ISU MBB article in Ames Tribune

**cyclone_fan_1000** · 07-27-2011, 10:23 PM

Here's a good article in the Ames Tribune on the work ethic and attitude of the players on the men's basketball team:

Ames Tribune > Ames Tribune > Sports

**isucyfan** · 07-27-2011, 10:25 PM

Man, it's good to hear that Melvin has improved his ballhandling. If he can become a player that can beat his guy off the dribble, even with just a couple of dribbles to the hoop, he will be dangerous.

**CycloneErik** · 07-27-2011, 10:26 PM

Great article.

We were 16-16, but other than that detail, great stuff!

**cyclonedave25** · 07-27-2011, 10:27 PM

I'm glad they are putting the facility to good use on their own time. It seems like the "24 hour, always open" type of facility was an awesome idea. Glad to see everybody is hungry to improve their game.

**rebecacy** · 07-27-2011, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

Man, it's good to hear that Melvin has improved his ballhandling. If he can become a player that can beat his guy off the dribble, even with just a couple of dribbles to the hoop, he will be dangerous.

Don't get me wrong I am very excited and high on this team but have been around BBall and in my experience ball handlers are born and not made. We will see I guess -- I do hope we get picked near the bottom cuz we will surprise, the only question is how big of a surprise will we be.

**ripvdub** · 07-27-2011, 10:33 PM

Yes, if he could get half the first step that Rahshon did his 1st two years, he'll be dangerous.

**madcityCY** · 07-27-2011, 10:37 PM

A more well-rounded Ejim will be problematic for defenders. He's already had to prove himself down low. An inside- out game will make him really tough.

**isucyfan** · 07-27-2011, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by rebecacy

Don't get me wrong I am very excited and high on this team but have been around BBall and in my experience ball handlers are born and not made. We will see I guess -- I do hope we get picked near the bottom cuz we will surprise, the only question is how big of a surprise will we be.

A couple of hard dribbles to the hoop is not too much to expect out of a forward. It's not like I'm expecting him to have mad point guard skills or anything.

**madcityCY** · 07-27-2011, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

A couple of hard dribbles to the hoop is not too much to expect out of a forward. It's not like I'm expecting him to have mad point guard skills or anything.

A Tinsley spin never hurt anyone

**Wesley** · 07-27-2011, 10:54 PM

The practice facility was a godsend.

**Cyhart** · 07-27-2011, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley

The practice facility was a godsend.

Absolutely it was. It had been the #1 item on my Cyclone "wish list" for years. By a wide margin. I give Jamie huge props for getting it done.

Great article. The players are all very driven and feeding off each other. Sometimes you get the perfect situation that fosters that kind of chemistry and drive, and it appears we now have it. It's going to be a good winter.

**CydeKick** · 07-27-2011, 11:42 PM

I know some people are concerned with team chemistry, but I just don't see it. These guys seem to love each other and I think these guys are really going to do some great things in the next 2-3 years. It's almost scary.

**tyler24** · 07-28-2011, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by rebecacy

Don't get me wrong I am very excited and high on this team but have been around BBall and in my experience ball handlers are born and not made. We will see I guess -- I do hope we get picked near the bottom cuz we will surprise, the only question is how big of a surprise will we be.

I have to disagree with this. One can improve their eye-hand coordination with the right training. They arent saying he has amazing dribbling skills now, but instead he is able to have a solid handle. Besides the training, a lot of this has to do with the coaches installing so much confidence in these guys. If you have someone believing you can do something as well as having yourself believe it, more than likely you are going to improve.

**Frak** · 07-28-2011, 12:15 AM

This team is starting to remind me of Floyd's second season. A bunch of unknowns just grinding away to show the country that they're not nobodies and misfits. It will be fun to follow them in Italy.

**Frak** · 07-28-2011, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by tyler24

I have to disagree with this. One can improve their eye-hand coordination with the right training. They arent saying he has amazing dribbling skills now, but instead he is able to have a solid handle. Besides the training, a lot of this has to do with the coaches installing so much confidence in these guys. If you have someone believing you can do something as well as having yourself believe it, more than likely you are going to improve.

I don't know, you can get bigger and stronger, but IMO shooting and ball handling you either have or you don't. They can improve a little, but pretty much whatever you have, you have. Rashon Clark worked on his handle all four years and it never got better. Ejim was better at it as a FR than Clark was as a SR though.