ISU MBB: Coaching the 2009 team vs recent years

**ISUFan22** · 11-18-2009, 08:36 AM

I was thinking about this last night after the game, on how it seems that Greg does not have to micromanage the games this year, at least thus far.

It was clear in '06-'08 he had to, we didn't have the players to run/score and we had to rely on defense and managed offensive situations. These things will still be important this year but not like in previous seasons.

I see the toughest battle Greg has is keeping the team mentality for these kids and making sure when they do start running it doesn't turn into chaos on the court. Otherwise, it could be his "easiest" coaching season yet...or at least one where he does not have to meticulously manage every second of every game.

**IcSyU** · 11-18-2009, 08:37 AM

Easier to look better when you have athletes to cover up mistakes. I think the biggest difference, especially once we get into conference games, will be playing to win instead of playing not to lose.

**bos** · 11-18-2009, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

Easier to look better when you have athletes to cover up mistakes. I think the biggest difference, especially once we get into conference games, will be playing to win instead of playing not to lose.

I have a feeling he will keep the pedal down all season. Im sure if we wanted to, we could have blow up teams worse than we have so far, but he is really working the rotations and giving the bench a run at it.....which will help down the line for sure. I just like where we are at right now.

**jsb** · 11-18-2009, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I was thinking about this last night after the game, on how it seems that Greg does not have to micromanage the games this year, at least thus far.

It was clear in '06-'08 he had to, we didn't have the players to run/score and we had to rely on defense and managed offensive situations. These things will still be important this year but not like in previous seasons.

I see the toughest battle Greg has is keeping the team mentality for these kids and making sure when they do start running it doesn't turn into chaos on the court. Otherwise, it could be his "easiest" coaching season yet...or at least one where he does not have to meticulously manage every second of every game.

Yep, I've said it before and I'll say it again, that McDermott knows basketball better than just about anyone.

**Wesley** · 11-18-2009, 08:50 AM

It is nice to know we have several people who can put the ball in the hole.

Days of 0 for 10 are long gone. We even have people who can drive the lane.

**cgwarrior33** · 11-18-2009, 08:51 AM

Another thing to consider is this is DG's third sesaon in Greg's "system." I put it in quotes because after watching last night it looks like Greg has taken the muzzle off of everyone a little bit. I don't think he has his offensive strategy as structured as before. Craig still has to touch the ball every trip down the floor, but it doesn't feel as structured as it did last year.

I really think DG has a better understand now of what Greg wants from him in the point guard stop. 11 assists 3 turnovers last night, 5 and 1 the other night. In the blow out wins, he could said ok, I'm gonna score because I can agaisnt this competition, and he didn't. He stayed disciplined and stayed in his role.

I also think Christopherson has had a bigger impact than most people realize. He has shown to be a more complete player than Lucca in the early get go. His pull-up game has been very solid. It takes pressure off of Lucca because he isn't the only deadly shooter on the perimeter.

The team just seems to have confidence in each other's abilities this year that I haven't seen in awhile. I also think part of that comes from Greg having confidence in their abilities this year.

**BryceC** · 11-18-2009, 08:53 AM

We've heard that he was going to open things up for a few years now and it didn't happen, so my concern was that it wasn't going to happen. But we've seen that he'll open it up when he has the horses. I'm really happy to see that he'll adjust and let the players play. I could not be more thrilled about this team. I cannot wait for the ND matchup.

**bos** · 11-18-2009, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by cgwarrior33

Another thing to consider is this is DG's third sesaon in Greg's "system." I put it in quotes because after watching last night it looks like Greg has taken the muzzle off of everyone a little bit. I really think DG has a better understand now of what Greg wants from him in the point guard stop. 11 assists 3 turnovers last night, 5 and 1 the other night. In the blow out wins, he could said ok, I'm gonna score because I can agaisnt this competition, and he didn't. He stayed disciplined and stayed in his role.

I also think Christopherson has had a bigger impact than most people realize. He has shown to be a more complete player than Lucca in the early get go. His pull-up game has been very solid. It takes pressure off of Lucca because he isn't the only deadly shooter on the perimeter.

