So who starts?

[Clonehomer]

I've been really impressed by Edozie when he's gotten opportunities at the end of the season. Hopefully he and Percy can at least give us the defensive help we need. Hogue will be the one that will need to come through on offense.

 

[Dryburn]

I'm guessing Naz starts, and we will see a lot of Kane at the 4. That is the only possible way to counter UNC's bigs unless somehow Edozie or Gibson step in and have a career day. You have to put Morris on Paige I think. Hopefully Naz and Thomas can hit a few from outside. Biggest problem will be UNC's offensive rebounding. Lots os second chances unless ISU can block out.

 

[HFCS]

Naz and Thomas both get more minutes, but unlike foul trouble games we'll need BOTH Percy and Edozie.

 

[Rabbuk]

The thought of percy getting meaningful minutes really scares me. not gonna lie.

 

[HFCS]

Morris looking lethal last night is my biggest hope for this game. I know it was only high school but the kid had a reputation for bringing it in the Michigan state tournament.

Monte with the ball, Kane creating mismatches in the paint. Just get this one somehow then see what happens.

 

[isufan]

I think if UNC goes zone, like others have said, put Kane in the FT line area and use him like we did Niang. Then just have the ball in Morris' hands off screens and such at the top like we do with Kane. With the way Morris has been playing and shooting, I am comfortable if he doubles his normal number of shot attempts.

 

[RustShack]

Someone has to pick up some of his scoring. I have a feeling Percy is going to surprise us. Fred mentioned there are some guys who've been clamoring to get more minutes and prove what they can do. If we get decent production from some combination of him and Edozie, I think we'll be fine.

SDW has been working his *** off to get out there.

 

[RustShack]

Georges averages about 30 minutes a game
Average 16.7 points per game
4.5 rebounds
3.6 assists
and less than 1 steal and block per game

That's what needs to be given to us by everyone else now.

That's not exactly how it works. He can be replaced in different ways and still have success.

 

[CyArob]

I want to see Percy play mean.

 

[cyclones500]

A combination of several ideas already suggested, slightly augmented:

* Kane assumes a quasi-Niang role at high-post, with Morris running point almost exclusively.
* Long starts at shooting-guard
* Thomas/Edozie off the bench, with Edozie getting more minutes than usual in rotation w/ Hogue & Ejim.

 

[RustShack]

Ejim moves over, Hogue moves over, Kane moves over. Long Starts, Thomas sees McGee like minutes. Edozie gets Booker like minutes. SDW helps gives some guys some quick breathers... And hopefully has his coming out party.

 

[RustShack]

It's not like Fred hasn't seen this before. We didn't have Ejim to start the year.. Only had two forward all of conference play last year.

 

[fenton06]

Ejim moves over, Hogue moves over, Kane moves over. Long Starts, Thomas sees McGee like minutes. Edozie gets Booker like minutes. SDW helps gives some guys some quick breathers... And hopefully has his coming out party.

Everyone else seems to forget about SDW... He was a fairly high rated recruit, time to see how he does with his feet to the fire.

 

[Dingus]

Ejim moves over, Hogue moves over, Kane moves over. Long Starts, Thomas sees McGee like minutes. Edozie gets Booker like minutes. SDW helps gives some guys some quick breathers... And hopefully has his coming out party.

For some reason this is what I thought when I woke up this morning as well. SDW comes in to give a minute or two, hits his first shot, remembers he can ball and goes CCL on UNC.

 

[Wesley]

I can't stress enough that lineups without Niang may very well be better lineups from a rebounding and defensive standpoint. That in itself takes a big step towards making up for Niang's offensive loss.

Offensively things won't change much except maybe when Edozie or Gibson are in the game, and even then the same sets can be used, it's just that other guys will be asked to step into scoring roles.

Trading Niang for a Naz.

Well, we are still in the hunt. Would we want to be Duke this year. I mean, Mercer. Sounds worse than a Hampton.

 

[Go_State]

IMO, we need the most from Edozie tomorrow. If we want to avoid getting stuck in a half-court game with UNC bigs on offense, we need a rebounding presence to get out and run.

 

[ISUKyro]

I would guess Naz to start with clear instructions to fire away right out of the gate.

 

[Cyforce]

@ChrisMWilliams 10s
Hoiberg: "We could play some smaller lineups with DeAndre at some 4." #Cyclones

Pratt 2.0

 

[cuphues]

The proverbial kick in the nuts hurt last night, but after reading this thread you begin to realize that Fred does in fact have options. Several actually. I really believe Fred mostly used the 7 man rotation (versus the amazing Iowa 10 deep) this year, not because the 7 were exclusively his most talented. But more so because those 7 fit his desired style of play best. If he adapts the style play the talent exists on this bench to defeat NC and many other teams in this bracket.

Honestly, this thread illustrates the multiple solid options we still do have, and I for one, am confident Niang's injury will not end our season. I believe we will achieve a hard fought win tomorrow versus North Carolina, a fairly easy win against Villanova and then a battle versus MSU which will allow us to successfully exorcise our demons with the Spartans.

Final four here we come!

Believe.

 

[WichitaClone]

successfully exercise our demons

The demons have been looking out of shape lately. Could use some time on the treadmill. :smile: