How good are they?

**Cyhart** · 11-18-2010, 10:08 AM

Its addition by subtraction.

Iowa State - GMAC= A better Iowa State

Even if Drake is bad, does anyone honestly think GMAC would have beaten them last night that badly? This is the worst we have ever beaten Drake and this certainly isnt the least talented Drake team we have ever faced.

**jdoggivjc** · 11-18-2010, 10:12 AM

I think they're better than last year, and McDermott leaving is a good part of that. That being said, I think it's still pretty early to be determining just how good they really are - we have no idea whether Drake is just that bad, or if this game will play any relevance to the rest of our season at all. Keep in mind - the 1999-2000 team that was one bad "blarge" call away from possibly winning an NCAA title LOST to Drake early in the season. We just don't know enough yet to be making reasonable judgments about this team, other than we appear to be better than last year.

**Clones21** · 11-18-2010, 10:13 AM

Were much better than last year and the 3 years before that. We are much better coached.

**RayShimley** · 11-18-2010, 10:18 AM

I don't know what to think yet. This is the second time experts on this site have predicted we would have trouble with a team only to have our Cyclones come out there and own them handily. First is was N. Arizona with their 5 starting seniors (Beat them by 14), then it was Drake with their experience, big man, and back-to-back top recruiting classes (beat them by 48). This team seems to thrive on the doubters, so I guess I say keep it coming.

**asmosis** · 11-18-2010, 10:20 AM

With an up-tempo offense, lots of dribble penetration, and great spacing for kick-out 3's... we can and will knock off some better teams this year. I really can see us at .500 this season if no major injuries arise. In addition to the toughness and great preparedness we are developing by having an elite practice squad, our offense will give some teams fits this season. We will beat teams down court who don't play transition defense that well - watch how quickly we in-bound the ball and pass it upcourt after made baskets. The dribble penetration could spell foul trouble for a team with superior inside game once or twice a year. And when a team gets hot from outside, you can knock off a superior team. I know it's been cake early, but a great take away is that we haven't played down to the level of lesser opponents. We play our game and don't appear lazy even when blowing these first 3 teams out.

**HititHard** · 11-18-2010, 10:23 AM

I don't know if we are going to have a better record than last year. But I do know that we are a hell of lot more fun to watch!

**bawbie** · 11-18-2010, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by RayShimley

I don't know what to think yet.

I do know what to think. I think that when a TEAM plays unselfish, plays hard every play, plays TEAM defense, that they are playing the right way and it's fun to watch, regardless of the record at the end of the season. If they can stay healthy and keep up the intensity, the record will be what it is, but the season will be a success.

**bawbie** · 11-18-2010, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by asmosis

We play our game and don't appear lazy even when blowing these first 3 teams out.

There were two plays last night that epitomizes this team for me, and I hope they can keep this level of effort up, both by Jake of course.

After puking for most of the previous 24 hours, in the first half he dove from behind for a steal and an extra possession on a play that no one else would even have gone for a steal.

Second, and this one amazes me, when we were up ~40 pts in the second half, he stands in and takes a charge.

I honestly think Jake has as much to do with the chemistry on this team as Fred does.

**Cyhart** · 11-18-2010, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by asmosis

With an up-tempo offense, lots of dribble penetration, and great spacing for kick-out 3's... we can and will knock off some better teams this year. I really can see us at .500 this season if no major injuries arise. In addition to the toughness and great preparedness we are developing by having an elite practice squad, our offense will give some teams fits this season. We will beat teams down court who don't play transition defense that well - watch how quickly we in-bound the ball and pass it upcourt after made baskets. The dribble penetration could spell foul trouble for a team with superior inside game once or twice a year. And when a team gets hot from outside, you can knock off a superior team. I know it's been cake early, but a great take away is that we haven't played down to the level of lesser opponents. We play our game and don't appear lazy even when blowing these first 3 teams out.

Thats the key! I hate the injury bug! I have my fingers crossed......

**ca4cy** · 11-18-2010, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by ThePollinator

I'm not sure what to think yet, Drake looked bad, real bad. We'll see when they play a decent opponent.

Agreed. Last night was likely a function of us playing our absolute best against a pretty mediocre team that probably played about as bad as they could. As others have stated, our weaknesses are still there and will be exposed by the better teams we will see down the road. That said, the effort sure is nice as is the feeling you get that these guys genuinely love playing together. Hoops is fun again.

**cy4prez7** · 11-18-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by CyBroncos

It's only been three games...two against cupcakes. Revisit this topic in the middle of the Big 12 season when we'll actually know what we got

Thanks for not answering :)

**jtdoyle1** · 11-18-2010, 10:49 AM

The key difference between this year's team and last year's is definitely team chemistry. Just look at the fact that not one player has left the team yet this season. Can we say that about previous 3 years?

**temperflare** · 11-18-2010, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by bawbie

I do know what to think. I think that when a TEAM plays unselfish, plays hard every play, plays TEAM defense, that they are playing the right way and it's fun to watch, regardless of the record at the end of the season. If they can stay healthy and keep up the intensity, the record will be what it is, but the season will be a success.

This. I'll also add that the players look like they are having fun. Under GMac, they looked like they spent half their time thinking. Everything was deliberate and predictable. Players like Brackins looked like they were just going through the motions.

There's almost a "smoothness" to the offense we run; completely night and day from last year.

**cyclonepower** · 11-18-2010, 10:58 AM

i think we could possibly get the same number of wins as last years team, which is sad considering the talent...i wish we had jake and DG another year

**CycloneErik** · 11-18-2010, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by bawbie

There were two plays last night that epitomizes this team for me, and I hope they can keep this level of effort up, both by Jake of course.

After puking for most of the previous 24 hours, in the first half he dove from behind for a steal and an extra possession on a play that no one else would even have gone for a steal.

Second, and this one amazes me, when we were up ~40 pts in the second half, he stands in and takes a charge.

I honestly think Jake has as much to do with the chemistry on this team as Fred does.

Great point. Jake looks like a chemistry major.