Nope.

[Ficklone02]

My query is, why does our team appear to lack full effort all the time? Why do they mostly look bewildered and frustrated every time they come out of the game? Why do good players keep leaving the program?

The answer, IMO lies somewhere between a coaches system the players don't believe in (=bewildered looks)...and to make matters worse he's a micromanager. (=frustrated players not allowed to show there creative talents)

 

[Cyphor]

Basketball is entertainment. ISU basketball is bad entertainment. Why would anyone pay/watch bad entertainment?

 

[jpete24]

Cyclone Basketball ≠ Life

If this was the case I would have off-ed myself years ago.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

This song sums it up for me.


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0T3WAbU6tg]YouTube - Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone[/ame]

 

[ISUChippewa]

Cyclone Basketball ≠ Life

If this was the case I would have off-ed myself years ago.

You know, it's interesting you bring this up....when I watched the Hampton debacle back in 2001, I was so upset when we started losing our 2nd half lead that I literally overturned my coffe table in rage while sitting down in my living room. My heart skipped a beat when Tinsley's lay-up rolled off the rim at the end. I was able to get to sleep that night after the game, but I woke up around 4 am just stewing about the game and couldn't get back to bed. When CBS did their "One Shining Moment" montage and showed the Hampton coach being lifted off the ground and hugged by his players, my stomach turned and I couldn't physically watch it without feeling like I would be sick.

I contrast that with this season when I can watch us get rolled by Kansas, and while being disappointed that we didn't show up, I'm not surprised or really that angry about it....I was pleased that we were only down by 4 at Baylor last night, but not surprised to see the final score. It's just not that important to me anymore, and paradoxically that's frightening for me in a sense.

Now, as I referenced in my earlier post in this thread, the fact that UNI is doing so well alleviates what might be my Cyclone misery. Being a dual fan helps in this case.

I just want some excitement based around ISU Men's basketball back in my life.

 

[cstrunk]

Keep it coming guys! It is hilarious to watch every person who chooses to not accept the mediocrity or lack of even being at that call out the coach and then be bashed with the same lame *** excuses of not being a true fan!!! Anonymous internet posters that probably buy the student season ticket package or just watch them on television and have nowhere near the amount of money invested as the OP. A true fan in your eyes is one who just blindly sits back and pays for the garbage because GMAC is a good man personally. Guess what? I know lots of great guys, but not many of them make $900,000 or more a year!

1.) Never have I said that I accept mediocrity. Nor I am not afraid to say that McDermott has not produced thus far and we need to see improvement soon. Doesn't have anything to do with choosing to go to the games and supporting the TEAM.

2.) Anonymous? Doesn't take an ISU grad to figure out who I am.

3.) I'm a student. I have the student season ticket package. Does that mean that my opinion is less valid than yours?

4.) What does money have with being a true fan of a team? A true fan supports the team through thick and thin. Choosing to stop giving money to our athletic department does NOT help our team or athletic department at ALL. You can support the team and voice your displeasure for the coaching staff, but there are many ways to do this besides stopping your donations and financial support. In fact, by stopping your financial support, you are in fact making it HARDER for things to change and get better. If you want better things to come, don't be afraid to say so. But you are going to have to continue to pay for it no matter what. Don't feel like doing that? Then don't consider yourself a TRUE Iowa State University Cyclones fan. You are a bandwagon fan.


Now, having said that, other reasons for stopping financial support can be quite valid and understandable. These aren't exactly great economic times. If you can't donate because other things that come first in life, like feeding your family and providing them a roof over their heads, then that's OK. ISU basketball does not equal life.

Choosing to stop donating or buying season tickets because we suck is different.

 

[tazclone]

I am done with Iowa State basketball.

Some background on me:
I am in my mid 30's and I have been going to games since the early 1980's with my dad. Back then my dad contributed to the Cyclone Club and we had two tickets in the corner of the upper deck. Gradually over time, his contributions increased and eventually plateaued to Captains level with seats in the parquet. Currently my dad and I split the cost of his tickets and Cyclone Club contributions.

