*** Official #23 IOWA STATE vs #8 Texas (SAMSUBA) Game(Day) Thread ***

[GetAwesome]

I'm sure others have noticed, but ISU has a depth issue. The starters play the vast majority of most games, along with 3 reserves (2 non-starters now that Grill is out). And when those 7 or 8 players are not shooting well, there are no other options. Couple the increased minutes the 5 starters play, plus the 2-3 reserves, and the though defense and practices TJ asks of them, they often times play and look tired, a step slow. The long B12 season can take a toll.

Hopefully, the next 2-4 years will show an increased talent level, not only with the starters but with the bench. It would be nice to have 9-10 players routinely contributing game minutes, even just 2-5', in years to come. Or, more than likely, with TJ and our level of recruiting/NIL, will we continue to mostly only play 7-8 players? Does that seem to be the history for ISU also?

Contrast some of the teams in the SEC. Many of those teams seem to play 9-10 players, significant minutes. Case in point, Alabama (top 3 team of late), 3 recent games:

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[ https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/BAMA/alabama-crimson-tide/ ] [I was looking at Brandon Miller, and the legal trouble he may be in, accessory to murder.]

Do we have a depth issue? Or is TJ just being stubborn?

The Cyclones are winning when we go 8-9 deep and Ward/Watson get 5-8 mins/g. Kunc comes back, Grill is a shell of himself, TJ locks the rotation to 7 and they start to look tired, unfocused, Gabe reverts into a deep ball chucker, and the Ls start piling up.

 

[cyclonehomer]

Do we have a depth issue? Or is TJ just being stubborn?

The Cyclones are winning when we go 8-9 deep and Ward/Watson get 5-8 mins/g. Kunc comes back, Grill is a shell of himself, TJ locks the rotation to 7 and they start to look tired, unfocused, Gabe reverts into a deep ball chucker, and the Ls start piling up.

The answer is probably both, but I'm sure people will take offense to the question.

 

[CloniesForLife]

Do we have a depth issue? Or is TJ just being stubborn?

The Cyclones are winning when we go 8-9 deep and Ward/Watson get 5-8 mins/g. Kunc comes back, Grill is a shell of himself, TJ locks the rotation to 7 and they start to look tired, unfocused, Gabe reverts into a deep ball chucker, and the Ls start piling up.

Hasn't Watson been playing? I really like what he's done this year and hopefully his playing time will accelerate his development but he is zero threat on offense right now.

The problem really hasn't been our bigs. Osun, King, Kunc and yes even Jones have been playing ok (look Jones still struggles don't get me wrong but the last 3-4 games have been better than the rest of conference play). Our guards have been horrible offensively or in Grills case injured. Tamin has been the best of the bunch but is turning over the ball more and has now been scouted heavily in the best league. Holmes and Gabe have downright awful shooting numbers the last few games. If those 2 are combining to shoot 25% or less from the field we are probably losing. Especially when we don't have Grill out there to hopefully even that out a little.

Getting Ward some more minutes might help some but I don't know how much it matters. Bottom line is our senior guards need to play better or we probably aren't winning many more games this year.

 

[MJ271]

Do we have a depth issue? Or is TJ just being stubborn?

The Cyclones are winning when we go 8-9 deep and Ward/Watson get 5-8 mins/g. Kunc comes back, Grill is a shell of himself, TJ locks the rotation to 7 and they start to look tired, unfocused, Gabe reverts into a deep ball chucker, and the Ls start piling up.

I think the guard depth issue is a real thing, but there certainly is significant 4/5 depth that I think TJ is kind of stubborn with. I don't really think that Ward or Watson should be getting regular, planned minutes (assuming everyone else is healthy) over the other 4 big men. But in games that are going poorly I don't quite understand why TJ hasn't at least tried doing something different for a couple minutes, like putting both Ward and Watson in to press. Earlier in Big 12 play, it seemed like that was effective in spurts.

But I know that Ward had turf toe earlier, so that could be bothering him again. Or it might just be that the temporary press really only worked when it was a complete surprise and now it wouldn't work.

 

[cayin]

That is the one I was thinking of. When was the other Saturday/Monday?

there wasn't one, I was wrong, my bad.

 

[Halincandenza]

It was suggested today on KXNO there may be locker room issues and that there may be more to Grill sitting that just the injury? Are these just ridiculous rumors or is there any truth to it?

