WE WILL NOT make the NCAA tourney

**westlbcyclone** · 02-14-2013, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by GoSTATE71

You realize we still have losses coming at WVU, at Baylor, and at OU right? Plus we have another loss at home against KU coming as well. That means to finish the year with 1 good win. 1 good win against K-state who isn't even that awesome.

We don't deserve to be in the tourney, and frankly I don't care much. This team has absolutely no mental composure whatsoever. Iowa has a better shot at the tourney then we do.

Really? Is it March 10th already? Boy how time flies. Either that or you have Biff's Sports Almanac from Back to The Future. Could you lend it to me so I can make an ****-ton of money betting on these sure fire losses?

**ISUChippewa** · 02-14-2013, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by MartyFine

You base this conclusion on a game where a 41% shooting team hits 50% of their shots while ISU (a 45% FG team) hits only 35%, but still manages to take the game to double overtime?

How have you not killed yourself after the really bad losses in the past?

Yeah, the bright side to it is that when you look at our shooting percentage we really had no business even taking the game into overtime. We only had 8 turnovers, and while KL had a poor shooting game he also had a great floor game (11 assists to only 3 turnovers according to the box score).

I don't think we're going to win all or our remaining road games, but at some point everything, or at least enough things to make a difference, will go right for us and we'll get one on the road. Best chance is probably at West Virginia I would guess.

**ImperialCyclone** · 02-14-2013, 09:12 AM

I didn't want to post last night to contribute to the meltdown. Losses happen, but these end of game finishes are a sign of some pretty key things.

1) Low basketball IQ. This team has been plauged with taking ridiculous shots early in the shot clock (which leads to fast-break points for the opposition). Iowa State is at it's best when the ball moves and these bone-headed shots are a killer.

2) Poor team defense. I don't want to look up a bunch of stats (quite frankly I don't care). This team just cannot get stops at critical points in games. You can't win on the road with poor team defense.

3) Runs. Iowa State is prone to giving up large runs. This year, in particular, I have never felt "relaxed" with any lead. This is an indirect effect of both points 1 and 2 (along with several other things).

The list could go on and on (turnovers, etc.). This team has no go to player that can be relied on at the end of the game. The result is ISU just trying to hold on at the end of games. I'm not giving up, but this team hasn't gotten any better the past few weeks and it is concerning.

Bottom line is I think the margin for error shrank a lot last night. I'm looking at the remaining schedule here and it is going to be tough. I still have hope that the clones can make the NCAA tourney, but (at this point) I doubt it. I simply do not see any road wins left. ISU has been incapable of beating the modest of opponents on the road and I just don't see wins there. If, somehow, ISU beats KU and OSU at home that will give us 4 more wins and 3 more losses. That is 10 and 8 in conference. Then, ISU needs a win at the Big 12 tourney which is something ISU has been incapable of doing since I don't know when. I think the NIT looks more probable at this point.

I'm trying to have hope, but the realist in me doesn't see an NCAA birth this year. ISU has never been and NCAA tourney team every year. It happens and I will still attend games (and I will still cheer my heart out). I can still be a fan and I can also be realistic.

**MartyFine** · 02-14-2013, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by ImperialCyclone

I didn't want to post last night to contribute to the meltdown. Losses happen, but these end of game finishes are a sign of some pretty key things.

1) Low basketball IQ. This team has been plauged with taking ridiculous shots early in the shot clock (which leads to fast-break points for the opposition). Iowa State is at it's best when the ball moves and these bone-headed shots are a killer.

2) Poor team defense. I don't want to look up a bunch of stats (quite frankly I don't care). This team just cannot get stops at critical points in games. You can't win on the road with poor team defense.

3) Runs. Iowa State is prone to giving up large runs. This year, in particular, I have never felt "relaxed" with any lead. This is an indirect effect of both points 1 and 2 (along with several other things).

The list could go on and on (turnovers, etc.). This team has no go to player that can be relied on at the end of the game. The result is ISU just trying to hold on at the end of games. I'm not giving up, but this team hasn't gotten any better the past few weeks and it is concerning.

Bottom line is I think the margin for error shrank a lot last night. I'm looking at the remaining schedule here and it is going to be tough. I still have hope that the clones can make the NCAA tourney, but (at this point) I doubt it. I simply do not see any road wins left. ISU has been incapable of beating the modest of opponents on the road and I just don't see wins there. If, somehow, ISU beats KU and OSU at home that will give us 4 more wins and 3 more losses. That is 10 and 8 in conference. Then, ISU needs a win at the Big 12 tourney which is something ISU has been incapable of doing since I don't know when. I think the NIT looks more probable at this point.

I'm trying to have hope, but the realist in me doesn't see an NCAA birth this year. ISU has never been and NCAA tourney team every year. It happens and I will still attend games (and I will still cheer my heart out). I can still be a fan and I can also be realistic.

ISU had about 10 fewer turnovers than Texas last night.

**westlbcyclone** · 02-14-2013, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by CyBroncos

Yeah we should be cool with the third final minute lead choked away in Big 12 play. We should be cool with a loss that could kill us when it comes to Selection Sunday. We should be cool with the coaches not seeming to have any answers to cure the late game collapses. My bad dude

No, we shouldn't be cool with it. But we also shouldn't just completely give up on the year with 7 games left to go. That's what hawk fans do, and everyone always ******* about what hawk fans do.

