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Iowa State’s young guards seek playing time

Sports

July 8th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A major part of Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg’s plan to replace his starting backcourt is to lean on transfers again. But the Cyclones also have a host of young guards eager to show Hoiberg that the solution was already on the roster. Iowa State’s hopes for a third straight trip to the NCAA tournament next season rest largely on how it overcomes the loss of guards Korie Lucious, Chris Babb and Tyrus McGee.

Hoiberg brought in former Marshall star DeAndre Kane and junior college standout K.J. Bluford with the expectations that both will compete for significant minutes. But the Cyclones have four underclassmen guards and a veteran backup in Bubu Palo. None of them are planning to spend the season on the bench either.

Freshman point guard Monte Morris says the players are just going to see how the chips fall.