Craig Brackins

[moforisu]

If Craig can just keep playing hard, good things will come. McD will teach him to play D. Craig has the hands, he just needs an off season. We HAVE to keep these guys together. Rashon-I'd bet there's a Grad Assistant job for you next year if your looking for something to do.

[ISUFan22]

Has Craig been a big disappointment this season? Certainly.

Do I think he'll improve? Without a doubt.

[Aclone]

Has Craig been a big disappointment this season? Certainly.

Do I think he'll improve? Without a doubt.

I can't say that he's been a big disappointment this season...just a disappointment the past several games. He exhibited excellent hands, a great touch inside, ballhandling ability, athleticism, and a sweet shooting eye. Easily enough to get me excited for the future--not everyone is a Michael Beasley.

He'll do quite well. Probably even get back on his feet still this season.

[BryceC]

I don't think he's been a disappointment. The last few games have been disappointing, but we're getting about what I expected from him. Rarely do freshman come in and average over 10 ppg, especially freshman big guys. In fact, the last one that did so for us was Fizer.

[ISUFan22]

He's had some good games, don't get me wrong - but everyone expected more from him. He's missed a ton, and I mean a ton of easy, point-blank shots. That's been going on all season.

I'm not just looking at the scoring, but the so-so rebounding job (disappeared there recently too) and the large number of turnovers.

[Aclone]

It's all an issue of confidence, and teams have been swarming him since the Baylor game. He really can use more strength, and that will come. He just needs to get into a rhythm, both with his shooting, and with his post moves.

[kingcy]

Brackins has played 26 games... It's time to drop the "He's just a freshman" label. He obviously needs time in the weight room this offseason, but right now he needs to suck it up and play ball.

You are a freshman until the end of spring sem of college. You have to experence it all before you lose that title. College is more than just playing ball for these guys. Jake S was on KXNO the other day saying how hard his freshman year was and they were winning. Its a long season and most HS kids are not used to it.

[Seth]

Has Craig been a big disappointment this season? Certainly.

Do I think he'll improve? Without a doubt.

A big disappointment? Seriously? He's a freshman playing big minutes in the Big 12, one of the toughest conferences out there. He's averaging like 11 ppg and almost 5 rpg even after having a few down games recently. I think saying he's been a big disappointment is stretching it just a bit.

He certainly hasn't been a big disappointment to me, and if he had been, then I would have to say my expectations were too high to begin with.

[markshir]

It's nonsense to say that Brackins has been a big disappointment.

Seriously, people who think that saw the stars in front of his name on Rivals and got caught up in it.

Fact: Big men typically take longer to develop and acclimate to the college game than guards.

Brackins has had some great moments as a freshman. Does he need a ton of work? Of course. Name a freshman in any conference who doesn't and I'll show you someone who would have gone straight to the NBA before the rule change.

If it wasn't for the fact that Beasley, Griffin, Jordan and others HAD to be in college for a year, Brackins would be one of the more impressive freshman in the Big 12. Ask any college coach in the country if they would take Craig on their team and I bet you could only find at most about 2-3 that wouldn't.

He's a personable, funny guy on top of his basketball ability. He's averaging over 10 points a game. I'm happy he's a Cyclone. Do I wish he played defense and rebounded better? Yeah, of course. Is he a big disappointment? Get real.

[iowast8fan]

He's had some good games, don't get me wrong - but everyone expected more from him.

That is my biggest pet peeve with fellow Cyclone fans. Many of us have WAY too high of expectations for our new players. These players are coming in learning a new system and having to compete for playing time after being used to playing high school ball and being the constant go-to guy.

We had the same over-estimated expectations for Shawn Taggart. Give them some time to adjust their skills and their bodies.

[ISUFan22]

Sweet...the pot has been stirred. Certainly wasn't my intent - but it is what it is.

A player can still be new and also be a disappointment. While I expect growing pains, I do expect to see our players improve as well. Right now, Craig is going the other way - that much is a fact.

I saw him play this summer and have watched him all season. He's far better than he's been playing for a fair amount of the season.

Call me what you want, I care not. But Craig's play and contribution to this team is significantly less than everyone expected - including the folks in Ames.

[Aclone]

We had the same over-estimated expectations for Shawn Taggart. Give them some time to adjust their skills and their bodies.

Shawn Taggart, who is the sixth man for the only undefeated team in the country? Surely not!

(sarcasm alert)

Amazing how many people thought Shawn was a bust.

[kingcy]

Shawn Taggart, who is the sixth man for the only undefeated team in the country? Surely not!

(sarcasm alert)

Amazing how many people thought Shawn was a bust.

Brackins is way ahead of Taggart as a freshman. Thats all I'm going to say about that.

[Aclone]

Brackins is way ahead of Taggart as a freshman. Thats all I'm going to say about that.

Indeed, he has far better skills. His slump is just that, a slump. He'll come out of it. A disappointment? That speaks more to expectations, which are not his responsibilty. A big disappointment? No.

As I said, I think he'll find some advantages to playing against Tech. As well as a week off to sort things out.

[ISUFan22]

As I said, I think he'll find some advantages to playing against Tech. As well as a week off to sort things out.

This I agree with.