Iowa State women's basketball team picked to finish sixth in Big 12 preseason poll

It was just a season ago that the Iowa State women’s basketball team was selected as the preseason pick to win the Big 12 Conference.

Expectations for the Cyclones this season will be much more tempered.

Iowa State was picked to finish sixth in the annual Big 12’s preseason poll released Thursday. Coaches throughout the league voted on the poll.

The Cyclones were picked to finish near the middle of a Big 12 Conference that will have 14 teams this upcoming season. And it's certainly easy to see why.

More: Iowa State women's basketball point guard Emily Ryan named to All-Big 12 preseason team

There are reasons for optimism and concern for the Cyclones. They return star point guard Emily Ryan, who was named to the All-Big 12 preseason team released Wednesday.

But Iowa State’s roster underwent a massive makeover in the offseason. Five players transferred following the 2022-23 season. Also, stars Ashley Joens and Stephanie Soares entered the WNBA Draft. They all helped Iowa State win the Big 12 Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament a season ago.

With most of that team gone, the Cyclones will lean on newcomers. Iowa State’s freshman class of Arianna Jackson, Kelsey Joens, Addy Brown, Audi Crooks and Jalynn Bristow is among the most decorated groups to come to Iowa State. The Cyclones also picked up immediate help in the transfer portal from center Isnelle Natabou and Hannah Belanger.

Iowa State begins the season with an exhibition game against Truman State on Nov. 1. The Cyclones officially open the regular season on Nov. 6 against Butler.

Here's the complete Big 12 women's basketball preseason poll:

1.) Texas

2.) Baylor

3.) Kansas

4.) Kansas State

5.) Oklahoma

6.) Iowa State

7.) Oklahoma State

8.) West Virginia

9.) TCU

10.) Texas Tech

11.) BYU

12.) Houston

13.) Cincinnati

14.) UCF

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State women's basketball selected to finish sixth in Big 12