Tamin Lipsey made his presence felt the moment Iowa State finally had him back on the floor.
On Sunday afternoon, the Cyclones traveled to Northwestern for their second preseason exhibition and left with a lopsided 94-49 win. Iowa State was in command early, rolling to a 45-18 halftime lead, then kept control after the break to finish the job before the season opener next week against Memphis.
The biggest difference-maker was Lipsey, who played his first game of the season in a cardinal and gold uniform. In the exhibition against Creighton, he had sat out, and Iowa State’s absence of its point guard showed in a loss that left fans uneasy.
With Lipsey on the court, the Cyclones looked like a different team. He scored 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting and went 1-of-3 from deep. He also handed out a team-best seven assists, while adding three rebounds and two steals in a strong all-around performance.
That kind of impact is nothing new for Lipsey. He continues to battle eligibility issues, and after four seasons with Iowa State, he had originally planned to pursue an NBA opportunity. But a forgettable stint with the Indiana Pacers pushed him toward another season in Ames.
For now, he is eligible for Iowa State, even as the NCAA continues to fight his return along with a few other players seeking a fifth season.
It also helps explain why T.J. Otzelberger kept him out of the first exhibition.
That game served as a test to see how the Cyclones function without their leader. Sunday’s result made the answer pretty clear.
The season is still ahead, and Lipsey’s status for the full year remains uncertain. But if Iowa State wants a strong run in year six under Otzelberger, it’s obvious how important Lipsey is to everything they do.
In Other News...
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The matchup also brings another big challenge through the air in Drew Mestemaker, who has emerged as one of the conferences most productive young passers and is drawing national attention for the way he has played. For Iowa State, the issue is less about the name on the jersey and more about surviving another week against an offense that can stress a defense in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
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Iowa State Faces A Dangerous Oklahoma State Offense At The Worst Time
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For Iowa State, the timing makes the matchup even trickier because Oklahoma State is not relying on just one threat to carry the load. Hawkins has been productive as both a runner and receiver, while Justin Bowick gives the passing game another layer and Ethan Wesloski adds to the mix on the defensive side of the roster. The Cyclones are getting a team that can ask different questions on every snap, and that kind of versatility is usually at its most dangerous when a defense is trying to stay balanced and keep up. [Read more 🡒]