Thoughts from the game tonight

[jahfg]

First off, we really struggled to defend without fouling. I was focusing on defense tonight since we had a couple of backups in the starting lineup with Clark and Jiri out.

Thompson - I was terrified of entering the season if last week was what were were going to get out of Thompson. He still looks a little awkward and he would be a lot better if he just turned and went right to the hoop like he did in the second half. He gets pushed around a little too much for a guy that weighs 250.

Brackins - Obviously, stallion in the making. Seems to be more comfortable facing up though, if McD could get him some post moves to go with the shot he'd be unreal.

Wesley - Standard Wesley performance, very solid. Still don't know what to think of him defensivly on the perimeter and I really haven't seen him dribble drive well yet.

Haluska - Definitly coming around on the kid. Needs to get used to the defense a little bit, was slow closing out on his man beyond the 3 point line and when they would drive around him that's when he'd pick up those reach ins.

Peterson - Game seems to just flow better with him in there. Smart guy, solid looking shot.

Garrett - Struggled to finish tonight and we saw the Garrett deep ball, wasn't exactly pretty. Huge upside though.

Vette - 5 fouls in 9 minutes pretty much says it all. Really attacked and was agressive, that was nice to see. As others have said, could probably use a redshirt, but I honestly think he can contribute toughness and effort.

CJ - Still very skilled at his position, but sometimes it seems like he tries to do too much and he gets shot over pretty easily it seems.

Boozer - Another guy who struggles with defense but he's got that great high arcing shot and is a crowd favorite it seems.

I honestly don't think the team played with great effort tonight at the start of the game, and the flow of the game was really disrupted without Peterson in there. No offense to Garrett because I think he's going to be a great player, but it seemed like EA's runs all occured when Peterson was out of the game.

I was just wondering what made you think we didn't give great effort to start the game. We had an excellent start to the game. I'm just a little confused what gave you that impression.

[BryceC]

I guess I don't mean they didn't give great effort, they just didn't look that intense... it's hard to explain. The crowd wasn't exactly into it, and I think it might have spread down to the players. It could be that they are still learning the system too but it just didn't seem like they were moving on offense and they weren't closing out well on defense and bodying up their guys, imo, and that's why we had so many first half fouls.

I could totally be off here too, that's why I want other people to give their opinions.

As far as Brackins and Fizer go, I don't know. One thing about Fizer's freshman year, he was the only player on the team so he got as many shots as he wanted and the team was terrible. I think he was a little more polished down low - Brackins still wants to turn and shoot or hook it, and Fizer was a bull even his freshman year and would just go through his guy.

Brackins is also a good 3 inches taller than Fizer and he's very active on defense though (he tried blocking just about everybody's shot) but he got swatted a couple of times yesterday too, one on a fastbreak where he slapped the floor in frustration afterward.

I think Brackins is going to be a great player and is a legit early entry NBA guy if he continues to improve. Is he going to be an All American? I don't know.

I do like this team this year, but I really wish there was a Mike Taylor-esque guy with driving ability that can get to the rim. Diante can be that, but he struggled to finish yesterday and it's only going to get tougher from here.

[4VR4CY]

Thanks BryceC! We did not make it last night. I have a test tonight that I needed to study for.

I haven't had time to read up on why Rashon didn't play. Can anyone fill me in?

[Clone4Life]

Thanks BryceC! We did not make it last night. I have a test tonight that I needed to study for.

I haven't had time to read up on why Rashon didn't play. Can anyone fill me in?

Sore knee, but nothing too major is what I heard

[mt85]

Some random thoughts from last night. The team really settled for perimeter shots throughout the night. I suspect that may be the result of working more on defense then offense at this stage of the season, but there were very few possessions where they got the ball inside to the posts or penetrated with the dribble. I haven't seen a box score, but I wouldn't be surprised if EA made more free throws then we attempted.

I did enjoy the last play of the first half when they went one four flat and let DG take his man to the basket for a lay up. It was reminisecent of the Jamal Tinsley days.

