Parting Gifts

If the OT loss to Nebraska essentially bumped Iowa State from a bowl, at least we returned the favor by essentially ending the Husker's hopes of making the NCAA tournament since forever.

Not that Nebraska fan cares a lick about basketball, but still.

But good golly was that painful to watch. The Cyclones chocked that game hard and are fortunate that Nebraska wasn't good enough to take advantage.

Mission one for the staff in the off season: Throw out the pages of the gameplan involving End Of Games, and try something else. I think the sample size is big enough to conclude that the current plan is not going to work.

Now, burst CU's bubble as a parting gift.

Peter

Big Boy Pants

I agree with this completely.

I've made fun of the Bowling In The Endzone fetish many Cyclone fans have, but new and improved facilities often sell themselves. Attendance jumped when the Jack was built compared to Clyde Williams. I witnessed the same thing happen when Des Moines rebuilt Sec Taylor Stadium in the 90's.

The plan to build a football facility and use the roof for seating is the best design, and is what sold me on the deal. I love that kind of design.

Put on the Big Boy Pants, boys.

Peter

Edit- corrected link

Lost Decade

Blum gets it right.

I will always remember how LE would, on the post-game show after a big win, remind everyone to cherish the win, cherish the ride they were on. He was psychic.

May that ride come again.

Peter

Awkward

The only thing more awkward than watching a team repeatedly come from ahead to lose is being out there on the floor trying to make the play that wins the game- or rather, not make the play that doesn't win the game.

Winning and losing build momentum. Fred's boys have a whole bunch of the wrong kind. I assume the scout team is taking careful notes on what they have to do with the rock next year.

Then again, they're that close. I'll take their situation over what is going on in Iowa City, consistently losing but 10+.

Peter

Interesting Recruiting Story

Not the kind of topic that is often written about in the mainstream press. Mixed view of Bill's program.

I doubt there is a real problem.

Peter

It Happens

Sometimes the other team just has your number. Its going to happen this year.

Someone I read this week thought that Mizzou is ISU's worst matchup in the league- just not many good options.

Mizzou also had an excellent defensive plan- tall rangy guy on JVB, shadow on Scott, lots of ball pressure- it all added up.

Tonight's result only emphasizes how important winning the close ones is. But realize- we're still ahead of schedule.

Peter

Finishing

The improvements in Fred's crew compared to last year have been enormous. But the inability to close games out in the last 4 minutes is holding them back.

Peter

Streaks

I was a freshman in college the last time Iowa State won in Stillwater. Victor Alexander was also a freshman, and played a decent game that night. As I recall that was the first sign that he would be an above-average player.

Streaks like this don't happen by accident- but it is impressive when you consider that some pretty stout Cyclone teams have made that trip. The problem is that Okie State always seemed just a little stouter when they needed to be.

I seldom bet against a streak, so I expect the Cowboys to win somehow. But I suspect ISU will have a shot at the end.

Peter

Saturdays

The best news for our Cyclones: 4 of their 6 remaining home games are on Saturdays.

Buy your tickets now.

Peter

Magic Defined

I had a few exchanges over the weekend whether Hilton Magic has returned, and much of the problem is in definition.

My definition is vague, but it surrounds this: Hilton Magic can push an otherwise over-matched Cyclone team to victory. The Magic is often crowd-driven by fans who believe they can have as much influence as they players on the court. When fans come in the door intending to go to work rather than just observe, crazy things happen.

Its really about mindset. Football fans in Lincoln and Iowa City probably have it to a degree. ISU fans have had it in the past. But recent results have created a justifiable "wait and see" attitude when going to games, reactive rather than proactive.

We are on the cusp of something memorable. Ghosts are being awakened.

Peter

Surprise

I dare say Scotty Drew was outcoached tonight.

Our Cyclones had exactly the offensive sets to get good looks against the Bears' zone, and did enough on defense to keep Baylor from finding a rhythm. The result was a win that looked a little too easy.

Granted, its hard to look bad when you are shooting 50%, but the effort and execution were there on both ends of the floor. Absolutely no hangover from the near miss against KU.

Given the disparity between the two teams on paper, this win may qualify as Magical.

