Bryce Dejean-Jones, Jameel McKay embracing new roles

AMES, Ia. – Bryce Dejean-Jones began the season as a key contributor in Iowa State's starting lineup but has since moved to the bench.

The Cyclones senior has embraced his new role.

Dejean-Jones scored 10 points, grabbed three rebounds and handed out two assists in No. 14 Iowa State's 79-59 win over No. 21 West Virginia Saturday.

"I'm fine," Dejean-Jones said. "I just want to win. It doesn't really matter what my role is."

Dejean-Jones began the season in Iowa State's lineup, starting 20 games. He missed one game for a suspension following an arrest earlier this season. He came off the bench during Iowa State's game against Texas Tech on Feb. 7 after coming to the arena late.

Jameel McKay replaced him and has stayed in the lineup since. Both flourished in their third games in the new roles.

During Saturday's game, McKay scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked five shots. Dejean-Jones shot 4-for-4 from the field and had 10 of Iowa State's 32 points off the bench.

"It's different for Bryce coming off the bench for the first time in a long time," Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg said. "But, tonight he was out there, engaged, talking on the bench. It was great to see."

The change has worked out well for the Cyclones, who have found chemistry and cohesiveness from their starters and bench. Iowa State's Abdel Nader scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench.

"It's very key," Dejean-Jones said of Iowa State's bench play. "It's a big part of our team that we have guys that come off the bench and be big contributors to help the team win."

Hoiberg said the magic number is eight.

"If we have eight guys play well, generally you're in pretty good shape and I thought we had that," Hoiberg said.

As for Dejean-Jones, he doesn't seem to care when he's playing.

"It's really not much of an adjustment," Dejean-Jones said.

• INJURY UPDATE

Hoiberg said after the game that Iowa State's Naz Long was dealing with "a litte bit of a hip pointer out there."

Long was held scoreless, missing two shots from the field and logging just 12 minutes in the win.

"I was going to put him in late," Hoiberg said. "He said he was really sore."

Hoiberg didn't seem concerned about it.

"I think he'll be fine," Hoiberg said. "We'll get a couple of treatments."