Are we cautiously optimistic or all in?

mkadl

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Mar 17, 2006
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I’ve been cautiously optimistic coming into this year and so far every game this year but with how hard this team plays and how much havoc they cause defensively I think tj has got Iowa state basketball back

I remember last July and August. I will strap on the cup and be all in.
 
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scyclonekid

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Feb 13, 2008
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Well since I’ve personally been wanting TJ back for 2-3 years now. I’m all in, but also know some bumps along the way will happen. What I do know is him and his staff are all good coaches. The coaching staffs energy and attitude is obviously infectious.
 

Gunnerclone

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Jul 16, 2010
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and that is why I hope we get King. We will have injuries plus not sure how dependable Jones is. I love his effort, he tries really hard, but my goodness he is struggling hitting 2 ft shots.

If Conditt could not foul every 10 seconds we wouldn’t have to depend on him so much.
 
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davegilbertson

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Sep 3, 2011
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Good D, effort and fundamentals are sustainable. Not sure we are a tourney team yet, but this team will be fun to watch all season. In many ways I am enjoying them more than some of the better Prohm and Hoiberg teams.
TJ has brought the wrinkle that always seemed to hold Fred's teams back. Feel the same way. Those teams were insanely fun, but fundamentally frustrating, and never seemed to turn that corner on being better than Fiesty underdog.
 

Cychl82

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We haven’t lost to Florida A&M or UW Milwaukee at home yet so I’m VERY happy.

Top 25 or even just an NCAA team? Cautiously optimistic but not sold yet. Extremely impressed nonetheless.
I was thinking about those losses last night as the last 2 minutes ran out. Then I thought about the difference in the product on the floor. I can’t remember a time a Prohm coach player took a charge.
 

Frak

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Apr 27, 2009
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I'd go "all in" on Amy Schumer if it meant the Cyclones keep playing like this.

Yes, I love you all that much to take that one for the team.

Id go all in on her for free. Even though it looks like she’s packed on some pounds and would likely request moving up a couple sizes afterward.
 

steinsway

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Dec 9, 2012
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The extremely positive signs we’ve seen so far:
#1 This team does not violate the number one rule of winning: Don’t beat yourself. (Those free throws will eventually bite ya tho.)
#2 Any couch sitting dope who watches college hoops with some regularity has observed if you move ball, defend and rebound your odds of success get dramatically higher. There is precious little hero ball here. We can tell that’s a point of emphasis in recruiting and in playing.
#3 We’re starting to see some serious “refuse ta lose” here in the attitude on the court. These guys don’t back down and stand their ground. Recall that 90% of the game is half mental.

Now, put those 3 things together and wutdaya got???
 
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bosco

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Dec 21, 2008
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TJ has brought the wrinkle that always seemed to hold Fred's teams back. Feel the same way. Those teams were insanely fun, but fundamentally frustrating, and never seemed to turn that corner on being better than Fiesty underdog.
We are a good defensive team. But generally that goes hand in hand with a plodding offense. The first few games the defense was there but the offense seemed to be in the plodding mode. I thought it was because we just didn't have the talent offensively but it turns out it takes time for the team to gel and the players to get comfortable in their roles.

This team isn't intentionally going to grind it out on offense for sake to cover up "lack of talent". They have shown they are willing to crank it up but they also have shown they have the intelligence to know when to slow it down and to work the ball around for a good shot.

People will talk about effort and defense but this team is smart and knows how to attack a defense.
 

CySmurf

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Jul 14, 2011
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It's November. Nobody is beyond the bubble in November (yes I realize Gonzaga is not missing the NCAA Tournament) because unforeseen things can happen or teams can peak too early, etc. Remember Iowa from a few years back where they got up to #5 (something like that)? They found themselves in February and early March fighting to stay on the good side of the bubble.

We keep playing like this and don't have anything pop up unexpectedly then we will be fine down the home stretch.
That Iowa team didn't play tough defense if my memory serves me correctly.
 

jctisu

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That Iowa team didn't play tough defense if my memory serves me correctly.
No they did not but the point is the point. This season has just started and so much can happen. It’s not dogging the team, as I would say that about any team right now. Every year we have several teams that light it up in November and December then enough tape gets out on them, an injury happens, team peaks too early, etc.

The flip side is also true too though, and hopefully we fall into this bucket. There are teams that improve drastically in the areas that they are weak come March and be a solid to very good tournament team. We could absolutely be that team too, and I sure as heck hope we are.