In years passed, I've started a thread to track former Cyclones in their new programs season- long. I didn't have the time this year, even though there are fewer guys this year (9) than in recent years prior. I figured since I'm restless still following last night's double OT loss to BYU, I'd create this thread now, right as some low/mid major conferences are picking up steam in their conference tournaments. I figure if anyone is ever going to get curious enough to watch some of these former Cyclones in action, no better time to do so than when the stakes are at their highest and if you're like me, can't get enough hoops this time of year. I'll try and keep it updated as things unfold. Below is a list of the former Cyclones, how they've performed this season on their new team, and what their conference tournaments look like:
Caleb Grill, Missouri: I feel like of all former Clones out there, Caleb is probably the one most fans are aware of. He's having a career season in year 6 and on team 3, posting career highs in points (14.3) and 3 point percentage (43.3). He's Missouri's leading scorer. Missouri is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and is still playing for anywhere from a 4-8 seed in the SEC Tournament, which starts on 3/12.
Omaha Biliew, Wake Forest: I haven't been paying super close attention. I know he missed a chunk of time with an injury, but he's been available since late January and has still only logged playing time in 11 games total on the season. 8.8 minutes per game, 2.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, which if you were to check, are almost identical to the numbers he put up at ISU last season. He is a 40% 3 point shooter in limited attempts (4/10) so perhaps some positive development there. Otherwise, it's fair to assume he probably won't be a two and done player. Wake is still vying for anywhere from a 4-7 seed in the ACC Tournament which starts on 3/11.
Tyrese Hunter, Memphis: Another former Clone at his 3rd school, Tyrese is having a career year just like his former teammate, Caleb Grill. He is putting up 14 ppg on 39.9% from 3, both career highs. He is also averaging 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals. Seems like maybe he has finally found a good fit with Penny. Memphis will be the #1 seed in the AAC. Their tournament starts on 3/12, and I'm not too familiar with their bracket, but would assume they get at least one bye.
Darlinstone Dubar, Tennessee: Still holding a spot on the Iowa State first team all-name, Dubar had a great 3- season stretch at Hofstra following his time in Ames. I was happy he got a chance to come back to the P5 for another shot at it, but the results indicate that maybe he was better off at a place like Hofstra. He has struggled and fallen out of the rotation for the most part, putting up a line of 3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 26.9% 3 pt. Tennessee will at least grant him the opportunity to play in the Big Dance, and they will likely be a 2- seed. In the SEC Tournament, they'll be looking at a 3-7 seed.
Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio: The numbers tell the whole story here, Pav is just more comfortable at the mid major level. Nothing wrong with that. He's putting up respectable numbers (13.3 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.2 rpg, 55.6% fg, 33.3% 3 pt) and has started every game for the Bobcats this season. Seeding has not been decided yet for the MAC, whose Tournament starts on 3/13, but Ohio will be a 3-6 seed by my estimation.
Eli King, North Dakota: The popular belief with Eli as I recall was that he would be a project and ready to contribute by year 3. I think his gradual progression the last 2 seasons bear that out. Averaging a career high in points (7.9) and rebounds (5.4) and 3 pt shooting (37.6%). Unfortunately in this era of college sports, it is hard to fill your roster with 18 year old projects. Will be interesting to see if he tries to move back up to the P5 this offseason. North Dakota is the 6 seed in the Summit, and will face 3 seed South Dakota State this Friday night, 3/7 at 8:30 pm.
Jelani Hamilton, Georgia State: I don't think Jelani would be playing much on this year's Cyclones team, but he has put together a nice RS freshman season in the Sun Belt. He has started 19/31 games, with a line of 10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg 1.1 steals 33% 3pt. Georgia State is the 8 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament, and will face 9 seed Georgia Southern Thursday 3/6 at 5 pm.
Jaden Walker, Texas A&M CC: After 2 years at East Carolina, Jaden had to transfer down another level. I'm not sure what the reason is that led to it, but it certainly doesn't seem like it was for more playing time. In 28 games, Walker averages just over 20 minutes, 5.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.1 apg. He's kind of been the same player regardless of where he's been it seems. Corpus Christi is the 5 seed in the Southland, will kick off their conference tourney this Sunday, 3/9 at 5 pm against 8 seed Houston Christian.
