Yeah but do you remember the score when it was tied? 69-69, Larry was just messing with us.
This team is pissed off, hungry, and together
- Thread starter FallOf81
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Yeah just think of all the top teams over the years, with historic coaches no less, that seemed to be cruising going in and then it just takes one weird game and poof, gone.
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I think every major fan base still feels the sting of that. Lots and lots of teams that had Final Four potential just ran into that hot team or that off day.
I will say I feel way more comfortable since we hang our hats on defense, rebounding and outworking opponents rather than relying on outscoring everyone in an avalanche of threes. I think the most vulnerable teams are the ones that are great on one side of the ball and poor on the other because eventually you'll run into a cold shooting night or a hot shooting night by the other team despite your defense. You have to be able to win both ways.
He felt he could get more on the market and was having agent putting out feelers before season ended.
Won't go into anymore details, but ISU knew he was leaving before tourney started.
In the end since Jackson had an unfortunate medical condition it probably worked out for both sides.But it certainly didn't help team morale at the time
Yep. Virginia losing by 20 to #16 UMBC in 2018 is always a good reminder of what can happen in this tourney. It's obviously rare, and probably more rare win the NIL era, but it happened.
We quickly forgot after he won the matchup against Kam Jones that a potential First Team All American season was legitimately being talked about. Gilbert’s peak was as high as anyone’s.
And then they won the national title a year later. It's all about giving yourself as many chances as possible because each individual year is a crapshoot.
Let's say we didn't make an Elite 8 this year - for us to have two #2 seeds and a #3 seed and not make it beyond the Sweet 16 would be a bit disappointing.
I get what you are saying, but I also recognize that a 3 seed's season ending at the S16 is playing to seed. Too bad those 2 seeds ending there are not playing to seed.
Gotta just keep giving yourself chances and play consistently and you increase your chances of breaking through. It also helps to do something that is difficult to prepare for - ISU's defense qualifies.
Also timing helps. ISU has positioned themselves with the 2 seed so their biggest obstacle to the Final Four, Michigan, would be in the Elite Eight. Elite Eight opponents get one off day to prepare for what you have to offer rather than the week you get for a Sweet 16 opponent. That is unless Michigan is so supremely confident in their S16 win that they spend part of their week of practice preparing for the ISU defense.
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Agreed. I'm sure coaches have a learning curve with each tourney they get to. I imagine managing your teams' excitment level while maintaning a business-like attitude takes a little getting used to.
It would be interesting talking to coaches more candidly after the tourney finishes. The teams are who they are by now, so the psychological aspect has to be the main component separating similar teams. Every year, you see teams that play loose take out a team that is better but playing more rigidly. I think we've fallen into that trap in previous years.
And impartial crowds love the underdogs.
I love this time of the year!
Hopefully that is what Killyan turns into. Not sure he’ll ever be a great shooter but with his body he should be able to finish at the rim. Loved healthy Keshon but while he could seemingly get to the rim with ease, he wouldn’t always finish
Bilas also picked us for the Final Four, only to get beat by... (eventual champion) Arizona.
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Jay Bilas predicts every game of the 2026 NCAA tournament
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He was legit not a loss. While he had some offensive skill, he was slow enough on defense that we could never switch and when we did, teams cooked him. Buchanon is SO much better. Maybe he doesn't have the post moves, but he's a better passer, defender, rebounder, shot blocker, rim runner...pretty much everything. It kind of concerns me that we even went after Cluff, who is just a rich man's Jackson. If you are going to play the way TJ wants to play, the 5 absolutely HAS to be mobile.
I believe the unsung hero’s for the Cyclones will be Buchanan & Heise.
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I took that as a good sign. Basically joking around about it. And that coupled with Lipsey's demeanor after the AZ game makes me think it's not something that will limit him.
Totally agree. I like to think of our trapping D as something of an insurance policy vs a potential Cinderella.
The UAB loss as a 3 seed was just the opposite. When the offense evaporated, our sucky D became a massive liability.
