The expectations have never been higher for the Iowa State men’s basketball team. With their four top scorers returning from a team that won the Big-12 Tournament and made to the Sweet-16 of the NCAA Tournament the Cyclones are a likely top five team in the preseason polls and a serious contender to win the national title. Summer workouts are underway in Ames.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger who says the Cyclones are not focused on what other people think of them.

Otzelbeger does not spend time on social media so he is not familiar with all the talk surrounding next season.

Four transfers have joined the Cyclone program, including former UNI guard Nate Heise. The native of Minnesota spent the past four years with the Panthers and led them in scoring last season at 13 and-a-half points per game.

Sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic says Heise has performed well in workouts.

Momcilovic averaged nearly 11 points per game last season in being named to the Big-12 All Freshman team. He is embracing the expectations.

Momcilovic says being a more experienced team will help the Cyclones next season.

Senior guard Keshon Gilbert led the Cyclones in scoring at just over 13 and-a-half points per game last season and says the Cyclones are not focused on where they might be ranked next season.