While I've continually agreed with other posters here that our players haven't finished well at the end of both halves, especially in some tough losses due to fatigue, I still resisted the urge to put any blame on Prohm. I was on the bus with those saying, "what can we do, we have no depth. But NO longer. Yes, I know we've had stretches where leads vanished due to who we did or didn't have on the court, and its tough taking out Monte and Georges, especially. But our bench must play more. Watching Iowa tonight just shows how tough it is to make shots down the stretch when your 'gassed'. They missed 14 out of their last 16 shots, and I don't believe for a minute it was an 'off' night shooting. That game was more like many of our physical big12 grinders, and they were obviously gassed, even tho their bench plays more than ours. While Wisconsin was tired as well, they got more from their bench, and they could make the plays down the stretch, even on the road. Obviously we don't have near the bench Wisconsin does, but 1 sub doesn't have to screw up the offense. I don't care if they score a point. Coach Prohm... please get Ashton and Cooke a 'few' more minutes here and there! He was quoted as saying, "it wasn't a fatigue thing, but a foul issue". And that just compounds things. When you're fatigued you're going to either give up easy baskets, not get in gaps causing help defenders to foul, or struggle with the legs to get up to battle for needed key rebounds. More fouls, more free throws for the opponent, more frustration. Not to mention seeing our most reliable shooters struggling to make shots down the stretch or in overtimes.
Change my mind - our bench needs to play!
- Thread starter allfourcy
- Start date
I honestly would to see Carter get a few minutes here and there at this point. We didn't red shirt him so we need to use him. He's not that bad. Pretty athletic and should be able to give at least 5-8 minutes a game
Look, I agree with those that say he's not ready. But, I'd settle for 3 minutes. lol Ashton and Cooke have experienced at least some college basketball, we need to squeeze what we can out of them.
Agreed. It's not like we're asking Cooke, Ashton, and Carter to play 10+ minutes a game. If they could each chip in 2-8 minutes per game, I think it'd really help our starters at the end of the game when we need it most.
I'm still going to side with Prohm, though I understand the argument. He's equally focused on establishing his style of program as he is on succeeding this year. While this can be viewed in a negative light, potentially sacrificing some success this year in order to firmly establish his standards, it tells me that he's in it for the long haul, should he be so fortunate. Fred was always using ISU as a stepping stone to the NBA. I'm thankful he did, but I still dream of an ISU dynasty over anything else.
I've got no problem for reduced playing time in situations like McKay or Cooke if there's attitude issues. But I don't see how running your horses until exhaustion has anything to do with his standards. Our bench needs to be able to contribute at least some. It may not seem like much, but even a couple of extra minutes for our starters would really help.
And he needs to be winning to convince big-time recruits that he can get it done. That's how he's going to start any kind of dynasty. I believe that he can accomplish instilling his standards without compromising the potential of this team.
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Guy on sports fanatics filling in for Chris today said that Ashton wasn't good enough to get off the bench at D.2 NW Missouri State. Sheds a little more light on why Prohm isn't confident in his bench, especially when Ashton is the first guy off it, usually.
I wouldn't mind seeing the following minute distribution:
Cooke: 10
Ashton: 5
Carter: two at the most maybe
Also please, for the love of God, never, ever, ever put out a lineup of Ashton Cooke thomas Morris and niang ever again. It sounds cute but no one on the floor can actually rebound the ball.
Cooke: 10
Ashton: 5
Carter: two at the most maybe
Also please, for the love of God, never, ever, ever put out a lineup of Ashton Cooke thomas Morris and niang ever again. It sounds cute but no one on the floor can actually rebound the ball.
I also want an ISU dynasty but you have a stacked team this year and you need to win this year. If you can't win with these guys, it will be tough to get great recruits later. I believe Prohm is in it for the long haul and I do appreciate it. The bottom line is the bench does need to get in and at the very least not allow easy buckets and get their monies worth on their allotted 5 fouls.
I still think the Cooke issue is Prohm establishing acceptable behavior more than a readiness thing. It's hard to take Monte or Matt out, but he is capable.
That is my only complaint about Prohm. What is the worst thing that can happen if you play those guys a handful of minutes.........they don't or won't play defense? They'd be just like everybody else then! You don't need them on offense & they give you 5 fouls!
So if our offense stalls and we give up a quick 8-0 run when they are in will people complain he should have taken them out?
Our defense and rebounding is not good. Can it be better? I think so. But by playing Cooke, Carter or Ashton too much we don't get any better at defense or rebounding and the one thing we are very good at (offense) takes a hit. I won't claim to know what should be done but I am going to trust the coaches that see these players play everyday to make the decision on who is capable.
Our defense and rebounding is not good. Can it be better? I think so. But by playing Cooke, Carter or Ashton too much we don't get any better at defense or rebounding and the one thing we are very good at (offense) takes a hit. I won't claim to know what should be done but I am going to trust the coaches that see these players play everyday to make the decision on who is capable.
I am afraid it is a bit late to change philosophy now, but would have traded some earlier wins for fresher starters now.