**ImperialCyclone** · 02-14-2013, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by MartyFine

ISU had about 10 fewer turnovers than Texas last night.

I realize ISU had only 8 turnovers last night. The Cyclones did great in that regard last night (not at the OSU game). I'm not saying we WILL NOT make the NCAA tourney. I am saying our road got a lot tougher. I'm simply trying to be realistic.

**bawbie** · 02-14-2013, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by MartyFine

ISU had about 10 fewer turnovers than Texas last night.

We had 10 less turnovers (8 to 18) and 10 more offensive rebounds (16 to 6).

Amazing that we fix our two main road issues, and still manage to lose.

**jbhtexas** · 02-14-2013, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by bawbie

We had 10 less turnovers (8 to 18) and 10 more offensive rebounds (16 to 6).

Amazing that we fix our two main road issues, and still manage to lose.

Per my post above, at the rate UT was knocking down shots, there were significantly less offensive rebounds for them to have.

If ISU could have just held UT to 50% shooting on the 2pt shots, they would have had a comfortable double-digit win.

**ruxCYtable** · 02-14-2013, 09:32 AM

I'm as ****** as the next guy but sometime in my life I learned if I was going to start a meltdown thread it was probably best to take a 24 hour cooling off period first.

**dahliaclone** · 02-14-2013, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by broncocy5321

Only chance is to win the BIG 12 tourney

LOL you a damn idiot

**bawbie** · 02-14-2013, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by jbhtexas

Per my post above, at the rate UT was knocking down shots, there were significantly less offensive rebounds for them to have.

We still outrebounded them, getting 32% of our missed shots, vs them getting 22% of their missed shots.

Originally Posted by jbhtexas

If ISU could have just held UT to to 50% shooting on the 2pt shots, they would have had a comfortable double-digit win.

On kenpom.com, our defensive efficiency dropped from #93 (I think) to #109. in 1 game. Ouch.

**ISUChippewa** · 02-14-2013, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by ImperialCyclone

I didn't want to post last night to contribute to the meltdown. Losses happen, but these end of game finishes are a sign of some pretty key things.

1) Low basketball IQ. This team has been plauged with taking ridiculous shots early in the shot clock (which leads to fast-break points for the opposition). Iowa State is at it's best when the ball moves and these bone-headed shots are a killer.

2) Poor team defense. I don't want to look up a bunch of stats (quite frankly I don't care). This team just cannot get stops at critical points in games. You can't win on the road with poor team defense.

3) Runs. Iowa State is prone to giving up large runs. This year, in particular, I have never felt "relaxed" with any lead. This is an indirect effect of both points 1 and 2 (along with several other things).

The list could go on and on (turnovers, etc.). This team has no go to player that can be relied on at the end of the game. The result is ISU just trying to hold on at the end of games. I'm not giving up, but this team hasn't gotten any better the past few weeks and it is concerning.

Bottom line is I think the margin for error shrank a lot last night. I'm looking at the remaining schedule here and it is going to be tough. I still have hope that the clones can make the NCAA tourney, but (at this point) I doubt it. I simply do not see any road wins left. ISU has been incapable of beating the modest of opponents on the road and I just don't see wins there. If, somehow, ISU beats KU and OSU at home that will give us 4 more wins and 3 more losses. That is 10 and 8 in conference. Then, ISU needs a win at the Big 12 tourney which is something ISU has been incapable of doing since I don't know when. I think the NIT looks more probable at this point.

I'm trying to have hope, but the realist in me doesn't see an NCAA birth this year. ISU has never been and NCAA tourney team every year. It happens and I will still attend games (and I will still cheer my heart out). I can still be a fan and I can also be realistic.

Bingo on #3 here. When we got up 17-9 in the first half last night I just KNEW that Texas would make a run at us, which they certainly did. For whatever reason(s) this team just can't keep the foot on the throat of their opponent in road games.

**Rural** · 02-14-2013, 09:48 AM

LOL at El Kabong making such a difference.
Is it the two steps he takes on his drives to the rim?
Who are the geniuses that cut the penalty on an obviously tainted player?

College football died yesterday.
That a way bigger story then us taking yet another right hook to the groin.

**Mumbai1986** · 02-14-2013, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Rural

LOL at El Kabong making such a difference.
Is it the two steps he takes on his drives to the rim?
Who are the geniuses that cut the penalty on an obviously tainted player?

College football died yesterday.
That a way bigger story then us taking yet another right hook to the groin.

College Football?

**VeloClone** · 02-14-2013, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by GoSTATE71

We've lost to a winless big 12 team on the road (TT) and now we lost to pathetic (2-8) Texas. I don't care that Kabongo was back. This is not an NCAA tourney team. Why? Because NCAA tourney teams don't fail down the stretch like we do. This is freaking pathetic. Hoiberg you need to coach your team in the last minute instead of relying on statistics. I'm done with this team. See everyone next year

Don't forget that ISU lost to a winless Big 12 team on the road on January 9th as well.

Rabble, rabble...