Williams & Blum: The Monday after

[FinalFourCy]

TJ's manipulation of the metrics numbers and his concealing Keshon's separation from the team helped this team to a #3 seed. The #3 seed landed Iowa State a Lipscomb team that was tailor made for the injured/depleted Cyclone tournament squad. We all witnessed the Ole Miss beat down. Now take a couple of seeding spots away and Iowa State could have ended up getting bounced in the Round of 64. Just imagine, this board, if this team would have been bounced in the Round of 64.

He’s a young coach. He’ll learn not to go all-in to get a Lipscomb

That’s satire poking fun at your false dichotomy, more than a criticism of the staff

Nevertheless, peaking in March is the objective, and has significantly better impact on the odds

When TJ took over a complete culture change was needed, and just getting to the bubble required selling out in Nov, Dec, Jan etc. Leaving stuff in the tank for March meant getting no invite imo

Resting an injured groin meant missing the tournament

Now, it’s more a marathon.

And when not peaking in March also comes with finishing 9-8 and 5th place in the Big 12, we’re not giving up much by tweaking a few things. Even if it means a 4 seeed

 

[Cyforce]

I like hearing Blum say Pleta is going to play. He also said we have to hit on some of this incoming class. Going all transfer isn’t in the budget.

Interesting on Jackson. They aren’t going to come out and say specific negatives on a kid. But it’s obvious they were saying the staff had an issue with his hands.

Still thinking we try to get an alpha 2 guard making Heise 6th man. Blum said they like a traditional post like Jackson and a high flyer. If we those three to add with our four. That’s pretty solid. Hopefully this class can make an impact as well.

So four returning
Five man incoming class
Three portal guys
Leaves three open. Hope they can budget giving one to Kelderman for his final year. He deserves it.

I know some are going to say fill it from the portal but A. Financial that’s not possible B. You aren’t going to get a guy unless he knows he’ll be in the rotation so I’m sticking with 3 from the portal.

 

[RagingCloner]

I like hearing Blum say Pleta is going to play. He also said we have to hit on some of this incoming class. Going all transfer isn’t in the budget.

Interesting on Jackson. They aren’t going to come out and say specific negatives on a kid. But it’s obvious they were saying the staff had an issue with his hands.

Still thinking we try to get an alpha 2 guard making Heise 6th man. Blum said they like a traditional post like Jackson and a high flyer. If we those three to add with our four. That’s pretty solid. Hopefully this class can make an impact as well.

So four returning
Five man incoming class
Three portal guys
Leaves three open. Hope they can budget giving one to Kelderman for his final year. He deserves it.

I know some are going to say fill it from the portal but A. Financial that’s not possible B. You aren’t going to get a guy unless he knows he’ll be in the rotation so I’m sticking with 3 from the portal.

Who is the 5th?

Batemon, Toure, Mitchell, and Pleta.

Who am I missing?

 

[Darius Bieber]

I know you know that TJ is a metrics guy- so he is usually going to go with his rotation even in blowouts. A team needs those offensive and defensive numbers for the purpose of rankings/seedings.

Did metrics matter this year? 3 seed and lost in the second round. We'd be better off winning by 15-20 than by 30+ in November games but having guys playing and being ready in case their number gets called.

 

[MTCyclone43]

Did metrics matter this year? 3 seed and lost in the second round. We'd be better off winning by 15-20 than by 30+ in November games but having guys playing and being ready in case their number gets called.

Wow, it is just so simple. What team do you coach? How many Sweet 16s have you coached in? Can you explain what the culture on your team looks like so I can know more about your skills as a basketball coach.

 

[Bigman38]

I think it's weird to fixate on a few more bench minutes throughout the year. The better ones did get those minutes early and just didn't look ready to play at a big 12 level. That isn't going away over a month or two. Just too many misses in the portal and recruiting, that's the problem that has to be fixed. One more Big 12 level guard could have made a pretty big difference this year.

 

[MTCyclone43]

Interesting on Jackson. They aren’t going to come out and say specific negatives on a kid. But it’s obvious they were saying the staff had an issue with his hands.