Peter

Underachievers

I love the hustle of our Cyclones- they know they are limited and undermanned, but they try to make the best of it.

If ISU can be criticized for their defensive strategy in the post, KU can be criticized for not pounding the ball into the post on every single possession. They didn't need to shoot jump shots- they had a layup anytime they wanted it.

Really, Kansas only played about 12 minutes of serious ball, otherwise it was a controlled scrimmage. If they had applied themselves for even 30 minutes, they win by 40. I'd love to watch them play somebody when they really care. Maybe Mizzou will bring out their A game.

Peter

Sick

The Twister Sisters uncorked a 41-7 run in the second half of a conference game. That's just sick.

One 20+ run in a game, sure. Par for the course with Bill's bunch. But essentially back to back? That's not fair.

Wish I had been there to witness it in person.

Peter

Bookends

Nebraska and Penn State will make perfect basketball bookends in the
Big 10/11/12.

Peter

The Chiz

What bothers me now about the Chiz administration was the subtle condensation he had for Iowa State.

It was if ISU's problem wasn't the 2.5 star talent, it was that they just hadn't been coached up properly. Every other coaching staff was a bunch of dorks, you see. He's Coach "Super Genius". He'll show us how its done.

Yelling "I will not coach down to you" was perhaps not the best technique for a guy with exactly zero head coaching wins at the time. Way to bond with your new charges.

The look on his face after the SUI win told the whole story- he couldn't believe he won a game at all, let alone against a decent team.

I'm still surprised that Chiz had no idea what to do with anything other than five star talent- that's the sign of bad coaching. The difference between his teams in Ames and his teams in Auburn couldn't be more stark.

So it goes.

Peter

Close

I have to agree with Randy on this one. You ask your coach to put your team in position to win. Fred has done that in every game so far.

So they haven't won all of them. So what. Nobody does. As long as you win your share, its all good.

Give ISU a shot at beating Kansas at home, and I'll be most impressed.

Peter

Mouth

I'm old enough to remember when ISU's basketball coaches knew how to swear on the court- think late 90's to early 00's- and to many it was a big problem.

Now the current coach in Iowa City does it and it just displays his intensity.

Huh.

Peter

Our Bad

We, Cyclone Nation, should take the blame for Nebraska being upset in the Holiday Bowl.

Had Iowa State defeated Nebraska in Ames- and they should have, as they outplayed them- Nebraska would have been matched up against a team with less incentive to win, and who the Huskers might have tried to beat.

Thus- embarrassing loss avoided.

Who knew a failed 2 point conversion would have such delayed repercussions?

So, Huskers, we're sorry. Looking like pompous punks, becoming a national laughingstock on ESPN, having to slide into the Big 10/11/12 with your tail between your legs, that was our fault. Sorry.

Now get out.

Peter

Legs

I suspect Fred's NBA experience is helpful in managing a 5 1/2 man roster. My random sample of NBA stats reveals that most teams have 6 primary players, who all average in the high 20 to low 30 minute range per game. It's not that big a deal.

What matters is what happens on the off days. NBA practices are surprisingly casual. Lots of teaching- putting things in, walking through tenancies, that kind of thing- but not much full-out scrimmage once the season is underway. There are just too frequent, so rest becomes imperative.

I imagine Fizer wouldn't recognize an ISU practice today- lots of teaching, not much running, trying to preserve legs when the spacing between games is short. The "practices harder than the games" mentality will have wait.

We'll see if Fred's recipe can maintain the same effort once we get into the Big 12 season.

Peter

Hustle

I loved the hustle in the win over Virginia, especially on the road. Much like their win over SUI, they just seemed in control even when the shots weren't falling.

Best of all, they had the hustle they lacked in the loss to Cal. Every loose ball had a Cyclone on the floor, which is the kind of effort this team needs to make every night.

But like the game in Iowa City, the execution of the take-the-air-out-of-the-ball sets at the end of the game need work. Burning clock is only so helpful if you don't finish the play.

In the end, I don't care that UVa only has a Sagarin of 117, any win on the road for this bunch is a big win. The fact they led by 10+ for 30+ minutes is remarkable. Well done.

Peter