Games thread- MEN'S BBall opens Big 12 play hosting #3 Iowa St. (Monday, 12/30/24; 7:00 PM; CBS Sports Net)

[Bisonic]

Fun atmosphere last night. I've never minded ISU fans, probably because I spent a few months working in Des Moines 20 years ago, visited Hilton. Decent people, nothing like the KU twats.

I'm always quick to criticize Boyle but his development of this unknown group is impressive. We're probably an NIT team, but we'll beat some teams this year. Looks like he's still trying to figure out the most effective combinations out there. Guard play - Hammond & Smith - is turning out FAR better than I feared. Ruffin can contribute, but he needs to be our first guard option off the bench, and be more assertive. Dak & Diop are gonna present matchup problems - I'd like to see their minutes increase. Malone - maybe less minutes until he finally learns how to get his butt on players on the D side. I have to think Battey & Manning are in his ear about that constantly, but it isn't clicking. Every guy on the inside needs to get it through their head - your eyes should NOT be on the rim when the shot goes up - they should be on who you'll be blocking out.

On offense, I'm most concerned. Without Hammond's aggressiveness last night, this could've been a 20 point home loss. If we don't figure out solid 2nd, 3rd, 4th scoring options, I'm seeing some ugly road losses. Jakimovski is an obvious option, but his shooting slump means he's not a steady option, at least from the arc. Coaches need to preach on what was working last night - attack the rim every possession, don't expect good outside looks without it.

Tough home loss but I'm a lot more encouraged than I was a few weeks ago.

 

[hokiehead]

I think someone posted that the XII is contractually obligated to a new tournament, not the NIT, if we fail to make the NCAAs

 

[buffgal]

Fun atmosphere last night. I've never minded ISU fans, probably because I spent a few months working in Des Moines 20 years ago, visited Hilton. Decent people, nothing like the KU twats.

This is what I have thought about the ISU fans and they follow their team anywhere.

I have been to a lot of road games in the Big 8 and Big 12 as well as non-conference. Aside from CU, Iowa State gives the best comp seats of anyone in the old conference and other venues where I have been. Nobody hassled me at Iowa State. Lawrence is another story. I was there when the KU women and CU women were battled for first place in the Big 8 and they hated us and treated us like dirt. We were lucky to get out of theire with an OT win.

 

[RumblinBuff]

I think someone posted that the XII is contractually obligated to a new tournament, not the NIT, if we fail to make the NCAAs

College Basketball Crown - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jumped ship]

I’ll add to the JH3 praise, when he plays off the ball he has some nice moves in the mid range and isn’t afraid to pull the trigger. I actually think that’s a weird x factor with this team, they’ll at least shoot the ball…which is why the turnovers are so brutal

still confused by some lineup choices but that’s early season Tad

outside of Malone not blocking out (I think it’s conditioning) I got angry at adam a few times on D for not coming from the help side or doing it way too late — he should have at least 1-2 more blocks per game

 

[Buffnik]

We've got a lot of good shooters this year along with a lot of verticality to contest shots.

Not a good dribbling team or a physically powerful team, so the codes for Tad to crack are limiting turnovers and controlling the defensive glass. I think with the way we can knock down shots and limit opponent shooting percentage that this team gets pretty damn good if it can keep possessions equal.

 

[ahoelsken]

There were a lot of ISU fans.

And, it was the biggest crowd of the year, over academic break, on a Monday. It was a great crowd.

Sure. Felt like I was in Ames after Otzelberger changed the game with that timeout.

Quietly one of Tad's best jobs. We're ****ing 9-3 with a top 12 win, and its one of Tad's least talented teams......and people are "I don't like watching this team"

 

[Scotch]

We've got a lot of good shooters this year along with a lot of verticality to contest shots.

Not a good dribbling team or a physically powerful team, so the codes for Tad to crack are limiting turnovers and controlling the defensive glass. I think with the way we can knock down shots and limit opponent shooting percentage that this team gets pretty damn good if it can keep possessions equal.

Hopefully Malone adjusts to Big 12 play sooner than later. His big body with the long armed vertical this team has could be a damn good front court come March.

JH3 - 21 points, 4 boards, 4 assists.... 0, count 'em, ZERO TO's. Dude balled out last night.

My first thought when I woke up this morning, "God damn last night was fun!" The kind of game that reminds me why I've kept my season tix all these years.