Iowa State men’s basketball media day: Highlights of Fred Hoiberg’s address
By Brian Spaen
Fred Hoiberg talks about Bryce Dejean-Jones’ hot shooting in practice, reveals the suspensions for Abdel Nader and Matt Thomas, tells us which player had the best offseason, and a lot more during today’s Iowa State men’s basketball media day.
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— Hoiberg opened up his media day address by talking about how well last year’s team played together. This has been a staple on Hoiberg’s squads. Regardless who comes in or which big names leave, the team always seems to come together and play well.
–Bryce Dejean-Jones shot 12-for-15 from the field and went 5-for-7 from downtown in three practices. The man has already been shooting on fire.
— Hoiberg talked about how fans will enjoy Jameel McKay displaying a dynamic�that hasn’t been seen on his squad. What’s that exactly? An experienced player with a lot of size inside. The coach said that his head can touch the rim.
— We finally know the disciplinary action taken against Abdel Nader and Matt Thomas. Both players are suspended for the exhibition game and the first two regular season games (Oakland, Georgia State). They will return just in time for the CBE Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City.
— Georgios Tsalmpouris has gained 20 pounds since coming to America, and its apparently because of all the bacon cheeseburgers he’s eating. Hoiberg said he had three of them last night. Tsalmpouris is fitting right into American culture.
— Hoiberg expects an even faster team than last year because of all the depth. Some players will see their minutes cut.
— Georges Niang is proud of how improved he looks and apparently walks all over the place with his shirt off. However, Hoiberg would put Dustin Hogue‘s offseason as “the top of anybody that we have.”
— Hoiberg couldn’t afford to keep Monte Morris off the field once became comfortable on the college level. At times the freshman looked like an experienced player with how incredible his ball control is.