Without approval from @Angie, I'll jump in with a second OT for today. New Year's Eve/Day is notable for SyFy's "The Twilight Zone" marathon. What is your favorite T-Zone episode (or top five, if you prefer)?

My favorite: "Time Enough at Last"

For those who always complain about the twister sisters schedule, last nights game should have met any demands for a decent opponent. Northern Alabama came into the game with a nine and two record and had taken the Iowa Hawkeyes to the buzzer in Iowa city. They showed the cyclone crowd exactly why this happened.

What this game became was a battle in the trenches much like those we saw against Iowa and northern Iowa. Northern Alabama was feisty from the start and tried to play physical against our sisters. What they hadn’t planned on was being called for the fouls they were committing. Adding insult to injury, the sisters hit 88% of their FORTY TWO Free-throw attempts. That’s 37 of 42. Keep in mind that northern Alabama made 10 more field goals and two more three-pointers than Iowa State did in the game. The other major factor was the sisters dominating on the boards, outrebounding northern Alabama 43-23. Those two statistics are all you need to know about this game.

For the game, Iowa State only used six players. Yes, that’s not a misprint. Coach Fennelly still talks about producing in practice in order to play in the game and apparently a couple of players that we would expect to see are not getting it done. One of my New Year’s wishes is to see this change as we need to or three more players to step up and provide meaningful minutes.

Joens was is her usual self getting another double double with 22 points and 15 boards. All of the six players contributed on offense with everyone hitting free throws and only Maggie not making a field goal. The defense for most of the game (excluding a six minute start to the fourth quarter when they were showing fatigue) was excellent. I was very impressed with Emma Wallen from northern Alabama. That girl can shoot from downtown and has a quick move towards the basket. Some folks at the game we’re getting upset with her lobbying the officials, but I saw it as frustration and the fact that she is a gamer.

On the Madison Wise front, the only news is that she will see her doctors again on Thursday for an evaluation. She has been ruled out for the opening big 12 game at Texas Tech. Speaking of Texas Tech, I’m never sure what to think about their team. They are undefeated on the season but have played a schedule that makes Iowa State's look like a major rumble. They are dominating their opponents with many of their wins by 40+ points. But if their opponents are NAIA schools what does that tell you? In the past it means that they will be an average big 12 team at best. Good enough to beat you at home if you don’t bring your best game. That is what I expect to see on Friday.

I realize that Ruhle leaving Baylor is not a done deal but let's assume he goes to the NFL? Who does Baylor go after?

I don't have a specific name but I'd guess it will be an up and comer out of a non -power 5 conference. Anyone care to take a guess?

A lot in here. Enjoy.

https://cyclonefanatic.com/2019/12/williams-resolutions-for-the-cyclones-in-2020/

Read through this article on ESPN and was surprised to learn just how much college coaches make compared to other state employees. Not saying they don’t deserve the money and not saying it should go to the players, but it is interesting that the highest paid employees are basketball or football coaches in 42 of the 50 states.

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/st...d-state-employees&id=28261213&redirected=true

The three thoughts I had were:

1) College coaches are paid significantly more money over the last 10 years. For example, Saban was paid $3.1 million in 2009 compared to $8.9 million this year. He was the second highest paid coach in 2009 and 2019 in NCAA football. Is it conceivable to have $20 million a year contracts by 2029 at the current rate?

2) How much revenue does an elite college team generate vs a pro team on game days? I’m curious what the numbers look like with ticket sales, parking passes, concessions/apparel sales. I’m sure a coaching salary can be darn near covered after one home game.

3) How the hell can Purdue afford to pay Jeff Brohm $6.6 million per year?!?

I heard this on the radio this morning in KC they were going over their top 5 memories of the last decade for Chiefs and Royals I thought it would be good for ISU football and basketball.

Football
5. Beating Texas this year. Only because ISU always looses that type of game and to win on a last second field goal like that was the only time I can remember.
4. Getting to the Alamo bowl and the crowd that went down there. I know it wasn't a win but it is the biggest bowl ISU has been to and I was just so impressed with how the fans traveled.
3. Beating OSU in OT.
2. Beating OU in Norman.
1. Hiring Matt Campbell and changing the culture of ISU football

Basketball
5. Playing in the Maui tournament and having a great showing of ISU fans making that tournament shows ISU has made it back to the national stage. Also big for me since I got to go to Maui for the tournament.
4. The win over West Virginia in the Big 12 tournament to win it Monte's senior year finally beating them after struggling to beat them.
3. The win in Lawrence on Jackson's shot.
2. The run in 2015 to win the Big 12 tournament being down big in every game by a large margin and coming back to win
1. Beating UNC to go to the sweet sixteen - just the effort to grid out a win after Niang goes down

What are other people top moments or memories?

Hello! I was AWOL last Friday, so I didn't get to post this then.

It's sort of a CF tradition to have a thread about your new year's resolutions:

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

So - what are your resolutions for the new year and decade?

I'd really, really like to get this swearing **** under control at some point...

vs



IOWA STATE (7-4, 0-0 BIG 12)
VS. FLORIDA A&M (1-9, 0-0 MEAC)
TUESDAY, DEC. 31 | 6 P.M. CST
AMES, IOWA | HILTON COLISEUM (14,384)


Radio: Cyclone Radio Network
Talent: John Walters (pxp); Eric Heft (analyst)
TV: Cyclones.tv
Talent: John Walters (pxp); Eric Heft (analyst)

Welcome back to On That Note, CF’s weekly music exploration, hosted by @MeanDean, @CycloneRulzzz and cyclones500.

