Iowa State star player Craig Brackins announced on Friday that he will return to play his junior season for the Cyclones. In doing so, Brackins bucked speculation that he would enter the NBA draft. Most had pegged him as a first round selection.That’s what makes his decision a bit curious. You would expect most players in his situation to jump at the opportunity to cash in on the big money a high draft pick commands.
Greg McDermott probably doesn’t care about the reason, though. He’s just happy that his best player will return. Brackins put up 20.2 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per contest in earning first team All-Big 12. He was about the only bright spot for a Cyclone team that floundered to a 15-17 record last season.
From the Associated Press: “It’s a big day for our program because we haven’t exactly had a lot of things go our way in the three years we’ve been here,” McDermott said. “For him to make a commitment to the program and to his teammates is a big decision for him.”
But Brackins’ decision, coupled with a nice 2009 recruiting class, could make for a dramatic difference. For the first time in McDermott’s tenure, the Cyclones have a legitimate chance at making a run at the NCAA Tournament in March 2010.
Incoming 6-foot-6 wing Marquis Gilstrap will team with Brackins to give Iowa State a formidable one-two punch. Gilstrap has just one year of eligibility, but he’s the type of guy that can produce immediately as a high-level scorer.
Throw in freshman-to-be Chris Colvin and Ames could finally have something to cheer about in a major sport. This is the most talented the Cyclones have been in quite some time. Thanks to Brackins, the roster has the look of a fairly decent Big 12 team.
What does the Brackins announcement mean for Iowa? It means the Hawkeyes have a very small chance of going to Hilton Coliseum this December and pulling out a victory. Beyond that, it might not mean a whole lot more to Iowa. Brackins’ junior season will almost certainly be his last at the collegiate level.
For Iowa State, it’s a chance to actually establish something positive under the current regime. An NCAA Tournament appearance might get the ball rolling and get the program trending upward again.
McDermott and his staff appear to be hitting the Chicago area hard for talented guards. Winning can only help their chances of recruiting such fertile ground.
The Cyclones would love to have a good season to try to entice superstar recruit Harrison Barnes as well. While the odds are that Barnes goes to a top notch program like Duke or North Carolina, a solid season could convince him that he could be a part of a winning 2010-11 Cyclone squad.
Thus, Friday’s news helps Iowa State in a number of ways. I hate to say it, but Iowa State could be beginning to turn the corner as McDermott enters year four at the helm. I don’t mean Big 12 championships are on the horizon, but perhaps several seasons of competing for NCAA Tourney berths.
*Image from USA Today
This is huge for Iowa State. For their sake I hope McDermott isn't going to pull an instant-leave anytime soon. If Iowa State has a respectable year, expect to see Iowa lose a few in-state recruits in the future.
ReplyDeleteI don't expect McDermott to leave Iowa State, unless he's fired. He has done nothing yet to merit a promotion to a better school.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's a big deal for Iowa State that Brackins is returning. He makes them a legitimate contender for an NCAA Tournament berth. It's been a while since you could say that.
Lickliter needs to get things going soon.