By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher
Happy Friday Cyclone Fanatics! I apologize for this week’s mailbag being posted on a Friday. What’s up with that? Well, our recruiting party kind of took over my life on Wednesday and there have been those tiny little rumors floating around cyberspace. You know the ones I’m talking about right?
True story here on a Friday afternoon. My cell phone ran out of battery twice on Monday, from calls I was making/receiving about these rumors.
Before I dig into the mailbag, here is what I honestly believe about Greg McDermott’s future in Ames. I have never been more confident than I am right now that McDermott will be back next season. So there…the cat is out of the bag (my apologies for using a terrible cliché’). Let’s get started.
ISUFan22 writes: Take everything that has happened at Iowa State over the past few seasons and duplicate it someplace else in the country. You could pretend it’s Minnesota if you’d like. Does that coach get a 5th year?
CW: Well thought out question 22. Fanatics…take a note from that question Fanatics. That is solid. There are a couple of factors that we need to examine before truly breaking that down. The first is who the athletic director at that school and his/her history. Is this a new AD? Did this AD hire the coach? What is the financial situation of that school? What about tradition? Does this school have a lot of basketball history? Those are all important factors.
As far as this exact situation going on somewhere else (we’ll go with Minnesota), I’d say yes. The coach would be brought back, especially if that coach has proven that he could coach in the past. I’ve been very upfront about this for months. I still think that Greg is a quality basketball coach. He obviously has had issues (at Iowa State) when it comes to getting the right group of players together and meshing them with himself, as a basketball coach. That all goes on his back at the end of the day. I am not escaping that fact but again, I think that he’s a good coach. There has been so much made of the stat that Greg discussed after the Missouri game. You know the 3-9 in Big 12 games that are one-possession contests with four minutes to play. Obviously, these Cyclones are not strong in the clutch. Ultimately, that goes on the back of the head coach. But you can also look at the fact that these awful players (not my words, certain Fanatics think this) are being coached up for 35 minutes in the best basketball league in America. They simply cannot seal the deal. Greg’s game plans haven’t been horrible this year. When you look at the box scores from the season, this team has been very competitive. The players just don’t make the right plays at the right time. But again, who brought those players to campus? That all goes on the shoulders of the head coach.
Wesley writes: Who is our best matchup in the tournament: Oklahoma, OSU, or Texas?
CW: Anybody but Texas or Baylor in my opinion. Those are the two sure thing losses for possible first round opponents in my opinion. I think that the Clones could upset OSU or A&M…no question. Iowa State nearly beat both of those teams with terrible performances out of Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap. If those guys just play decent in those games, Iowa State has five Big 12 wins.
Can we hold Clemente in check this Saturday?
CW: Probably not. The only thing that holds Clemente back is himself. When Clemente and Pullen are making shots, Kansas State is a top five team in America. But let’s say that they get a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament and both guards are off in the first round…we could see another Hampton situation my friends. Sorry to bring that up. I agree…it was uncalled for.
Becisgreg writes: Looking into your crystal ball based on the assumption of Greg as our head coach next year, no Brackins or Gilstrap, and no other defections -> What is our conference record in 2011?
CW: I appreciate your passion for the next few years but that is an impossible question to answer with the knowledge that we have right now. I will say this though. I think that Iowa State will have a better conference record next season. I’m not saying tha the actual team itself will be better, but they have to win more than three Big 12 games right? If everybody sticks around who we think will, the guard play will be better. The Big 12 will still be great but not as good as this year. I think that they can beat three wins…I hope that they can.
Tec71 writes: Being an ISU fan deep down, how hard is it to sit through a call in show after a loss like the one against Missouri? How can you seriously do that for hours on hours?
CW: Keith Murphy (name drop) asked me this question on KXNO last week. I gave him this answer, which he told me to get trademarked.
A bad night of discussing Iowa State basketball is better than a good night of doing anything else. That’s how much passion I have for what I do. I love it. The Missouri post game show was the best one we have had all season long. People were so passionate and the calls were very well thought out. We had maybe one bad call in an hour and 15 minutes. It was a true discussion on what is wrong with this program and I was simply a moderator. I wouldn’t trade my gig for anything in the world.
There’s a bomb under your girls seat, and you have to answer a random Cyclones sports trivia question to save her. Do you take it yourself or do let Mike Green, the SID handle it for you, even if you look unmanly doing it?
