ISU @ Oklahoma Postgame Thread

jahfg · 02-13-2008, 10:36 PM

I know I sound like a broken record but I just don't understand how Brackins has no ability to score in the paint. He has no post moves except for turning and chucking. There are no pump fakes, no baby hooks, no drop steps (unless he is fading away to the baseline). If McD is suppossed to be a big man coach, how has Craig not developed these skills? The better question is how has he never even attempted to use them. At least Thompson shows some signs of having post moves. He may not finish but you can see he has some ability around the hoop.

ajk4st8 · 02-13-2008, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by jahfg

I know I sound like a broken record but I just don't understand how Brackins has no ability to score in the paint. He has no post moves except for turning and chucking. There are no pump fakes, no baby hooks, no drop steps (unless he is fading away to the baseline). If McD is suppossed to be a big man coach, how has Craig not developed these skills? The better question is how has he never even attempted to use them. At least Thompson shows some signs of having post moves. He may not finish but you can see he has some ability around the hoop.

question...

Is the only reason you expect CB to score in the paint because he is 6'10?

I just never ever expected him to be that type of player. Maybe in the future it would be. Unless you saw him play in HS or something. In the summer league and during the season all he does is face up. He can be quite effective with it too.

Totally unfair to blame this game or any others on ONE player. Wes is like 13 of his last 40 (literally), Jiri misses bunnies, CJ is a turnover,foul,bad D waiting to happen, BP gives the ball up... that list can go on and on.

Cyfan13 · 02-13-2008, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by jahfg

I know I sound like a broken record but I just don't understand how Brackins has no ability to score in the paint. He has no post moves except for turning and chucking. There are no pump fakes, no baby hooks, no drop steps (unless he is fading away to the baseline). If McD is suppossed to be a big man coach, how has Craig not developed these skills? The better question is how has he never even attempted to use them. At least Thompson shows some signs of having post moves. He may not finish but you can see he has some ability around the hoop.

I agree. They need to figure out some other offense than "throw the ball inside" because that's not working. I know people are going to say I'm just saying this because of my relationship, but I honestly believe they need to work Rahshon (and Wes too) into the offense more. They need to create movement to have Rah and Wes moving towards the basket where they can score or at least get fouled. Rahshon is the best FT shooter on the team and Wes behind him. We don't get to the line enough. I think part of the offensive problem is that we only look for 2, sometimes 3 people to score, and the defense knows that. Then they double down on those people and instead of them passing it out, they throw up some horrible shot. I don't know if it's selfishness or just plain bad basketball IQ, but if there are two/three people on you, one/two of your teammates is open. Sorry...Just had to rant. I'm getting really tired of watching these games.

CrossCyed · 02-13-2008, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Cyfan13

I agree. They need to figure out some other offense than "throw the ball inside" because that's not working. I know people are going to say I'm just saying this because of my relationship, but I honestly believe they need to work Rahshon (and Wes too) into the offense more. They need to create movement to have Rah and Wes moving towards the basket where they can score or at least get fouled. Rahshon is the best FT shooter on the team and Wes behind him. We don't get to the line enough. I think part of the offensive problem is that we only look for 2, sometimes 3 people to score, and the defense knows that. Then they double down on those people and instead of them passing it out, they throw up some horrible shot. I don't know if it's selfishness or just plain bad basketball IQ, but if there are two/three people on you, one/two of your teammates is open. Sorry...Just had to rant. I'm getting really tired of watching these games.

I'm not saying this just because, but....

Rahshon deserves a lot better than he witnessed during his four years here. To stick around like he did, and to do everything asked of him, it's a shame that his career is going to end on one of the worst ISU teams in years.

Drive4cy · 02-13-2008, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by CrossCyed

I'm not saying this just because, but....

Rahshon deserves a lot better than he witnessed during his four years here. To stick around like he did, and to do everything asked of him, it's a shame that his career is going to end on one of the worst ISU teams in years.

I agree. I'm glad he got to play in the NCAA tournament once, though. Wes Johnson is a long shot to get there as a Cyclone, which is really too bad.

mwitt · 02-13-2008, 10:46 PM

We were doing an excellent job of getting to the line earlier in the year. Now, not so much.

The fact of the matter is we don't have the horses this year. When we struggled earlier in the year, there were people who remembered that we lost our top three guards (four if you count Lucca) and replaced them with walk-on jucos and a freshman. Seeing the same mistakes is frustrating, but it's also a little unrealistic to expect some of these guys to morph into completely different players within a couple games.

