Next Season

[ISUCubswin]

Pretty good post although I question your criticism of Naz relative to your support of Thomas. What I mean by that is Naz is pretty clearly the better player out of the two in my opinion. And your criticisms of Naz center on his defensive play while you don't mention MT's defense, which, well, I'll just leave it alone because I'm a Cyclone fan after all.

Cooke is kind of the wild card here. Outstanding shooting numbers and people think he could spell Monte as well. If I had to guess now (which is way too early) I'd think Cooke would be a 6th man that could come in and play off the ball (Naz's role) or spell Monte so he doesn't have to play 38 minutes a night consistently again.

It will be fun to see. Going into this year, I thought all along that we were really building up to '15-'16. I have to be honest - if we lose in the round of 64 next year, I'll be far more devastated as a fan than I was this year. Every team goes through peaks and valleys, and all indications are that the Hoiberg Era will reach its peak next year. So the team needs to capitalize.

I agree. I didn't touch on Thomas' D because...well, I've been pretty critical on here of it all season, as have most posters. Matt's D was so bad this season that I think it made most of us overlook how bad Naz was on D.

I do think, when both are hot, Matt is a better player. He single handedly took over the game for us for a chunk of yesterdays game. Naz went off in our win vs. Kansas. But he was 2-13 in what were, in my opinion, our two most important games of the year. Then again, his 20 in our win vs Kansas and 21 in our win over Iowa were the only reason we won.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Thomas probably has more offensive potential than Naz, so that's where that would come from.

Again, not sure what in the last two years suggests that. Naz's potential is superior in almost every aspect minus midrange shots.

 

[JHUNSY]

Williams is said to be the next Prince of Baylor?

Thomas starting over Naz? I am not sure what that is based on from the past two years, but we saw several such posts last offseason.

Look, we were all harsh on Thomas regarding that article earlier this week and his defense needs work, but he has done just as much as Naz on that side of the court and is facilitating offensive production more efficiently over the month of March.

 

[CyFan61]

Thomas probably has more offensive potential than Naz, so that's where that would come from.

Why do you think that?

Naz shot 40% from three last year. Even with his slump to end the season, he shot 39% this year.

MT shot 34% last year and 33% this year.

That's a big gap. And it's really the only thing that matters between these two guys at this point. Neither is a superstar inside the arc or off the dribble drive, and neither is very good defensively. Do you think either of those things will change in a big way for MT to push him past Naz?

I'd expect both players to improve which would result in Naz keeping his lead over MT. Having a consistent 6% advantage in three-pointers over the course of two seasons is a big deal.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Why do you think that?

Naz shot 40% from three last year. Even with his slump to end the season, he shot 39% this year.

MT shot 34% last year and 33% this year.

That's a big gap. And it's really the only thing that matters between these two guys at this point. Neither is a superstar inside the arc or off the dribble drive, and neither is very good defensively. Do you think either of those things will change in a big way for MT to push him past Naz?

I'd expect both players to improve which would result in Naz keeping his lead over MT. Having a consistent 6% advantage in three-pointers over the course of two seasons is a big deal.

Thomas can get the ball to the hoop better, uses the shot fake better, and is arguably a better passer. Not to mention there's a reason he was more highly recruited than Naz.

And before somebody says I have unrealistic expectations, if Matt doesn't reach these expectations I'm not going to freak out like some posters. Naz and Matt get more out of their ability than a lot of players.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Again, not sure what in the last two years suggests that. Naz's potential is superior in almost every aspect minus midrange shots.

I forgot for a second people aren't allowed to disagree with you and you are always right.

 

[CyFan61]

Thomas can get the ball to the hoop better, uses the shot fake better, and is arguably a better passer. Not to mention there's a reason he was more highly recruited than Naz.

And before somebody says I have unrealistic expectations, if Matt doesn't reach these expectations I'm not going to freak out like some posters. Naz and Matt get more out of their ability than a lot of players.

I think we're beyond comparing these guys based on their offers, right? We've seen them in action for two full seasons each.

I'd agree MT is better at getting the ball to the hoop, but I just don't think that really matters for either of them. On this team next year, we're never gonna have a possession where we give it to Thomas or Long to drive to the hoop. That's not their role.

Their role is to be a sharpshooter. I hope both of them find that Tyrus McGee role and embrace it. My ideal outcome is that Naz (or MT, but I think of Naz) becomes a McGee shooter on offense and a Babb defender on defense.

They're specialists, and the numbers make it clear that Naz has performed better at that speciality. Preferring MT over Naz for the reasons you listed seems to me like playing Madden and starting Matt Flynn over Aaron Rodgers because his Kick Power rating is higher.

 

[Luth4Cy]

I think we're beyond comparing these guys based on their offers, right? We've seen them in action for two full seasons each.

I'd agree MT is better at getting the ball to the hoop, but I just don't think that really matters for either of them. On this team next year, we're never gonna have a possession where we give it to Thomas or Long to drive to the hoop. That's not their role.

Their role is to be a sharpshooter. I hope both of them find that Tyrus McGee role and embrace it. My ideal outcome is that Naz (or MT, but I think of Naz) becomes a McGee shooter on offense and a Babb defender on defense.

They're specialists, and the numbers make it clear that Naz has performed better at that speciality. Preferring MT over Naz for the reasons you listed seems to me like playing Madden and starting Matt Flynn over Aaron Rodgers because his Kick Power rating is higher.

