Booker

[GeorgesFan]

Pretty obvious from some of his tweets that something bad happened to him or his family recently and he is pretty upset by it.

This!

[clonedude]

It seems like this team struggles to box out as a whole. By that I mean they will get a body on a guy, but not necessarily try to shove him out of the lane to much, since they are too focused on releasing and trying to get the ball. Rebounding as a whole was not very good today.

True. But I don't think many college teams box out anymore like they should. It is definitely one of the fundamentals of the game that has been lost over the decades as a whole.

When I watch ISU, Ejim and Niang are the only ones who seem to attempt to block anyone out. I don't know if Clyburn even knows what "boxing out" even means sometimes. Same for Gibson and Booker for the most part.

But our entire team needs to do it if we want to improve in this area. It's ridiculously bad. Even on FTs too.

Get a body on someone. Get your rear end into them and push them back a good 5 feet or more. As my high school coach used to tell us.... if everyone boxes out correctly, the basketball should actually hit the ground before anyone grabs it. Every player on the opposing team should be boxed so far out of there that all you have left is a bunch of your guys standing there fighting over the rebound as it hits the floor.

[ISUCubswin]

Dibs on the Booker thread after Tech

[NorthCyd]

Book was huge last year in the UT game and I view that game as the inflection point in ISU Basketball. It's unfortunate that his contribution has declined, but I think if he can get it turned around he can again help us win games. My feeling is that if Fred can get him to "buy in"(I know, trite cliche), we could make a deep tourney run.

J'Covan Brown hurting his ankle was huge in the UT game last year. If he doesn't go out early in the 2nd half we probably lose that game cause he was shredding us.

[swarthmoreCY]

J'Covan Brown hurting his ankle was huge in the UT game last year. If he doesn't go out early in the 2nd half we probably lose that game cause he was shredding us.

And Bubu was our best on ball defender.

Most likely we win anyways.

[Cycsk]

I feel sorry for Booker. Things have just turned against him. He isn't getting much playing time. When he comes in, he actually does pretty well, but he gets nailed for fouls that they aren't calling on anyone else.

I think he still has the potential to be an important asset to the team, even starting some games. I don't know what is going on with his private life or his attitude about being on the team, but I hope he pulls it together. It would be great to see what he is like after he has a game where he really contributes significantly to the team.

[cyowa]

I feel sorry for Booker. Things have just turned against him. He isn't getting much playing time. When he comes in, he actually does pretty well, but he gets nailed for fouls that they aren't calling on anyone else.

I think he still has the potential to be an important asset to the team, even starting some games. I don't know what is going on with his private life or his attitude about being on the team, but I hope he pulls it together. It would be great to see what he is like after he has a game where he really contributes significantly to the team.

This. I think he willbe a real asset in the games ahead - fouls or no fouls. I don't understand why fans are so quick to unload on Cyclone players as soon as they struggle a little. Give the guy a break.

[Cycsk]

This. I think he willbe a real asset in the games ahead - fouls or no fouls. I don't understand why fans are so quick to unload on Cyclone players as soon as they struggle a little. Give the guy a break.

Yea, it is too bad the way so many are breaking bad on him. He is still with us. He may have a bad attitude. It may be do to not starting or something else in his life or he just looks that way. Nonetheless, he is still with us.

As long as the team sticks with him, we should also!

[bawbie]

This thread sucks. I'll never understand the incessant need of some "fans" to rag on our players.

[andymhallman]

I'd be upset if I were Booker, too. He's the upper classman and was probably expecting to start alongside Ejim this year. But there's no question that Niang is the better player and deserves to start.

I'd like to see Booker get about 10 minutes per game to give either Ejim or Niang a rest. At one point today both Booker and Gibson were in at the same time and I don't think that's a good idea.

I know Booker isn't going to be the go-to guy on offense but it would be nice to see him get some rebounds and points off put-backs. He only played 5 minutes today so he didn't get many chances. He got one offensive rebound but missed the put-back, and that was the extent of his stat-line (except the two fouls).

Late in the non-conference season it looked like he was playing better defense without fouling, but then in the KU game he committed a bunch of stupid fouls and thus didn't play long.

[ISUFan22]

Every season "fans" need to have a whipping boy. This year, it's Booker.

[CycloneErik]

Dibs on the Booker thread after Tech

It's probably time for a sign-up sheet.

[gocubs2118]

Every season "fans" need to have a whipping boy. This year, it's Booker.

Right now it is. Earlier in the year it was Lucious. In two weeks it will probably be someone different.

[Cycsk]

I hope Booker has a game-changing (or game-winning!) play soon. Hopefully, that will help us treat him like a member of the team!

[IHavNoCyCash]

The team needs Booker. Seems like Hoiberg is trying to make him play in the post more than last season. Early in the non-con season, he showed some decent post moves. He's in a funk.

There will be a game Niang or Gibson do nothing and play about 10 minutes. Need Booker to get boards and stretch the D. He can do it.