Opening Night Observations

[ClonesFTW]

Curious to everyone’s thoughts and expectations after a small first sample. I’m sure some of these will change as we see more but here’s mine after game 1:

New Video board- Big upgrade, crystal clear video. Felt it did enhance the experience a bit

Team intro video- Loved the Big 12 tournament champ clips, thought the intro was better than last years

Nojus- Oozes with potential. First collegiate game he had no lack of confidence to drive the lane or pull the trigger. I think he will be an absolute star as he progresses. May need a handful of games to get comfortable on D. Most exciting new piece

Jefferson- Looks to be the most offensively skilled power forward we’ve had in years. I liked everything I saw, just needs to tighten up the unnecessary fouls. Considering keeps winning the “rebound title” in practice I expect to see that in conference play

Jackson- He is a massive human. He will deter guards from challenging him at the rim.

Chatfield- Big body, missed a few rotations, doesn’t look as skilled as Jackson. I would guess he plays as Jefferson/Jackson get in foul trouble.

Heise- Shot looked pure in warmups, looked very comfortable on defense. I would bet he’s a guy TJ puts trust in and is on the court at end of games when we need stops.

Rock- Needs some time to develop, which isn’t a surprise at his age and size. Don’t see many minutes from him this year

Returners- Lipsey had a few lazy passes that resulted in layups the other way, full confidence he can clean that up. Otherwise he looked fantastic, knocking down FT’s at a high clip will be important again with how he gets into the lane. Keshon will be our bucket getter again. Jones and Milan will assume the sniper and scorer roles again, likely exchanging who goes off on random nights. Looked like these guys added some muscle as well.

 

[nrg4isu]

I'll go so far as saying that Chatfield determines how far this team can go. We're so solid and deep at every position except that backup C/PF spot. When he's needed to cover for foul issues, can he do the job? I think he probably can, but against the top teams that seems like it'll be the test.

I'm very excited about this teams potential.

 

[Dgilbertson]

For Milan's and Curtis shots not falling, thought they both played excellent on D, rotations, blocks and particularly Milan attacking rebounds.

I'm really trying to temper my personal expectations, but I don't think I've seen a more talented top to bottom roster at ISU. There's legit size, skill and depth.

We may not have a Fizer, Royce, or Niang, but collectively feel like there's more here that could match up with just about anyone in the country.

I joked when TJ cleared the bench that we had Prohm 2020 era starters coming in. I actually kind of meant it. Rock, Watson, Nojus, Fish. Maybe Heise in place of Kelderman and feel like that has been about the level of some mid level ISU teams in my lifetime.

 

[NoCreativity]

Milan not starting seems really weird to me and I don't like it.

 

[nfrine]

A one time I thought I was watching a Fran team...with Nojus, Heise, Milan and Chatfield in the lineup at the same time...
(but it was too athletic)

 

[isufbcurt]

Big Jefferson fan here

 

[cyclonespiker33]

It was pretty obvious we had a core 9 players in that game. It will be interesting to see if that sticks or if Watson can get some run.

Damarion winning the funniest guy on the team was somewhat surprising too.

 

[Billups06]

Curious to everyone’s thoughts and expectations after a small first sample. I’m sure some of these will change as we see more but here’s mine after game 1:

New Video board- Big upgrade, crystal clear video. Felt it did enhance the experience a bit

Team intro video- Loved the Big 12 tournament champ clips, thought the intro was better than last years

Nojus- Oozes with potential. First collegiate game he had no lack of confidence to drive the lane or pull the trigger. I think he will be an absolute star as he progresses. May need a handful of games to get comfortable on D. Most exciting new piece

Jefferson- Looks to be the most offensively skilled power forward we’ve had in years. I liked everything I saw, just needs to tighten up the unnecessary fouls. Considering keeps winning the “rebound title” in practice I expect to see that in conference play

Jackson- He is a massive human. He will deter guards from challenging him at the rim.

Chatfield- Big body, missed a few rotations, doesn’t look as skilled as Jackson. I would guess he plays as Jefferson/Jackson get in foul trouble.

Heise- Shot looked pure in warmups, looked very comfortable on defense. I would bet he’s a guy TJ puts trust in and is on the court at end of games when we need stops.

Rock- Needs some time to develop, which isn’t a surprise at his age and size. Don’t see many minutes from him this year

Returners- Lipsey had a few lazy passes that resulted in layups the other way, full confidence he can clean that up. Otherwise he looked fantastic, knocking down FT’s at a high clip will be important again with how he gets into the lane. Keshon will be our bucket getter again. Jones and Milan will assume the sniper and scorer roles again, likely exchanging who goes off on random nights. Looked like these guys added some muscle as well.

