Brackins: “I feel that I let my teammates down”

**beatiowa** · 02-21-2010, 01:25 AM

Brackins: “I feel that I let my teammates down” | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs

Ames, Ia. – Craig Brackins is perplexed.

“I got doubled last year and they didn’t really stop me,” he said after Saturday’s 60-56 loss against No. 24 at Texas A&M. “I’m working harder than I did last year, so that’s really what’s getting to me.”

He missed 12 of 16 shots Saturday. He has missed 26 of his last 33 shots over the past two games.

“I shoot an hour to an hour-and-a-half everyday,” said Brackins, who scored 10 points against the Ags. “I know I’m putting in work. I know I’m working hard,

“Maybe it’s just not hard enough.”
Brackins said he took Saturday’s loss the hardest of any loss since he’s been at Iowa State.

“When you work hard – and then let the team down – it’s tough to take,” he said. “I feel that I let my teammates down. That’s the last thing I ever want to do.”

**dtclones** · 02-21-2010, 01:26 AM

He's clearly thinking too much. He just needs to play and let instincts take over like he did last year. I love Craig and hate to see him agonizing like this.

**cyclonedave25** · 02-21-2010, 01:35 AM

I feel really bad because he turned down the NBA and came back to ISU with bigger dreams than finishing around .500.
Whether or not he would be playing any minutes in the NBA right now, he was still a lock to be a first round pick, if not a lotter pick last year. He turned down millions of dollars to come back to ISU because he thought we would have a solid team this year. Turns out this year hasn't really gone according to plan.
I hope nothing but the best for him in the future, whatever he decides to do.

**CycloneWarning** · 02-21-2010, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonedave25

I feel really bad because he turned down the NBA and came back to ISU with bigger dreams than finishing around .500.
Whether or not he would be playing any minutes in the NBA right now, he was still a lock to be a first round pick, if not a lotter pick last year. He turned down millions of dollars to come back to ISU because he thought we would have a solid team this year. Turns out this year hasn't really gone according to plan.
I hope nothing but the best for him in the future, whatever he decides to do.

great post . +1

**ETL2424** · 02-21-2010, 04:43 AM

Quit pouting and start producing. 3 for 17 and 4 for 16 in two home games aren't gonna cut it. Put your team on your shoulders, act ******, and take the damn ball to the basket and at least get fouled. That's what Marcus Fizer and Curtis Stinson would do when things weren't going right and they got ******.

**Madclone1** · 02-21-2010, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by ETL2424

Quit pouting and start producing. 3 for 17 and 4 for 16 in two home games aren't gonna cut it. Put your team on your shoulders, act ******, and take the damn ball to the basket and at least get fouled. That's what Marcus Fizer and Curtis Stinson would do when things weren't going right and they got ******.

IMHO he lacks physical and mental toughness. He is not ready for the next level in the NBA.

**San Francisco Cy** · 02-21-2010, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by ETL2424

Quit pouting and start producing. 3 for 17 and 4 for 16 in two home games aren't gonna cut it. Put your team on your shoulders, act ******, and take the damn ball to the basket and at least get fouled. That's what Marcus Fizer and Curtis Stinson would do when things weren't going right and they got ******.

Doesn't sound like pouting to me. Sounds like he's stepping up. Hopefully he puts his words into action the rest of the way...

**DrClone** · 02-21-2010, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by ETL2424

Quit pouting and start producing. 3 for 17 and 4 for 16 in two home games aren't gonna cut it. Put your team on your shoulders, act ******, and take the damn ball to the basket and at least get fouled. That's what Marcus Fizer and Curtis Stinson would do when things weren't going right and they got ******.

Craig isn't pouting. He's frustrated as I am sure all of the team is. But I agree he needs to be aggressive and go to the basket. I love Brackins for what he has meant to Iowa State. Keep working harder - it will work out.

**jsb** · 02-21-2010, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by dtclones

He's clearly thinking too much. He just needs to play and let instincts take over like he did last year. I love Craig and hate to see him agonizing like this.

I think he is too. I think that is part of the reason why he has made critical mistakes at the end of gaes.

**RossHallHero** · 02-21-2010, 09:18 AM

I'd like to see him go out there and play like it doesn't matter at all, because at this point, it really doesn't.

There's no reason for this team to be pressing right now. It's over.

Go out play loose and have some fun. Overall, this season has been terrible, awful, vomit-inducing, but it is what it is and there's no changing that. Try to have some fun.

**Clones21** · 02-21-2010, 09:25 AM

ONE MORE YEAR! ONE MORE YEAR!

**cyclonenum1** · 02-21-2010, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by beatiowa

Brackins: “I feel that I let my teammates down” | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs

Ames, Ia. – Craig Brackins is perplexed.

“I got doubled last year and they didn’t really stop me,” he said after Saturday’s 60-56 loss against No. 24 at Texas A&M. “I’m working harder than I did last year, so that’s really what’s getting to me.”

He missed 12 of 16 shots Saturday. He has missed 26 of his last 33 shots over the past two games.

“I shoot an hour to an hour-and-a-half everyday,” said Brackins, who scored 10 points against the Ags. “I know I’m putting in work. I know I’m working hard,

“Maybe it’s just not hard enough.”
Brackins said he took Saturday’s loss the hardest of any loss since he’s been at Iowa State.

“When you work hard – and then let the team down – it’s tough to take,” he said. “I feel that I let my teammates down. That’s the last thing I ever want to do.”

This sort of stuff is depressing to read...great player, great kid, came back for the extra year and it doesn't work out like planned. I hate to see this stuff...whether a situation like CB or a situation like Sam Bradford.

I'm curious, has our head coach "manned-up" with any similar sort of comments about his coaching and preparation?

**deadeyededric** · 02-21-2010, 09:58 AM

CB dosen't need to feel bad about anything. PLEASE Craig, leave for something better after this year! You don't deserve this.

**CYEATHAWK** · 02-21-2010, 10:03 AM

This season is beginning to take on the look of a Dr. Phil episode.

**Together2813** · 02-21-2010, 10:33 AM

I would love to just see him post up down low. With Ham being a force, they can't double both of them. Take mostly shots inside the lane and your shooting percentage will increase dramatically.