This is why I am done:
I am at a point in my life where my time is just as valuable (if not more so) than money. I have 3 kids, ages 9, 7, and 4. I am no longer willing to waste my "free" time on watching, what I consider, underachieving and poorly coached basketball. I would much rather spend that time on my family and/or any number of other activities that I enjoy which do not make me angry or depressed when I am done with them. This doesn't take into account the financial investment which I am no longer willing to make.

What could bring me back:
With the current direction of the program, I see no reason to believe that things will change this year, or next. Honestly, I feel the only way this could change is if McD is let go and we some how land a coach that can take us in a new direction. I need optimism in the program to be willing to invest in it again.

Trust me, all of this makes me sad. I grew up a cyclone basketball fan, am an alumnus, and I want my kids to be fans as well. I really like McD, I just don't think he is the right fit for us. Before you rip my post apart, keep in mind this is just how I feel and I am not asking anyone else to follow in my footsteps, I just wanted to get my feelings off my chest.

Anyone else feel the way I do?

Brian Johnson
Class of 1997

Just think if your dad did the same thing when you were a kid. Johnny's first four years were not good and if you did go in the early 80s then your dad was a die hard. Johnny didn't have a winning season until his 3rd season and he ended 16-13. You would probably never have been a fan and ticket holder. Definitely wouldn't have sat in the parquet during the good years. But just think by giving up on the team your kids won't have to endure the pain of being an ISU fan.

Just saying it looks like your dad had more patience and he felt taking his son to an ISU game was a good way to spend time with his kid. That and he really loved ISU MBB. Those first few years of Orr were not pretty

 

[CTAClone]

1.) Never have I said that I accept mediocrity. Nor I am not afraid to say that McDermott has not produced thus far and we need to see improvement soon. Doesn't have anything to do with choosing to go to the games and support the TEAM.

2.) Anonymous? Doesn't take an ISU grad to figure out who I am.

3.) I'm a student. I have the student season ticket package. Does that mean that my opinion is less valid than yours?

4.) What does money have with being a true fan of a team? A true fan supports the team through thick and thin. Choosing to stop giving money to our athletic department does NOT help our team or athletic department at ALL. You can support the team and voice your displeasure for the coaching staff, but there are many ways to do this besides stopping your donations and financial support. In fact, by stopping your financial support, you are in fact making it HARDER for things to change and get better. If you want better things to come, don't be afraid to say so. But you are going to have to continue to pay for it no matter what. Don't feel like doing that? Then don't consider yourself a TRUE Iowa State University Cyclones fan. You are a bandwagon fan.


Now, having said that, other reasons for stopping financial support can be quite valid and understandable. These aren't exactly great economic times. If you can't donate because other things that come first in life, like feeding your family and providing them a roof over their heads, then that's OK. ISU basketball does not equal life.

Choosing to stop donating or buying season tickets because we suck is different.

+1

 

[ISUFan22]

Why do I get the feeling that you would be for giving GMac a contract extension even if he doenst make the NIT this year?!

lol

Would love to know how you could infer that. Way too much personal bs here, people debating the person, rather than actually putting together rational thought and disputing the points that person is making.

 

[tazclone]

Anyone who doesn't agree with what this guy is saying needs to grow a pair. face the truth and look at the facts. i know u are torn and trying to accept the fact that we are a good team, but we suck, face it, with the talent we have, we should win more, or at least make the games closer, my 14 year old son's team plays better then these bunch of inexperienced, one minded, ball hogs.

