Jaquan Johnson arrives at Iowa State as a proven defensive pest and careful playmaker, fresh off earning Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year this past year at Bradley. What Johnson lacks in height, he makes up for in aggression and physicality on both ends of the floor, bringing the competitive edge and discipline Iowa State head coach TJ Otzelberger appears to prioritize at point guard.
Tamin Lipsey, who started 137 games and anchored four straight KenPom top-30 teams, is a tough act to follow, but Johnson checks a lot of the same boxes. Lipsey and Johnson aren’t identical, and it would be unfair to place Lipsey-level expectations on Johnson. Still, they are both tenacious guards who attack the basket offensively, create for others, and make life hell on opposing ball-handlers. Comparisons are inevitable.