I honestly look at offers throughout most of their college career. They can be a sign of different things, guys recruited based on potential that they never reached, guys recruited to play a very specific role that did or didn't work out, etc.

Matt can be a well rounded player, IMO. He's closer on defense than many realize and his offensive problems have often been due to the mental part of the game. Late in the season he was much more confident than he was earlier in the year, and I'd like to see him build on that.

Personally I wish Fred would abandon the hot hand stuff. I know what he's going for, but this year he took it to an extreme. I think it would help a guy like Matt if he had a general idea of how many minutes he will play a night opposed to knowing he'll play somewhere between four and twenty-nine minutes.

 

[Bigman38]

The battle for time between Naz, Matt, and Hallice should be fun to watch next year. I assume only 2 of them will see real minutes. Don't need one of them to be dominant just need to be able to produce when the other is struggling.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Thomas....

LIKE: His drive last night and dish to McKay that should've been an easy lay up/dunk had McKay been paying attention

DISLIKE: When he was literally standing with half a foot out of bounds, calling for the ball against Kansas in the B12 'ship

Both players have things about them I can't stand.

I would start Naz over Thomas, no doubt. At the same time, I don't think it's best for Naz to start for this team. I think Naz is better off the bench.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Look, we were all harsh on Thomas regarding that article earlier this week and his defense needs work, but he has done just as much as Naz on that side of the court and is facilitating offensive production more efficiently over the month of March.

Thomas played how many minutes against KU?
This isn't a bash Thomas take. Naz has simply shown to be better and to have more potential. This March, and in the previous 50+ games.

Both are great Cyclones and will be huge in our success.

 

[CyFan61]

I honestly look at offers throughout most of their college career. They can be a sign of different things, guys recruited based on potential that they never reached, guys recruited to play a very specific role that did or didn't work out, etc.

Matt can be a well rounded player, IMO. He's closer on defense than many realize and his offensive problems have often been due to the mental part of the game. Late in the season he was much more confident than he was earlier in the year, and I'd like to see him build on that.

Personally I wish Fred would abandon the hot hand stuff. I know what he's going for, but this year he took it to an extreme. I think it would help a guy like Matt if he had a general idea of how many minutes he will play a night opposed to knowing he'll play somewhere between four and twenty-nine minutes.

With the amount of close games we played, I don't think we could afford keeping a guy with talent, but a mental block, on the floor just to let him shake it off. It would have cost us some wins.

I hope and believe that MT will be a very good player. I think he is currently a good player. And I think that he needs to work hard and improve on both ends of the floor if he wants more consistent minutes on next year's team. The competition for those minutes is only getting tougher.

I know this is about next season, but looking ahead even further, a guy like MT could really be valuable in '16-'17 when the core of the previous group has left. Next year could be big for him to bridge the gap from "Role player who never quite clicked consistently" to "Senior team leader" in '16-'17.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

I forgot for a second people aren't allowed to disagree with you and you are always right.

Likewise.

 

[Luth4Cy]

With the amount of close games we played, I don't think we could afford keeping a guy with talent, but a mental block, on the floor just to let him shake it off. It would have cost us some wins.

I hope and believe that MT will be a very good player. I think he is currently a good player. And I think that he needs to work hard and improve on both ends of the floor if he wants more consistent minutes on next year's team. The competition for those minutes is only getting tougher.

I know this is about next season, but looking ahead even further, a guy like MT could really be valuable in '16-'17 when the core of the previous group has left. Next year could be big for him to bridge the gap from "Role player who never quite clicked consistently" to "Senior team leader" in '16-'17.

Good point, considering when he was recruited some of us saw him as a four year starter on teams that would maybe be top 20 or 25, not teams consistently in the top 15 that enter tournaments predicted by some to be in the Final Four.

 

[mcblogerson]

Thanks for enlightenment arm chair quarterbacks. I'll pass this info along to Fred who's coached the most successful 4 year stretch in ISU bball history. We'll be better next year, lessons have been learned and sometimes good teams just lose their first game in a tournament known as march madness.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Thomas can get the ball to the hoop better, uses the shot fake better, and is arguably a better passer. Not to mention there's a reason he was more highly recruited than Naz.

And before somebody says I have unrealistic expectations, if Matt doesn't reach these expectations I'm not going to freak out like some posters. Naz and Matt get more out of their ability than a lot of players.

Naz has the superior handle, drive to the hoop ability, finish ability, 3P shooting, and is better on the break.Thomas has a good pump fake, in theory, and midrange game.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Naz has the superior handle, drive to the hoop ability, finish ability, 3P shooting, and is better on the break.Thomas has a good pump fake, in theory, and midrange game.

It's also worth pointing out Matt probably has more potential than Naz in the half-court game, something Iowa State can definitely improve on.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

It's also worth pointing out Matt probably has more potential than Naz in the half-court game, something Iowa State can definitely improve on.

What makes you think that Thomas has more potential in the half-court, other than confirmation bias? Naz is better at breaking down a defense, spacing a defense, and finishing. He is also a better athlete and has proven to be able to add things to his game.

 

[Luth4Cy]

What makes you think that Thomas has more potential in the half-court, other than confirmation bias? Naz is better at breaking down a defense, spacing a defense, and finishing. He is also a better athlete and has proven to be able to add things to his game.

Calmer in the half-court, can let things develop more.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Calmer in the half-court, can let things develop more.

I honestly see Naz as the calmer in the half court as well.