MONSTER ENERGY BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA DAYS

October 20, 2026

T.J. Otzelberger

Jamarion Batemon

Blake Buchanan

Killyan Toure

Iowa State Cyclones

Media Day Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We welcome Iowa State men.

Coach, another Sweet 16 trip. It seems that you have a superpower that is becoming more unique in college sports, and that is retaining a core. That door is -- it's a rotating door with everything that's going on. How are you able to maintain your core?

T.J. OTZELBERGER: We've been fortunate, tremendous young men that we've had in our program. When we recruit freshmen specifically, we look for character, work habits, talent and a desire to improve. We've been fortunate those young men have come into our program.

Hopefully they've seen the value in the development and the role and how they can continue to move forward in our program. We're really fortunate to have these three guys returning to Iowa State for another year. It's amazing for us as a program, amazing for them. We're just really fortunate for the opportunity in front of us each day this season.

THE MODERATOR: When you assess these three players, see the growth, where do you feel Iowa State is even better prepared this year to make another deep run?

T.J. OTZELBERGER: Before I even talk about the talents that these guys bring on the basketball court, it's the character, it's the leadership, how they carry themselves every day and set a standard in our program for the other guys to follow.

When you look at Killyan last year, he was one of the more impactful freshmen in the whole nation. The most elite on-ball defender, a guy that did so much for our team in terms of making plays.

As we move forward, unfortunately an injury has set things back on a timeline. I know when he comes back, this guy has been leading our team every single day. He's in every huddle. His energy is amazing. This year his ability to make plays for our team, get us in the paint, finish at the rim, get assists to his teammates, going to have a whole new level that he's going to take his game.

With Jamarion, somebody we've talked about over and over about the habits he brought in. One of those habits this year is going to be proving what an elite basketball player. Last year he was more of a shooter for us off the bench. This year we're looking for him to utilize his whole game to make plays, get the ball on the move, help generate offense. Elite competitor defensively. He wants to get stops and rebound the ball at a high level.

Blake Buchanan, of all the great front line players I've been able to coach, I really hold Blake in the highest regard. Somebody that, defensively, his elite recognition, communication, how he moves, how smart he is. He's like a firefighter out there extinguishing fires over and over again.

Offensively gives us another play-maker with some size, somebody that can play out of the short role, somebody we can trust to finish the play, get to the foul line and knock in some shots.

THE MODERATOR: Killyan, becoming an elite defender, when did you decide that you wanted to be that guy?

KILLYAN TOURE: I think I understood when I was young. Obviously everybody is focused on offense. Me, I like to make stops. Obviously the goal is don't let the other team score.

Since, yeah, I don't know, maybe when I was 13, I understood if I want to be good at this sport, I have to be different. I was really focused on my defensive aspects.

Yeah, I have pride for defense. Obviously people know, like, I'm one of the best defender in the country, maybe the best defender on ball. I got pride for that. It's really important for me, for my team, because that's how we win games. So yeah...

THE MODERATOR: Your coach mentioned your injury. How is the recovery process? When can we expect to see you back on the floor?

KILLYAN TOURE: It's pretty good. I'm doing my rehab. I'm really serious with that. I want to come back 100% on the court. Honestly, I really don't know when I'll be back. Doctor says maybe around January. I don't know. Time will tell. I don't want to rush. I want to be 100% healthy.

If it's later, it will be later. If it's before, before. I don't know. I'm just focused and serious on what I have to do every day.

THE MODERATOR: Jamarion, what is practice like when Killyan picks you up full court?

JAMARION BATEMON: Something you definitely don't like. You see that in practice. You know that guy is on your team, you can go attack the other team with that. It's amazing to have.

It's definitely something you don't want (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Where do you see your game advancing this year?

JAMARION BATEMON: Like coach said, using my whole game. Last year I was asked to just shoot threes. Now I'm asked to do more. I'm asked to involve other guys in our offense and get my shots, as well.

Just doing whatever I'm called to do, expanding my game that way.

