*** Official IOWA STATE vs Oklahoma Game(day) Thread ***

[Cyclonepride]

I've got a bad feeling about this one. Oklahoma is playing well and on a nice streak right now. And Lon can coach. I just have a bad feeling we are going to have one of those cold, off nights that dooms us from the start. Somebody post something to make me feel better.

I personally think that we can score on OU. From what little I have seen, they seem to pressure pretty good out top, but that leaves holes in the middle if we can pass well and stayed poised. Once we get in the middle, particularly with Georges, it is a huge advantage to ISU. With all that said, I think the game will be decided on the other end. We need to protect against them down low without leaving open shooters. Easier said than done.

OU does seem to be getting it together lately. Earlier in the year, they seemed to lose focus for long stretches.

 

[CyTwins]

If we compete on the glass I feel real good about this one

 

[GTO]

If this becomes a tooth and nail game, we don't stand a chance!

 

[Cyclonepride]

TaShawn Thomas is concerned with Georges skill set. This match up will go a long way towards determining the outcome (obviously). Hopefully Thomas will be uncomfortable playing Niang, as he hasn't been asked to guard a player like him before.

Oklahoma senior TaShawn Thomas has seen just about everything during his nearly four seasons as a college basketball player.He’s faced plenty of really good players and plenty of really good teams. But he hasn’t faced a player quite like Iowa State’s Georges Niang — until Monday night.
“It’s going to be the first time I guard a guy that versatile,â€￾ Thomas said.
http://newsok.com/iowa-states-georg...ers-tashawn-thomas-a-big-test/article/5391865

BTW Some concern in Sooner land that TT would sit tonight. It looks like Thomas is going to play, they will need him because OU is pretty thin on the bench.

@OU_MBBall: TaShawn Thomas left game early y'day, limited in practice today. But just said he's good to go for Big Monday game vs. Iowa St.

The thin bench could be to our advantage if we can get out and run, and get them in foul trouble. The key to getting out and running is playing great defense and forcing them into errors.

 

[Bestaluckcy]

Looking forward to another great Big 12 matchup. Love these games. The guys need to continue where they left off on Saturday. As Johnny would have said "Should be a dinger!" Of course he would have said a few other things off air also. :smile:

 

[CyArob]

We NEED the W.

 

[Chitowncy]

I just want to go on record that if ANYONE leaves Hield to go double the post, and they kick out to him for the open three, I am going to go all Elvis like and shoot my TV!

Ha! I agree with you. It perplexes me that we double the post so much. If a team rotates the ball well, they'll get open looks against us all day. I'd also like to see ISU mix in a little more press and zone against teams to keep them guessing. A possession here or there out of a timeout, etc. would help and throw the other team off a little.

Now, I don't think a press against OU on the road is necessarily a good idea, but if we're down again, or the defense isn't getting stops, why not change it up for a few possessions earlier in the game? Hoiberg has done it late, but it's often too little too late for the Clones. Hope he can make an adjustment like that earlier in the game.

He loves the man-to-man though. Just makes ISU very predictable.

 

[SNEDDS3]

I woke up with the feeling that ISu is going to roll OU tonight. Put 'em in a bodybag!

 

[Doc]

Ha! I agree with you. It perplexes me that we double the post so much. If a team rotates the ball well, they'll get open looks against us all day. I'd also like to see ISU mix in a little more press and zone against teams to keep them guessing. A possession here or there out of a timeout, etc. would help and throw the other team off a little.

Now, I don't think a press against OU on the road is necessarily a good idea, but if we're down again, or the defense isn't getting stops, why not change it up for a few possessions earlier in the game? Hoiberg has done it late, but it's often too little too late for the Clones. Hope he can make an adjustment like that earlier in the game.

He loves the man-to-man though. Just makes ISU very predictable.[\B]

When we do go zone it will be totally unpredictable, though :smile: Like when Duke went to it against Louisville.

 

[GTO]

Thomas hoping for a breakout game.

 

[erikbj]

Thomas hoping for a breakout game.

That's my hope, i want that kid to do well and shove it in the face of half of CF.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Combine the fact that teams shoot well against us with OU being a team that can catch fire and this game could get ugly. Hopefully we don't allow Spangler and Thomas to push us around.

 

[cyclones12321]

This is a huge game

 

[Die4Cy]

Doubling the post is about two things for Hoiberg: protecting Georges from fouls so he can be in the game for the long haul in the second half, and forcing teams to beat ISU with jump shots. Niang hasn't been in foul trouble this year, so that part has worked, but several teams have made us pay from the three point line. I think that if Fred buys into the numbers, he will probably continue with the strategy.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Doubling the post is about two things for Hoiberg: protecting Georges from fouls so he can be in the game for the long haul in the second half, and forcing teams to beat ISU with jump shots. Niang hasn't been in foul trouble this year, so that part has worked, but several teams have made us pay from the three point line. I think that if Fred buys into the numbers, he will probably continue with the strategy.

It certainly makes sense. I prefer when they hedge to the post.

 

[Die4Cy]

ISU hedges a lot as well. It depends on how deep the post feed is in relation to where the help defender is. Whatever it takes to force the kick out.

Part of the reduction in fouls on Niang is that his posture is a lot better. Playing much more straight up, reaching less, and avoiding the easy ticky tack call. Let that be a lesson to the aspiring young players out there.

 

[Cyclonepride]

ISU hedges a lot as well. It depends on how deep the post feed is in relation to where the help defender is. Whatever it takes to force the kick out.

Part of the reduction in fouls on Niang is that his posture is a lot better. Playing much more straight up, reaching less, and avoiding the easy ticky tack call. Let that be a lesson to the aspiring young players out there.

Posture and foot speed. He definitely has improved in that area, which keeps him in position and not reaching as much.

 

[carvers4math]

I am a big fan of BDJ on defense. Not only do I consider him our best perimeter defender but he plays good help down low and has the size to help our bigs. After all of the talk of him being "selfish," I just see him doing so many little things that really help, similar to Hogue.

 

[SCISUFAN]

It certainly makes sense. I prefer when they hedge to the post.

I don't mind hedging to post, but can it be someone besides the person guarding Hield, or anyone else that makes 3 threes in a row?

 

[niangstermvp]

I am a big fan of BDJ on defense. Not only do I consider him our best perimeter defender but he plays good help down low and has the size to help our bigs. After all of the talk of him being "selfish," I just see him doing so many little things that really help, similar to Hogue.

Agree - but Naz will most likely start out guarding Hield. Until he gets in foul trouble going to the bench and taking away one of our best 3 point shooters.