Why does this team not win?

[Dryburn]

I hestitated posting this, but finally decided I would. Warning......this is long!

I just have one question. If it is not the coaching, then why does this team not win? It is not like this is the first year these players have played basketball. They all know how to win, and every single one of them have come from winning programs. They have all had success in their past. Plus, there was an awful lot coming back from last year.

Here is what was returning from last year to start the season:

66.3% of the minutes played.......79.7% of the scoring.......69.1% of the rebounding.....and 73.9% of the assists from the previous year's team! Plus, in addition you were adding some very talented recruits, including the pre-season coach's pick for conference Newcomer of the Year. How does that team not win?

Also, people have talked a lot about the recruiting being poor.....I don't agree. I think the talent is there to win in this conference....something else is missing.

Here are the players ISU had at the start of the year....then after their name is the record of the last school they played at (when I could find it), and some of the credentials they brought with them to ISU.

Boozer 16-14 record in High school

Brackins 29-6 record at Prep School 18th ranked player nationally by Rivals

Buckley 22-4 124th ranked player by ESPN 150

SC 26-1 27th best PG by Rivals

Colvin 26-9 77th best by ESPN, 15th best PG by Rivals

Dendy 63rd best player out of high school by Rivals, 57th best JC and HS player

Dorr 24-3

DG 23-3 111th best player by Rivals

Gilstrap 24-9 26th best player by ESPN in 2009

Hamilton 23-2

Oliver 24-2

Palo 26-0

Lucca Played 2 years on German National teams

JVB 25-3 148th best player by Hoopmasters out of high school (not sure if that is for US players or only Canadian)

How does this team not win? Obviously, all of the players come from winning backgrounds. They have all been able to shoot and rebound before. What happens when they get to Iowa State? Despite what some may think, players can be taught to improve their shooting, rebounding and defense. Those are coach-able things.

Again, if it is not coaching, then what is it?

Many of us on this board scoffed when we saw the talent returning to the team this year, and the incoming recruits, and yet ISU was picked by the other Big 12 coaches to finish 8th. With this much talent, why would they pick this team to finish that low? Do you think maybe there is something about ISU basketball that other coaches realize, but the ISU fans do not? Looks like most of us were right though.....the coaches did have the ranking wrong......it was too high!

[chuckd4735]

Its coaching. The same patterns have occurred now year after year for 4 years. Its either a great coincidence or coaching...

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

They score less than the opponent?

[aauummm]

They score less than the opponent?

Bingo!

[isuno1fan]

I thought we had a winning record :)

[ThePollinator]

Great Coincidence

[aauummm]

I have a question. Why isn't North Carolina and Roy Williams winning. They have even better players than we do.

[weR138]

I have a question. Why isn't North Carolina and Roy Williams winning. They have even better players than we do.

HB isn't there yet!

[Cyclonestate78]

Does anybody remember the good old days when we used to make more free throws then our opponents attempted? We used to kill that stat in almost every game. We definitely don't do that anymore. I often wonder why?

[mkadl]

Here is what was returning from last year to start the season:

66.3% of the minutes played.......79.7% of the scoring.......69.1% of the rebounding.....and 73.9% of the assists from the previous year's team! Plus, in addition you were adding some very talented recruits, including the pre-season coach's pick for conference Newcomer of the Year. How does that team not win?

What do we have now? for percentages?

[chuckd4735]

I have a question. Why isn't North Carolina and Roy Williams winning. They have even better players than we do.

Well knowing that they have won 2 National Championships since ISU has won their last NCAA Tournament game, and the fact that they have by far the number 1 recruiting class coming in, I think there program is still in much better shape than ISU's.

[Dryburn]

I have a question. Why isn't North Carolina and Roy Williams winning. They have even better players than we do.

I don't know, and really don't care. Williams is having one off year. That can happen.

[The_Architect]

Many of us on this board scoffed when we saw the talent returning to the team this year, and the incoming recruits, and yet ISU was picked by the other Big 12 coaches to finish 8th. With this much talent, why would they pick this team to finish that low? Do you think maybe there is something about ISU basketball that other coaches realize, but the ISU fans do not? Looks like most of us were right though.....the coaches did have the ranking wrong......it was too high!

Compared to the rest of the Big-12, that "talent" we all thought we had is still below average.

[Cyclonestate78]

I don't know, and really don't care. Williams is having one off year. That can happen.

Roy can suck it. That ***** has stolen the best talent from this state for years. Why anybody would want to play for the slimeball is beyond me.

[aauummm]

I don't know, and really don't care. Williams is having one off year. That can happen.

Shouldn't happen with that talent around. Heck any junior high coach should be able to win with that talent (without a down year)! No reason for a down year.