on for a starting spot.

"I'll do everything I possibly can to try and diffuse some of the pressure surrounding him," McDermott said about Brackins. "He's a really young guy and still has a lot to learn. There is tremendous potential there and Craig's approach is exactly where I want it to be at this time. He's humble, he's got a great work ethic and a terrific attitude. If that continues, he's going to do some special things in a Cyclone uniform. I think he'll contribute to our team and I'm confident he'll do whatever we ask. How that transpires into points and rebounds, I have no idea. He's done everything we've asked at this point and we're excited to have him here. He's certainly going to add something to the front court that we didn't have last year."

Thompson had a chance to learn McDermott's system while sitting out last season as a redshirt. Thompson, a native of Ames, Iowa, has two years of major college experience under his belt, playing in 66 games in his first two seasons with the University of Iowa. Another versatile post, Thompson has a great feel for the game and can play both facing and back to the basket.

"Alex had a good year in practice for us and now it's time to see if he can do it with the lights on," McDermott said. "His body has improved and I really believe that he took full advantage of his redshirt season and developed his body and skills. He's shooting the ball better than he was when he got here, so we're expecting some big things from him as well."

Cory Johnson is another quality post who will provide depth in the frontcourt. The Duluth, Minn., native started six games for the Cyclones as a true freshman last year, averaging 4.2 points and 2.0 rebounds. The hustling forward led ISU in field goal percentage last season at 53.2 percent.

"Cory's body is better and I think he has an understanding of where he had some success and struggles a year ago," McDermott said. "We need him to be able to defend a little bit better on the perimeter against some of the quicker forwards. He can have some success offensively because of his ability to shoot the ball. He's probably made the most progress of anyone on the team since we ended the season. How that will carry into the season is yet to be seen but I've certainly been pleased with his work ethic."

Vette was nice addition in the late signing period. The 2007 Iowa "Mr. Basketball" Award winner had signed with Indiana State but was released from his letter of intent after a coaching change. Vette, who already possesses an outstanding frame, led his high school team to the state title in his senior season.

"We were excited to get Clayton as late as we did," McDermott said. "We needed another big body and Clayton certainly brings a level of skill to our team to go with a body that's ready to play in the Big 12. He can shoot the 3-point shot and he is crafty around the basket. Clayton is very intelligent and capable of telling every one of his teammates where they are supposed to be on the floor. That's really critical in our system to have someone with a high basketball IQ that can step in here and do that for us."

Players Mentioned

Charles Boozer

Craig Brackins

Rahshon Clark

Rahshon Clark

Diante Garrett

Sean Haluska

Jiri Hubalek

Jiri Hubalek

Cory Johnson

Cory Johnson

Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson

Corey McIntosh

Bryan Petersen

Lucca Staiger

Mike Taylor

Alex Thompson

Alex Thompson

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