*** Official #23 Tennessee vs #6 IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***

[KCyclone2010]

Milan needs to put on weight and work on being the guy in the offseason. Because he’s going to be the guy next year. No more disappearing and being a non factor when it matters. I hope he can do it, but tonight’s performance leaves me very doubtful he can do it

 

[cyclones500]

Nearly everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Got dominated on the board, we all knew Tenn would have an advantage there, but it was atrocious. Got too far behind. Drew plenty of fouls, couldn't hit FTs with any consistency (and was a thread of hope to crawl back into it). Couldn't force enough turnovers for transition points. Nobody could hit from 3. Some good drives to the rim that worked, but several swatted.

I wish we could advance beyond Sweet 16 one of these years.

 

[DeepCCoug]

Always next year

63 other teams will be thinking exactly the same thing, but most of them won't have the chances to win it that ISU will. Hang on to Coach Otzelberger. As long as he is at ISU, the Cyclones will be serious challengers in the Big XII.

 

[Gerbs]

He's probably emotional and hugging his teammates.

He missed games this year including in Vegas.

Definitely the same thing

 

[HoustonClone]

Games different with Jefferson. Everyone think Milon comes back next year? Or transfers to a team that can pay him 3 mil? It’s an honest question to ask

Back. And better.

 

[Inthesystem]

Everything that goes wrong in an Iowa State loss happened tonight. Bad free throws, players disappearing, and losing the rebounding battle. Tennessee wanted it more.

I doubt that seriously.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

Maybe our NIL should pay you a million freaking dollars to stop ragging on a hurt player. I'll contribute.

I agree - no way anyone should blame Jefferson for this. Heise played well, Tamin played well. This game exposed holes in the games of Blake, Milan, Toure, and Batemon for sure. And Pleta needs to work on his FTs…

 

[LtRaczack]

Getting guarded very well by better athletes.

This was the type of matchup that would be tough for ISU and it's showing.

Every single time

It's really hard to impose your will against their advantage in athletes.

Hmm so it was a miracle we kept it close in the first half? I am just trying to understand your logic here.

 

[AgronAlum]

We’ve got some talent hopefully coming back next year, I’m just worried about our mental toughness with Lipsey and Heise gone. They willed us to some wins this year on hustle alone.

Toure and Bateman seem have it but I don’t think they’ll have the skill set to take over games in their sophomore years. Same with Pleta. They should be great in their final years if they’re still around. Idk if our old heads will have enough to take us anywhere.

Idk, this was one of those special years cut short by injury. Just bummed.

 

[Cyclone31]

It's time for Milan to learn there's a few other aspects about basketball instead of just getting to shoot

 

[cyclonestunners]

Wonder what Lipsey is thinking in that locker room. You know if situations were switched Lipsey would be on the court.

Just no. You have no idea how the ankle is

 

[Taz4President]

Missed TFs were a problem all year, but they got absolutely destroyed on the boards. That’s the game, that’s the biggest single factor. Getting a board translates directly into another possession, if you get 20 more possessions, it’s game over almost every time.

 

[clonedude]

Wonder what Lipsey is thinking in that locker room. You know if situations were switched Lipsey would be on the court.

Just stop it people! So stupid. You have NO F**KING clue how bad JJeff's ankle felt... or if Tamin had the exact same ankle injury that he would be out there.

I love Tamin... favorite Cyclone ever!! But you have no clue what JJeff's ankle feels like. Just stop!

 

[LtRaczack]

Just feels like we're flat-footed to start the second half. Definite danger zone already

Team came out pretty flat after the break unfortunately.

 

[Clones2023]

Back. And better.

Will his supporting cast be better? Will he want to waste his senior season?

 

[not-the-manager]

You can’t just add muscle to Milan and change him into a different player. He’s tall, but he’s not a paint banger and adding muscle isn’t going to suddenly make him an athletic rebounder. He’s a pure shooter and that can work if you can get him looks and he’s having a good night hitting shots. He didn’t hit the few get got tonight. When you lose a 6’9” AA, that makes it even easier for a team to defend Milan.

Can’t blame Milan, you could make an argument that the coaching didn’t scheme well enough to get him more looks, but you can’t blame him not being a rebounding machine in the paint.

bingo. The number of people acting like every Sweet 16 team can’t keep one shooter quiet is baffling. Everything on every offense has to work in tandem. Lipsey isn’t the same without Jefferson’s post presence. Momcilovic isn’t the same without Lipsey’s driving and Jefferson’s passing. Jefferson wasn’t the same when Toure, Heise, and Lipsey couldn’t hit a shot. Take what may be the best team in the country—people think Burries would be the same player if Bradley were out? Smith would not be the same without Cluff. And so on

 

[isucyfan]

Batemon is going to be an absolute dawg next year. He needs to get some strength to be able to finish on drives, but he's going to be lethal.

 

[demoncore1031]

On to next year... I just really hope we can hang on to some of our younger guys next year.... especially Toure.

Jalen Rose just said that he thinks we would have won the game if we had Jefferson... so there ya go. We're just plain cursed. Iowa goes into this tournament looking like s**t... and somehow gets to the Elite Eight playing out of their minds... and we lose our All-American 3 mins into the tournament and never really had a chance after that.

I hope Arizona wins it all... but I really doubt I'll watch another second of this tournament... just not interested at this point at all.

I won't watch anymore of the tournament also. I'll check the scores but that's it.

I'm excited for next year. Toure and Batemon have things to work on, but they will do that and will be much better next year. Pleta will probably start at center. I like his potential and I hope Otz lets him shoot some 3s and mid range jumpers. Just need a good replacement for Jefferson and one more big to add depth in the front court. Lipsey's hustle and hard work will be missed.

 

[madguy30]

Every single time

Hmm so it was a miracle we kept it close in the first half? I am just trying to understand your logic here.

Miracle, no, got some turnovers and run outs late.

The TN to start the 2nd half was more of reality that you refuse to live in I guess.

Who else do you follow so closely on here?

 

[CycloneSpinning]

If you’re 6’8” and can’t grab a single f’n rebound in 33 minutes, you can’t play for me!

That is a glaring stat for sure…