A few people may not want to hear this...

[wartknight]

...but patience is the key with McDermott. As much as it seems like some times we are regressing, I believe the foundation is being laid for a perenially competitive team in the Big 12 race.
Consider McDermott's records in the first 2 years at his 3 previous schools.
94-95
Wayne State14-13 (.519)Independent N/A95-96Wayne State12-15 (.444)IndependentN/AN/A96-97Wayne State21-7 (.750)IndependentN/AN/A97-98Wayne State20-7 (.741)IndependentN/AN/A98-99Wayne State23-5 (.821)IndependentN/AN/A99-00WayneState 26-6 (.813)IndependentT1stNCAA DII First Round00-01North Dakota State15-11 (.577)15-3 (.833)8thNCAA DII Sweet 1601-02Northern Iowa14-15 (.483)8-10 (.444)7thN/A02-03Northern Iowa11-17 (.393)7-11 (.389)7thN/A03-04Northern Iowa21-10 (.677)12-6 (.667)T2ndNCAA First Round04-05Northern Iowa21-11 (.656)11-7 (.611)T3rdNCAA First Round05-06Northern Iowa23-10 (.697)11-7 (.611)T5thNCAA

Wayne State 14-13
Wayne State 12-15
Wayne State 21-7
Wayne State 20-7
Wayne State 23-5
Wayne State 26-6
North Dakota State 15-11
UNI 14-15
UNI 11-17
UNI 21-10
UNI 21-11
UNI 23-10
Winning % in first 2 years at school-.482
WInning % in years 2 on- .735
The lean years to start is nothing new to a Gmac coached team.
Have faith Cyclone fans. Better days are ahead. Much better. I was very frustrated tonight so I wanted to see what has been done at prior stops. By my estimation, we should be looking at a 20 win season next year.
Wow that Koolaid tastes good.

[ISUonthemove]

everywhere else, he got it going in 3 years. I believe it will 4 years here until he can get to 20 wins. Next year will be better but still frustrating.

[rd4isu]

I'm trying to be patient as well. Problem is that we're essentially in year 1 of rebuilding when you consider that the following players are no longer here from Greg's first two classes: Dodie, Corey, Mike, Clayton and Marcus. That's a whole class, gone. So while technically it'll be year 3, we're really only in the 2nd. I'd be absolutely shocked if next year was much different than what we're currently experiencing. Someone wake me up 2010.

[cstrunk]

Agreed.

I really expect to see improvement next year. I really won't start to doubt that McDermott is the man to do it unless we fall short of the NIT for next year (barring any major position changes other than what's expected). If history has anything to show about McDermott is that his teams have struggled in the first and 2nd years before starting to turn it on in the 3rd and 4th years.

I like some of the talent that we have and should have coming in within the next few years. It's not always that easy to go out and get 4 and 5 star talent that can contribute right away. Diante Garrett and Craig Brackins have really frustrated some of us this year, but they are only freshman and are learning how to play under McDermott and in the Big 12. These two will be very solid players in the next couple of years. We should have a solid core of players in the next year or two. The key after that is getting the depth needed in case of injuries and unforeseen player defection.

We all know how frustrated we are as Cyclone fans who have been used to success in basketball. We really need to weather this storm because I still truly believe that McDermott is going to build a solid and clean program here at ISU. He is one of the few coaches that tries to do everything by the rules. He has shown us as much so far in his ISU career. Once we start winning, we are going to have an Iowa State program that we can all be proud of.

It takes time, we will win again.

[cybsball20]

I think ALOT of people are underestimating how much the loss of Rahshon and Jiri are going to hurt this team. There is no way we have a better team next year unless we sign a top notch big that can come in and play right away. We all know that Craig is far from an inside force, but I do beleive he can be very good. He's just not an 'inside' player... Mann has 'decent' size but he will still be a Freshman... We have been hearing what a good practice player Alex is for four years, from Mac and Alford, he shows flashes of being ok, but not enough consistancy. Hamilton will not see signifigant time for at least two years...

