Why I think we can beat Duke.

[cyismydog]

I may be crazy, but this is why I think we've got a legitimate shot at beating Duke:
Our frontcourt is much, much better than theirs.
At the 5 position, we have Ham and JVB, who match up quite well with either Brian Zoubek or Lance Thomas.
At the 4 we have Craig Brackins. Lance Thomas, Kyle Singler, Mason Plumlee, or anyone else on their roster has no chance at guarding him. They're all shorter, less athletic, and not strong enough. This may be CB's coming out game on a national scale
3-Gilstrap vs. Singler. I think that this one could be called a push.
2- Scheyer vs. DG, Christopherson, Lucca, Booze
I think the advantage here goes to Duke, due to Scheyer's elite size and scoring ability
1-Nolan Smith vs. Buck, DG, and Colvin
If Buck plays as well as he did this summer when I was watching him, we may have a shot at winnign this match-up. Smith doesn't have a lot of offensive game, but is a good defender.
Bench: Frontcourt: Push
Backcourt: Us, due to the simple fact that they don't have a single good guard off the bench.
The player I was most worried about for Duke was Elliot Williams, as he is quicker and more athletic than any of our guards. Luckily we don't have to deal with him anymore.
In the end, I think we have a shot to win this game. Am I crazy? Probably, but it's always good to drink a little Kool-Aid.

[TxCycloneFan]

I may be crazy, .

You could have stopped at this point.

[keepngoal]

Nuts.

[egami]

The best reason might even be one you left out...they might be looking right past you. Coach K will be trying dissuade this from happening, but it'll be hard for them to respect ISU and they could be lulled a bit by the game.

[cyismydog]

Nuts.

Thanks for re-affirming my self-esteem

[ISUonthemove]

Duke has lost Henderson, their Euro player to Europe, Elliot Williams and Jordan Davidson. And from the sounds of it on the Duke message boards, those are really big hits.

[jj-cyclones]

I believe

[SplitIdentity]

I'd love for ISU to beat Duke. I really would. In fact, depending on my winter break schedule, I may be making a trip out to Chicago for this game.

That being said, I'm saving this thread as future ammo against the anti-Hawk homer threads :)

[Clonegrad07]

I may be crazy, but this is why I think we've got a legitimate shot at beating Duke:
Our frontcourt is much, much better than theirs.
At the 5 position, we have Ham and JVB, who match up quite well with either Brian Zoubek or Lance Thomas.
At the 4 we have Craig Brackins. Lance Thomas, Kyle Singler, Mason Plumlee, or anyone else on their roster has no chance at guarding him. They're all shorter, less athletic, and not strong enough. This may be CB's coming out game on a national scale
3-Gilstrap vs. Singler. I think that this one could be called a push.
2- Scheyer vs. DG, Christopherson, Lucca, Booze
I think the advantage here goes to Duke, due to Scheyer's elite size and scoring ability
1-Nolan Smith vs. Buck, DG, and Colvin
If Buck plays as well as he did this summer when I was watching him, we may have a shot at winnign this match-up. Smith doesn't have a lot of offensive game, but is a good defender.
Bench: Frontcourt: Push
Backcourt: Us, due to the simple fact that they don't have a single good guard off the bench.
The player I was most worried about for Duke was Elliot Williams, as he is quicker and more athletic than any of our guards. Luckily we don't have to deal with him anymore.
In the end, I think we have a shot to win this game. Am I crazy? Probably, but it's always good to drink a little Kool-Aid.

Not only crazy, but drunk on spiked Kool-Aid.

Singler vs. Gilstrap is a push!?! ARE YOU CRAZY!?! A macdonalds all-american, 3 year starter at one of the top 5 best programs in the nation is a "push" with a guy who has never played D-I basketball? ok...

Nolan Smith vs. any of our three? winning this matchup? Again I ask what you've been drinking or smoking... remember... puff puff pass..

[chuckd4735]

I'm just hoping that JP and all realize the importance of this game, and do everything possible to get as many Iowa State fans there as possible. This could really come down to who has more fans at the game.

[CycloneErik]

I don't think he's nuts at all. We have a very real chance to take this game.

Turn that United Center into Hilton East, and that chance just keeps growing.

[CylentButDeadly]

Easy now. Duke is going to be top 20 team and Kyle Singler is an exceptional player. Calling the Gilstrap-Singler matchup a push? Really? Singler has 2 years of ACC ball under his belt and Gilstrap has been roughing it in JC.

This is not the most talented Duke team, that's for certain, but Scheyer, Singler & Smith are all pretty damn good ball players. Also, Zoubek and Thomas may not be elite guys, but they put in valuable minutes and Thomas has banged with the best of them, including Hansbrough.

The key to beating Duke is not letting their shooters go wild and stopping the penetration and dish. Duke offense revolves so much around swing passes and penentration and kick outs, which we defended horribly last year (think Oklahoma St.).

I think this is a game that we can really make a statement in as well and our athletes will have their chances, but keep in mind, these guys aren't spring chickens.

[CycloneErik]

I'd love for ISU to beat Duke. I really would. In fact, depending on my winter break schedule, I may be making a trip out to Chicago for this game.

That being said, I'm saving this thread as future ammo against the anti-Hawk homer threads :)

But there's a difference, you see. Hawk homers are wrong.

[Stewo]

Don't worry Cyismydog, I'm with ya! I think it really benifits us that it's played in January. Our guys will have played a solid two months of games to get to know each other and know what works. I hope that dook over-looks this game.

[BryceC]

We have a shot in any game, but I think your reasoning is very suspect.

I'll be going regardless and it will be a good time. I've been begging for a game like this for years.