Tre Singleton arrives at Iowa State with a first college season that looked a lot like a coach’s dream: steady production, plenty of minutes and the kind of across-the-box-score impact that travels well.
At Northwestern last season, Singleton appeared in all 34 games and made 31 starts. He averaged 7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, while adding about 1.0 stock - blocks plus steals - each night. He led the Wildcats on the glass, shot 47.7% from the floor and struggled from deep, hitting just 18% of his 3-point attempts.
Those 31 starts tied the mark for the most by a first-year player in the Chris Collins era at Northwestern. His 7.6 points per game were the most by a first-year player there since the 2019-20 season, when Boo Buie averaged 10.3 points and Ryan Young scored 9.0.
Singleton also reached double figures 10 times, the most by a first-year Northwestern player since that same 2019-20 season. In Big Ten play, his 4.8 rebounds ranked sixth among conference freshmen.
The production came in a variety of ways, which is part of what made Singleton such a useful piece for Collins’ team. He scored 15 points in just his third college game, coming in a 110-63 win over Cleveland State.
That was the most by a first-year Northwestern forward since Robbie Bearn had 17 against Illinois in January 2020. One game later, Singleton posted 10 points and five rebounds in a two-point win over DePaul.
He kept filling up the stat sheet as the season went on. Against South Carolina, he finished with eight points, five rebounds and a career-high three steals.
Later, versus Oklahoma State, he put up six points, seven rebounds, a career-high five assists and two blocks. Before nonconference play ended, he turned in one of his best all-around games with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a win over Howard.
In Other News...
Xzavion Mitchell Still Has A Chance To Matter For Iowa State
Xzavion Mitchells Iowa State season started in the kind of role that often goes unnoticed unless a game gets out of hand. He was used sparingly in the early part of the 2025-26 campaign, mostly in late-game minutes during lopsided wins, and T.J. Otzelberger pointed to Mitchells versatility as one reason the staff kept him in the mix. Even in a small sample, the message was clear enough for a young player on a deep roster: stay prepared, because opportunities can arrive in different ways.
Mitchells path took a tougher turn once an injury ended his year before it could really develop, but that does not erase the value of the minutes he already logged or the place he still holds in the programs future plans. For a team that leans on depth and flexibility, players like Mitchell often matter most when the season changes shape and the rotation needs another option. Otzelbergers emphasis on being ready suggests Iowa State still sees a role there, even if the timeline for it has been pushed back. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa States New Defensive Identity Rests On These Key Transfer Pieces
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Isaac Terrell, Taase, Montreze Smith Jr., Singletary and Crawford all bring different backgrounds and levels of experience, and that mix is exactly why they matter to this roster. Some have already proven they can handle bigger stages, while others arrive with the kind of upside that can be shaped quickly if the new staff gets the fit right, and how those pieces come together will go a long way toward telling the story of Iowa States defense next fall. [Read more 🡒]
Killyan Toure Could Define How Far Iowa State Can Go
Killyan Toure arrives at this season with a clear lane to carve out for Iowa State: be the kind of on-ball defender that changes games before the offense ever has to catch up. T.J. Otzelberger has gone so far as to say the sophomore guard could be the nations best at that job, and that kind of trust fits the way the Cyclones have built their identity around pressure, toughness and making opposing guards miserable for 40 minutes.
Toure seems to welcome the assignment, but the broader challenge is what he adds beyond stopping the ball. Iowa State would love for his scoring and shot-making to become steadier as his role grows, because when a defense-first guard starts tilting possessions at both ends, it can change the ceiling of the whole team. The Cyclones already know what he means to their backbone; the question is how much more he can become while carrying it. [Read more 🡒]
