I think in a game like last night where the other team is just so much bigger than us and are killing us inside, I think you need to put in Edozie or Gibson and let them give you some minutes.
If nothing else, tell them to play as good of defense as they can, but don't allow anything easy. If you get beat, just foul them. We can afford Edozie and Gibson both getting a few fouls.
But KU was getting so many easy buckets inside on us with their size. It was ridiculous there for a little while when we had nearly a 4 guard lineup in there after Ejim got his 2 fouls. KU was just destroying us on the inside and on rebounding. I was yelling for Edozie or Gibson big time. Naz Long and Matt Thomas were both out there trying to guard these monsters on KU. It was bad.
I appreciate this sentiment, even though it is kind of harsh. Obviously, Hoiberg is not beyond making mistakes.
But the part that annoys me when these posts come up is that he is in year 4. He has won 22 and 23 games. He is 15-4 so far this year. He has given no one any reason to doubt his decision making process.
I swear we would be a happier fanbase if we were 13-6 or 12-7 right now. Everyone thought we would lose 2-3 to start the year. If we had done that and then started out 3-4 in the conference, we'd kind of expect it.
We were not prepared for success (as a fanbase) and it shows.
That's a good way of putting it. Hell, these 4 losses have been painful for me, but man we need some perspective.
I've seen more than one post talking about how the game against Oklahoma is key to the NCAA. Now, losing at home to Oklahoma wouldn't be a good thing and it would be the first truly bad loss of the year. BUT....it wouldn't be the end of the line when it comes to the NCAA.
Wisconsin and Ohio State have similar records to us with the big exception that they have lost to a lot worse teams. And very few Iowa State fans would call a similar game a must win for them.
In his interview CFH said that he was probably wrong to not have played Percy and Daniel more to give us a better chance in the game against bigger front courts.
Last night against Kansas, we didn't get into foul trouble, but we also played some pretty lame defense, and really gave up the easy bunny shots and dunks early on. This kept Melvin and Georges from really getting into foul trouble.
That brings me to my actual question. What is the deal with Gibson and Edozie? They seem to give us positive minutes when they are in, and as long as Gibson doesn't try to be all world, they both play their role pretty well.
Is it just that we were playing an NBA B League team and needed our best talent at all times? Or is it that those two really aren't there yet? Or is it something entirely different?
Randy Peterson, you have access to these media events, please ask about this.
I'm at least half sure that there's a significant number of people afraid we'll go 15-15 in a total crash and burn.
It's four losses. We've got a couple more on the way before the season ends. Life goes on. We're in phenomenal shape.
I think we need to remember last year when we lost to Cinci, UNLV, Iowa, and Texas Tech.
But I won't lie and say that I haven't started to think about the minimum number of wins we need to still make the tournament. That's just good, common sense concern! So what number do we think that is? Do any 6 wins get us there? Or do we need any 7 wins? Or more? Or less?
We were not prepared for success (as a fanbase) and it shows.
Good to see that the "put in the bench guys and foul the **** out of them" strategy finally showed up.
When the other team is shooting great, you have a hard time stopping them, more free points is always a solid way to go.
I think this thread would have been more successful if it were about Fred's bench pressing form and personal best.
As it stands right now, we're 6-4 against the RPI Top 50, if I have that right.
Win out at home and we've got 21 wins, with a few more Top 50 wins along the way (4, off the top of my head).
That would be 10 wins against the top 50. I think that would get it done.
I still think we get a couple more on the road yet. Overall, I still think we land around 24-25 wins. No bubble trouble here.
Fred doesn't need to bench press. He looks at his reflection in the mirror and that act alone excites his muscles to grow.
Fred has set up a genius system if you ask me. He understands that the college BB game as a whole has ineffective Big man/inside game play. Most teams like Iowa are gonna march out a Woody/Gabe at the C position, and a Basabe at the PF spot. Now we all know I'm a Hok fan, but those guys aren't going to strike fear in the hearts of other teams. They are effective, but not great players. Fred sees that as a spot he can take advantage of on the offensive end, and not really get hurt by them on the defensive side of the coin. Advantage Fred here, as he spreads the court.
The problem he is going to have is with the Kansas' of the world who do have GREAT inside play. In the end though, you face them guys twice, and maybe see one other dominate inside team all year. Fred is playing the percentages, and just has to try to deal with the statistical outliers a few times a year (teams with great inside play). The only other problem is occasionally Fred's system is going to allow a Spangler to play like an Embid. Once again this isn't going to happen often, just deal with it when it occurs.