With that said, with how bad Craig is struggling, why is he taking the second most shots on the team? One thing I loved about McDermott last year was that no matter what, he would instantly put someone on the bench if they did something stupid. Not seeing that much this year, and we've seen our fair share of stupid decisions.

cyismydog · 02-13-2008, 10:46 PM

I know for everyone it feels like the sky is falling, but you just have to be patient. All young teams have this problem, and we just need patience, although it is extremely hard.
I don't always agree with our offensive strategy, but don't you think it might be the player's that aren't executing the offense right? I know there is supposed to be more movement than there is in the offense.

jahfg · 02-13-2008, 10:47 PM

I'm not blaming CB for the loss. I'm just baffled as to how someone can not attempt a pump fake in the post for an entire season. Jiri isn't strong but he finds his way around the lane. When Brackins gets the ball on the block, I would like to see him turn to the baseline, give a head fake, and go under his man for a lay-up or foul. He has to take the ball to the opposition. I would like him to take some pointers from Jiri (never thought I'd say that at the beginning of the season). I'm not basing that on just him being 6'10". I'm basing it on the fact that it looks like we have tried to establish Craig in the post numerous times. If you are getting the ball with your back to the basket, you better have some idea of how to beat your man. Otherwise, he shouldn't be setting up down there. I don't know, maybe that goes on the coaches. As long as Brackins sets up in the post, I expect him to have some post moves. That is all.

HandSanitizer · 02-13-2008, 10:49 PM

I think the thing that makes me sick the most is that next year will probably be the same or worse. I don't know how people can think otherwise. If we think having 1 guy down low is going to cut it....no way. Thompson don't belong down low. C. Johnson has issues down low, the new guys probably won't amount to anything the first year.

I think if we want to even have a shot at the NIT next year we have to have Garrett beat out Peterson and be 10 times the player he is now. (I think he is about 3/10 of his potential while peterson is topped out) I don't buy people saying Buckley is gonna come in and save the day. He will be a true freshman that will probably be just like Garrett is this year.
Lucca will have to be a unreal threat for us, defend and get boards.
Wesley will have to get healthy and be the NBA type player we know he can be. We will need him on the boards.
Brackins....(see Garrett above) I do think he will be a stud next year.
I guess we will probably be seeing Thompson starting at the 4? Not sure about that, but who else you gonna put in?

I Think we will need to be suprised by at least one of the freshmen like Eikmeyer or Hamilton etc.

On a sad note...I am talking about next year and how its going to be a rebuilding year again.
On another sad note....ISU has pretty muched sucked for a few years now. Other than Stinson and Blalock's 9 Seed in the tourney year we haven't done anything since 2000/01 and 2001 got wrote off as a national embarrassment.
Its 2008 and I am getting tired.

rhillary · 02-13-2008, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Drive4cy

I agree. I'm glad he got to play in the NCAA tournament once, though. Wes Johnson is a long shot to get there as a Cyclone, which is really too bad.

Whoa....

If Wes doesn't do it his senior year, we have some SERIOUS issues. We would have the following:
Wes (4 years of starting)
Brackings (3 years of starting)
Lucca (2 years of starting)
Garrett (~2 years of starting + this year's playing time)
Plus these players with lord know how much experience:
Cory Johnson, Boozer, Cameron Lee, and any recruits from this year AND next year

If we don't make the tourney then, something went seriously wrong in Pollard's grand plan.

isuno1fan · 02-13-2008, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by CrossCyed

I'm not saying this just because, but....

Rahshon deserves a lot better than he witnessed during his four years here. To stick around like he did, and to do everything asked of him, it's a shame that his career is going to end on one of the worst ISU teams in years.

Be careful...I got absolutely ripped for saying the exact same thing in another thread.

Cyfan13 · 02-13-2008, 10:56 PM

I just looked at the stats for this game....4 assists and neither of our guards had one. 12 turnovers. That just sums our team up right there.

rhillary · 02-13-2008, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Cyfan13

I just looked at the stats for this game....4 assists and neither of our guards had one. 12 turnovers. That just sums our team up right there.

I just threw up a little in my mouth....

kingcy · 02-13-2008, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Cyfan13

I just looked at the stats for this game....4 assists and neither of our guards had one. 12 turnovers. That just sums our team up right there.

That and FTs attempted.

mwitt · 02-13-2008, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by Cyfan13

I just looked at the stats for this game....4 assists and neither of our guards had one. 12 turnovers. That just sums our team up right there.

According to ESPN, Petey had 1 and Wesley had 1 (if you count him as a guard).