**** WBB: Gamethread - Cyclones VS. UNI tonight at 6:00 pm ****

[ZorkClone]

Who: No. 8 Iowa State (4-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. UNI (2-1, 0-0 MVC)
Where: McLeod Center – Cedar Falls, Iowa
When: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. CT

The Links
WATCH: ESPN+
PxP: Eric Braley Analyst: Adam DeJoode
LISTEN: Cyclone Radio Network – Varsity App or Radio Affiliates
PxP: Noah Wolf Analyst: Jamie Steyer Johnson
LIVE STATS
IOWA STATE GAME NOTES
MEDIA CENTER


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[mred]

Copying over my thoughts from the UNI vs ISU tv thread:

UNI is 2-1, but one win is vs DIII UW-La Crosse and one is against Green Bay (who got smoked by KSU). Loss is to Ball State, who seems to be pretty decent.

We should beat UNI and it shouldn't be too close, but they are good enough to beat us if we let them.

UNI's best player is, of course, Maya McDermott. 1st-team all conference last year. 5th-year senior on her COVID year. High-volume shooter (nearly as many shots per 40 minutes as Audi last season). Decent but not spectacular three-point shooter. Only 5'6". Good a/to ratio. Among the best FT shooters in the country.

Also noted in the other thread: UNI's 2nd-best player is Grace Boffeli. However, it was just announced she's out for the year with an ACL tear.

 

[mred]

I should note that, although I call McDermott "decent but not spectacular" beyond the arc, she's shooting a career-high 42.9% (9-21) this season. Small sample size, but very good shooting. Fellow starter Kayba Laube is 42.1% (8-19) and has a history that proves that's not a fluke. Nobody else on the roster has attempted more than 4 threes or made more than 2.

 

[mred]

At 6'1", Boffeli was UNI's only starter over 5'11". My guess is 6'2" freshman Elise Jaeger may start in her place.

 

[mred]

Freshman guard Eliana Sheplee (5'10") is the "big" sister of 2026 target Adaline Sheplee (6'3" wing).

We were Adaline's second major-conference offer in November 2023 (after her home-state Badgers), but she blew up in spring/summer 2024 and has a couple dozen now.

 

[ZorkClone]

At 6'1", Boffeli was UNI's only starter over 5'11". My guess is 6'2" freshman Elise Jaeger may start in her place.

This will be interesting to see how they deal with Crooks. I imagine we will see a lot of collapsing on Audi when she looks for the pass. Should leave us open on the perimeter.

 

[bozclone]

It has been interesting that most teams have not been doubling Audi much in the post. The fear of our shooting seems to be working so far.

 

[ZorkClone]

It has been interesting that most teams have not been doubling Audi much in the post. The fear of our shooting seems to be working so far.

Southern seemed to try to at least crash hard on her and it did disrupt her shooting motion. If see can pass to the spot the crasher was it will be an open shot.

 

[mred]

Southern seemed to try to at least crash hard on her and it did disrupt her shooting motion. If see can pass to the spot the crasher was it will be an open shot.

With their best and most experienced post player out, I have to think UNI will try the same thing.

 

[bozclone]

With their best and most experienced post player out, I have to think UNI will try the same thing.

I hope they do. It will be a good test for our 3 pt shooters. If we do well, it will pose real issues for future opponents..

 

[NWICY]

Hope to see a fair amount of cardinal and gold in the crowd. See you there, on my way.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Hopefully back from car appointment in time to catch start of game. Gotta get those winter boots on the car. Not thinking this is going to be much of a test or challenge.

 

[acoustimac]

The “crashing” in on Audi is exactly why she has to shoot free throws at a very high rate this season. Like 80-85%. We know shooters can have an off night and that’s when pounding inside has to make the opponent pay in baskets or foul shots. I’m hoping we don’t see many (or any) off nights from outside this year.

 

[mred]

The “crashing” in on Audi is exactly why she has to shoot free throws at a very high rate this season. Like 80-85%. We know shooters can have an off night and that’s when pounding inside has to make the opponent pay in baskets or foul shots. I’m hoping we don’t see many (or any) off nights from outside this year.

65% last year, 75% so far this year (15-20). Hopefully that improvement is real and not just a small sample size. She's been working on her away-from-the-basket shooting, so a real improvement wouldn't surprise me.

 

[BoxsterCy]

The “crashing” in on Audi is exactly why she has to shoot free throws at a very high rate this season. Like 80-85%. We know shooters can have an off night and that’s when pounding inside has to make the opponent pay in baskets or foul shots. I’m hoping we don’t see many (or any) off nights from outside this year.

80-85% is not a realistic expectation. I get you are sort of obsessed with free throw percentage but 80-85% for a career mark would get her on the top 10 list for ISU. Joens was 83% for her career. Cyclone single season records have some crazy high individual marks but not from traditional posts. I'd be delighted to see her shoot 75%.

Edit: We've had some really good team percentages over the years but that's also heavily weighted to us generally having four guards on the floor and recruiting for a guard dominated offense relying on sharp shooting guards.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I'm not finding the game on ESPN+.

It's about time this gameday arrived. Some of us idiots have been waiting for this game since Monday.

 

[loyalsons4evertrue]

Would love for Hansford to have a breakout game tonight.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Game is also on Marquee for those that have access.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Just arrived waiting for doors to open. @NWICY and myself will be in same seats as the last game here think just low enough to be seen on TV. Can't miss me as I'll be the huge person in a red i state shirt.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Just arrived waiting for doors to open. @NWICY and myself will be in same seats as the last game here think just low enough to be seen on TV. Can't miss me as I'll be the huge person in a red i state shirt.

Is @NWICY sporting his big hair? That might be easy to pick out to.