I don't get how people can automatically say we should win more. The Big 12 is a tough, tough conference and the teams we are facing have quality players just like we do. While we have upgraded our talent, so have other teams.
Are we more talented than
KU, KSU,Texas...No
Mizzou, Baylor, Okie St, OU, aTm? I don't think so maybe closer but I don't think so.
TTech, CU, Nebbi- Yeah

It is why most had us finishing 8th in the Big 12

 

[WalkingCY]

I don't get how people can automatically say we should win more. The Big 12 is a tough, tough conference and the teams we are facing have quality players just like we do. While we have upgraded our talent, so have other teams.
Are we more talented than
KU, KSU,Texas...No
Mizzou, Baylor, Okie St, OU, aTm? I don't think so maybe closer but I don't think so.
TTech, CU, Nebbi- Yeah

It is why most had us finishing 8th in the Big 12

*News flash*

We won't be close to 8th this year. See 10 or 11, 12th is still a possibility.

 

[ISUChippewa]

I don't get how people can automatically say we should win more. The Big 12 is a tough, tough conference and the teams we are facing have quality players just like we do. While we have upgraded our talent, so have other teams.
Are we more talented than
KU, KSU,Texas...No
Mizzou, Baylor, Okie St, OU, aTm? I don't think so maybe closer but I don't think so.
TTech, CU, Nebbi- Yeah

It is why most had us finishing 8th in the Big 12

In a roundabout way you bring up why I personally am losing hope and patience with McDermott. The Big 12 has seen a lot of coaching turnover in recent seasons, perhaps more so than any other BCS conference. Even with all the turnover though, we are falling behind the other programs that have had their coaches for as long as we have and even a shorter amount of time;

Kansas State - this is Frank Martin's third season and he has a Top 15 team.

Texas A & M - Turgeon's third season and he has already been to the NCAA's twice. They got a big road win at Missouri last night.

Oklahoma - Capel's fourth season, and even though they are down a bit they were an Elite Eight team last season.

Oklahoma State - Ford's 2nd season and they won a game in the NCAA tournament last season.

Missouri - Anderson's 4th season and they were an Elite Eight team last season.

Texas Tech - Knight's 3rd season, I would say the jury is still out.

Nebraska - Sadler's 4th season, has a better overall record than McDermott but I wouldn't say there program is better.

Colorado - Bzdelik's 3rd season. I think they are an improving program. They looked good yesterday against Kansas.

McD has been dealt some tough hands, no doubt about it. The worst thing to happen to him so far was Wesley Johnson transferring. That set the program back more than maybe anyone thought it would. But that being said, bottom line, he's not getting the job done, and I don't know if he ever will. We had a chance to move up the ranks in our own conference with all of the coaching turnover, but that window of opportunity has passed us by.

 

[TheHelgo]

I don't get how people can automatically say we should win more. The Big 12 is a tough, tough conference and the teams we are facing have quality players just like we do. While we have upgraded our talent, so have other teams.
Are we more talented than
KU, KSU,Texas...No
Mizzou, Baylor, Okie St, OU, aTm? I don't think so maybe closer but I don't think so.
TTech, CU, Nebbi- Yeah

It is why most had us finishing 8th in the Big 12

In a roundabout way you bring up why I personally am losing hope and patience with McDermott. The Big 12 has seen a lot of coaching turnover in recent seasons, perhaps more so than any other BCS conference. Even with all the turnover though, we are falling behind the other programs that have had their coaches for as long as we have and even a shorter amount of time;

Kansas State - this is Frank Martin's third season and he has a Top 15 team.

Texas A & M - Turgeon's third season and he has already been to the NCAA's twice. They got a big road win at Missouri last night.

Oklahoma - Capel's fourth season, and even though they are down a bit they were an Elite Eight team last season.

Oklahoma State - Ford's 2nd season and they won a game in the NCAA tournament last season.

Missouri - Anderson's 4th season and they were an Elite Eight team last season.

Texas Tech - Knight's 3rd season, I would say the jury is still out.

Nebraska - Sadler's 4th season, has a better overall record than McDermott but I wouldn't say there program is better.

Colorado - Bzdelik's 3rd season. I think they are an improving program. They looked good yesterday against Kansas.

