Psychological advantages/disadvantages for ISU vs Tennessee

[Pope]

I always like looking at the psychological advantages/disadvantages heading into a game because I think they can be significant. Here's a few that immediately come to mind for our Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee:

Game Location
Game is in Chicago, easily within driving distance. There's little doubt the crowd will be much more pro-Cyclones.

Start Time
While I hate having such a late tip time (9:10pm), it's going to feel even an hour later for the boys from Tennessee.

Scouting Report
Tennessee will have to prepare for essentially two different ISU teams, one that includes JJ and one that does not. Also, while Tennessee has 4 days to try to prepare for our defense, there's no way they can replicate it in practice.

 

[Cyclonepride]

They're going to have more film on what we try to do without Jefferson, and they're a really good defensive team too, so I think we'll have to add some new twists to our offense.

I feel great about how our team can defend them and turn them over, but it will take a special effort on the defensive boards or they will be a tough out. They beat Houston, so they're capable of beating a tough team and they've got a great coach.

I like our chances, but it's March, anything can happen. The statistical comparison is interesting.

Iowa State vs Tennessee Matchup at Bracketologists

bracketologists.com

 

[VeloClone]

They're going to have more film on what we try to do without Jefferson, and they're a really good defensive team too, so I think we'll have to add some new twists to our offense.

...

Enter Anthony Rise...

 

[Bret44]

Enter Anthony Rise...

 

[CYEATHAWK]

They beat Houston

Iowa State vs Tennessee Matchup at Bracketologists

bracketologists.com

And lost to Kentucky twice.

 

[wenkeej]

I always like looking at the psychological advantages/disadvantages heading into a game because I think they can be significant. Here's a few that immediately come to mind for our Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee:

Game Location
Game is in Chicago, easily within driving distance. There's little doubt the crowd will be much more pro-Cyclones.

Start Time
While I hate having such a late tip time (9:10pm), it's going to feel even an hour later for the boys from Tennessee.

Scouting Report
Tennessee will have to prepare for essentially two different ISU teams, one that includes JJ and one that does not. Also, while Tennessee has 4 days to try to prepare for our defense, there's no way they can replicate it in practice.

I'm not sure the location will be a huge advantage. Ames is closer than Knoxville, but it's 5hr vs 8hrs. Like if we were playing in OKC, which I'm guessing a lot of Cyclone fans would make the drive for.

And Michigan gobbling up tickets doesn't help either.

 

[Pope]

Enter Anthony Rise...

Thought it was very cool that the team had Rise be the one to slap the Cyclones name plate on the bracket after the game. Not a huge thing, but just one more sign of the outstanding culture on this team!

 

[83Clone]

I'm not sure the location will be a huge advantage. Ames is closer than Knoxville, but it's 5hr vs 8hrs. Like if we were playing in OKC, which I'm guessing a lot of Cyclone fans would make the drive for.

And Michigan gobbling up tickets doesn't help either.

At $1200 a pair for in the door price I don't think a lot of "casual" Cyclone fans will be ponying up for game tickets. But the well heeled will definitely be there.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Psychological advantage: we thoroughly dissected a team that they lost to twice. Plus at Chicago, where we’ll have the crowd advantage.

 

[Nor'MidWester]

Not sure we for sure will have the fan superiority. Tennessee has a lot more fans than us. But we are a couple hours closer.

Didn't know Knoxville was EST. That helps. We suck at late games though.

 

[audiokiwi]

I'm not sure the location will be a huge advantage. Ames is closer than Knoxville, but it's 5hr vs 8hrs. Like if we were playing in OKC, which I'm guessing a lot of Cyclone fans would make the drive for.

And Michigan gobbling up tickets doesn't help either.

Michigan has known they'd be in Chicago for two months now so I'd expect at least 60% of the people in the arena to be UM fans rooting for Tennessee. Hopefully with the late tip, a lot of Michigan's fans don't stick around the whole time.

Now if Sunday is Bama and ISU... Look out.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

Tennessee is 6-10 in Q1 games and that’s playing in the S(hit)EC, which was overrated all season and it’s been proven by their poor play in this tournament.

We got this.

 

[SayMyName]

Thought it was very cool that the team had Rise be the one to slap the Cyclones name plate on the bracket after the game. Not a huge thing, but just one more sign of the outstanding culture on this team!

I think the team designated him as the "tournament advance / bracket board slapper" as he's been doing it since KC

 

[Nor'MidWester]

And lost to Kentucky twice.

Was that Kentucky before they lost 2 players to injury though? I'm too lazy to look into it. It's still a good sign and psychologically helpful.

 

[bawbie]

I think the 'strength vs. weakness' matchup aspect is interesting too

They are #1 at offensive rebounding; we are #68 in defensive rebounding
We are #4 is defensive turnover rate; they are #223 in offensive turnovers

Whoever imposes their strength better will probably win. During the game yesterday I was thinking a lot about the quotes before the game from Pope and the UK players talking about how ISU likes to force turnovers and they do it when the opponents are passive, so we (Kentucky) just need to be aggressive. And then they turned it over 20 times, lol

 

[bawbie]

Was that Kentucky before they lost 2 players to injury though? I'm too lazy to look into it. It's still a good sign and psychologically helpful.

No, Lowe and Quintance didn't play either game.

From the box score, it's a bit confusing how Tennessee lost those games. They outrebounded UK handily both games, but one game they gave up 11 threes and the other they gave up 60+% on 2s. Oweh was 10-16 from 2 in that game.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Thought it was very cool that the team had Rise be the one to slap the Cyclones name plate on the bracket after the game. Not a huge thing, but just one more sign of the outstanding culture on this team!

He must be a popular guy with the team. IIRC, he's a preferred walk on? I'm wondering how his development is going.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Was that Kentucky before they lost 2 players to injury though? I'm too lazy to look into it. It's still a good sign and psychologically helpful.

Lowe was out all year, Quaintance was injured on January 7th, and Williams was injured on the 21st of January. They beat Tennessee on the 17th of Jan. and the 7th of February. So unless I'm mistaken only Williams played in the first game. The game in February was the roster ISU played yesterday.

 

[1TwistedCyclone]

We must be far and away the "poorest" program amongst the remaining 16 teams. So we have that chip to carry on our shoulder.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I always like looking at the psychological advantages/disadvantages heading into a game because I think they can be significant. Here's a few that immediately come to mind for our Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee:

Game Location
Game is in Chicago, easily within driving distance. There's little doubt the crowd will be much more pro-Cyclones.

Start Time
While I hate having such a late tip time (9:10pm), it's going to feel even an hour later for the boys from Tennessee.

Scouting Report
Tennessee will have to prepare for essentially two different ISU teams, one that includes JJ and one that does not. Also, while Tennessee has 4 days to try to prepare for our defense, there's no way they can replicate it in practice.

I think the tough part for Tennessee as far as the scouting goes is that without Jefferson we have become a little more multiple as far as what we are trying to do. This is by no means a knock on JJ or me saying we are better without him. With JJ in the lineup there is a TON of film and the blueprint is much more predictable IMO.