The More Things Change....

It's good to see that after all these years, the hockey team still kicks it.

I wonder if the coach's daughter is still cute. Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.....

Peterclone

Gut Check

I wandered in and out of the WBB game at KSU today, and every time I checked in ISU was trying its best to stay behind.

What they did in the last 4 minutes really separates them from most teams.

Megan's 3 to take the lead, following what seemed like 5 misses, showed real guts. That's fun when it happens to the good guys.

Win in Lubbock and get some help, and ISU gets fourth. Cool.

Peterclone

Glass Half Full

At least ISU fan didn't have NCAA hopes dashed by a smackdown on the road today.

That's all I've got.

Peterclone

So Long, Barry

Barry Stevens dies at age 43.

Peterclone

D In The Clutch

The big stat from Wednesday's come-from-behind-win over CU:

CU went 1-10 at the end of the first half, and 1-11 at the end of the second.

That will make up for missing the front of a 1-1 with 8 seconds left.

Peterclone

Big Win. Huge.

Dumping the Huskers will help the RPI. One more win and the fifth seed is secured.

An estimated RPI of #33 means they are in the NCAAs. They can only help their seed from here.

Peterclone

What He Said

As usual, Chuck is dead on.

Bring on the Buffs.

Peterclone

Controlling Destiny

The ISU women can determine if they get the #5 seed in the B12 tourney.

At 7-6, ISU hosts 9-4 Nebraska, then visits 4-8 KSU and 6-7 Tech. Win two, especially at Tech, and the #5 seed is probably assured.

Given ISU's history at the tourney, bypassing the first day would be huge.

Peterclone

Good Start, Bad Finish

That run to start the second half did them in.

Getting crushed on the boards, while shooting 2-15 from 3 didn't help, either.

Next up: a Colorado team that has lost all six conference road games by an average of 20 points. No excuse for losing that one, folks.

Peterclone

First Four Minutes

This is a game ISU can win, even on the road.

But this team often eliminates itself at the start of each half, and looks up at the first TV timeout to find themselves down 6 or 10 or some other insurmountable amount.

The games that ISU has or come close to winning, they start well, or at least don't start badly.

The first TO has become an important bellwether.

Peterclone

Buying In

Basketball is funny sport. It matters less what system the coach is selling, but more that the players buy into whatever system it is.

Last season, ISU could be devastating when the whole team played what Morgan was preaching for 40 minutes. The problem was that Stinson and Co. would only play Morgan Ball for a half, or 10 minutes, or not at all. The lost several games they should have won because of it.

Tonight's win against Oklahoma is Exhibit A of ISU buying in for 40 minutes. Not the second half, like their last game in Austin, or the complete no-shows against Mizzou and K-State at home. Granted, watching an 18 point lead be whittled to 4 was death by paper cuts, but OU has way more talent than ISU, and should have played with that intensity the whole game. Maybe the snow and cold freaked them out. Good for them.

Sometimes you have to hope your good night comes on a bad night for the opponent. Tonight was one of those nights.

Buy In Saturday in Manhattan, and perhaps ISU will be rewarded again.

Peterclone

Oh My

Cael's Boys are now the favorite for the B12 title after slapping around Mizzou.

They seem to be peaking at the right time, and are certainly a different bunch than the group that wrestled scared in Iowa City in December.

Too bad I'm committed the weekends of the B12 and NCAA tourneys. I'll keep the internet close by.

Peterclone

Big Step Back

Mama said there'd be nights like that. Oy.

Help, hopefully, is on the way.

Peterclone

What He Said

I should have read this before I posted earlier. That will teach me.

Chuck on ISU's win over Baylor:

"Wouldn’t you know it? You write something about Iowa State being such an offensively challenged team and then the Cyclones go out and play one of their sharpest games of the season."

Returning home to play a team as challenged as you sure helps. We get another such team on Wednesday.

Peterclone

Catching Up

A couple of good blog posts at the Register site last week that I didn't post when they were timely, but they are still relevant:

Chuck Schoffner dug out of the stats: In league games, ISU lets the other guys shoot over 40%, they themselves shoot under 40%, and they don't rebound as well as they can. Thus, they often lose.

Randy Peterson then pointed out that in the a$m game, ISU had more TO's than made baskets. Ouch.


Both posts explain some of ISU's issues, and illustrate what ISU did well against Baylor.

Peterclone

Back On Track

Did anyone else notice a slight difference between a$m and Baylor? I assume I wasn't the only one.

It's amazing what an inside game does for a team.

If Rashon continues turning in defensive performances like that, I don't care if scores again the rest of the season. Shutting down the other team's best shooter is more important.

Bring on Mizzou.

Peterclone