The Iowa State Bandwagon Grows

The Iowa State men’s basketball team fascination continues.

Now according to a Des Moines Register story, ESPN commentator Dick Vitale has jumped into the Cyclone’s corner. Vitale, who has never broadcasted a game in Ames, says that could change in the future if Iowa State continues to rack up wins.

The college basketball nation seems smitten with the Cyclones. Fred Hoiberg starts four transfers and brings more off the bench. People wonder how Hoiberg can mess all these personalities together successfully.

Obviously, one of the big reasons is the players ‘buy in’ to Hoiberg’s philosophy. Hoiberg never coached a day in his life before taking the Iowa State job last year, but he came in with tremendous credibility. He was a star basketball player for the Cyclones, grew up in Ames and was lovely called ‘the Mayor’. Hoiberg later played in the NBA and also served as an NBA executive. Players know he is deeply respected in the Iowa State community and the guy knows the path to the NBA.

The Cyclones started slowly this season but have picked it up in league play. They are 7-3 in the Big 12 entering tonight’s game at Oklahoma State. Iowa State looks like a NCAA tournament team.

With more wins, the national fascination keeps growing. That’s fine with Iowa State. It’s been a long time since this many people cared about the men’s basketball program in Ames, Iowa.