[St8Grad]

everywhere else, he got it going in 3 years. I believe it will 4 years here until he can get to 20 wins. Next year will be better but still frustrating.

I agree that it will be 4 yrs at ISU, mainly because he's had so much player turnover already, which gives him less time to build a team chemistry & integrate his system. And it's the Big 12 too, not the MVC, etc.

[kingcy]

How many freshman classes in ISU history have had more than 2 players that played well right away? Yes there were 6 players in this years class but some were guys that the staff took a chance and and didnt turn out. There are 2 guys in this freshman class that can really become good players, and one who can be a decent one. Some freshmen need to be redshirted, McD cannot do that because he needs bodies to play now. Last years class was a see who we can get and get them to Ames, one guy turned out and he may be one great Cyclone when it is all said and done. McD fits ISU perfect he just needs to get the pieces in place. No matter who the young player is they are going to strugle at times, and this team is loaded with them.

[clone52]

I think ALOT of people are underestimating how much the loss of Rahshon and Jiri are going to hurt this team. There is no way we have a better team next year unless we sign a top notch big that can come in and play right away. We all know that Craig is far from an inside force, but I do beleive he can be very good. He's just not an 'inside' player... Mann has 'decent' size but he will still be a Freshman... We have been hearing what a good practice player Alex is for four years, from Mac and Alford, he shows flashes of being ok, but not enough consistancy. Hamilton will not see signifigant time for at least two years...

Jiri was also not an 'inside' player before Gmac ripped into him. I think you'll see a bulked up Brackins next year that whould be better.

[Wesley]

I expect more of the same as last 2 years next year. Too much slow dvelopment in McD system. It is the rght way to do it, but other coaches seem to throw together teams faster. 2010 for NIT. Too much competition in Big 12 unless we can sweep preconference slate. Too much inexperence to overcome again next year.

[TykeClone]

How many freshman classes in ISU history have had more than 2 players that played well right away?

Hoiberg, Meyer, and Mikalik.

[BryceC]

Meyer only started 8 games his freshman year and averaged 5/3. But I get your point.

I think ALOT of people are underestimating how much the loss of Rahshon and Jiri are going to hurt this team. There is no way we have a better team next year unless we sign a top notch big that can come in and play right away.

Agreed - however, these first two years have mirrored how the rest of his career has gone up to this point. Let me hope.

[Wesley]

Just means this is a journey - a long journey to get back to the NCAA. There are not that many Tinsleys out there. 2010 or 2011.

[cyfanman]

I agree. Coach Mac needs time to get the right players for his system. I think you will see a great inprovement in the next few years and with the foundation being built this year i see a bright future for ISU B-ball.

[MJAnderson]

I think ALOT of people are underestimating how much the loss of Rahshon and Jiri are going to hurt this team. There is no way we have a better team next year unless we sign a top notch big that can come in and play right away. We all know that Craig is far from an inside force, but I do beleive he can be very good. He's just not an 'inside' player... Mann has 'decent' size but he will still be a Freshman... We have been hearing what a good practice player Alex is for four years, from Mac and Alford, he shows flashes of being ok, but not enough consistancy. Hamilton will not see signifigant time for at least two years...

I agree the loss of Rahshon and Jiri are really going to hurt us. However, I think we will be just as competitive next year if not better. First of all, at least 4 of our starting five will be familiar with the program. I think that cost us a lot of wins early in the season. Secondly, with improvement, I think that Craig and AT will be able to put up the same numbers that Jiri and Craig are this year. Craig will need to carry the load and AT will need to play tough D, rebound, and take his points when they come to him. I think our guard court will be better because of experience. The one thing that will be tough to replace is the intensity that Rahshon gives.

[cyismydog]

Having all those transfers set us back all the way to basically year 1 of a rebuilding process.