McD has been dealt some tough hands, no doubt about it. The worst thing to happen to him so far was Wesley Johnson transferring. That set the program back more than maybe anyone thought it would. But that being said, bottom line, he's not getting the job done, and I don't know if he ever will. We had a chance to move up the ranks in our own conference with all of the coaching turnover, but that window of opportunity has passed us by.

This.

People can continue to blame the players instead of the coaching, but in my opinion it is squarely on Mac. All these other teams mentioned had coaching turnovers and they are doing much better than we are. Oh, and don't complain about Mac being dealt a bad hand because that excuse lost it credibility this year - he has the talent, just doesn't know how to get it to operate for him. Mizzou is the perfect example of a good coaching hire. Snyder had them at death's door - Mike Anderson came in and righted the ship in 2 years. McD is at year 4 and we are further from righting the ship than we were in Year 1.

I realize financially ISU probably can't move on, but we should all be prepared for more of the same until we can (and do) more on.

 

[Tre4ISU]

My query is, why does our team appear to lack full effort all the time? Why do they mostly look bewildered and frustrated every time they come out of the game? Why do good players keep leaving the program?

The answer, IMO lies somewhere between a coaches system the players don't believe in (=bewildered looks)...and to make matters worse he's a micromanager. (=frustrated players not allowed to show there creative talents)

Good post. Here is my theory. Mac, while at UNI, had guys without creative talents but the possessed large amounts of Basketball IQ and were very controlled in how they played. He had to manage each persons skillset and run systems and plays that allowed them to succeed. When he came here he gained the ability to get superior athletes that could play on their own without a "system." While they had that athleticism, they lacked the ability to work together to maximize each others athletic ability and become a great TEAM. It was/is his job to figure out how to do that. Even though we have some great talent, the talent is not at the point where there doesn't need to be teamwork. A Kentucky or Kansas could get away with that because their amount of talent is so great, they get away with it. We are somewhere in between UNI and those teams talent wise so there isn't a way to do either easily.

Like I said, it his is job to do it. Obviously he hasn't figured out how exactly to run a team with this level of talent. It remains to be seen if he will. He will be here next year so maybe, just maybe, something will click and he will get something straightened out. That is my hope anyway.

 

[Cyhart]

I don't get how people can automatically say we should win more. The Big 12 is a tough, tough conference and the teams we are facing have quality players just like we do. While we have upgraded our talent, so have other teams.
Are we more talented than
KU, KSU,Texas...No
Mizzou, Baylor, Okie St, OU, aTm? I don't think so maybe closer but I don't think so.
TTech, CU, Nebbi- Yeah

It is why most had us finishing 8th in the Big 12

In a roundabout way you bring up why I personally am losing hope and patience with McDermott. The Big 12 has seen a lot of coaching turnover in recent seasons, perhaps more so than any other BCS conference. Even with all the turnover though, we are falling behind the other programs that have had their coaches for as long as we have and even a shorter amount of time;

Kansas State - this is Frank Martin's third season and he has a Top 15 team.

Texas A & M - Turgeon's third season and he has already been to the NCAA's twice. They got a big road win at Missouri last night.

Oklahoma - Capel's fourth season, and even though they are down a bit they were an Elite Eight team last season.

Oklahoma State - Ford's 2nd season and they won a game in the NCAA tournament last season.

Missouri - Anderson's 4th season and they were an Elite Eight team last season.

Texas Tech - Knight's 3rd season, I would say the jury is still out.

Nebraska - Sadler's 4th season, has a better overall record than McDermott but I wouldn't say there program is better.

Colorado - Bzdelik's 3rd season. I think they are an improving program. They looked good yesterday against Kansas.

McD has been dealt some tough hands, no doubt about it. The worst thing to happen to him so far was Wesley Johnson transferring. That set the program back more than maybe anyone thought it would. But that being said, bottom line, he's not getting the job done, and I don't know if he ever will. We had a chance to move up the ranks in our own conference with all of the coaching turnover, but that window of opportunity has passed us by.