I found that interesting as well. The staff set Dishon's value, for Iowa State, much lower. Blum brought up the "Hands" by stating that Jefferson needed another big with a different skill set. Blum is correct- if you have a great facilitator like Jefferson he needs a big man that can catch a pass.

 

[Darius Bieber]

Wow, it is just so simple. What team do you coach? How many Sweet 16s have you coached in? Can you explain what the culture on your team looks like so I can know more about your skills as a basketball coach.

I have the same amount of Elite Eights and Final Fours as TJ if you wanna get pedantic.

 

[madguy30]

Yeah, but what could is clawing your way up to a 3 seed if the team is too beat up and gassed by March to capitalize on it?

They weren't beat up and gassed last season as a 2 that dominated the Big 12 tourney and simply flinched vs. Illinois in a close loss.

And I'm not sure how the injuries are related to exhaustion since they've not really been an issue prior with teams with less depth.

 

[madguy30]

I have the same amount of Elite Eights and Final Fours as TJ if you wanna get pedantic.

How many do you think he should have under his belt?

I'm not sure what he was supposed to last year against Illinois when players are missing layups for the tie or go ahead.

 

[NotJustMagic]

I keep thinking what a missed opportunity that Dwayne Pierce missed out on. Having another PG on the roster this year would have allowed us to rest Tamin / KG and hopefully got them healthy. As a true freshman - getting that type of opportunity on a top 5 program - that could have been the difference.

My guess is TJ was trying to keep us alive to better our seed to give us the best chance at making a run while hoping KG got healthy. If we rest KG - we're probably a 9 seed or worse and have a much harder time getting out of the first round/weekend.

 

[madguy30]

Did metrics matter this year? 3 seed and lost in the second round. We'd be better off winning by 15-20 than by 30+ in November games but having guys playing and being ready in case their number gets called.

Yes, metrics mattered.

That's likely how they got the three seed.

Nojus played quite a bit in those blow outs so he had plenty of reps. Maybe there's just a bit more to the decisions than 'but he scored 6 points on a Sunday afternoon in November'.

 

[CloneLawman]

Wow, it is just so simple. What team do you coach? How many Sweet 16s have you coached in? Can you explain what the culture on your team looks like so I can know more about your skills as a basketball coach.

The Bieb Rotters are upon us. Hide your kids, hide your wife, hide your livestock.

 

[Cyforce]

Who is the 5th?

Batemon, Toure, Mitchell, and Pleta.

Who am I missing?

You’re right we lost one

 

[CloneLawman]

I have the same amount of Elite Eights and Final Fours as TJ if you wanna get pedantic.

Let's get pedantic. How many teams have you coached beyond the first weekend, King Bieb?

 

[Darius Bieber]

Let's get pedantic. How many teams have you coached beyond the first weekend, King Bieb?

Same amount of national championships TJ has coached in

 

[Darius Bieber]

Yes, metrics mattered.

That's likely how they got the three seed.

Nojus played quite a bit in those blow outs so he had plenty of reps. Maybe there's just a bit more to the decisions than 'but he scored 6 points on a Sunday afternoon in November'.

Metrics don't matter right now when you're out after the first weekend. 3 seed or 4 seed or 5 seed or whatever doesn't matter. The season is basically defined as to what you do in the tournament.

 

[CloneLawman]

Same amount of national championships TJ has coached in

Well, be sure and let us know if your record improves, KB. Good luck!! We're all counting on you.

 

[MTCyclone43]

I have the same amount of Elite Eights and Final Fours as TJ if you wanna get pedantic.

Well now that I know your bona fides.

 

[Cyforce]

I have the same amount of Elite Eights and Final Fours as TJ if you wanna get pedantic.

No need to be an ass. We were #2 in the country before the injury bug hit. Losing what Gilbert did at both ends of the floor really changed us. Plus you throw in Milan and Tamin’s injuries were out in the second round not having Gilbert and a diminished Lipsey. Those two were the tip of the sword on the defensive end.