I know its early but...

[Rhoadhoused]

Just because we seem to be ahead of where we were last year doesn't mean we are going to peak higher than last year. Of course, it doesn't mean we won't, either.

Correct. So the tradeoff might be don't lose to a team like drake and beat 2 or 3/4 of out of our tough non con opponents for not beating kstate or Kansas. Or maybe we don't lose those wins. Who knows.

[Dryburn]

I am really looking forward to see how the "personality" of this team changes with Babb on the floor. ISU is in a position now to almost platoon the 1 and 2 positions with Babb/Korie and McGee/Long. I don't remember the last time ISU was in that position.

I also think it may be interesting to see if Babb starts the next game, or if Hoiberg sticks with McGee for the time being at least. I don't think it really matters much though who starts on this team, or on any FH team. I'm sure we may see several different starting lineups this year, depending on match-ups.

[NickTheGreat]

I agree with the OP. I will be disappointed with any record short of undefeated

[Rabbuk]

So we know what thread to complain in if things fall apart.

[CycloneErik]

I agree with the OP. I will be disappointed with any record short of undefeated

No jimlad.

[docholihawk]

I think this team will come together a lot quicker than last year just because it has a more traditional game plan to follow. Last year with the talents of Royce White CFH had to put together a team that had very limited options from the coach to draw from and credit should be given to FH for what he did. I thought it was a brilliant strategy that he had the team playing so well. I think a lot of what happens this year depends on KL. When I watched him at MSU he would do things that made your jaw drop and make you think you have the best guard in the nation and then he would turn around and do something that was so frustrating that you'd think you wouldn't be able to handle it. If CFH gets KL to play in his system, which I think he will, you will have a very good season.

[BallSoHard4Cy]

It's all about meshing. It's how we got to the NCAA tournament and how UCONN and Duke lost first round last year. Kentucky has got to do it to be anything.

Meshing this early, is how you get noticed. Our bench is up for the best in the Big XII, maybe behind KU. With Gorgeous Georges, Naz (no nickname... Yet), and McGee (forgot nickname) we have depth, at least more than last year.

Lucious needs to pick it up though, poor shot selection with some "WTF" turnovers. Not great.

[nallen34]

Babb will shoot the 3 better this year.

Before you hold me to this please allow a little start-up time after the 3 game vacation.

Babb will shoot better based off of the fact that clyburn and lucious can defend better than Scott and Allen. Babb won't have to chase point guards or guard 6'9 wings. Lucious and clyburn can do that, which will lead to fresher legs for Babb which will lead to a higher shooting percentage

[cyclonepower]

we wont know anything until we play anybody with a pulse (next weekend against Cincinnati and UNLV/Oregon) I would be pretty surprised if we won both, but think a split with Cincy/Oregon would be fine...I remember Brackins last year when we thought they were going to be good because they were beating terrible teams by 50, then we got exposed by Northwestern and UNI, you could tell we were going to be in for a long season.

[Cydkar]

If we beat Cincy then we'll win the next game. Cincy is the best of those three. I don't think we'll beat them but I will be pumped if we do.

[Mr Janny]

If we beat Cincy then we'll win the next game. Cincy is the best of those three. I don't think we'll beat them but I will be pumped if we do.

I don't know, UNLV is pretty damn talented as well. I'd be shocked if they didn't beat Oregon.

[cyclones500]

If we beat Cincy then we'll win the next game. Cincy is the best of those three. I don't think we'll beat them but I will be pumped if we do.

I want to beat Cincy to get a shot at UNLV (probably) UNLV. Potential for impact wins is better with that scenario.

Lose to UC, and chances are it's UO in the next game ... suppose ISU gets only a split on the trip, a UC win/UNLV loss beats a UC loss/UO win.

[WalkingCY]

We're winning that freaking tourney. It's OUR year. Winning against Cincy and UNLV will get us some NICE attention. Here come the Cyclones!

[Cydkar]

We're winning that freaking tourney. It's OUR year. Winning against Cincy and UNLV will get us some NICE attention. Here come the Cyclones!

If this happens it will be like butt-chugging ISU kool-aid.