Iowa State men’s basketball: Cyclones hold players-only meeting, Bubu Palo update

In just a span of a week, Iowa State Cyclone basketball (both men’s and women’s) has been turned upside-down after losing six straight games combined after both started out the season undefeated. Panic hasn’t set in for either team yet, but the men’s basketball squad has held a players-only meeting to get things back on track and to discuss Bubu Palo’s return.

Nov 20, 2013; Provo, UT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard DeAndre Kane (center) after being told of his ejection for a flagrant 2 foul against Brigham Young Cougars forward Eric Mika (not pictured) in the second half at Marriott Center. Iowa State Cyclones won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

The Iowa State men have lost three games in a row after rattling off 14 straight wins to open up the season, the best start to a season in school history. Poor shooting, turnovers, and the lack of size and effort matching up with other Big 12 bigs have sent the team on a spiral.

Georges Niang said in an ESPN news report that players needed to get “a lot of stuff off our chest that we felt we needed to talk about.”

There was also discussion over Bubu Palo, who’s been allowed to return to the team after a judge ordered a temporary stay. The controversy began when athletic director Jamie Pollard publicly announced he was “disappointed” in the judge’s ruling, defending Iowa State’s stance on kicking Palo off the team for violating the student code of conduct.

Both head coach Fred Hoiberg and the players are welcoming Palo back, according to the ESPN report.

"Coach Fred Hoiberg said Monday he had a “very brief” meeting with Palo on Saturday and haven’t spoken since.Cyclones players insist Palo’s reurn [sic] is not an issue and that that they’re ready to welcome him back."