Cyclones Defeat Wayne State, 55-41

Jeremy · 11-06-2006, 09:56 PM

I would like to be the first to reintroduce all of you to a thing called "defense". It may not always be super exciting, but it's what matters most as is evident so far....

Cyclones Defeat Wayne State, 55-41
Media Relations

AMES, Iowa—Rahshon Clark posted 12 points and 10 rebounds to pace Iowa State to a 55-41 exhibition win over Wayne State Monday night at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones closed out the exhibition season with a 2-0 record.

"It's going to take some time," ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. "Our coaching staff has to remain patient and continue to coach every day. Our margin of error is pretty small. There are going to be nights that our freshmen are going to play like freshmen. We're still learning to try to understand how to play together. We are making too many simple mistakes on the floor."

The first half was a defensive battle. Both teams struggled from the floor, as the Cyclones were 9-of-31 (29.0 percent) from the field and the Wildcats hit at a 28.6 percent (6-21 FG) clip. WSU had 14 turnovers and the Cyclones committed 10 miscues in the first half alone. Jiri Hubalek nailed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the half to push ISU into a 21-16 lead at intermission.

Iowa State’s first four baskets of the second half counted for three points, as Clark and Brock Jacobson each hit a pair of treys to open up a 33-26 lead with 12:38 remaining in the game. A Clark jumper off a break gave ISU a 14-point lead at the 5:49 mark. The Wildcats never got any closer the rest of the game.

The Cyclones, who shot just 31.6 percent from the field, controlled the game because of their stingy defense. ISU forced 24 turnovers and held WSC to a 27.3 percentage from the field. In their two exhibition games, Cyclone opponents committed 42 turnovers.

Hubalek finished in double figures in his second consecutive exhibition game, tallying 10 points. True freshman Cory Johnson came off the bench to score seven points and grab seven boards.

Bryce Caldwell scored a team-high 13 points for the Wildcats, including 3-for-5 from 3-point land. Dallas Hodges chipped in 11 points.

Iowa State begins the regular season this weekend, playing host to the American Family Insurance BTI Cyclone Challenge, Nov. 10-12. ISU plays host to UC Riverside in the first round on Friday at 8 p.m.

clone33 · 11-06-2006, 10:04 PM

Good to hear about the defense. I like it when C. Jonson gets 7 boards.

ISUFan22 · 11-06-2006, 10:04 PM

"It's going to take some time," ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. "Our coaching staff has to remain patient and continue to coach every day. Our margin of error is pretty small. There are going to be nights that our freshmen are going to play like freshmen. We're still learning to try to understand how to play together. We are making too many simple mistakes on the floor."

Dead on. G-Mac knows his team, that's for sure.

professor · 11-06-2006, 10:10 PM

This team needs Mike Taylor bad. We have no slashers except maybe McIntosh but he is too small.

I don't think Clark can take anyone off the dribble at all cuz he can't go left...

Main weakness would be that (having no slashers) IMO...

EggMcClone · 11-06-2006, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by professor

Main weakness would be that (having no slashers) IMO...

And shooting, it would seem.

chuckd4735 · 11-06-2006, 10:18 PM

a few thing I have taken away from our B-Ball team thus far. It is so nice to see a coach on the sideline who acctually coaches and moves around on the court. I have yet to see McDermott stand in one place with his arm crossed, daydreaming about his next meal, or sit down during a game. Not sure, but I think we have already out-rebounded more teams this year then we did all last year, hopefully thats a sign of good things to come. This team is not selfish, they play with hustle, and they are so far steller on defense. This year might just be better then anyone has thought. We have alot of improving to do on the offensive side of the ball, but we have a whole 5 months of a season ahaead of us, and with McDermott, it should get better with each game. I have a very good feeling about the future of Iowa State basketball!

professor · 11-06-2006, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by EggMcClone

And shooting, it would seem.

I think the better we penetrate the better looks we should get OR we give it to Cory Johnson at the elbow because he seems to be our best post player right now.

herbicide · 11-06-2006, 10:21 PM

I'll take a crushing post player over a slasher, but thats just me.

professor · 11-06-2006, 10:24 PM

We need Aaron Agnew to eat up some space.

UNIClone · 11-06-2006, 10:25 PM

I think they will really miss Jiri's scoring for the next six games. If there is a positive from that, hopefully its that the team learns how to adjust playing without him if/when he gets into foul trouble.

gocubs2118 · 11-06-2006, 10:30 PM

They need to spend a good amount of time in practice shooting free throws. At one time they missed 7 in a row. Not good.

mike4cy · 11-06-2006, 10:54 PM

A slasher would help this team's shooting, by a long shot. They just don't get a whole lot of open looks, and the ones they get are hurried along. I am content thus far.

CTAClone · 11-06-2006, 11:03 PM

Aren't we shooting the same percentage we did last year, just not getting the fast break points? I'd rather shoot the same percentage and stay in the game than score 70 and lose by 20.

By the way, this is my recollection not stats. Would be curious to compare though.

ripvdub · 11-06-2006, 11:04 PM

At this point in the year we need to work on everything. I like how its coming together though and McDermott is a great teacher. We really are gonna see a return to Floyd and Larryball. Low scoring and a lot of defense. As long as we win thats awesome.

herbicide · 11-06-2006, 11:05 PM

Two words. Dee fence.