 

[67CY]

It was suggested today on KXNO there may be locker room issues and that there may be more to Grill sitting that just the injury? Are these just ridiculous rumors or is there any truth to it?

If it’s coming from from kxno, what do you think?

 

[madguy30]

It was suggested today on KXNO there may be locker room issues and that there may be more to Grill sitting that just the injury? Are these just ridiculous rumors or is there any truth to it?

Those folks would want nothing better.

 

[GetAwesome]

Hasn't Watson been playing? I really like what he's done this year and hopefully his playing time will accelerate his development but he is zero threat on offense right now.

The problem really hasn't been our bigs. Osun, King, Kunc and yes even Jones have been playing ok (look Jones still struggles don't get me wrong but the last 3-4 games have been better than the rest of conference play). Our guards have been horrible offensively or in Grills case injured. Tamin has been the best of the bunch but is turning over the ball more and has now been scouted heavily in the best league. Holmes and Gabe have downright awful shooting numbers the last few games. If those 2 are combining to shoot 25% or less from the field we are probably losing. Especially when we don't have Grill out there to hopefully even that out a little.

Getting Ward some more minutes might help some but I don't know how much it matters. Bottom line is our senior guards need to play better or we probably aren't winning many more games this year.

Watson was putting in regular minutes, but Watson didn't record a single minute in our recent WV and OSU losses, and filled in for only 2 mins in last night's loss to UT (probably just to get them to the next media timeout).

I don't think it matters that much who picks up extra bench minutes any given night, just down this home stretch where guards are royally struggling and are short-handed with Grill on the bench, and you have nights where the moment Rob takes the floor it's turnover city and the opponents go on runs, it's odd why the same players whose spot minutes helped start our conference run of wins can't even see the floor. Give Ward 5 minutes. Hason and Tre together around the rim are guaranteed to hit a drought-busting bunny and swat away a few jumpers.

I wouldn't pin any losses exclusively on bigs or guards either. All aspects of the game are complimentary. Just keep using the same bodies who helped get us this far. Those bench guys legs are fresh!

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Watson was putting in regular minutes, but Watson didn't record a single minute in our recent WV and OSU losses, and filled in for only 2 mins in last night's loss to UT (probably just to get them to the next media timeout).

I don't think it matters that much who picks up extra bench minutes any given night, just down this home stretch where guards are royally struggling and are short-handed with Grill on the bench, and you have nights where the moment Rob takes the floor it's turnover city and the opponents go on runs, it's odd why the same players whose spot minutes helped start our conference run of wins can't even see the floor. Give Ward 5 minutes. Hason and Tre together around the rim are guaranteed to hit a drought-busting bunny and swat away a few jumpers.

I wouldn't pin any losses exclusively on bigs or guards either. All aspects of the game are complimentary. Just keep using the same bodies who helped get us this far.

This is a good post has been said by many outside of CF. Just because Kunc comes back doesn't mean you bench those who helped you get where you are.

Then Grill is out for whatever reason........and you keep them benched. But still allow Bob to get his minutes and turnovers.

Sort of puts to rest those saying "the players are tired" doesn't it?

Are Watson and Ward all of a sudden that bad?

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Does this team need a Jaden Walker to come in and eat minutes at the end of the year to keep guys fresh?

 

[Lineup]

You don't think they coach offense? Do you think they have the personnel to balance both effectively?

What would you do to make this team be better offensively based on things that exhist?

learn how to screen and shoot

 

[IowaState88]

It was suggested today on KXNO there may be locker room issues and that there may be more to Grill sitting that just the injury? Are these just ridiculous rumors or is there any truth to it?

Who said this? A caller? One of the hosts?

Completely false and ridiculous, but curious as to who is spreading this.

 

[t-noah]

Grill's injury has hurt depth, but an 8-man rotation is pretty standard, plus Watson getting a few minutes. I don't see depth as an important issue, at least as compared to shooting and fouling.

Earlier in the year, I thought our depth looked pretty good, especially at the 3-5 (when Eli Tre became eligible). Lately, our depth has not been great. About the time Eli Tre is ready, Jaz gets hurt.

The usable quality depth of the bigs is lacking, but we could use more depth at the 1-3 also. The nights when poor shooting from our guards, are probably losses. We just don't have many shooters, you're right, to pick from when the starters are not on. I just wish we had a couple more players who could reliably see minutes when needed.