Uh-oh. You've just invited the "yeah, but we are ISU and we have no tradition" rants. Here they come.....

 

[singsing]

What took you so long? I gave up weeks ago. Horrible philosophy on how to play the game. I'll put that on the coach. That being said I'll concentrate on wrestling and women's basketball the rest of the season. If Mac is half the man everyone says he is he needs to take a buyout that won't kill the program and leave. If he doesn't, JP needs to hire a good assistant with good basketball IQ and let him run the team. Mac can sit at the end of the bench, draw his paycheck, and be stripped of all coaching responsibilities. Tell you what JP, give me that job for 50k a year and I guarantee better basketball then what Macs putting on the floor. By the way, I'm a wrestler through and through and I can see the horrible coaching being done. I'd hate to think what someone with a basketball background is thinking.

 

[Tre4ISU]

What took you so long? I gave up weeks ago. Horrible philosophy on how to play the game. I'll put that on the coach. That being said I'll concentrate on wrestling and women's basketball the rest of the season. If Mac is half the man everyone says he is he needs to take a buyout that won't kill the program and leave. If he doesn't, JP needs to hire a good assistant with good basketball IQ and let him run the team. Mac can sit at the end of the bench, draw his paycheck, and be stripped of all coaching responsibilities. Tell you what JP, give me that job for 50k a year and I guarantee better basketball then what Macs putting on the floor. By the way, I'm a wrestler through and through and I can see the horrible coaching being done. I'd hate to think what someone with a basketball background is thinking.

:biglaugh:......:no:

 

[singsing]

1. I'd be taking a big pay cut.
2. You continue watching losing basketball as long as you'd like.
3. :dull::sad::skeptical::biglaugh:

 

[Wesley]

Not happy with our program either but its just a sport if you let it run your life than where is your life.

You were a fan through a

9-18 season in 81
10-17 in 82
12-19 in 91
12-18 in 98
12-19 in 02

and that is just in the 80's and up I could go back further

give up on the coach

but not the program we will get back to it soon.

Those teams looked more like a team than our current one is what the guy is saying.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

I am done with Iowa State basketball.

Some background on me:
I am in my mid 30's and I have been going to games since the early 1980's with my dad. Back then my dad contributed to the Cyclone Club and we had two tickets in the corner of the upper deck. Gradually over time, his contributions increased and eventually plateaued to Captains level with seats in the parquet. Currently my dad and I split the cost of his tickets and Cyclone Club contributions.

This is why I am done:
I am at a point in my life where my time is just as valuable (if not more so) than money. I have 3 kids, ages 9, 7, and 4. I am no longer willing to waste my "free" time on watching, what I consider, underachieving and poorly coached basketball. I would much rather spend that time on my family and/or any number of other activities that I enjoy which do not make me angry or depressed when I am done with them. This doesn't take into account the financial investment which I am no longer willing to make.

What could bring me back:
With the current direction of the program, I see no reason to believe that things will change this year, or next. Honestly, I feel the only way this could change is if McD is let go and we some how land a coach that can take us in a new direction. I need optimism in the program to be willing to invest in it again.

Trust me, all of this makes me sad. I grew up a cyclone basketball fan, am an alumnus, and I want my kids to be fans as well. I really like McD, I just don't think he is the right fit for us. Before you rip my post apart, keep in mind this is just how I feel and I am not asking anyone else to follow in my footsteps, I just wanted to get my feelings off my chest.

Anyone else feel the way I do?

Brian Johnson
Class of 1997

I don't know which part of this post is the most comical.....

A post by a "1TRUFan" saying since we aren't playing well, he's done going to games....

or.....

posts about making his family a higher priority since ISU MBB sucks.......

or.....

posting later that he would be willing to put the family on the back burner if Gmac is canned and we start winning again..