By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams
It’s mail time!
brentblum writes: If the 27th birthday was a sporting event, what would it be? For example, the 18th birthday is like the first day of March Madness (with Gus Johnson=the ability to purchase X rated material). The 21st Birthday is obviously the Super Bowl. And the 50th birthday is probably akin to a stop on the Champions Tour. But what about 27? I’m struggling to find a comparison here.
CW: I can always rely on my main man Brent Blum for insightful analysis about absolutely nothing. For those of you who don’t know him personally, Blum’s life is like an episode of Seinfeld. Very random. The only difference is that Blum doesn’t drink coffee. I tried to get him hooked on the good stuff a few years ago at KMA Radio in Shenandoah but Blum would not conform. Blum never conforms.
To answer your question, I’d compare the 27th birthday (that’s me today if you haven’t figured it out yet) to the Iowa High School State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge (an event that I’ve proudly covered three times). It is a surprisingly good time. Softball is a fast game so it goes by quickly. While Fort Dodge, Iowa isn’t exactly Augusta, good friends in the industry (I’m talking to YOU Kevin White from the Omaha World Herald) help pass the time.
P.S. I want to wish a happy birthday to my boss and primary owner of CF, Jason Loutsch. Isn’t it weird that we share the same birthday? As Forrest Gump would say, Jason and I are like peas and carrots, or whatever the heck that means.
Clones85′ writes: The 27th Birthday is like a NASCAR race. It’s there, but does anyone really care?
CW: ZING!
Aclone writes: Is David Irving the real deal?
CW: I’d love to sit here today and write that David Irving is the next Jason Berryman, minus the crime and all of that off the field garbage. I can’t do that though because I just don’t know. I don’t think that the coaches know. I do know that he’s been impressive early on. Sources say that he’s been getting after it in the weight room. But in my opinion, it is just too early to place expectations on this kid. The good news is that I haven’t heard anything that makes me think he won’t pan out.
khaal53 writes: The last two years Paul Rhoads has gotten the boys to pull off a road win that next to nobody was expecting. Not to say that will happen again this year, or that it will be a road game, but if it did who is the most likely casualty? (Crossing fingers for Oklahoma.)
CW: Sorry Kirk. While I agree with your analysis, I will not go the Oklahoma route. First of all, I’ll call my shot right now. I think that Iowa State will beat UConn on Sept. 16. But that’s not the type of "upset" you’re looking for I assume. I’m looking at this schedule and I don’t see a ton of opportunities for Iowa State to pull off a shocker. I wouldn’t call wins over Baylor, Texas Tech or Kansas State that surprising. Really, Missouri and Oklahoma are the only games that would knock the socks off of the Big 12. I do like the fact that the Cyclones will play Missouri in the first half of the season, reason being that the Tigers will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. The catch is, Iowa State will be doing the same thing. How about trading the one marquee win for two wins over Baylor and Tech? I’d take that in a second.
Cloned writes: It is hard not to be excited about the future of ISU MBB. If Fred Hoiberg is able to achieve sustained success, do you think his numerous contacts in the NBA will pursue him as a head coach?
CW: Probably. It would make sense. The guy is a former NBA player and executive. With some winning seasons as a head coach in the Big 12, why not take a look? By winning seasons, I don’t mean going 10-8 in the Big 12. Iowa State would have to make some serious NCAA Tournament runs and possibly win the league a few times before I see this happening. You don’t see college coaches make that jump very often (just ask Tim Floyd right?).
Jonecy writes: I think our Athletic Department is in great hands with Mr. Pollard, but I worry that larger, more prestigious schools will try to lure him away in the future (if they haven’t already). What are your thoughts/feelings on Pollard staying at ISU long-term? Is he a lifer here or do you think he’s waiting for his big break? Do know of any schools that have already tried to get him? Do you think Pres. Geoffrey leaving could have an impact on Pollard going elsewhere? Good work on the site – thanks for the great Cyclone coverage!
CW: I’m not worried about Jamie going anywhere. I think that if he was interested in doing so, he would have done it by now. Jamie’s family is happy in Ames and I anticipate him being here for a long time.
Yellow Snow writes: How would you grade out Hoiberg’s recruiting so far? I guess, more specifically, are we getting our first targets? I feel like he is doing a great job from an outsiders perspective, but was just wondering what your overall thoughts are on how well he is doing.
CW: The 2012 effort is really Fred’s first recruiting class and yes, Georges Niang and Nkereuwem Okoro were the top targets that I am aware of. Based off of that, I think that Fred is doing very well. I understand why many were concerned when Bobby Lutz left for N.C. State, but bringing Matt Abdelmassih and Cornell Mann on board as assistants were great moves. Abdelmassih is a shark on the recruiting trail. He will get players. Mann is a proven recruiter in Michigan. Add T.J. Otzelberger to that duo with Hoiberg as the closer and that’s a pretty formidable staff that can cover most of America. X’s and O’s are important, but having talent tops that in my opinion. The talent level is about to drastically increase in Ames. Hopefully wins will follow.
itsCYence writes: What was your initial reaction to DG not being drafted?
CW: Based off of the information I received on Thursday morning, I was very surprised. Having said that, Fred Hoiberg was pretty direct afterwards that this all worked out for DG in the end. I’ll take his word for it.
