Iowa State Cyclones guard Izaiah Brockington (1) celebrates with Iowa State Cyclones guard Tyrese Hunter (11) after making a three-point shot against Oklahoma during the second half at Hilton Coliseum, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.
I remember being at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn when a college basketball analyst asked T.J. at a team shootaround a question about basketball analytics.
He immediately jumped in to say, and I will paraphrase, that he was much less concerned with analytics than he was with how his team would respond to taking a punch on the court.
It was a moment I remember vividly, and it came to mind as I left Hilton Coliseum on Saturday. That is not an answer you would expect from most college coaches but that is what makes T.J. different.
From the day that he took over this program, he has made no bones about what his vision for this program is.
Yes, he wants to find the best talent that he can, but what he sees as the foundation of this program is toughness, resiliency, and a mentality that they will be the hungriest team on the court every time they play.
We have seen this team take its fair share of body blows throughout the Big 12 season.
There has been no lower moment for this ball club than after their second-half collapse two Saturdays ago against Kansas State.
I left that game doubting this team would be able to recover. It had been a tough three weeks leading up to that game and it seemed like the shot that could leave this team reeling on the canvas.
As they have throughout the season, this group showed what they were made of this past week.
A monster 2-0 week capped off with its most complete performance of Big 12 play Saturday at Hilton. I could not be happier to have been wrong, and it is safe to say, coach, your team knows how to respond to a punch.
However, here we are with four games to play, and the job is not done.
Plenty of meat left on the bone in Big 12 play and they need to have another big week.
What changed in the past week that helped this team get back on track?
There were several things but what stands out to me is I did not leave either game this past week wondering who the hungrier team was.
As much as I have talked about rebounding, turnovers, and paint touches, at the bottom of it all, what makes this group special is how badly they want to prove their doubters wrong.
Their ability to stay in the fight and overcome their shortcomings is inspiring.
I am not sure how many more wins this team needs to secure its spot in the field of 68, but with 4 games to play my advice would be a reminder of something I wrote earlier this year.
Do not forget what has makes this group special.
The hungriest teams eat and if you can emulate what you did this past week, there is no question you will find yourself celebrating on Selection Sunday.
As someone who was in a similar position to you 10 years ago to the date, I can tell you moments like the next two weeks are rare, special, and you never get them back.
Seize the opportunity you have rightfully earned and go finish the job.
Leave no doubt!