As Iowa State gets ready to open another season with expectations attached, one returning name stands out as a possible difference-maker: guard Kilyan Toure.
The Cyclones have been a steady force under T.J. Otzelberger, and last season looked like it could be the one where they made a major run.
Instead, an ankle injury to Joshua Jefferson in the opening moments of the first game of the NCAA Tournament changed everything, and Iowa State eventually fell to Tennessee in the Sweet 16. As a No. 2 seed, the Cyclones had the kind of roster that could have gone further, but once Jefferson was lost, the path got a lot tougher.
Now the roster is set to look different again, but Toure is one of the key pieces coming back. Jon Rothstein recently named five Big 12 players he believes are set for breakout seasons, and Toure was among them.
5 Big 12 Breakout Players. pic.twitter.com/hR7vrJ2ETb
There’s a lot to like about Toure’s profile after his freshman season, especially because he was already starting and handling big responsibilities. Defensively, he was elite at the guard spot and stood out as one of the best on-ball defenders in the Big 12.
That side of his game is already established. The bigger question is what happens offensively, because that’s where the leap could really happen. Last season, Toure averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc.
The shooting numbers are the obvious area for growth. If he becomes a more reliable threat from deep, his overall game changes fast. And with Lipsey gone, there’s also a chance Toure is asked to take on more of the offense as one of the guards.
After a full year in the starting lineup, Toure now has the experience that can fuel a major sophomore jump. He could wind up being the best player on the team next season.
In Other News...
Jamie Pollard Just Raised The Stakes Of Iowa States AD Transition
Iowa States athletics department is heading into a pivotal stretch, with Jamie Pollard announcing he will step aside earlier than the June 30, 2027 retirement date he had initially set. The university and president David Cook are now in the process of finding his replacement, and the timing gives the Cyclones a leadership change to manage while the program is still in a strong position.
Pollard framed the move as part of a smooth handoff, saying he believes the department is in good shape for the next person to take over. For Iowa State, the task now is finding an athletics director who can keep that momentum intact while navigating a transition that is arriving sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Raynor Faces One Massive Test In Iowa States New Offense
Iowa State heads into 2026 with a very different look, and the biggest change is under center. Jimmy Rogers is taking over with a largely new roster and coaching staff, and after Rocco Becht moved on, the Cyclones are turning to transfer quarterback Jaylen Raynor from Arkansas State to run the offense.
Raynor brings a track record that makes him an intriguing fit, but the jump to the Big 12 is where the real test begins. Iowa State needs him to translate his production to a much tougher stage while helping steady a team that could be in for a reset, and how quickly he adapts may go a long way toward shaping the Cyclones' competitiveness this fall. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State May Have Found Jaylen Raynors Missing Piece Or Not
Omari Hayes arrives at Iowa State with the kind of rsum that makes him easy to circle as a potential difference-maker for the Cyclones. The wide receiver has already shown he can produce at both Florida Atlantic and Tulane, and his track record suggests he can be more than just another portal addition as Iowa State looks to sharpen its passing game around Jaylen Raynor.
What makes Hayes interesting is the mix of reliability and upside. He has shown he can make tough grabs and rise to the moment in bigger games, including a solid showing in Tulanes College Football Playoff appearance and a strong outing against Ole Miss, but the next step is still the one that matters most in Ames. If he can turn those flashes into a more complete weekly presence, Iowa State may have found exactly what it needs, even if the final piece of the puzzle is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]