Adversity

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2010, 07:47 AM

The team was battling this last night...

- 2 guys out of for the season (Boozer, JVB)
- 1 guy quits 24 hours prior to the game
- 1 guy still a bit banged up (Gilstrap)
- 1 guy emotionally distraught over a family death (Gilstrap)
- 1 guy that was suspended for being a distraction comes back (debatable if this is adverse)

Absolutely no excuses, just facts.

At the onset of the game, I was very pleased with how the guys responded. Unlike in other games where we lose the game in the first 5-8 minutes of the 2nd half - we lost this one in the final 8 or so minutes of the first half. Much of the run from Tech came when Gilstrap was on the bench.

But I really liked the fight down the stretch, especially from Gilstrap who was hurting emotionally and physically. I liked our effort a lot better in the 2nd half, notably rebounding the ball. Unfortunately every single time we hit a big shot in the 2nd half, they answered just seconds later. In the final 8 minutes, they didn't answer each time and we could chip away at it - but wasn't enough.

This team is facing enough adversity - we can't dig large holes at any point during the game.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-21-2010, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

The team was battling this last night...

- 2 guys out of for the season (Boozer, JVB)
- 1 guy quits 24 hours prior to the game
- 1 guy still a bit banged up (Gilstrap)
- 1 guy emotionally distraught over a family death (Gilstrap)
- 1 guy that was suspended for being a distraction comes back (debatable if this is adverse)

Absolutely no excuses, just facts.

At the onset of the game, I was very pleased with how the guys responded. Unlike in other games where we lose the game in the first 5-8 minutes of the 2nd half - we lost this one in the final 8 or so minutes of the first half. Much of the run from Tech came when Gilstrap was on the bench.

But I really liked the fight down the stretch, especially from Gilstrap who was hurting emotionally and physically. I liked our effort a lot better in the 2nd half, notably rebounding the ball. Unfortunately every single time we hit a big shot in the 2nd half, they answered just seconds later. In the final 8 minutes, they didn't answer each time and we could chip away at it - but wasn't enough.

This team is facing enough adversity - we can't dig large holes at any point during the game.

I agree. There have been some small stretches that have doomed them in most of the losses this year. Take those away, and we are sitting at 16-2 or 15-3, with a much different outlook.

**gogagig** · 01-21-2010, 07:52 AM

Maybe GM is just bad luck. Let's get the witch doctors in.

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2010, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I agree. There have been some small stretches that have doomed them in most of the losses this year. Take those away, and we are sitting at 16-2 or 15-3, with a much different outlook.

The problem is, they can't be taken away and it's something we do consistently, healthy or not. We frequently at some point in the game, let the other team go on a run that nets them double-digits points.

**wesley_w** · 01-21-2010, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

- 1 guy emotionally distraught over a family death (Gilstrap)

I really felt for Marquis last night. That had to be a very trying time and I hope he can get back home for at least a couple days to be with his family.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-21-2010, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

The problem is, they can't be taken away and it's something we do consistently, healthy or not. We frequently at some point in the game, let the other team go on a run that nets them double-digits points.

I agree, I was offering that as a reason, not as an excuse. I was completely sold on the Floyd/Eustachy theory of valuing possessions, and winning on the defensive end, which makes this a little hard to watch. It seems like they go through key stretches where they either take a few shot completely outside the offense, or where they let the other team score some easy baskets on several possessions in a row.

**GeronimusClone** · 01-21-2010, 07:59 AM

I just wish Craig would step up and be a leader, but maybe he doesn't have that in him.

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2010, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

I just wish Craig would step up and be a leader, but maybe he doesn't have that in him.

There is a line from Bad Santa about wishing that I think applies here.

But I agree, it would really be nice if this happened. Perhaps he's more of a leader than we can see, hard to tell sometimes when we only see the team for a couple hours on TV. But during those times, it's not very obvious (with exception to the Texas game which I felt he was a great leader on the court).

**akclone** · 01-21-2010, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

The team was battling this last night...

- 2 guys out of for the season (Boozer, JVB)
- 1 guy quits 24 hours prior to the game
- 1 guy still a bit banged up (Gilstrap)
- 1 guy emotionally distraught over a family death (Gilstrap)
- 1 guy that was suspended for being a distraction comes back (debatable if this is adverse)

Absolutely no excuses, just facts.

At the onset of the game, I was very pleased with how the guys responded. Unlike in other games where we lose the game in the first 5-8 minutes of the 2nd half - we lost this one in the final 8 or so minutes of the first half. Much of the run from Tech came when Gilstrap was on the bench.

But I really liked the fight down the stretch, especially from Gilstrap who was hurting emotionally and physically. I liked our effort a lot better in the 2nd half, notably rebounding the ball. Unfortunately every single time we hit a big shot in the 2nd half, they answered just seconds later. In the final 8 minutes, they didn't answer each time and we could chip away at it - but wasn't enough.

This team is facing enough adversity - we can't dig large holes at any point during the game.

I agree. A little better free throw shooting, tech missing just 1 more 3 pointer, and some help from our coach we probably could have won. Effort was there at the end. They kept fighting.

**The_Architect** · 01-21-2010, 08:43 AM

Our effort was there IMO.

The freaking midget PG from Tech was just killer. Some of the shots he was making were ridiculous and he and that other guard burying HUGE 3's cost us the game. Well, that and FT shooting and ****-poor rebounding.

**bawbie** · 01-21-2010, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by akclone

I agree. A little better free throw shooting, tech missing just 1 more 3 pointer, and some help from our coach we probably could have won. Effort was there at the end. They kept fighting.

And that damn 15 foot fade away their big guy hit at the end of the shot clock. That's the one that killed me.

**The_Architect** · 01-21-2010, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by bawbie

And that damn 15 foot fade away their big guy hit at the end of the shot clock. That's the one that killed me.

That dude didn't miss anything.

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2010, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by akclone

I agree. A little better free throw shooting, tech missing just 1 more 3 pointer, and some help from our coach we probably could have won. Effort was there at the end. They kept fighting.

I'm not convinced Greg is blameless in the Lucca situation.

However, looking at last night and what the team faced (as noted in my original post), I have to give Greg and the staff credit to get these guys in the right frame of mind to play a competitive basketball game.