OU opens -10.5

I don't understand how everyone can be so down on this team. Not sure why everyone thinks they're going to run us out of the gym.
It doesn't look like ISU has a defender that can stay in front of a quick guard. Without help it is a layup. With help the ball gets kicked for an open three. If you hadn't noticed the threes have been raining from teams that don't shoot as well as OU. The perimeter on ball D has to pick up to climb back up the rankings.
 
And we outscored them by 26 in the second half that game. Does that not show our ability to "run" them? Other than those two halves, these teams played very even basketball against each other last year.
We did? Than how did we lose by 11? Or has the upcoming game been moved to Hilton?

Have we built a large lead on OU in recent games? The squeaking-out-a-comeback game does not travel well, hence the line. It is not being "so down on this team". We could lose by 15+ tomorrow and it does not really change much imo.

Win almost all the home games, most of the road games against "weaker" teams, split the road games against okay teams, and sneak out an upset (maybe two) on the road over top teams.
 
I don't understand how everyone can be so down on this team. Not sure why everyone thinks they're going to run us out of the gym.

Not sure where you're seeing the so down and run us out of the gym talk.
 
I don't see how Oklahoma got "bettter" losing TaShawn Thomas who was their only inside threat. Hield has been forced to be a higher usage player and scorer. He's done fine, but he hasn't really been challenged by good teams yet.
 
I don't see how Oklahoma got "bettter" losing TaShawn Thomas who was their only inside threat. Hield has been forced to be a higher usage player and scorer. He's done fine, but he hasn't really been challenged by good teams yet.

TaShawn was a big player for them last year and gave ISU fits. Spangler is still there but is playing from outside. Lattin has some talent but disappears for long streaches. Their post play isn't anything to be afraid of especially with ISU frontline. Hield is playing at higher level than last year we'll see if he can stay this good against B12 competition 2X a week as he was streaky last year.

Considering ISU won 2 out of 3 vs OU last year and I don't think they are quite as good without TT, 10.5 pts is to big of a spread IMO. Hard to predict a win in Norman but I feel confident the Cyclones are focused and will play a close game.
 
Since so many are predicting a double digit loss, there should be no meltdown right?
 
OU outplayed us 3 times last year, you have to think they have wanted this one for a long time. I'd expect them to come out with some fire, I think they'll be too much for us this time. I predict our Hawk lurkers will arrive from Pasadena in time to let us hear about this one.
 
OU outplayed us 3 times last year, you have to think they have wanted this one for a long time. I'd expect them to come out with some fire, I think they'll be too much for us this time. I predict our Hawk lurkers will arrive from Pasadena in time to let us hear about this one.

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I think the negative energy comes from the fact that we just haven't been playing too well...we're 11-1 (which is great), but we're winning a lot of our games solely off of talent.

After an offseason of hearing about how much we're going to focus on the defensive end, and how that's what it's going to take to take the next step. Our guys have reverted back to their old ways, which hopefully changes, because at the beginning of the year they really looked good on defense.

If you look at our last 7 games (North Dakota State, Buffalo, Iowa, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, UNI, at Cincinnati, Coppin State), Cincinnati is the only one that you could say we really played good basketball.

National pundits haven't started to question us because they 'have it in for Iowa State', or because they 'don't know know what they're talking about, and don't watch us'...we're a program that's in the spotlight now, and they're questioning us because we haven't been playing well.

I don't mean for this to be a doomsday negative post, but I'm just pointing out why there seems to be a negative energy right now. There is still a lot of time to turn things around, but anyone that can think objectively can see that we haven't been playing anywhere close to our best basketball lately, where as Oklahoma looks great right now.

As for today's game, I expect us to come out firing, and play them tough for the first 20-30 minutes, but I just don't like our defense enough to beat a team like this on the road...Oklahoma 86-75.
 
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Since so many are predicting a double digit loss, there should be no meltdown right?
I know you are just joking, but those predicting or acknowledging such a loss is possible are not the same ones that would be melting down. It's a message board, there are "so many" of all opinions.
 
I'll bet heavy on OU if it stays around -8. Our lack of three point shooting prowess has me concerned.
 
I know you are just joking, but those predicting or acknowledging such a loss is possible are not the same ones that would be melting down. It's a message board, there are "so many" of all opinions.

Haha we'll see
 
All of the advanced metrics/stats websites I follow predict just a slim chance of victory for the good guys;

KenPom - 16% chance with a predicted score of 89-77
RPI Forecast - 19% chance with a predicted loss by 10
Team Rankings - 20% chance to win

I hope we can prove them all wrong. I like our chances to keep it close, at the very least.