This is part 2 of 2 this week. (For part 1, see OTN “Favorite Topics of 2019 (poll),” posted earlier. Don't just see it -- vote in the poll!)

Our final OTN for 2019: Songs with titles or lyrics that reference new year/next year/last year or similar phrases; also may use songs that mention a specific year.

Thanks to everybody for participating throughout '19. We had a ton of fun, hope you did, too. Keep the participation flowing in 2020. Thanks to everyone who suggested or inspired topic ideas. If you have a potential theme for the series, send us a message any time.

See you again in 2020. Happy New Year!

Now, start posting about this week's topic

Welcome back to On That Note, CF’s weekly music exploration, hosted by @MeanDean, @CycloneRulzzz and cyclones500.

Our final week for 2019 comes in two parts. Part 2 (coming in a bit) is our weekly installment.

Part 1 is a bonus poll to determine your favorite OTN theme of the year.

Finalists were determined by which topics that drew the highest number of responses. That tells only part of the story -- some themes lend themselves to more content, but doesn’t automatically mean people liked the subject matter the most.

To that end, cast a vote, then post a comment telling us why you like it best. If you choose “Other,” please elaborate.

(Major thank-you to Rulzzz for compiling numbers for the poll.)

In a follow-up post, I’ll include the full weekly list of On That Note topics for 2019.

Maddie Frederick has a boot on her left leg and won't play tonight. No info right now as to what happened.

North Alabama comes in at 9-2 from the Atlantic Sun Conference. Tipoff at 6:30 coming in a few minutes.

I'm at a game in person for the first time in a couple seasons.

North Alabama is not a pushover. 9-2, and they played Iowa close at CHA.

Link:

https://cyclonefanatic.com/podcasts/football-and-random-things-episode-57/

Too bad football ended so badly after the Texas game. Basketball (m & w) and wrestling look like long years ahead. Football coaches really under performed this year. Too much Brock Purdy hype and STUPID play calling in short yardage especially. With 6" to go, why snap the ball 7 yards deep? We need to line up under center some of the time all season. I am so tired of the shotgun only and one back offense. There is no deception at all and the running back always takes the hand off standing still instead of forward momentum like I-formation plays. Also tired of needing whole month of September to experiment. What is preseason practice for? We all pretty much knew we would get waxed after the way we finished season in Nov. Was JGJ actually hurt or was it smoking pot as has been suggested on CF.? Also tired of hearing how close we were to 10-2. We were just as close to 5-7 and no bowl game.
We had a senior transfer QB & a Redshirt Freshman QB as backups. Why not give them a shot if Purdy was injured. His chance to be the started happened when he got a chance. But if you take away his scrabbling he isn't as effective. Why have backups if they don't get a chance in the game?

https://cyclonefanatic.com/2019/12/wrestling-preview-no-11-cyclones-to-compete-at-southern-scuffle/

Here is link to my preview. Good quote in there about Gremmel.

Terrible news I saw on twitter. As fans most of us forget these are all young men trying to live out their dreams and better their futures. Sadly this young man will not get this chance. RIP.
Login to view embedded media

Besides the outcome of the game, we had a great time in Orlando, until our flight back. Just curious how everyone's flight back from Orlando went as we had a pretty bumpy flight coming home, felt like we were on a roller coaster for about 1 1/2 hours of our flight. So glad to be home!

Here's links to my tweets with quotes from this morning:

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Full disclosure: I just entered in and we are now a part of ESPN's affiliate program to get people to sign up for ESPN-Plus. So if you want to watch ISU/Kansas next week, you have to be a subscriber. If you sign up through this link, you're helping us out. It's a commission type of thing. Not a ton of money but every little bit helps. No pressure or anything but wanted to put it out there. Thanks guys!

https://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/2024649/535107/9070

How about getting a fresh start in 2020 with some cardinal and gold uniforms? Black? WTF?

We had a pretty good time in Orlando. Stayed on International Drive, which was a pretty nice venue, easy to walk and do some people watching. The pep rally was great despite the brief rain shower. The Cyclone Unplugged event was a ton of fun, despite the long lines for beer. That convention center complex was really incredible.

The fan fest was a lot of fun before the game, with a great turnout. I even drank some Bush Light, as some friends bought me some and I didn't want to be a **** and say no thanks. My opinion on that stuff hasn't changed. The stadium was just as advertised, in a not so nice part of town, thank you Uber, it was worth the price to get out of there after the game.

As for eats, the fish and chips at the Pub at Pointe Orlando gets my five forks rating. Along with the dinner and ambiance of Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant. Great food and service in a classic setting. Everything except Michael Corleone putting a couple of bullets into the head of Solozzo.

Made a side trip to Cocoa Beach on Sunday. Even found some Cyclones there as well.

P.S. Is there going to be a spring game? If not, I'd propose CF sponsor a tailgate party regardless.

Overall, a great turnout, we'll look forward to next year's destination.

Giants
Browns
Panthers
Redskins: looks like Rivera is a slam dunk there

Jags and Cowboys should open up soon.

Ridiculous question- but I’ve noticed the last 2 seasons, particularly in the big ten championship and this years playoff that the Ohio State coaching staff rocks fantastic pairs of pants. Now they look like pretty standard grey dress pants but does anyone know of a way I can find the exact pair online or something? Seriously such a look.