KANSAS CITY, Mo.- There was a buzz around the Iowa State men’s basketball program as it met the press at the 2009 Big 12 media day this afternoon in Kansas City, Mo. You didn’t need a roster card to identify the two Cyclones in attendance at the annual event in Craig Brackins and Diante Garrett.
Brackins, a preseason All-American by a number of services, will be one of the premier players in the country after earning All-Big 12 First-Team honors a year ago. The junior was a unanimous pick by the Big 12 coaches to repeat the accomplishment again in 2009-10.
Garrett was attending his first Big 12 preseason gathering. The junior was one of the Big 12’s best playmakers last season, ranking third in the league and 36th nationally in assists (5.0 apg).
With the return of a pair of experienced veterans in Brackins and Garrett, plus the addition of some outstanding recruits like Big 12 preseason newcomer of the year Marquis Gilstrap, ISU head coach Greg McDermott is eager to see if his team can make a move in 2009-10. He knows that his big man will carry a lot of the weight on his shoulders this season.
“I think Craig learned a lot when he played overseas in the World University Games,” McDermott said about Brackins. “I think playing with different players, coaches and against international competition in another country has made him a better leader. The international game is very physical, especially in the front line. I think that helped him add some strength and weight this offseason.”
Having a veteran return at the point guard spot is something the Cyclones have not had since the 2005-06 season. Garrett will be the floor leader, and his knowledge and experience will be instrumental to the Cyclones’ fortunes.
“Practice has been going well,” Garrett said. “Everybody has been working hard and pushing each other to get better. We are all ready for the season to start. The addition of Marquis (Gilstrap), LaRon (Dendy) and Chris (Colvin) has really energized us. Us veterans have been trying to teach them and leading them through situations they have never seen before.”
Garrett also noted that the competition in practice is the best he’s seen as a Cyclone.
“Everybody is fighting for spots and bringing it every day, all the time in practice,” Garrett said. “Just having that type of competitiveness in practice will help us out down the road.”
The ISU men’s basketball season is just right around the corner, as the Cyclones begin their exhibition slate vs. Black Hills State on Nov. 2 in Hilton Coliseum. ISU opens the regular season at home on Nov. 13 vs. Idaho State.
Click on the links and video slideout buttons on the photo above to view behind-the-scenes video and photos of the ISU contingent at Big 12 media day.
