Poll: Conference Wins

[cyclones500]

I chose the 7-8, specifically toward 8. I'm w/ @VeloClone, a 8-9 option would be more fitting.

Now that we're seeing distribution after significant voting, poll probably could have done 5-and below, individual choices 6 to 10 then 11-plus (I'm curious how much of 7&8 is 7 or 8; same w/ 8-9)

 

[cyclones500]

Team bus and they'd better show us they're excited about the game!

"Then ... jog to the left."
Derek: "We don't have time for that."

 

[flander1649]

The start of conference schedule is brutal. I would not be surprised or upset if they started 2-4 and still finish with 8-10 wins.

 

[NENick]

I'm guessing 3 of 4 against KSU and TCU. Hope for sweeps, but I have scars, especially from loses to the Frogs. Split with OU, OSU, TT, TU, WVU. Wait, that's 8 already! One more from either KU or BU.
Gotta change my 7-8 to the 9-10!
This is a mind-boggling turnaround from last year!

 

[oldman]

I voted 7-8 because I think that's what we can get into the Dance with. With eight teams in the Top 40, we're bound to have some big wins, and close losses to great teams.

 

[rochclone]

8-10 or 7-11 for me. Which would honestly be terrific to finish this year with 20+ wins.

 

[cygrads]

7-2 in Hilton, steal one on the road.

I went with9 or 10 because I think they can get more than one on the road because defense travels well.

 

[t-noah]

9-10 games. Could be more which is exciting!

I guess we should brace for less. Who wants to think that now?

 

[WhoISthis]

@Pharmacy99

"I think their ceiling is probably fourth or fifth in the Big 12. And they can finish as low as 9th, because the margins are so small. Kansas, Baylor, Texas are the top three -- so they're probably fourth at best. But they could also finish low. I've watched TCU, they're good. Iowa State probably doesn't have the talent to finish top three and the margins are so small, they could finish ninth. Couple injuries or a few guys get sick, they can drop quickly. Their first six games in the Big 12, they can go 3-3, they can go 0-6. It's just the way that league is."

ESPN article on surprise teams.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...urprising-teams-winning-2021-22-asked-coaches

 

[CentexCyclone]

The good news is that the Cyclones are 3rd in the nation in defensive efficiency. The bad news is that 9 of 10 Big 12 teams are in the top 40 in that category and our offense is still a work in progress (currently 217th in nation in turnovers/possession…yuck!)
What gives me hope is that something about this team deeply resonates with the character and culture of Iowa State. That visceral connection with Hilton Magic should propel this team to at leas at 6-3 record at home, including some monster, signature wins. Steal a couple on the road pits us at 8-10 in conference, 21–10 overall.

 

[WhoISthis]

The good news is that the Cyclones are 3rd in the nation in defensive efficiency. The bad news is that 9 of 10 Big 12 teams are in the top 40 in that category and our offense is still a work in progress (currently 217th in nation in turnovers/possession…yuck!)
What gives me hope is that something about this team deeply resonates with the character and culture of Iowa State. That visceral connection with Hilton Magic should propel this team to at leas at 6-3 record at home, including some monster, signature wins. Steal a couple on the road pits us at 8-10 in conference, 21–10 overall.

It is insane how good the Big 12 is this year.

What gives me hope is that I don't think we've seen our best on offense. Hunter can improve, Gabe can hopefully get back to being streaky, Enaruna and Kunc together etc.

 

[alarson]

What gives me hope is that something about this team deeply resonates with the character and culture of Iowa State. That visceral connection with Hilton Magic should propel this team to at leas at 6-3 record at home, including some monster, signature wins. Steal a couple on the road pits us at 8-10 in conference, 21–10 overall.

Even last year, as bad as we were, we weren't that far from picking up some conference wins. We probably had 6-7 games where we were either keeping it close or even outright leading in the second half, but ultimately couldnt notch any wins. That was one thing that was kind of amazing about last year's sucktitude, somewhere along the line we should have at least dumb lucked into a couple of those, or even just one.

This year's team would flip the results of most of those games.

 

[cyclones500]

For the heck of it: Big 12 NET ranking, thru 12/22 games, with records by Quad.

1 Baylor 2-0 2-0 2-0 5-0
7 Kansas 2-0 2-0 1-1 4-0
17 Iowa State 3-0 1-0 0-0 8-0
20 Texas 0-2 0-0 2-0 7-0
22 Texas Tech 1-2 0-0 0-0 8-0
36 West Virginia 2-0 2-1 0-0 7-0
39 Oklahoma 1-1 2-0 2-1 5-0
54 TCU 0-0 2-1 1-0 7-0
73 Oklahoma State 0-2 0-2 5-0 2-0
85 Kansas State 1-1 0-2 1-0 6-0

 

[CySmurf]

In this league, we could play really well and fall just short so many times...mentally it will be a grind on them as much as physically. Stay together as a team through the tough times...and they will grow into something to be extremely proud of when it's all said and done.

 

[CySmurf]

Be interested to see how the narrative will change if they beat Baylor on the 1st...will our guesses have to be more in the 10+ range then???

 

[Chitowncy]

Out of those options, I had to go with 7 - 8 wins, which should still likely get ISU into the Tourney. My heart says 10 wins, but my head says 7 or 8. The league looks to be the best in college basketball this year.

 

[madguy30]

Seems the league really caught on to Texas Tech's 'old is new' rugged approach which can work consistently.

 

[werdnamanhill]

My heart says 10, my battered, negative brain says 5, so the reality is hopefully in the 7-8 range.

 

[amishclone]

It's hard to say. I think the only team ISU has faced that would have a shot at finishing in the top half of the conference is Xavier. They haven't faced anything like the challenge they are about to face.

Creighton?

 

[amishclone]

Yes they are.
Did less than KU did, however. Wonder why KU can play. Baffled.

It's the name on the uniform. Not baffling at all