THE MODERATOR: Blake, your coach said you've been extinguishing fires for a while. How would you explain to someone that is not familiar with Big 12 basketball what it is like to go through an entire Big 12 season?

BLAKE BUCHANAN: It's a physical league, it's tough from top to bottom. When you come in this league, you got to be ready every day. Day in, day out, we play in some tough atmospheres.

No matter what it takes, you got to show up and be at your best.

THE MODERATOR: What did the Sweet 16 do to drive you this off-season?

BLAKE BUCHANAN: No, it felt good. Obviously we wish we could have went farther. I think that's kind of been on our mind as a team. When we attack this year, kind of remember what happened last year in the Big 12 tournament and the NCAA tournament, to kind of fuel us a little bit.

THE MODERATOR: We'll take some questions.

Q. Jamarion, how can you continue to keep taking that step every single day and every game?

JAMARION BATEMON: I would just say focusing on the little things, like guarding and rebounding. That naturally just helps me play better. Also getting my teammates involved. When the ball is moving, they feel confident, the ball just find its way back to me. It gets me better looks.

Q. Coach, out of the five players you received from the transfer portal, have any of them stood out to you and how?

T.J. OTZELBERGER: Well, to be honest, all five of them we brought in to make an impact right away in one way or another. They've all at different times showed why we brought 'em in.

Taj Manning, that was at Kansas State, unbelievable motor, toughness, physicality. He's brought to our team.

Tre Singleton who came from Northwestern has been a guy that's given us some versatility at the forward position. He can attack and make plays, guard multiple guys. He's been a weapon.

Jaquan Johnson from Bradley, a play-maker, a guy who lives in the lane, gets in the paint at will.

Leon Bond, athlete on the wing, attack the rim, be an elite defender.

Ryan Prather gives us great skill and shooting.

I don't differentiate. Each one of those guys bringing something to the table. We've seen them each at their best at different times. Now it's my responsibility to make sure they're all at their best day in and day out so we can be the best team that we can be.

Q. A couple years ago your centers were built differently than Blake Buchanan is now. Was that something you were looking for in the portal, to get a leaner, more fluid-moving center as you strive to build your defensive approach?

T.J. OTZELBERGER: I think Blake certainly appreciates the comments regarding his body complex. He's done a great job working that way to be in great shape (smiling).

What we look for at that spot specifically are guys that have great recognition, great mobility, take a pride on the defensive side of things. If you're going to play a pressure-style defense, at that position you have to have someone defending pick and roll in the ball screen, can be highly active. They have to communicate early. They have to see the play a step ahead. They have to react themselves.

There's so many anticipatory skills that go into that. We're fortunate that Blake Buchanan is elite in all of those skills.

Q. With the portal and the revolving door of recruiting, what makes you guys, and thinking about guys who stayed, what do you love about your coach that made you stay?

BLAKE BUCHANAN: I'd just say the culture that he's built. Coach would do anything for us. He always has our back. He's going to put in the time with us. He's in there before we are in the morning. He stays there late. He takes us out for lunch. He'll come down and talk to us in the locker room, hang out.

Yes, he's our coach, but at times he feels like our friend. We can bond with him about things. I think that goes a long ways when you step away from basketball, you feel that relationship with him.

JAMARION BATEMON: I would say, for one, the confidence he has in us. At times when you may not feel like the game is going your way, he's going to have that confidence in you still, whether you're playing bad or good.

So I'd just say his belief and his passion for the game. When you have somebody as a coach that set the standard for you, that's beating you to the gym and working out before you, it just means a lot.

KILLYAN TOURE: Yeah, they said everything pretty much.

We have a great relationship with him. We're thankful to have a coach like that. It means a lot as a player because, like they said, our confidence is really high.

Even if we have, like, bad games, I really appreciate that. He's a true person. He will tell you the things you need to hear, to switch up. That's what I like. He's a really good guy. I appreciate that.

T.J. OTZELBERGER: Can you record this and send it home to my wife, please. If I don't do something at home, maybe I'll get a little grace (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Appreciate all of you being with us.