This season is going one of two ways

[Palmer]

we are path to NIT bound I believe....and that is a good start for Fred....and that is far better than Mcdermott.

[Cardinal2001]

Did anyone expect us to come out like we did against Kansas? Might be one of our best games, except for the last 5 minutes. The intensity is there, we just gotta string it together for the whole 40 minutes.

Earlier, we played 20 minutes, we're up to 35. We are improving every game. Watch us on Wednesday, we'll have a 2 minute downspell, the rest will be tip top. At the end of the season, we'll be playing 40 minutes flat out, and we'll be hard to stop.

[packthejack23]

I will be happy with NIT or NCAA

[CYcojoe]

The only thing I expect is for these guys to battle each game as its played. When they bring it, they are fun to watch and the more they will win. The more they win, the better chance they get to a post season which equals more chances I get to see them play. Its that simple. If they don't make a tourney then they weren't fun to watch and I would be glad they didn't make it to one.

[LegendofRodA]

Outside of the Drake loss, this team is really what I thought they were. They are still learning to play together and develop an identity. I think our coach's demeanor has a lot to say about this team going forward and that is, IMO, the opposite of the OPs point. I see this team staying pretty steady and beating the teams we should as well as losing those we should. In the end we will be a bubble team that gets snubbed due to the lack of strength in our league this year. NIT appearance will be a nice foundation to build on for next year.

[cyclones500]

Did anyone expect us to come out like we did against Kansas? Might be one of our best games, except for the last 5 minutes. The intensity is there, we just gotta string it together for the whole 40 minutes.

Earlier, we played 20 minutes, we're up to 35. We are improving every game. Watch us on Wednesday, we'll have a 2 minute downspell, the rest will be tip top. At the end of the season, we'll be playing 40 minutes flat out, and we'll be hard to stop.

Refreshing outlook (especially for half-empty glass guys like me)

As long as it keeps flowing in that direction, this season will turn out quite enjoyable.

Maybe some of us (a lot of us) fear that gradual improvement will peak, and then revert.

I think there's been some start-stop progress, but despite the fact we probably should have finished one of those past two games w/ a W, this steam looks far better than it did, say, vs. U-M.

[DMICyclone]

We are the 4th best team in the Big 12. We will easily make it to the tournament, we will make a run, and we will shock the world.

All mother****ing in.

[cyclones500]

Did anyone expect us to come out like we did against Kansas?

I'll add a comment in the take-for-granted category: Did anyone think ISU would go to A&M and produce such a beat-down? Yes, Aggies are toasty right now, but a month ago a road win there would have made me ecstatic. Especially after (finally!) beating Texas at home.

As long as that isn't just a high-point/outlier, as far as wins, things could go into forgotten areas.

Gotta win both games this week. I'm not even worried if they're a little closer than we'd like, as long as the positive progress of the team is there (although both ought to be double-digit wins)

[cy1010]

I think we have to win at Texas as well. If you want to be a tourney team those are the types of games you have to win.


That also sets us up for the huge showdown against KU.

[Clones21]

I don't think I'll be happy with NIT, because it sounds like Iowa has a really good chance at the NIT too.

[ISUChippewa]

Ken Pomeroy's site, KenPom.com, gives us an 81% chance to beat OSU on Wednesday and an 83% chance to beat Texas Tech this weekend. Another site, RealTimeRPI.com, also forecasts wins for us in those games (incidentally, I would encourage people who are big college BB fans to subscribe to either one or both of those sites, I really enjoy both of them).

Both sites have us finishing right at .500 in the Big 12, which would likely put us right on the bubble. Personally, why I would rather see us in the NCAA tournament I'd be satisfied with the NIT as well. I think the NCAA taking it over has actually improved it a bit, which I can't believe I'm writing, considering my praise of the NCAA.

[Cydkar]

I don't think I'll be happy with NIT, because it sounds like Iowa has a really good chance at the NIT too.

Not sure what Iowa has to do with it. I want the NCAA because I hate anything but the NCAA. I seriously can't stand the loser tournaments.

[cyclones500]

Not sure what Iowa has to do with it. I want the NCAA because I hate anything but the NCAA. I seriously can't stand the loser tournaments.

I have no impetus to accept the NIT, either.

It isn't as if I think, "After six years of no postseason appearances, I prefer either 9-23 or an NCAA bid, with no middle ground."

No shame with the NIT. Maybe that's what awaits, a patient transition.

But it's mid-January, and Iowa State is in the upper division of what looks like a 4- or 5-bid conference, hasn't played a single game against Baylor, has KU at home, and two games left vs. KSU, one more shot at Missouri and a chance to sweep Texas, a (current) tournament team.

This isn't purely a "what-if" idea based on record — this team looks so much more dangerous than it did a month ago.

The thrill of Selection Sunday as an ISU fan is actually attainable.

[isuchicago]

The thrill of Selection Sunday as an ISU fan is actually attainable.

The thrill of a big 12 tourney that means something would be pretty sweet too..not being in a "win the whole thing or no NCAA tourney" situation would be awesome.

[Cydwinder]

I don't think I'll be happy with NIT, because it sounds like Iowa has a really good chance at the NIT too.

This year's Iowa team is bipolar. They play well one game and horribly the next. I think they will be 17-14 or so going into the B1G tournament. 17-14 is not a NIT type record, especially with no notable non-conference wins.