Really? I dont see it.
With the roster they have now they would have a backcourt of Long, Morris and Thomas. Dont expect Morris' incredible A/TO numbers to continue next year when he doesnt have Kane to handle a lot of the ball handling duties. The other 2 are 3 point shooters and thats it. I know Thomas was probably the best shooter in the country his senior year of high school but he didnt show much last year. Dorsey Walker is still there and they have Custer coming that will play some but those 2 arent going to produce much.
Their front court will be solid with Hogue and Niang returning but who knows what McKay and Nader will bring.
Fred needs to add at least 1 more transfer, maybe 2 that will have an impact next year otherwise I would expect ISU to take a step back from this season.
A lineup of Morris, Long/Thomas, Hogue, Niang and McKay doesnt seem like a Top 15 team with Nader, Custer and Long/Thomas coming off the bench.
I just want to point one thing out to you. Going into Hoiberg's second year he returned only a freshman in Ejim and Christooherson. Going into his third year he returned only Ejim, Babb and McGee. Going into his 4th year he returned Ejim, Niang and Long who saw no meaningful minutes his freshman year.
ISU is only losing Kane and Ejim. ISU brings back Monte, Hogue and Niang along with Thomas and Long. This is easily the best group of players Hoiberg has returned so far in his tenure at ISU. We add Mckay(#3 overall juco from a year ago), Nader(Multiple analyst who have seen him play are already predicting him to win the newcomer award next year)' and a 4* recruit in Clayton Custer. It's almost certain Hoiberg will add a transfer guard before the summer see Dejean-Jones.
ISU is in no way looking at a set back year. Just remember it was pretty much unanimous among Iowa fans that ISU was going to the NIT this year yet Hoiberg produced easily his best team to date. The last two years Iowa fans have been saying this is the year they take a step back yet all Hoiberg has been doing is taking steps forward. Eventually you Iowa fans are going to have to start wising up.