I'm not blaming anything on TJ. He knows what he is doing. It didn't help that Jeremiah went down early, and now Caleb is injured. Those are the couple of players that would really be helping now. Those are the cards and hand we have been dealt, this year.
Edit: Tre, not Eli

 

[NoCreativity]

This is a good post has been said by many outside of CF. Just because Kunc comes back doesn't mean you bench those who helped you get where you are.

Then Grill is out for whatever reason........and you keep them benched. But still allow Bob to get his minutes and turnovers.

Sort of puts to rest those saying "the players are tired" doesn't it?

Are Watson and Ward all of a sudden that bad?

Gabe is the only one who should be tired. He's the only guy on the team that's played more than 80% of the available minutes.

Kansas for comparison has 3 guys that have played over 80% and are thriving now while still playing defense.

K-State has Johnson and Nowell, #1 and #5 in minutes played in the conference and haven't looked tired the last couple games.

Plus Jaz and the bench should all be fresh. The only one who has an excuse is Lipsey as a true freshman.

Holmes played 94.6 and 82.5 available minutes the last 2 years and is now down to 77.9 this year so significantly less than what he's used to.

Osi played 85.7 and 73.9 available minutes the last 2 years at Bonaventure and is at 47% this year.

Their defense was ranked 30th in 2021 also so its not like those two weren't working hard on D either.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Earlier in the year, I thought our depth looked pretty good, especially at the 3-5 (when Eli became eligible). Lately, our depth has not been great. About the time Eli is ready, Jaz gets hurt.

The usable quality depth of the bigs is lacking, but we could use more depth at the 1-3 also. The nights when poor shooting from our guards, are probably losses. We just don't have many shooters, you're right, to pick from when the starters are not on. I just wish we had a couple more players who could reliably see minutes when needed.

I'm not blaming anything on TJ. He knows what he is doing. It didn't help that Jeremiah went down early, and now Caleb is injured. Those are the couple of players that would really be helping now. Those are the cards and hand we have been dealt, this year.

I thought we were pretty deep at one point as well, and that was even when Jaz was out. Of course Jaz comes back, and Grill goes down essentially. It's hard to say, but I think with Williams, Kunc, and Grill healthy all year, we would be extremely deep. Our posts have again proven to not be super great, but at least Osun is a half step up from Conditt, plus we have Ward as an emergency body if needed.

Williams is that 5th guard we really could have used and benefited from in this current stretch of season IMO.

Btw, I know you mean Tre and not Eli. LOL

 

[isufbcurt]

Earlier in the year, I thought our depth looked pretty good, especially at the 3-5 (when Eli became eligible). Lately, our depth has not been great. About the time Eli is ready, Jaz gets hurt.

The usable quality depth of the bigs is lacking, but we could use more depth at the 1-3 also. The nights when poor shooting from our guards, are probably losses. We just don't have many shooters, you're right, to pick from when the starters are not on. I just wish we had a couple more players who could reliably see minutes when needed.

I'm not blaming anything on TJ. He knows what he is doing. It didn't help that Jeremiah went down early, and now Caleb is injured. Those are the couple of players that would really be helping now. Those are the cards and hand we have been dealt, this year.

Eli? I think you mean Tre

 

[NENick]

Earlier in the year, I thought our depth looked pretty good, especially at the 3-5 (when Eli became eligible). Lately, our depth has not been great. About the time Eli is ready, Jaz gets hurt.

I'm sure you mean Tre.
I see where you're going. I think it's more accurate to say the available depth hasn't been 6th man of the year caliber. As has been said multiple times in multiple threads, Grill being out has really hurt in many ways, depth being one.

 

[Halincandenza]

Who said this? A caller? One of the hosts?

Completely false and ridiculous, but curious as to who is spreading this.

Miller said he heard
It from a source but only one person so far.

 

[jbhtexas]

You don't think they coach offense? Do you think they have the personnel to balance both effectively?

What would you do to make this team be better offensively based on things that exhist?

Does ISU ever post up the outside shooters?

Long ago a coach told me that outside shooters should have a functional post-up game because 1) all shooters go through slumps with their outside shot and they need another avenue to contribute offensively, and 2) the outside shooter might be defended by someone who can't defend well in the post, which would necessitate an adjustment by the defense that could be exploited.

Of course, this is something that the outside shooters have to work on throughout the year so it is ready to use, and it is not guaranteed to work. But is is something to try, as opposed to missing 3pt shot after 3pt shot. GC, JH, CG, and particularly AK all have enough size to at least try it.