CW: I’d go to Mike Green in a second. No question about it.
VeloClone writes: What is the proper punishment for Griner of BU? What will she get?
CW:It was announced today that Griner will be suspended for two games. That is pretty gutless of Baylor IMO. I would have at the very least suspended her for tomorrow’s game and the entire Big 12 Conference tournament. Maybe even the first round of the NCAA’s.
CylentButDeadly writes: How is ISU’s pre/post game food spread for the media? Is Tommy K hooking you guys up? Also, what’s the most you’ve hovered from a media food spread?
CW: I am thankful for any sort of food that we get before events because a handful of athletic departments have stopped providing this feature due to the stupid economy. Essentially, it is free food for us so again, to complain about it would be rude and uncalled for. Best media spread ever? I love the football meals. They often times mimic tailgate food…burgers…tacos…That stuff is my favorite.
Yaman3 writes: No holds barred in the steel cage, who wins a battle royale out of these candidates?
Chuck Norris, Arnold Schwartenegger, Jean Claude Van Damme, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Vin Diesel, Sean Connery, Robert Downey Jr., Shia Lebeouf, Chyna, Mark Wahlberg, Jack Nicholson, and Chris Williams.
CW: Well, take me out of the mix right now. I’d be the first loser tossed over the top rope. Wahlberg would be tossed next because I think he is kind of a dork. Nicholson would be next because he is old. Then the Governor because he too is old. In my mind, it would come down to Norris and Chyna. Chyna has been in the ring before you know? I’d take her to win because I am assuming that her old DX homeboys would be hanging around the ring. She’d cheat to win. And if you’re not down with that, I’ve got two words for ya……..
Brentwood writes: Missed out on the party Wednesday…What was the one thing you heard that surprised you from the coaches and what got you the most excited regarding next season?
CW: The incoming speed gets me most excited for next season and in way, that is what surprised me the most. I’m not sure which one of the coaches said it but one of them alluded to the fact that size isn’t that important in the Big 12 anymore, but speed is the game. If you watch that highlight tape, there is collective speed coming into this program that we haven’t seen before in my opinion. I’ve been high on him since the first time I saw his tape, but Shontrelle Johnson is going to be special. You don’t have to take my word for it either. Coach Pope was glowing when describing the tools that Johnson will bring to Ames.
St8 writes: On Gilligan’s Island, how did Ginger have so many different outfits when they were only going on a 3 hour tour?
CW: I am about to admit to something that I am not proud of Fanatics. Are you ready? I have never seen one episode of Gilligan’s Island. So therefore, I do not know who Ginger is. I am however an expert when it comes to Seinfeld and Saved by the Bell. From the moment that A.C. Slater committed to the University of Iowa, I developed a passionate dislike for Mario Lopez. Thought I’d throw in a local tie. Holler.
MNCyGuy writes: When should we be expecting our wedding invites in the mail?
CW: I am getting married on May 15. You should get your invite in the mail on May 17. You would get it on the 16th but that is a Sunday and the mail won’t be delivered. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Mizouse87 writes: Why did Jake choose the chick that looks like a transvestite on The Bachelor?
CW: I admire you Mizouse87. You just openly admitted to thousands of people that you watch The Bachelor. Good for you. I do not watch that program but by the judge of the insane amount of Facebook status updates that littered the Internet on this same topic, I assume that this decision was kind of a big deal. So I looked it up. Let me ask you this Mizouse…if you woke up next to that woman every day for the rest of your life, you’d be unhappy? I pity you if that is the case. You have incredibly high standards. She doesn’t look like a transvestite! That is an extremely asinine statement that I demand you to take back. Now!
Acrozier22 writes: Two questions that have been bothering me of late…
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
CW: I appreciate your attempt to be funny Croz but I have gotten that question twice before in this mailbag. Seriously. Enough with the woodchuck talk Fanatics!
and
If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it make a sound? Can’t wait to hear your response!
CW:According to WikiAnswers, that is an unanswerable question. See…I don’t just use this mailbag to spout off. I actually do research for my fellow Fanatics.
Vanillathrilla writes: If you were having a crappy day and there was no alcohol, what would you prefer to drink: Fresca or Maple syrup?
CW: I don’t even know how to approach this one. Under no circumstance do I ever see myself drinking maple syrup…so….I’ll take Fresca.
Have a great weekend everybody!
