BLUM: Believe the Hoiball hype

[cyhiphopp]

I honestly think this team can beat anyone they come up against.

The biggest hurdles I think are their tourney seed, location, and matchups.

They could end up in a terrible region and have to face 3 other Final Four contenders where any slip up does them in.

The only solution to that is to get a 1 or 2 seed and get a beneficial location which is completely possible

 

[cyhiphopp]

Well. Blum writes real well.

Superman (and Niang) do good. Blum writes well.

 

[The_Architect]

Blum on the way into Hilton on Friday:

 

[Psiclone]

Nice article, as usual, hitting the nail squarely on the head. Team and individual defense will ultimately be the key to how far this team goes. I started a post earlier suggesting Hogue, Morris, and McKay have the potential to be on the Big XII All-Defensive team. Although it was just an exhibition game, BDJ certainly showed the athleticism necessary for him to also be under consideration for the All-D team. Fred has already emphasized that to BDJ and if he applies himself to D, we could be a very tough team to score against. Niang's defense should also be improved due to his improved conditioning and weight loss.

 

[RubyClone]

Superman (and Niang) do good. Blum writes well.

He does owe us after that trip down OU memory lane a few weeks ago.... that arse.

 

[The_Architect]

Nice article, as usual, hitting the nail squarely on the head. Team and individual defense will ultimately be the key to how far this team goes. I started a post earlier suggesting Hogue, Morris, and McKay have the potential to be on the Big XII All-Defensive team. Although it was just an exhibition game, BDJ certainly showed the athleticism necessary for him to also be under consideration for the All-D team. Fred has already emphasized that to BDJ and if he applies himself to D, we could be a very tough team to score against. Niang's defense should also be improved due to his improved conditioning and weight loss.

+1

 

[CyCloned]

It will be nice to have enough players that guys like Aaron White don't get a free pass to the basket for a dunk because there is no one on the bench to come in if a starter gets a foul. He had a good game against ISU last year, but half of his baskets were against ole defense.

 

[jdoggivjc]

[video=youtube;hsSnv3K5Iq4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsSnv3K5Iq4[/video]

Whatever you must do to drink the Kool Aid...

 

[cycloneworld]

As a Cyclone, Cubs, and Bears fan, I wouldn't even know what to do if ISU made a Final Four or National Championship game. I was 3 years old when the Bears won the Super Bowl and I remember how excited I was when the Bears made the Super Bowl several years back. But for it to happen to Iowa State, it would be 50x sweeter.

 

[cyclonebillski]

 

[Gunnerclone]

 

[cyhiphopp]

Nice article, as usual, hitting the nail squarely on the head. Team and individual defense will ultimately be the key to how far this team goes. I started a post earlier suggesting Hogue, Morris, and McKay have the potential to be on the Big XII All-Defensive team. Although it was just an exhibition game, BDJ certainly showed the athleticism necessary for him to also be under consideration for the All-D team. Fred has already emphasized that to BDJ and if he applies himself to D, we could be a very tough team to score against. Niang's defense should also be improved due to his improved conditioning and weight loss.

I got flashbacks of Rashon Clark a couple of times with BDJ in the exhibition.

Long arms leading to a steal and a break away highlight reel dunk. Plus BDJ can shoot a lot better than Rashon could.

 

[jsb]

As a Cyclone, Cubs, and Bears fan, I wouldn't even know what to do if ISU made a Final Four or National Championship game. I was 3 years old when the Bears won the Super Bowl and I remember how excited I was when the Bears made the Super Bowl several years back. But for it to happen to Iowa State, it would be 50x sweeter.

I'm right there with you. I'd probably have some sort of breakdown.

I'm super excited for the season, but am trying not to get too worked up because it is hard to imagine a season being quite as fun as last year was for me. From the Michigan game to being in San Antonio, it was one of those years that I'll always remember.

 

[Cycsk]

So, Blum, do you have a prediction of where we will finish in the defensive stats? How far above #72 do you think we move? And does it really matter? Since we are such an explosive offensive team, we will probably never rank very high defensively.

 

[NickTheGreat]

CPR should really buy Fred a steak dinner. :twitcy:

 

[Gunnerclone]

I wish this was .gif+.mp3. And honestly since there has been so much moaning about the music at Hilton the Stone Cold entrance music would get huge pops obviously.

 

[peteypie]

I was really trying to hold my self in check with expectations. Gaddabbit it Blum!

 

[Farnsworth]

Someone needs to tint the beer to a Kool Aid Red and this would be perfect. There's even a Cyclone being formed!

Ask and you shall receive. Can't get it to publish as a gif without being a huge file for some reason.

[video=youtube_share;HW58-5-DQzY]http://youtu.be/HW58-5-DQzY[/video]

 

[brentblum]

So, Blum, do you have a prediction of where we will finish in the defensive stats? How far above #72 do you think we move? And does it really matter? Since we are such an explosive offensive team, we will probably never rank very high defensively.

Hard to say without seeing much yet, but keep in mind that defensive efficiency stat factors in pace of play, so it is more than just points allowed. If Iowa State can get into the mid-20s, that would be excellent.

 

[SC Cy]

The season is so close I can taste it...