Added the facts that Kristin and Rae actually had been battling injuries and life as student athletes are not always easy, thus it's normal to move on to the next phase in their lives
Denae Fritz transferring
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Added the facts that Kristin and Rae actually had been battling injuries and life as student athletes are not always easy, thus it's normal to move on to the next phase in their lives
This doesn't solidify my post awhile back but it doesn't contradict it either. When you think how Creighton's offense excelled against us last year and Toledo's this year, I think some of the players are searching for a more fun brand of ball.
Read between the lines. She doesn't talk about the coaching staff at all. When she says she liked "the people" she appears to pretty quickly clarify it was the fans. "Style of play" is a way of saying I don't want to play for that staff while retaining some level of diplomacy.
I'd also note that points scored doesn't equate to style of play. We scored points, but it was far from fluid, team basketball. It was alot of watch Ashley go and hope the ball finds you.
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it did get quite stagnant at times, that for sure. And our 'threes' seemed to be really off alot of games, which is not typical for us.
Not a lot of true fast pace offenses out there, not really the trend right now and we aren't slow paced. Sounds like a player version of coach-speak.
The most literal way of measuring pace is the average number of possessions per 40 minutes. By that metric, ISU's pace is quite fast because they like to put up transition 3's at pretty much every opportunity. That will skew the numbers towards the fast side.
I don't think that is the type of "pace" Fritz is talking about.
I think what she means is the "activity" of the half court offense specifically. How involved is everyone in every half court possession? How much motion is there? Ball movement? Cuts, screens, etc? The less there is the "slower" the offense is going to feel in that you might feel stagnant and uninvolved as a player.
You guys should watch Virginia Tech in the final four. Their pace (avg possessions per 40 minutes) is actually quite slow -- 68.7 which is way less than ISU and only 31st percentile nationally. But if you watch their half court offense, it is very active. Lots of passes and screens, most everyone touching the ball every possession, really working the ball to get a great shot. You feel involved even if you don't shoot it as much.
I don't think that is the type of "pace" Fritz is talking about.
I think what she means is the "activity" of the half court offense specifically. How involved is everyone in every half court possession? How much motion is there? Ball movement? Cuts, screens, etc? The less there is the "slower" the offense is going to feel in that you might feel stagnant and uninvolved as a player.
You guys should watch Virginia Tech in the final four. Their pace (avg possessions per 40 minutes) is actually quite slow -- 68.7 which is way less than ISU and only 31st percentile nationally. But if you watch their half court offense, it is very active. Lots of passes and screens, most everyone touching the ball every possession, really working the ball to get a great shot. You feel involved even if you don't shoot it as much.
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Ok, fair enough. It's an issue that can be improved. Drake, Indiana, Virginia Tech... they cut and move and play beautiful basketball. So can the Twister Sisters.
I have many thoughts on 'fast paced'.
I totally get and agree that 60-70% time it was about getting Ashley the ball and 75% of when she got it, she took a shot, the other 25% was kicking out.
On the other hand, by dribbling a lot can slow the pace of the game down. We were very short handed this season and many have noted how tired the girls seemed at times. Not that I am a huge fan of this technique, but sometimes it is a necessity.
I totally get and agree that 60-70% time it was about getting Ashley the ball and 75% of when she got it, she took a shot, the other 25% was kicking out.
On the other hand, by dribbling a lot can slow the pace of the game down. We were very short handed this season and many have noted how tired the girls seemed at times. Not that I am a huge fan of this technique, but sometimes it is a necessity.
https://highposthoops.com/2019/01/23/paul-sanderford-wandering-legend-coaching-western-kentucky/
This is random, but I was thinking this week about Louisville coach Jeff Walz and how he got his start as a grad assistant when his sister was a high-level recruit as Miss Basketball in the state of Kentucky. Jeff worked for HOF coach Paul Sanderford, both in Kentucky and at Nebraska.
Anyway, I can't find this online, but I remember there was a season when Sanderford's team fell short of expectations and games felt like a tedious grind. Sanderford gave an interview in which he said he thought he had "overcoached" his team the year before. He committed to letting the players create more going forward and to play to their strengths. That made an impression on me and makes me think of ISU this season.
I wish I could say the introspection worked. Sanderford wasn't really able to reclaim the magic after leaving Kentucky. (Though a few of his former players, as well as Walz, are absolutely making their mark. I've attached an interesting article with some historical detail.)
In summary: Here's hoping that the '23-'24 Cyclone season will be less about defensiveness and finger pointing and more about embracing a new opportunity. Basketball can be fun.
This is random, but I was thinking this week about Louisville coach Jeff Walz and how he got his start as a grad assistant when his sister was a high-level recruit as Miss Basketball in the state of Kentucky. Jeff worked for HOF coach Paul Sanderford, both in Kentucky and at Nebraska.
Anyway, I can't find this online, but I remember there was a season when Sanderford's team fell short of expectations and games felt like a tedious grind. Sanderford gave an interview in which he said he thought he had "overcoached" his team the year before. He committed to letting the players create more going forward and to play to their strengths. That made an impression on me and makes me think of ISU this season.
I wish I could say the introspection worked. Sanderford wasn't really able to reclaim the magic after leaving Kentucky. (Though a few of his former players, as well as Walz, are absolutely making their mark. I've attached an interesting article with some historical detail.)
In summary: Here's hoping that the '23-'24 Cyclone season will be less about defensiveness and finger pointing and more about embracing a new opportunity. Basketball can be fun.
You cruise the board hitting anti-Fennelly posts with "dumbs" and anything which questions the staff with "laughing". This is your contribution? "We're a **** school who never wins a damn thing of importance."
Please explain. So we're supposed to sit back and accept mediocrity (with the occasional bright light season) because we're a **** school who can't expect to win and we couldn't possibly attract a better coach? Evidently we don't deserve good players either because the sun will shine tomorrow and we should be capable of finishing third once this great recruiting class gets a couple years under their belts, assuming three of five don't transfer!
I'm sorry fellow Cyclone fan, but you must be hitting the Truly's early and often with an attitude like that!
As a middle aged male, life-long Cyclone, ISU grad, ISUAA lifetime member, CyClub Donor, Football season ticket holder since freshman year, I have a question for you: what is the "Iowa State Way"? I have no idea what that actually means and why it matters.
LOL have at it buddy, somebody takes the time to do stats and all you can do is whine about their methodology since it doesn't fit your narrative.
I think the "Iowa State Way" is whatever you want to think of it as. I'm sure Bill has his idea of what it is and TJ might have a little different idea. My idea is that it is not arguing with the refs as a player, not constantly chirping at the refs as a coach but standing up for your players when you need to and crowd loyalty and support through everything.
I still hope she ends out in Montana with her sister if that's what they want. Maybe her sister wants her own space though.
It sure didn't take long for someone to interpret "I want a faster paced offense" to mean Fennelly sucks.
I agree with joyisuful. The "Iowa State Way" is all about representing the university is a positive light. It's the women going out and being involved with the community. It's how they represent on the court (as mentioned no whining to the officials, stomping feet, slamming balls, etc.). They strive to do things in a way that others want to emulate. One of the stories from years ago that I remember had to do with Lyndsey Medders. A young fan invited her (at an autograph session I believe) to come play basketball in their driveway. Guess who showed up basketball in hand to play with that kid? The Iowa State Way is about relationships.