Defensively the team has a ways to go. A lot or reaching and hand checking as opposed to moving feet. It will get better, but it will take some time.

[necromancy]

Before playing us, they beat Utah State pretty badly, then lost to Creighton by about 10 I think. I'm not sure if they've played anyone else. They had some really good players, especially some strong big men, so this was a solid win against good competition. You can read more about them at cyclones.com.

[nfrine]

The starting lineup tonight was a very young/inexperienced team (Jiri and Rahshon both sat out). The "starting" lineup had a total of one year Big 12 experience. I think they sponded very well against a mature EA Sports team that had previously beaten Utah State (88-81) and lost to Creighton (88-75). I am exited to think what the potential may be when Clark and Hubalek are able to play.

Peterson definitely runs the team better (at this time) than Garrett. Garrett was very tentative and looked out-of-place. Another year will help him.

Haluska definitely works his butt off and provides movement to the offense. He will contribute this year.

Brackins and Wesley played very well and both appear to have huge upside.

Thompsons second half was much better than his first half. He was doing a lot of "little things" that seemed to energize the Cyclones when thay needed it.

All in all, I think we have at least 9 players that could see starting assignments during the year....a much nicer problem to have than last year. Definitely appears to be heading the right direction.

[isucyfan]

If we could just get Haluska to fall down after every shot and get the foul call, he may average 20 ppg.

[isucyfan]

I am trying to restrain myself from thinking about what kind of 1-2 punch Wes and Brackins will be in two years, because a lot can happen in that span of time. (see Sam Mack, Mark Baugh, etc.)

But these guys are good, and seem to have great character, too. It's gonna be fun.

[ajk4st8]

We will struggle to defend quicker teams this year.

Our offense can really shoot the ball. I dont know how good we will be at taking the ball to the hoop, but we can shoot.

Team struggled without WJ and Brackins. Brackins is the real deal. Wow.

[ISUFan22]

Ya know how Johnson struggled some late int he season, hitting that freshman wall.

Well I don't see that happening with Brackins (aside from injuries to other front-court players). Plenty of depth down there should allow him to get enough rest this year.

[CloneFan65]

Thanks BryceC! We did not make it last night. I have a test tonight that I needed to study for.

Come on! Get your priorities straight!

I haven't had time to read up on why Rashon didn't play. Can anyone fill me in?

He found out his number 1 (obsessed) fan had a test to study for, so he figured "why play?".

[cmoore_23]

I really liked what i saw from the team. i really like the way they started and finished the game even with our Jiri or Rashon.. and that is also why i dont think we had so many post touches.. i think if you add Jiri into the paint it will allow for the other guys to get more touches.. but wow Brackins is a beast.. the guy can just straight up play.. had some good post moves but also can hit the jumpers.. i think that is awesome! A-train struggled a little bit in the 1st but played much better in the 2nd and had a nice post move that i think he will continue to improve.. CJ kinda frusterated me.. i think he needs to remember he can dish the ball out.. to many times he tried for the shot when it was not there but there is upside to the guy.. The guard play was ok but will be better once again with clark and brister playing.. but i thought peterson def was the better pg right now and madesome plays ob both the offensive and defensive side.. Garret needs to slow down a little bit and use his speed at different times.. and when he is cutting to be more alert and kick it out or over to a post player.. booooooozer is awesome i like the guy alot.. he has a swagger to him.. and haluska was a pleasant suprise.. i have heard alot of ppl say the guy could shoot.. but the fact that he can move with the ball to get the shot is sweeeet!! I think this team can raise some eyebrows if they continue to get better and listen to what gmac tells them.. we might struggle a little bit at times which is expected but i think overal we are a better team then last year
I also love the lucca chants but i think we need to work on the timing of them...

[peteypie]

Thanks guys,

Do you think that we take a step down in competition when we play the 9th and 10th after we played EA sports?

[Wesley]

Sure do. Better not lose. looking at non conference schedule, we could go undefeated.