The team just seems to have confidence in each other's abilities this year that I haven't seen in awhile. I also think part of that comes from Greg having confidence in their abilities this year.

Shows his maturity. This is what we want in a pg. Business as usual.

**cgwarrior33** · 11-18-2009, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by bostinelosd

Shows his maturity. This is what we want in a pg. Business as usual.

Exactly. I think Greg TRUSTS his point guard play this year more so than any other year. CC has had a steep learning curve and has shown he can handle it. He is still a freshman at times, but he doesn't look lost the way Buck and DG did as freshman. If Dominique Buckley is our 3rd point guard, we have a very very solid group.

**CycloneErik** · 11-18-2009, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by cgwarrior33

Exactly. I think Greg TRUSTS his point guard play this year more so than any other year. CC has had a steep learning curve and has shown he can handle it. He is still a freshman at times, but he doesn't look lost the way Buck and DG did as freshman. If Dominique Buckley is our 3rd point guard, we have a very very solid group.

Amen, because I think Buckley would be pretty good.

**The_Architect** · 11-18-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by cgwarrior33

Another thing to consider is this is DG's third sesaon in Greg's "system." I put it in quotes because after watching last night it looks like Greg has taken the muzzle off of everyone a little bit. I don't think he has his offensive strategy as structured as before. Craig still has to touch the ball every trip down the floor, but it doesn't feel as structured as it did last year.

I really think DG has a better understand now of what Greg wants from him in the point guard stop. 11 assists 3 turnovers last night, 5 and 1 the other night. In the blow out wins, he could said ok, I'm gonna score because I can agaisnt this competition, and he didn't. He stayed disciplined and stayed in his role.

I also think Christopherson has had a bigger impact than most people realize. He has shown to be a more complete player than Lucca in the early get go. His pull-up game has been very solid. It takes pressure off of Lucca because he isn't the only deadly shooter on the perimeter.

The team just seems to have confidence in each other's abilities this year that I haven't seen in awhile. I also think part of that comes from Greg having confidence in their abilities this year.

What a huge asset he is going to be for us. He's tenacious and hustles on defense too.

**cgwarrior33** · 11-18-2009, 09:02 AM

Yes. We will need that depth before the end of the year because CC will hit the proverbeal (sp) Freshman Wall at some point in the season. Get the popcorn ready ladies and gentlemen. Its gonna be a fun year.

Its a great time to be a Cyclone. Football, MBB, WBB, VB, Men's and Women's XC, and Wrestling....let's enjoy the rides will we can!

**CycloneErik** · 11-18-2009, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by cgwarrior33

Yes. We will need that depth before the end of the year because CC will hit the proverbeal (sp) Freshman Wall at some point in the season. Get the popcorn ready ladies and gentlemen. Its gonna be a fun year.

Its a great time to be a Cyclone. Football, MBB, WBB, VB, Men's and Women's XC, and Wrestling....let's enjoy the rides will we can!

Outstanding point about the freshman wall.

**bos** · 11-18-2009, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by cgwarrior33

Yes. We will need that depth before the end of the year because CC will hit the proverbeal (sp) Freshman Wall at some point in the season. Get the popcorn ready ladies and gentlemen. Its gonna be a fun year.

Its a great time to be a Cyclone. Football, MBB, WBB, VB, Men's and Women's XC, and Wrestling....let's enjoy the rides will we can!

We are definitely positioning ourselves for success. With this success it generates buzz and funding which should help continue growth and a stable program. I dont want to get too ahead of myself, but it seems like pieces are finally coming together even with a few kicks to the nads here and there.

**ISUFan22** · 11-18-2009, 09:07 AM

The big thing is, we're not relying on freshman this year. Colvin will play some good minutes but unless injury happens or DG falls apart, he won't be completely relied on. In most every other season, we relied heavily on freshman or players that were young and/or out of position.

I know we have new faces but these guys have played at/near this level.

It's a great situation to not be forced to play guys that simply are not ready. Huge weight off Greg's shoulders.