*** Official #16 Texas Tech vs #4 IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***
- Thread starter CycloneRulzzz
- Start date
Maybe someone already posted this but Texas Tech was 8/9 (88%) from the field within the last 5 seconds of the shot clock. Average shot distance 19.2’. That’s crazy and unfortunately will get a lot of good teams beat
Good thing we've been pretty good on a neutral floor. I mean we've played well enough somewhere to be 24-5 in the toughest conference in America. I thought this team would have 7-8 losses right now.
Extremely frustrating game to watch today. I will give credit to TTU though, they were making some TOUGH contested shots late in the shot clock and were on fire shooting in general. Felt at times our defense did not rotate well and left a wide open lane they took advantage off of pick and rolls for easy baskets too. Rebounding was not great either, they got 14 offensive boards on us and especially early in the game they were getting 3 shots off in a possession several times on us because of that. Heise and Buchanan finally shut that down for the most part in the 2nd half but 1st half we did a terrible job boxing out and being the aggressor on the boards.
Bottom line, you can't get down 18 against a team shooting that well and our shooting cold for long stretches today. Got it down to 6 a couple times late in the game but just like every game we have lost this year when we got down big as soon as we make a run the other team turns around and doubles it back on us and we are back in a big hole again. Gotta find some better consistency and it's at the point of the season now where every game matters for postseason seeding. This loss pretty much takes this team out of the conversation with the 99-00 team as the best ISU team barring a run to the Final 4 in the NCAA tournament.
Bottom line, you can't get down 18 against a team shooting that well and our shooting cold for long stretches today. Got it down to 6 a couple times late in the game but just like every game we have lost this year when we got down big as soon as we make a run the other team turns around and doubles it back on us and we are back in a big hole again. Gotta find some better consistency and it's at the point of the season now where every game matters for postseason seeding. This loss pretty much takes this team out of the conversation with the 99-00 team as the best ISU team barring a run to the Final 4 in the NCAA tournament.
ESPN did an interview with I think Izzo or someone of that ilk, a couple of weeks back. He said you have the most success playing to your strengths, vs trying to stop the other teams strengths. His words not mine
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#1 seed, LOL. I loved that they got the early reveal #1, but deep down I knew it was a pipe dream. The team thrives on double/triple team defense that creates turnovers and when that is matched with athletic teams that doesn’t always work.
Those same athletic teams tend to get tons of O-rebounds. Throw in massive scoring droughts and abysmal free throw % and you have an ISU team that is very good, but not elite. I think a 2 seed is hard to justify.
Making the sweet 16 is certainly possible, but they just got punched in the mouth at home by a team missing their best player. And the free throw % is just ridiculous, it’s definitely going to be a major contributor to a close loss.
To me it feels like this team doesn’t really have an identity. Especially on offense. Would love for Jefferson to take over games in the paint, but I guess he’s a point-forward so that’s not expected? With his ball handling skills I would not put him in that category, but I’m certainly not an expert.
Those same athletic teams tend to get tons of O-rebounds. Throw in massive scoring droughts and abysmal free throw % and you have an ISU team that is very good, but not elite. I think a 2 seed is hard to justify.
Making the sweet 16 is certainly possible, but they just got punched in the mouth at home by a team missing their best player. And the free throw % is just ridiculous, it’s definitely going to be a major contributor to a close loss.
To me it feels like this team doesn’t really have an identity. Especially on offense. Would love for Jefferson to take over games in the paint, but I guess he’s a point-forward so that’s not expected? With his ball handling skills I would not put him in that category, but I’m certainly not an expert.
We aren't as talented as Houston or Arizona. This has been a hell of a year. We were never really the 2nd best team in the country. If this year has been such a disappointment than maybe someone should start a Fire TJ thread. This is a top 10 team.
No shame in losing to Tech. Probably the most underrated team in the country. With their wins they don't get as much attention nationally as they should.
They also dont' play on the road either.
Neutral sights I don't believe they have lost.
I think they are still a bear match up for teams that don't have prep time or have year over year familiarity with playing them.
That kind of thing will suck the home fans right out of a game too. Even a fanbase that appreciates good defense like ours does now. Neutralizes the home court advantage to a degree.
It doesn't help that our starting PG's body is totally broken. I'm surprised we have had this much success given his health. If he doesn't play well we aren't doing anything in March. Veteran teams with good guards are who the ones who have success in the tourney. Lipsey's play will determine how far this team goes.
Their offensive identity is points off turnovers, it has been all year.
Kill shots make or break them...
Can they still win without it, sure, but its a slog kind of game.... They won against Houston holding them to 4 points in the last what 8 minutes or some such thing.
Thats fine by me. Beats the hell out having to be hot from 3 to win games like Hoiberg's teams had to be. At least TJ's teams can still win when shots aren't falling.
St Johns win on neutral court was a very good win. No shame in going to another sweet 16 but watch Tech, Houston, and Arizona on the road. They play consistently well home and away like Final 4 type teams usually do.
Virginia won a national championship playing this type of defense and had multiple 30 win seasons under Tony Bennett. It works. You're seeing more and more teams playing packline type defense than ever. Arizona plays a lot of it too.
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The bubble popped today
double bye - gone
1 seed - gone
f4 hope - gone
elite identity - gone
At this point nothing matters until the tourney, we could literally lose out and pick up no lower than a 3, and frankly 3s have less of a target on their back.
Might be time to bring in Nelson and Kelderman off the bench to lessen the load and boost morale.
double bye - gone
1 seed - gone
f4 hope - gone
elite identity - gone
At this point nothing matters until the tourney, we could literally lose out and pick up no lower than a 3, and frankly 3s have less of a target on their back.
Might be time to bring in Nelson and Kelderman off the bench to lessen the load and boost morale.
Boost morale? It was a week ago they beat 2 top 10 teams. Id like to think these guys aren't so emotionally fragile that losing a game ruins their season. Win the Big 12 tourney and they are easily a #2 seed
