*** Official Kansas State vs #23 IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***

[t-noah]

Do you actually know what the plan was RE: Pav getting time and Watson not? In bye games?

Do you think they were blindly making that decision? What is this based on? Factually, like for example what conversations have you had with staff and those inside the program that would lead you to these statements? What other sources do you have?

I'm confused. One question at a time please.

 

[t-noah]

I don't disagree on the reactionary part. A lot of posting is in the moment and I can definitely fall into the trap of verbalizing things in an aggressive tone. Guilty as charged.

TJ has done a masterful job in program management, from getting better talent, getting the talent as a collective to buy into playing hard, and instilling some kind of identity with the team. In judging the overall body of work he has done a tremendous job and I've never really said anything to the contrary.

My gripes with TJ come when the games start. This isn't just a TJ thing, but I think coaches (in general) have this mindset where "the coaching happens before the game" and they mostly just let things "play themselves out" on the court. I've never been a fan of this line of thinking and HATE when coaches, regardless of sport, repeat the same in game mistakes over and over again when there is data and or video evidence to suggest otherwise. Admittedly, especially in the case of injuries, there can be things they are privy to and we aren't,

Sometimes I think TJ is guilty of rewarding players who play hard yet don't have the on court performance or athletic profile to justify their playing time or spot in a particular rotation. Last year that was BRE who was, for most of the conference season, one of the worst statistical basketball players in the conference. Meanwhile King, who was far more valuable for the same stretch of games, played less minutes. I also thought he didn't use Watson or Ward nearly enough, especially in games with leads (where their defensive abilities were even more valuable). This year he is playing Pavs who simply lacks the combination of size, athletic talent, and skills to be valuable at the Big 12 level. Maybe he can get there next year, but there simply isn't any rationale to dictate Pavs seeing minutes over Watson. While foul trouble sometimes limits his minutes, I also think Ward should be on the court until he's in foul trouble or can't physically move. Last game Ward limited his own minutes with foul trouble but there have been plenty of games where he was limited in minutes without an obvious explanation. Ward has been the best player on the team, on a per minute basis, and needs to be on the floor as much as possible. Get him to learn how to expand his role, conserve energy smartly (when possible) and stay out of foul trouble. Come tournament time if Ward can play 30 minutes a game it greatly enhances our chances of advancement. That much is guaranteed.

I'm not a fan of some of his rotational selections, specifically combinations of players, as there are a few that are almost always problematic when used exessively. I don't think we work the pick and roll nearly enough with Ward and would like to see Milan used more in post up situations. As always, our offense can be stagnant and think a little bit of structure, at times, would help keep us out of some doldrums. I also don't think he utilizes his timeouts, both with timing, and with the execution of some set plays afterward.

If coaches are going to be on the bench I'd like to see them attempt to manage the game and insert a little bit of (positive) influence on the outcome. Some may think I just have an axe to grind with TJ, I don't. In general I think coaches don't do a good enough job in this realm. As an example Drew used to be BRUTAL as an in-game manager. He always recruited well but Baylor consistently underperformed. Their ascension can be largely attributed to better backcourt play and game management. The way Drew manages games now compared to 7-10 years ago is like night and day. IMO it's had a tremendously positive impact one the program and its result.

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[t-noah]

Go to this short POD,

and here's a comment I just posted there:

@user-ff6pu1vj6x

"I had made what I thought was a reasonable comment, that just got deleted. Here is an abridged version (my last wasn't that long). The rumor/accusations against ISU and coaching staff are absurd. Your guy should make a statement as to what he really believes, or apologize. ; https://youtu.be/UpXg3bh1y-I [Otz postgame presser 1-27-24; he talks about the KSU incident at the beginning, 0-1:08 mark.]"

I wanted to get this on record because my first post there today was deleted. It was not inflammatory, I didn't think, nor was it that long.

Edit: I am wondering if my shorter comment, above, will be deleted there as well. If so, they are in full denial.

 

[bosco]

Go to this short POD,

and here's a comment I just posted there:

@user-ff6pu1vj6x

"I had made what I thought was a reasonable comment, that just got deleted. Here is an abridged version (my last wasn't that long). The rumor/accusations against ISU and coaching staff are absurd. Your guy should make a statement as to what he really believes, or apologize. ; https://youtu.be/UpXg3bh1y-I [Otz postgame presser 1-27-24; he talks about the KSU incident at the beginning, 0-1:08 mark.]"

I wanted to get this on record because my first post there today was deleted. It was not inflammatory, I didn't think, nor was it that long.

This dude made me feel like takinga shower after watching this.

 

[t-noah]

This dude made me feel like takinga shower after watching this.

Yeah, and he's one of the better ones, I think.

I've seen him before, a time or two, months ago, and he didn't strike me as bad then. I knew he was a KSU homer.

Edit: I am curious if I'll get deleted again there!

 

[dafarmer]

Student managers need to carry poster boards so they can screen ISU from K State spies in Manhattan.