Iowa State is 8-0 when they make more free throws than their opponents ( free throw differential), they are 1-2 when they do not.
Iowa State is 8-0 when they have a three pointer differential of negative 3 or better, they are 1-2 when they lose the 3 point differential by more than 3 points.
ISU can fix their defense with 7 words...ball pressure, ball pressure, and ball pressure. With their length and athleticism, ISU needs to pressure the ball, forcing turnovers, while guarding the 3 point line better than they have.
Examining their losses, Arizona was an odd game because they played well on the defensive end, but couldn't buy a three point shot. They had a negative 12 three point differential and a negative 5 free throw differential. ISU seemed to be the better team, except for the three point and free throw line.
In Iowa City, we gave up 98 points while having a negative 9 three point differential and a negative 1 free throw differential. We missed 11 free throws as a team and did not defend well. We needed to take away something, and we did not. As a consequence, we didn't guard the 3 point line, did not block out, and lost the battle inside. If we would have guarded better on the perimeter and made our free throws, it would have been a game, despite being out rebounded by 20.
What is ISU's ceiling?
The SD St game in Maui was the closest we have come to a perfect game.
Plus 21 three point differential
Plus 14 rebounding differential
Plus 5 turnover differential
Plus 3 free throw differential
ISU won by 30, but the stats say it wasn't that close. When Wigg's and Young are full strength, I expect us to have more games like this.
I have seen a lot of poster's talk about pressing, but I am not a big fan of this because if they break the press it can lead to wide open 3's. I would love to have a half court defensive that is suffocating, one that guards the three point lead line, while making it difficult to make an entry pass inside.
What about the offense?
ISU's offense is just fine. They have 7 guys that are great shooters, can drive and kick, and create their own shot. They just have some lulls where we don't move the ball and settle for contested shots. We just need to get more consistent with our ball movement, and be better with hitting open shots.
Is CSP a good coach?
I read threads that range from elite to awful. I won't say that about a successful D1 program, but I will say this. When we are full strength, this is what I am looking to see.
1. Tyrese Haliburton cannot not be on the court. With his length, he is the key to our defense and on offense we need him to drive and kick and make open 3's
2. Can we use our length and athleticism to crank up our defense, pressure the basketball, and become an elite defensive team?
3. Once Wigg's is back, our top 6 players are all good shooters, can handle, can drive and kick,and create. Not many teams in the country can say this. Can we spread the court and just become a nightmare for Big 12 defenses.
Lineups when Wigg's and Young are back.
Guards:
PG- NWB
2- Wigg's
3- Haliburton
4- Shayok
Bench- THT (best 6th man in the Big 12)
Lewis
Talley
Bigs:
MJ
Bench- Young, Lard, Conditt
I don't see any bench player getting any major minutes beside THT. I can see Lewis and Talkey getting 5 minutes each. I think Young will get 10 minutes per game, but I don't see Lard making a contribution this year, unless we start playing 2 bigs...
I fully expect this team to compete with Kansas for a conference championship, they have shown flashes of brilliance, but it is time to put it all together.
Iowa State is 8-0 when they have a three pointer differential of negative 3 or better, they are 1-2 when they lose the 3 point differential by more than 3 points.
ISU can fix their defense with 7 words...ball pressure, ball pressure, and ball pressure. With their length and athleticism, ISU needs to pressure the ball, forcing turnovers, while guarding the 3 point line better than they have.
Examining their losses, Arizona was an odd game because they played well on the defensive end, but couldn't buy a three point shot. They had a negative 12 three point differential and a negative 5 free throw differential. ISU seemed to be the better team, except for the three point and free throw line.
In Iowa City, we gave up 98 points while having a negative 9 three point differential and a negative 1 free throw differential. We missed 11 free throws as a team and did not defend well. We needed to take away something, and we did not. As a consequence, we didn't guard the 3 point line, did not block out, and lost the battle inside. If we would have guarded better on the perimeter and made our free throws, it would have been a game, despite being out rebounded by 20.
What is ISU's ceiling?
The SD St game in Maui was the closest we have come to a perfect game.
Plus 21 three point differential
Plus 14 rebounding differential
Plus 5 turnover differential
Plus 3 free throw differential
ISU won by 30, but the stats say it wasn't that close. When Wigg's and Young are full strength, I expect us to have more games like this.
I have seen a lot of poster's talk about pressing, but I am not a big fan of this because if they break the press it can lead to wide open 3's. I would love to have a half court defensive that is suffocating, one that guards the three point lead line, while making it difficult to make an entry pass inside.
What about the offense?
ISU's offense is just fine. They have 7 guys that are great shooters, can drive and kick, and create their own shot. They just have some lulls where we don't move the ball and settle for contested shots. We just need to get more consistent with our ball movement, and be better with hitting open shots.
Is CSP a good coach?
I read threads that range from elite to awful. I won't say that about a successful D1 program, but I will say this. When we are full strength, this is what I am looking to see.
1. Tyrese Haliburton cannot not be on the court. With his length, he is the key to our defense and on offense we need him to drive and kick and make open 3's
2. Can we use our length and athleticism to crank up our defense, pressure the basketball, and become an elite defensive team?
3. Once Wigg's is back, our top 6 players are all good shooters, can handle, can drive and kick,and create. Not many teams in the country can say this. Can we spread the court and just become a nightmare for Big 12 defenses.
Lineups when Wigg's and Young are back.
Guards:
PG- NWB
2- Wigg's
3- Haliburton
4- Shayok
Bench- THT (best 6th man in the Big 12)
Lewis
Talley
Bigs:
MJ
Bench- Young, Lard, Conditt
I don't see any bench player getting any major minutes beside THT. I can see Lewis and Talkey getting 5 minutes each. I think Young will get 10 minutes per game, but I don't see Lard making a contribution this year, unless we start playing 2 bigs...
I fully expect this team to compete with Kansas for a conference championship, they have shown flashes of brilliance, but it is time to put it all together.
