Cyclone recruit Noskowiak says Hoiberg decision won't change his commitment

AMES, Ia. – Nick Noskowiak says he's a Cyclone, regardless of who coaches the men's basketball team next season.

"Nothing's changed," Noskowiak said Thursday during a phone interview with the Register.

Noskowiak, a guard and former star at Sun Prairie (Wis.) High School, was talking shortly after the Chicago Bulls fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Thursday. Like everyone else, he's aware of the growing speculation that Fred Hoiberg quickly will become the Bulls' next coach.

"I was excited to be playing with a bunch of really good and talented players back when I committed, and that's the way I feel now," Noskowiak said. "I'm going to a good place. It's where I want to be."

Current Iowa State players were advised by administrators Thursday not to comment if approached by reporters.

"When I get back on campus," Georges Niang wrote in a text message.

Niang is back home in Boston. He is expected to return to campus in two weeks, but last week told the Register:

"Regardless of what happens, I will be wearing a Cyclone uniform and nothing can change that, and I know a lot of my teammates feel the same way.

"This university has done so much for me that I want to finish my career here."

Hoiberg did not return messages Thursday.

"I haven't talked to (Hoiberg) since I committed," Noskowiak said of that April 26 morning. "I've texted with him a little since then, mostly just wishing him well in his recovering (from heart surgery) and hoping he gets back to full strength quickly."

Has he point-blank asked Hoiberg if he will be his coach?

"I have not," Noskowiak said. "When I committed, I knew that's always an option. He's a great coach. People want great coaches like coach Hoiberg."

Michigan graduate transfer target Max Bielfeldt said Thursday he's going to wait before deciding among Iowa State, Indiana and Nebraska.

"I think I'm going to wait a little longer to see what comes out of the Bulls' coaching vacancy and coach Hoiberg," Bielfeldt responded in a text to the Register.

What if Hoiberg goes to the Bulls?

"I think I will wait to see who takes over the position," he wrote.

Iowa State has two scholarships available for next season.

Iowa State assistant coach T.J. Otzelberger said Tuesday that this message to recruits is this:

"They're coming to Iowa State University, a place rich in tradition, one of the greatest home courts in college basketball," Otzelberger said. "Fred's the head coach. You want student-athletes to come to schools for the university, not only what may be going on for the coach."