Last year against Kansas

**Clones85'** · 01-13-2011, 11:39 AM

we lost by 23 points at home in what I still think was one of the lowest moments in Hilton history. We don't/shouldn't get beat that bad at home, especially against Kansas where we have a good crowd cheering for the upset. And we were never close and got whooped all game.

One year later we lose by 5 points to the #3 team in the country with a team that has less talent, less size, and less depth than the team before it had. Coaching, chemistry, heart, and toughness are showing in this Iowa State team. It's great to see. There is no question that great things are very close to happening at Iowa State and that Hilton Magic will be back soon. It's going to be a place where nobody wants to play....like it should be!!!!

Go Clones!

**timappelgate** · 01-13-2011, 11:54 AM

We need to take this close loss and take it out on Baylor this weekend.

**troyisu** · 01-13-2011, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by timappelgate

We need to take this close loss and take it out on Baylor this weekend.

I really hope that happens. Even though we looked good last night and I am optimistic for this season, the guys will at some point start hanging their heads a bit if we start 0-3 in conference play.

Go Clones!!

**chuckd4735** · 01-13-2011, 02:57 PM

Just remember...McDermott took KU to overtime in his first year at ISU!

**CycloneErik** · 01-13-2011, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

we lost by 23 points at home in what I still think was one of the lowest moments in Hilton history. We don't/shouldn't get beat that bad at home, especially against Kansas where we have a good crowd cheering for the upset. And we were never close and got whooped all game.

One year later we lose by 5 points to the #3 team in the country with a team that has less talent, less size, and less depth than the team before it had. Coaching, chemistry, heart, and toughness are showing in this Iowa State team. It's great to see. There is no question that great things are very close to happening at Iowa State and that Hilton Magic will be back soon. It's going to be a place where nobody wants to play....like it should be!!!!

Go Clones!

Keep in mind that the balcony last year was a whole lot of blue, so the home court advantage was somewhat negated.

Other than that, I agree with everything. Very depressing game and effort last year. We just got destroyed.

And now we don't.......

**brentblum** · 01-13-2011, 03:02 PM

It is interesting to note that Greg McDermott lost to KU 68-64 in OT in his first meeting in Hilton in Jan. 2007. The Cyclones were undermanned and KU was #6 in the nation with future NBA players Chalmers, Rush, Arthur, Jackson, Wright, Kaun, and Collins.

Iowa State would have won that game if it weren't for a late Rush 3 to send it into OT.

Bottom line...a close loss to KU is encouraging, but the momentum has to carry the rest of the way and most importantly into next year.

**Wesley** · 01-13-2011, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

Just remember...McDermott took KU to overtime in his first year at ISU!

Ah yes, that was his high point.

**cyclones500** · 01-13-2011, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by brentblum

It is interesting to note that Greg McDermott lost to KU 68-64 in OT in his first meeting in Hilton in Jan. 2007. The Cyclones were undermanned and KU was #6 in the nation with future NBA players Chalmers, Rush, Arthur, Jackson, Wright, Kaun, and Collins.

Iowa State would have won that game if it weren't for a late Rush 3 to send it into OT.

Bottom line...a close loss to KU is encouraging, but the momentum has to carry the rest of the way and most importantly into next year.

I agree that an "encouraging loss" has to be a building block and not an end in itself.

That KU loss in GM's first year foreshadowed a symptomatic issue that would repeat itself multiple times. Taylor was on fire in the first half, playing within the context of fairly effective half-court game. So what became the game plan in the second half? Give him the ball and let him "create," while the other four players watched.

Happened w/ WJ vs. Texas the next season. Similar thing w/ Brackins vs. KU in Season 3 (the 42-point explosion with no scoring help from the rest of the team).

I don't get excited about moral victories, but I didn't see anything in last night's loss that seemed like a flaw in basic strategy ... except for that last possession of the first half, that stupid isolation play that has failed about six straight times over multiple games.

**brentblum** · 01-13-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

I agree that an "encouraging loss" has to be a building block and not an end in itself.

That KU loss in GM's first year foreshadowed a symptomatic issue that would repeat itself multiple times. Taylor was on fire in the first half, playing within the context of fairly effective half-court game. So what became the game plan in the second half? Give him the ball and let him "create," while the other four players watched.

Happened w/ WJ vs. Texas the next season. Similar thing w/ Brackins vs. KU in Season 3 (the 42-point explosion with no scoring help from the rest of the team).

I don't get excited about moral victories, but I didn't see anything in last night's loss that seemed like a flaw in basic strategy ... except for that last possession of the first half, that stupid isolation play that has failed about six straight times over multiple games.

Great post!

**cyclones500** · 01-13-2011, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by brentblum

Great post!

Thanks.

Occasionally, I post something worthwhile.

**cyclones500** · 01-13-2011, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley

Ah yes, that was his high point.

Actually, his high point was @KSU last season — an unlikely, program-building upset that, unfortunately, came about 2.5 seasons too late.

**Clones85'** · 01-13-2011, 03:38 PM

No doubt Greg had us in OT against Kansas his first year and that was impressive. I guess I just feel that this ISU team is undermanned so much more than Greg's 1st team. Greg's team got 50 minutes out of their bench in that game and had size with Hubalek, Wesley J, Marsden, Jessan Gray, and even Cory Johnson. Last night we only got 15 minutes from our bench and we were relying on 2 true freshmen posts who don't have the experience.

**MNCyGuy** · 01-13-2011, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

I agree that an "encouraging loss" has to be a building block and not an end in itself.

That KU loss in GM's first year foreshadowed a symptomatic issue that would repeat itself multiple times. Taylor was on fire in the first half, playing within the context of fairly effective half-court game. So what became the game plan in the second half? Give him the ball and let him "create," while the other four players watched.

Happened w/ WJ vs. Texas the next season. Similar thing w/ Brackins vs. KU in Season 3 (the 42-point explosion with no scoring help from the rest of the team).

I don't get excited about moral victories, but I didn't see anything in last night's loss that seemed like a flaw in basic strategy ... except for that last possession of the first half, that stupid isolation play that has failed about six straight times over multiple games.

Also keep in mind that the McDermott team, while undermanned, also had a NBA-quality guard on the team. While I LOVE the guys on this team, I don't really see any future NBA players in the bunch (Ejim being maybe the exception, but he isn't as far along in his development as Taylor would have been)

**Clones85'** · 01-13-2011, 03:44 PM

Also to add to my point above, we have Scotty Christopherson hurt, and it's Railey's first game back following his accident/suspension. We were beyond depleted last night and we kept fighting.

**Clones85'** · 01-13-2011, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Also keep in mind that the McDermott team, while undermanned, also had a NBA-quality guard on the team. While I LOVE the guys on this team, I don't really see any future NBA players in the bunch (Ejim being maybe the exception, but he isn't as far along in his development as Taylor would have been)

Oh there is no question that McDermott team was better than this team talent wise. Wesley Johnson was a great freshmen and has length. Jiri could score both inside and out. Something we can't get out of JVB (still love though). Taylor was an NBA caliber guard. Rahshon Clark was a great athlete who could d up. And we had some depth.