Xavier Foster, Radford: Yes, he's still playing basketball. Kind of. But not really. Safe to say he's on the roster, but has only played in 11 games all season. 2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg are some of his better stats. Believe it or not, he was better statistically as a freshman at Iowa State. In 5 seasons, Foster has played in 32 games total. It's unbelievable. Not that it matters much, because I don't think he'd see time except in a blowout, but Radford is the 4 seed in the Big South, will start conference tournament play against the 5 seed Presbyterian on Friday, 3/7 at 2:30.
Caleb Grill, Missouri: I feel like of all former Clones out there, Caleb is probably the one most fans are aware of. He's having a career season in year 6 and on team 3, posting career highs in points (14.3) and 3 point percentage (43.3). He's Missouri's leading scorer. Missouri is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and is still playing for anywhere from a 4-8 seed in the SEC Tournament, which starts on 3/12.
Omaha Biliew, Wake Forest: I haven't been paying super close attention. I know he missed a chunk of time with an injury, but he's been available since late January and has still only logged playing time in 11 games total on the season. 8.8 minutes per game, 2.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, which if you were to check, are almost identical to the numbers he put up at ISU last season. He is a 40% 3 point shooter in limited attempts (4/10) so perhaps some positive development there. Otherwise, it's fair to assume he probably won't be a two and done player. Wake is still vying for anywhere from a 4-7 seed in the ACC Tournament which starts on 3/11.
Tyrese Hunter, Memphis: Another former Clone at his 3rd school, Tyrese is having a career year just like his former teammate, Caleb Grill. He is putting up 14 ppg on 39.9% from 3, both career highs. He is also averaging 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals. Seems like maybe he has finally found a good fit with Penny. Memphis will be the #1 seed in the AAC. Their tournament starts on 3/12, and I'm not too familiar with their bracket, but would assume they get at least one bye.
Darlinstone Dubar, Tennessee: Still holding a spot on the Iowa State first team all-name, Dubar had a great 3- season stretch at Hofstra following his time in Ames. I was happy he got a chance to come back to the P5 for another shot at it, but the results indicate that maybe he was better off at a place like Hofstra. He has struggled and fallen out of the rotation for the most part, putting up a line of 3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 26.9% 3 pt. Tennessee will at least grant him the opportunity to play in the Big Dance, and they will likely be a 2- seed. In the SEC Tournament, they'll be looking at a 3-7 seed.
Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio: The numbers tell the whole story here, Pav is just more comfortable at the mid major level. Nothing wrong with that. He's putting up respectable numbers (13.3 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.2 rpg, 55.6% fg, 33.3% 3 pt) and has started every game for the Bobcats this season. Seeding has not been decided yet for the MAC, whose Tournament starts on 3/13, but Ohio will be a 3-6 seed by my estimation.
Eli King, North Dakota: The popular belief with Eli as I recall was that he would be a project and ready to contribute by year 3. I think his gradual progression the last 2 seasons bear that out. Averaging a career high in points (7.9) and rebounds (5.4) and 3 pt shooting (37.6%). Unfortunately in this era of college sports, it is hard to fill your roster with 18 year old projects. Will be interesting to see if he tries to move back up to the P5 this offseason. North Dakota is the 6 seed in the Summit, and will face 3 seed South Dakota State this Friday night, 3/7 at 8:30 pm.
Jelani Hamilton, Georgia State: I don't think Jelani would be playing much on this year's Cyclones team, but he has put together a nice RS freshman season in the Sun Belt. He has started 19/31 games, with a line of 10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg 1.1 steals 33% 3pt. Georgia State is the 8 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament, and will face 9 seed Georgia Southern Thursday 3/6 at 5 pm.
Jaden Walker, Texas A&M CC: After 2 years at East Carolina, Jaden had to transfer down another level. I'm not sure what the reason is that led to it, but it certainly doesn't seem like it was for more playing time. In 28 games, Walker averages just over 20 minutes, 5.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.1 apg. He's kind of been the same player regardless of where he's been it seems. Corpus Christi is the 5 seed in the Southland, will kick off their conference tourney this Sunday, 3/9 at 5 pm against 8 seed Houston Christian.
Xavier Foster, Radford: Yes, he's still playing basketball. Kind of. But not really. Safe to say he's on the roster, but has only played in 11 games all season. 2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg are some of his better stats. Believe it or not, he was better statistically as a freshman at Iowa State. In 5 seasons, Foster has played in 32 games total. It's unbelievable. Not that it matters much, because I don't think he'd see time except in a blowout, but Radford is the 4 seed in the Big South, will start conference tournament play against the 5 seed Presbyterian on Friday, 3/7 at 2:30.