Agree that Jefferson has an offensive skillset that we haven't seen on an ISU team for a while.

It appears we have a true inside-out game when needed (with Jackson and Jefferson), making it much easier to manufacture points when shots aren't falling.

Atmosphere: Pre-tip video's and intros were revamped and I think it's a wonderful upgrade.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

Overall like the team, much more offensive skill at the big man position which is what we needed to take the next step. This season will go as Milan does (and to a lesser extent Nojus). If they are elite shooters/scorers than we are legit contenders for a final four. Not a great shooting night last night but not worried

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Big Jefferson fan here

He seems to be a guy that can get a good shot if you get him the ball 10 feet in. I liked his footwork and athleticism a lot.

 

[ISUCubswin]

I am very positive about everything in terms of what we saw on the court. Only negative was the 5-21 from three, and there were times we had guys wide open for three and opted to get physical in the paint instead. I'm totally fine if that's the identity, but I think we might struggle against real competition if teams, yet again, don't need to respect the deep ball.

 

[ClonesFTW]

Damarion winning the funniest guy on the team was somewhat surprising too.

That was a fun clip- I would not have expected Watson to win that vote. He seems like the “quiet guy” to an outsider like me.

 

[Thomasrickj]

This team looked like they were having fun last night and not exerting themselves too hard. The added transfers and Nojus are great as we look like a deep team that's a lot tougher in the frontcourt. It's going to be a fun season.

 

[ISU_Guy]

Here is how i see things going by Hawaii. I am sure there could be variances which is a good option to have.
------
Starters:
Lipsey
Gilbert
Milan
Jefferson
Jackson
-----------------
Bench first subs:
Jones
Chatfield

Bench 2nd Subs (but this could be situational):
Indrusaltis
Heise
Watson
--------------------
No playing time:
fish
Rock
Hawley
Kelderman


as far as the game last night. players are just finding the roles and chemistry will find itself eventually.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I am very positive about everything in terms of what we saw on the court. Only negative was the 5-21 from three, and there were times we had guys wide open for three and opted to get physical in the paint instead. I'm totally fine if that's the identity, but I think we might struggle against real competition if teams, yet again, don't need to respect the deep ball.

I think around 15-20 shots from deep is probably best for this team unless they're hot and just raining them in. It was almost always a bad sign when we had more than that under TJ. Usually means that we're settling for jumpers and can't get inside the defense. We want to get in the paint and get inside buckets and free throws.

 

[Letterkenny]

Milan not starting seems really weird to me and I don't like it.

My guess: Jackson and Jefferson aren't as good defending out on the perimeter as Rob Jones, Ward and Tre King were, so he wants more foot speed out there with Curtis Jones instead of Milan. Jefferson and Jackson are probably better rebounders too so they don't need to added height/rebounding from Milan in the starting lineup.

In the end, it doesn't really matter. Lipsey and Gilbert are our two best players with Milan and Jones right behind them. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the starting lineup gets switched for the next game.

 

[Letterkenny]

Big Jefferson fan here

Feel like Jefferson was underappreciated in the transfer group. He averaged 10.2pts, 6.5rbs and 2.3ast on a top 25 team last year.

Both he and Jackson have two years to play. (I believe that's correct for Jackson, he has a weird covid year + injury thing that'll probably get him another year).

 

[ClonesFTW]

Feel like Jefferson was underappreciated in the transfer group. He averaged 10.2pts, 6.5rbs and 2.3ast on a top 25 team last year.

Scored 16 vs Gonzaga last year, he’s got game.

 

[Cloned4Life]

I am very positive about everything in terms of what we saw on the court. Only negative was the 5-21 from three, and there were times we had guys wide open for three and opted to get physical in the paint instead. I'm totally fine if that's the identity, but I think we might struggle against real competition if teams, yet again, don't need to respect the deep ball.

Last year non-conference I was really bummed about our 3pt shooting, maybe even thinking we were just flat out a BAD outside shooting team (like the year prior). However, last year they really came around that 2nd half of the season and proved we’ve got a number of guys that can shoot deep and a decent %. It could be an early season thing - these guys are practicing very hard after a long/challenging summer workout program, legs might need some time yet. So I don’t doubt we have some ongoing struggles shooting maybe up until January. I think we could end up being a very good 3pt shooting team later in the season.

 

[HFCS]

Nojus Industrial Arts & Sciences seems to have a boatload of potential if he can add a little muscle. The game seems very polished already and he has great length for a perimeter player.

He's already an upgrade and less of a defensive liability than Jackson Paveletzke in terms of an energy guy off the bench. I see him filling that role though, if the offense is stagnant, good energy changeup off bench.