It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been five years since Iowa State made its return to the NCAA Tournament in the 2011-2012 season. That was my freshman year at ISU and I was incredibly lucky to have the season the Cyclones made their return to the Tournament — their first since 2005 — coincide with my first year on campus.
Who could forget that team? It was the squad primarily comprised of players who’d made up the “Best Scout Team In America” the year prior. AKA: Fred Hoiberg’s first batch of transfers. Chief among them was Royce White, arguably the most talented player to suit up in a Cyclone uniform this decade.