Eternal Optimism

I think we will be a much improved team next year and will get 20 wins. Diante and Craig will be stronger and improved. They have shown what they are capable of this week. Wes will be healthy and we have more guys that can make shots - Lucca, Eik will stretch the defense. Our biggest problem the past couple of years have been turnovers and a lack of pure shooters. We should have plenty of guys that can actually make baskets. Buck will learn the system and contribute later in the year.

We won't have much depth inside, so I would expect three and four guard sets (it works for Baylor).

Mac will get things turned around and I am looking forward to watching it.

Mac has said that the 2 and the 3 positions in his style of play are the same except they are on different sides of the floor. Makes me think three guards is our normal style of play.

Mac said this in response to a question about whether Wes will play more at the 2 or at the 3 next season.

Don't be shocked if Wes plays some of the 4 next year as well.

I'm intrigued by this lineup (or ones similar to it)...

Garrett
Petey
Lucca
Wes
Craig

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Don't be shocked if Wes plays some of the 4 next year as well.

I'm intrigued by this lineup (or ones similar to it)...

Garrett
Petey
Lucca
Wes
Craig

---

there may not be another option...

I'm also looking for improvement next year. However, realistically I think 20 wins is probably still 2 years down the road. Next year we will still only have 3 scholarship players that are upperclassmen (WJ, CJ, and AT). It wont be until a year later that most of the players on the floor have significant playing experience. As I think DG and Brackins have shown, it is tough to come into a system as complicated as Macs and a league as tough as the Big XII and immediately be an impact player. Those that do so end up in the NBA the next year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Don't be shocked if Wes plays some of the 4 next year as well.

I'm intrigued by this lineup (or ones similar to it)...

Garrett
Petey
Lucca
Wes
Craig

---

I too think a three guard lineup with Wes at the 4 is probably our best option. IMO Wes had a better season as a freshman when he played the 4 and almost averaged a double-double. He has a nice midrange turnaround he can use to score from down low, and his rebounding numbers were much better. Obviously his injury this year is one factor in his decreased production, but I don't think its the whole story.

The only reservation I have about putting Wes back at the 4 is that he might have the skills to play at a higher level, at which his height puts him at a 2 or 3 instead of a 4. It would be tough for him to develop the skills he would need to play at the next level if he had to play the 4 for us most of the time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Don't be shocked if Wes plays some of the 4 next year as well.

I'm intrigued by this lineup (or ones similar to it)...

Garrett
Petey
Lucca
Wes
Craig

---

I hope that Petersen doesn't have to start for long. I just don't see Iowa State being successful if he has to play 25+ minutes come Big 12 play next year. He is a nice role player and can contribute, particularly against zone defenses.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PolkCityClone

I think we will be a much improved team next year and will get 20 wins. Diante and Craig will be stronger and improved. They have shown what they are capable of this week. Wes will be healthy and we have more guys that can make shots - Lucca, Eik will stretch the defense. Our biggest problem the past couple of years have been turnovers and a lack of pure shooters. We should have plenty of guys that can actually make baskets. Buck will learn the system and contribute later in the year.

We won't have much depth inside, so I would expect three and four guard sets (it works for Baylor).

Mac will get things turned around and I am looking forward to watching it.

---

I'll have what you're having. I think we will be an improved team for sure, but realistically I don't think 20 wins will be possible. Hopefully I am wrong, I usually try to be optimistic, but I just don't see 20 wins happening.

Every years new. The year we went to the Elite 8, I believe we were picked to finish in the bottom of the Big 12.

I would be shocked if Wes isn't playing the 4 next year.

I look for this lineup next year:

Buckley
Garrett
Staiger
W Johnson
Brackins

Petey, Haluska, Lee, and Boozer will be the back-ups for Buck, Lucca, and DG. Thompson and CJ will be the back-ups down low. I think the staff will try to redshirt Ike, Mann, and Hamilton.

Here's my prospective line up
1-Buckley:Expcected to start at PG from day 1.
2-Garret: Insiders have said repeatedly he was recruited to play the 2.
3. Wes J/lucca: Wes will still play a lot on the perimeter, but when he goes inside, Lucca will play here
4:Craig: He's a pf, not a center
5: At/Juco big: I think that Vanderbeeken would start over At, depending who we get in the spring.

Don't get hung up on Petey on my list, that was just one variation of it and the most "likely" early on until the true freshman get ready to start. I agree he'll come off the bench as the season grows on next year. If not, our other guys aren't adjusting as we hoped they would - be remember the kid will be a senior - his experience will be very helpful to us.

I see no reason to start Buckley or Eik early on - and for that matter - Lucca - but he's got a pretty good chance to because of his abilities and being with the team for a year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by snowcraig2.0

I would be shocked if Wes isn't playing the 4 next year.

I look for this lineup next year:

Buckley
Garrett
Staiger
W Johnson
Brackins

Petey, Haluska, Lee, and Boozer will be the back-ups for Buck, Lucca, and DG. Thompson and CJ will be the back-ups down low. I think the staff will try to redshirt Ike, Mann, and Hamilton.

---

IMO, great post.Is there a chance that Booze could RS next year? He needs it. I think that Hamilton will rs, but that might be it. We will need Mann to step up and play right away, unless Mac pulls off a miracle this spring.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cyismydog

IMO, great post.Is there a chance that Booze could RS next year? He needs it. I think that Hamilton will rs, but that might be it. We will need Mann to step up and play right away, unless Mac pulls off a miracle this spring.

---

I just posted on CR that Booze could redshirt next year as well. It all depends on what the staff sees in his future, and how much better he would actually get during his redshirt year. I think he will fill Haluska's role once Sean is done at ISU to be honest. Play d and give some instant offense.

Things will be better next year. Good topic.