Composure

For a long stretch of the second half, I thought ISU was going complete a slow-speed blowout of Mizzou.

While the Tigers were taking the first crappy shot they could find, when they found a shot at all, ISU was methodically getting everyone a touch or two, sending the ball into the bigs, and generally getting decent looks.

Mizzou must not roll after their picks, because each time they did pick at the top of the key ISU would almost double the ball, causing all kinds of chaos to the Mizzou offense. What a wacky thing to try, and it worked for much of the game.

But then Mizzou really cranked up the pressure and ISU went into "Play Not To Lose" mode and tried very, very hard to blow it. Releaxed defense, missed free throws and horrendous shot selection almost did them in.

For our benefit, Mizzou came out of its funk too late.

That win will certainly perk up ISU's Sagarin ranking. Now, another possible win comes into Ames in the form of the OSU Cowboys, who have little of their normal swagger.

Another effort like tonight and the Cyclones might make a few people nervous, moving from "sure win" to "tossup" on prognosticator's schedules.

Peterclone