Ditto that. We will likely be very erratic in our play by relying on the three...looks great when "you're on" and looks horrific when "you're off". We do need someone that can penetrate as well as a threat on the inside.
ISU vs. CU postgame thread
- Thread starter ISUFan22
- Start date
Ditto that. We will likely be very erratic in our play by relying on the three...looks great when "you're on" and looks horrific when "you're off". We do need someone that can penetrate as well as a threat on the inside.
For me, living a long way away from Iowa, having fun is...
...having a team that is on national TV a lot because they are good (not because of who they are playing). Nothing worse than spending an entire day at a HS baseball tournament and then having to watch the ESPN bottom line for a long time at the restaurant you are eating at to finally see that your beloved Cyclones lost to the worst team in the Big 12.
...having a team in the Top 25 so I know when I open up my Sunday Sports section that their will be a box score and a small article on my team's game for me to read. Nothing worse than looking through the scores in the "midwest" section to not see ISU and realizing they probably lost and you need to look under the "far west" section because Colorado beat ISU.
Maybe you should all start to realize that it is not my fault that the Cyclones are not very good. Maybe you should direct some of your energy and attention to those that are actually responsible for the "product" that is ISU BB right now...Greg McDermott for starters.
Just curious about this statement...
What are you saying we, as fans, should do? I realize we are not very good, and I certainly don't fault you for this, but as you do post negatively about the team and it's leadership, what is your solution for the immediate future, as it seems you aren't willing to wait for a future under McDermott.
Let's hear the solution.
Re: The team
Of our bigs, we need someone to bring the total package to the table: CB shoots, AT plays defense, JHam (CB cleaned up on him last year in practice) hangs out around the basket. McD would need to start now to get someone pounded into a complete player like Jii. We need a tough big to be found from jucoville now.
Of our bigs, we need someone to bring the total package to the table: CB shoots, AT plays defense, JHam (CB cleaned up on him last year in practice) hangs out around the basket. McD would need to start now to get someone pounded into a complete player like Jii. We need a tough big to be found from jucoville now.
When Wes gets his leaping ability back, he will go to the NBA and a red shirt would not have added another year. He is smoothie, he can shoot and rebound, he just cannot defend becaue of his bad wheels. Wheels take time to heel. I cannot believe he would ever hang around five years when he can make money.
Last edited:
If one of his assistants leaves, Maybe McD will need to hire an assistant to bring in some big time player like a Fizer.
I've offered a solution many times in the past. We have to fill our immediate needs with Juco's that can contribute right away.
I'm not saying build a team around Juco's, but bring in a couple that can play the game in the B12 to help this team be more competitive and allow the younger players to develop the proper way.
Our past success as a program was based heavily on this. The type of program we have, I really believe we need to have these 1 or 2 impact Juco's from year to year to help connect the talent dots that fill out the remainder of the roster.
Yep. You are right. When you hit bottom, you do not have the luxury to build a program in 12 years. We shot 33 % first half and 31 % second half. No shooters = no wins. Wesley was our best % shooter at 5 for 13.
Who do you call? Slumpbusters?
Who do you call? Slumpbusters?
You may not fault me and others expressing concerns...but many are taking their angst out on a few of us that are, after nearly two full years, starting to wonder about the direction of the program.
I find it interesting when you discuss the current state of affairs (not speculating on the future) you are considered to be "posting negatively". The reality is that McDermott has not given those that fervently support him much to hang their hats on during the last two years...to put it bluntly, there are not a whole lot of "positives" in the program right now. As I have said previously, the two big positives were signing WJ and CB in my opinion.
We as fans aren't charged (or paid for) with finding the solution. The head coach is. For your information, I HAVE BEEN WAITING...IT'S BEEN NEARLY TWO FULL YEARS. I do not believe we should (or will) make a change right now, but that does not mean I cannot express my concerns about where we are right now...does it?
I would say the offense he tried to run does not work with this casst of characters for some reason. We basically look like the only temam out there without a functioning offense. Admittedly, we have 3 mmore games to straihten out the mess, so it may yet happen. Running TT, Princeton, AF, Wyoming type offense would be more intesting than dribbling way outside for 25 seconds and then forcing a three up. Over a period of four years, I do not undertsand how we went from streetball to a stagnant offense with dimishing returns. Ou recrord continues to go downhill. I think the players can accomplish much more with the right setup, yet it is just not happening for this group. Jiri is good. RC is good. CB can be better. DG, AT, Booze, BP, CL, CB, Corey, can all do more stuff. That said, Wesley is hurt; Jiri was hurt, RC has been fighting the knee issue - our Big Three. I just thought we might have developed a better offense by now after Mike left. Guess not. 33% shooting across the board of players yesterday was a startling fact to see. SH has been most improved player with BP coming in next followed by DG.
