Robert Jones is the most consistent player we have.
- Thread starter Dannynoonan
- Start date
I wonder if we are setting Osun up wrongly. It seems that we start most games by a few plays of getting the ball into him and he makes somewhat forced shots. Sometimes it works and too often it doesn't. Maybe it would be better to let him find his rhythm and let the game come to him rather than forcing him to make offensive plays at the starts of games.
Well, I think we all knew next year was going to be the fun year. We were hopeful we could scrap up enough wins to make the tourney this year, and maybe the win against UNC changed expectations but I think the realistic expectation going into this year was missing out on the tourney.
That NC win has turned to poop.
I'm optimistic at 15 wins but I'd guess people thought we'd be higher, like you said, pushing tourney numbers. I think we are safely out, but, this is where TJ could further impress all of us and work that blob of crap from last night into a functional team.
Tre can bench Kunc and Osunniyi, but who will take the minutes of Gabe and Caleb ? Maybe Eli will ? Or Watson ?
I love the progress that Jones has made and the role he takes on this team, but he got punked last night by Rebraca. I thought that was going to be the difference in this game, but Rebraca was the more physical and aggressive player.
Even though Grill wasn't hitting shots, there was a point last night that i thought we couldn't keep him off the floor. He brings energy and just works his tail off.
The better team won last night. Time to look in the mirror and decide who we are. We got punched in the face lastnight and didn't respond. We'll see how the team responds going forward, but with the characters in that locker room - i think we'll be pleseantly suprised in the next couple of months. Hoping Tre King will provide a much needed spark.
Either way - the future looks bright for this program. TJ will start stacking classes and watch out. Just part of the process right now.
Even though Grill wasn't hitting shots, there was a point last night that i thought we couldn't keep him off the floor. He brings energy and just works his tail off.
The better team won last night. Time to look in the mirror and decide who we are. We got punched in the face lastnight and didn't respond. We'll see how the team responds going forward, but with the characters in that locker room - i think we'll be pleseantly suprised in the next couple of months. Hoping Tre King will provide a much needed spark.
Either way - the future looks bright for this program. TJ will start stacking classes and watch out. Just part of the process right now.
After the first 10 minutes, it was Iowa 55, Iowa State 54....Iowa State won the 2nd half by a point.
You are right, the first 10 minutes killed us, and we as fans were afraid of exactly that happening going into it. Our worst fears became a living nightmare.
I don't think so. Watson has played admirable for a 3* freshman, but his services will probably no longer be required once Tre is in full swing. I would imagine the impact is minimal for everyone else.
Their lines aren't too different. Rebraca was clearly feeling himself last night and doing his best Kris Murray impression. He even stepped out and made a couple 3's, which isn't really part of his normal skill set. In 10 more minutes than Rob, he had 1 more rebound and 11 more points, aided by uncharacteristic 3's and a bunch of free throws because we had them in the bonus fairly early in both halves. Not saying Rob had a better game, but I don't think he got punked necessarily. Osun got punked though, and between him and Ward, were fouling Iowa every other minute the two of them were on the floor. Gross.
One of my favorite moments last night, and there weren't many, was when Hawk junior guard Ahron Ulis decided he was going to show up our young Freshman point guard, Lipsey. He applied some full court pressure and was reaching in pathetically, so Tamin gave him a bump and a crossover and he went flailing over himself and took an ugly looking fall. Uhlis is trash and Lipsey gave the Cyclones at least a glimmer of positivity on a night where nothing else was going right.
One thing I wonder with Osun is if Iowa State's defensive scheme doesn't utilize his best skills. In Iowa State's defense, there's a ton of focus on helping on drives and preventing the offense from even getting to the rim, vs. the rim protection that Osun displayed at St. Bonaventure. One possible example of the effects of that is that this season he's averaging 2.3 fouls in 17 minutes (with 0.6 blocks) whereas last season he averaged 2.2 fouls in 30 minutes (with 2.9 blocks). Not saying TJ needs to change the entire defensive scheme, but at minimum I think it's at least okay to let Osun go for some blocked shots rather than trying to draw charges.
Besides Rob and Tamin, everyone else played timidly.
Can't have that. Hopefully, lesson learned.
I can see missing shots, that's going to happen with this team, I'm afraid. Being too cautious, for the shot or pass, to a fault, it's already too late. The opportunity for that shot or pass is gone.
That's what it seemed like to me, vs. TOE. Always a step slow and too much thought.
