The difference between last year and this year

frontrangeclone · 01-11-2007, 12:58 PM

I pose the question... does this team have an NIT run in it? I think that would be a remarkable accomplishment for the first year staff and the patchwork team of jucos, freshman, and very little from the previous era. Normally I wouldn't ever think shooting for the NIT to be a good thing... but this season I think it would be something...

ISUFan22 · 01-11-2007, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by frontrangeclone

I pose the question... does this team have an NIT run in it? I think that would be a remarkable accomplishment for the first year staff and the patchwork team of jucos, freshman, and very little from the previous era. Normally I wouldn't ever think shooting for the NIT to be a good thing... but this season I think it would be something...

It would be something, a big something IMO. As far as it happening - that's a big maybe right now.

Talk to me after we play Missouri again - on Feb. 6th. We'll have faced Kansas, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M in that span as well as games I think we aught to win with Colorado and Kansas State. I have no idea about Baylor and Missouri.

If we can win the 2 we should, beat Baylor and/or Missouri and at worst remain competitive with those 3 ranked teams - I think we've got a decent shot down the stretch.

clonomaniac · 01-11-2007, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I think Curtis and Will could've benefited a ton from playing under G-Mac.

I dont agree with you on that. I don't think Clark is comfortable with McD yet. Stinson and Blalock play more Wayne Morgan style basketball and a slow pace McD basketball wouldn't be what they need in their senior year before they turn pro.

SlyCy · 01-11-2007, 01:08 PM

Discipline! Discipline! Discipline!

We have a coach who will not put up with BS and put a player in his place. Although some players have thicker skulls than others we are getting there.

iccyfan · 01-11-2007, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I think Curtis and Will could've benefited a ton from playing under G-Mac.

I think Blalock would've benefited (though he's doing well where he is), but it's my opinion that Stinson would have been a "fish outa' water" under McDermott. I'm more disappointed about the defections of Taggart (Memphis), Carr (St. Joseph's) and the Fennis Dembo sound-alike red-shirt (NC State). I'd like to have seen the talent accrued by Morgan hit the floor coached by McDermott; we might have seen a Raveling / Dr. Tom season!

Even so, I'm not disappointed with what's brewing in Cyclone Nation these days!

ISUFan22 · 01-11-2007, 01:12 PM

Here's another one...

Depth.

Yeah, shocking as it may sound - but I think we're much deeper this year than last. Look at all the minutes the starters played last year, especially Curtis and Will. Some games they never left the court.

This year we've got a nice rotation going. Some games it's more than others depending on what we're up against - yet I like G-Mac using every bit of his team when he can. This will keep the young guys fresh as the season wears on.

And just think about the additions for next year. Wow...to think...we may have the ability to consistantly play close to 10 guys per game.

That's huge.

clonomaniac · 01-11-2007, 01:16 PM

The positive of this year compared to last year:

1. A good coach
2. The concept of defense
3. Good discipline
4. Rebounding
5. More than 2 contributors scoring points and solid stats

cyclonekj · 01-11-2007, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Here's another one...

Depth.

Yeah, shocking as it may sound - but I think we're much deeper this year than last. Look at all the minutes the starters played last year, especially Curtis and Will. Some games they never left the court.

This year we've got a nice rotation going. Some games it's more than others depending on what we're up against - yet I like G-Mac using every bit of his team when he can. This will keep the young guys fresh as the season wears on.

And just think about the additions for next year. Wow...to think...we may have the ability to consistantly play close to 10 guys per game.

That's huge.

Agreed! We still don't have a bench full of blue-chippers, but Mac isn't afraid to go deeper than the seventh player. The entire team works hard because they all have a chance to contribute.

CY ST8T · 01-11-2007, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by JJ4ISU

COACHING!!!

DING!!! DING!!! DING!!!!

You nailed it and the discussion is over!!!

aeroclone · 01-11-2007, 01:57 PM

Fundamentals.

cyclonekj · 01-11-2007, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by aeroclone

Fundamentals.

I've seen you guys can shoot but there's more to the game than shooting. There's fundamentals and defense.

If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book we're gonna be winners.

Wesley · 01-11-2007, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Here's another one...

Depth.

Yeah, shocking as it may sound - but I think we're much deeper this year than last. Look at all the minutes the starters played last year, especially Curtis and Will. Some games they never left the court.

This year we've got a nice rotation going. Some games it's more than others depending on what we're up against - yet I like G-Mac using every bit of his team when he can. This will keep the young guys fresh as the season wears on.

And just think about the additions for next year. Wow...to think...we may have the ability to consistantly play close to 10 guys per game.

That's huge.

McD likes to use 10 players normally. Keeps the players fresh for the end. Curtis and Will ran out of gas in the past. It also, ahem, creates competition. Like perform or sit. Like play hard or take a break. Like think smart and stay in. Easy decision for Jiri and Mike.

ISUFan22 · 01-11-2007, 03:31 PM

I have not looked at average minutes per player - yet I'm guessing Clark isn't even in the top 2 - speculating Taylor and Wesley are at the top.

Now...if you would've told me that prior to the season, I would've laughed at you or said G-Mac wasn't coaching well.

Seeing what's going on - I love what he's doing. Plus, I think Clark has a monster game in him that's waiting to come out.

cygoat · 01-11-2007, 03:35 PM

Another factor is that we're fouling a lot less this year, mainly the result of playing good man-to-man D. Has anyone even fouled out this year? We're playing much headier in this area.

BryceC · 01-11-2007, 03:37 PM

Seeing what's going on - I love what he's doing. Plus, I think Clark has a monster game in him that's waiting to come out.

I loved his drive where he layed it in and got undercut for the 3 point play. That was ballsy and I liked that he converted it with so much contact.