I agree with much of what you say, but not always with the hardheadedness in which you say it. I am optimistic about the program, but of course have concerns. I have my eyes wide open, and reserve the right as time goes on to change my mind on the staff.
I express the positives and negatives. The reason you catch heat for your posts is that you don't have much variance. You might say you are just being consistent, but so is someone who rams their head against the wall every day.
I am still curious about this statement of yours:
How should fans "direct their energy and attention", and what would this accomplish?
Great post. This sums up my feelings on #1 as well. I don't differ that far from his opinions actually. I just get aggravated that he has to be a **** when he expresses them.
I think Gmac has made some mistakes. I am just going to wait til after year 3 before I form a opinion on his future at ISU. I think it behooves everyone here to do the same, as he isn't going anywhere for at least 5 years.
It should also be noted that that last time we broke the magical 70 point barrier was 19 Jan. Two of our first Big 12 wins were 72 and 73 points scored. It has been a drought. The last two wins were against a devoid nebraska and Colorado team in Hilton. Shooting threes only like some teams would be okay if we were better shooters. First Tier for the best shooters on this team might have been Mike (gone), Wesley (injured), and Lucca (Miles). The next tier appears to be RC, CrB, JH, SH, and BP. The thrid Tier appears to be DG, AT, MC, BJ, CL, and ChB.
No need to yell....?
There has been alot of talk about foundation of success, history of ISU basketball, returning to 20 years ago.
Back in your glory days thanks to cooler heads that gave Johnny Orr some time, maybe someone should check out his years 1-3 as the Head of the Mens Basketball program....? (32-50) If we just measuring wins and losses has you seem to do.
My point is that people on this board should be talking about what the coach is/isn't doing and what the results (good/mediocre/bad) are of that particular coach's effort...not putting their focus on other posters that just have a different opinion than they may have.
I am a reasonable man but opinions are formed over time. I don't believe you can forgo having an opinion and then bingo in year 3 or 4 say boom "my opinion is...". Frankly, based upon the nearly two years of results I have seen, my opinion of McDermott and his ability to lead our program is slowly declining.
I didn't say I am forgoing having an opinion...I said I reserve the right to change my opinion.
I agree that opinions are formed over time. I happen to think that two years with very difficult circumstances is not enough time to have a complete opinion on what any coach can or can't do. I choose to gather information over what I deem a reasonable amount of time. You seem to say that two years is reasonable for you...I disagree. It seems your mind is made up. Mine is open, and I am willing to see what Mac does in year 3 and 4. After that, if there is not significant improvement, I will be wanting change, too. It's just too early to say that right now, IMO.
I'm just hoping that someone will start listening and quit mis-charcterizing my comments.
I'm glad you brought up Johnny Orr! I'm well aware of the Orr era and the renaissance in ISU BB that he brought about.
When Johnny came to Ames he came from a very strong Big 10 conference and he was just 5 years removed from coaching his Michigan team to the National Championship game (a loss to the Indiana...the last undefeated team in CBB history). The three years prior to his arrival, the Cyclones had gone 36-45 with no post season play...in fact they had not been in post season play in about 40 years. After his arrival, purely because of having him as our coach, attendance rose 42%. In his first three seasons he showed continual progress...9-18...10-17...13-15...finally bringing us into post season in his fourth year.
Now let's compare McDermott. He came to Ames from the mid-major Missouri Valley Conference. 5 years prior he was in his first year at UNI after having left North Dakota State after one year at that school (so much for patience...I guess). In the three years prior to his arrival, the Cyclones had a 55-39 record with two post season appearances. Additionally they had been to the Elite 8 just 7 years earlier. His arrival caused about a 5% rise in attendance. To date his first year was 15-16 and his second year is currently 14-15. Barring some surprise, he will likely finish this year at 14-18...not what I would call progress so far.
My point is that ISU was in far worse shape when Orr came in than when McDermott came in. Additionally, Orr had far more "skins on the wall" when he came in than McDermott, and finally Orr showed continual progress after his arrival where it appears McDermott will not. Bluntly, when Orr came there were no expectations and he gave us reason to have loftier ones...when McDermott came there was a great foundation in place where expectations were pretty high (I would say canning a coach after 3 winning seasons and 2 post season appearances is a sign of this) and they seem to have been lowered under his watch.
