Playmakers

Wednesday's loss at Mizzou and today's near miss against KSU illustrated ISU's lack of consistent playmakers down the stretch.

ISU had the game in Columbia won several times, but could never put it away. Even down three, ISU had K State on the ropes, but couldn't land the knockout punch in the final two minutes.

I've lost count of the number of games that ISU lost due to fading down the stretch, but it is fair to say that our Cyclones left a half dozen wins on the table. Win three and they are in the NIT. Win all six and they are in the NCAA. This incomplete team, thin in the middle and green at the point, was closer than we think to the tourney.

Hopefully our backcourt learns to manage the final stage of the game, and some playmakers emerge help pull the tight ones out of the fire.

Peterclone