We have the worst offense of the top 50 teams on KenPom- it’s ok to be slightly concerned about how we’ll perform in the tournament considering what we witnessed last year.
Heading into March Madness
- Thread starter ClonerJams
- Start date
On paper and from watching all season, this team is not much different from the past two years. The main difference is the grit this year’s team has continually shown to get wins. Which has deservedly resulted in a 2 or 3 seed and confidence that we can win close games down the stretch. While our recents results have tapered final four discussions, let’s just get through the 1st weekend and then take it one game at a time.
I’ve been kicked in the nuts too many times to be remotely confident, especially after sitting through whatever that effort today was. Despite that, it feels like this team hasn’t played “well” since that loss at Houston and kept winning (which is probably a hallmark of a good team).
It kind of has the feel of the last two teams. Other B12 teams have us scouted by the end of the season, so we hit a wall. The difference is we have the offensive depth this time around that we can withstand the storm and win some of these games we would've lost in the past.
Even with the offensive struggles the defense has still brought it every game.
I'm excited to watch this team against new competition, but any good team can be done in by a bad draw in the dance. If this team can get past the first round I'm optimistic.
Even with the offensive struggles the defense has still brought it every game.
I'm excited to watch this team against new competition, but any good team can be done in by a bad draw in the dance. If this team can get past the first round I'm optimistic.
Our offense recently had really reminded me of the last couple years. Everything just seems hard and there is no ball movement or flow. We just have more offensive talent so we can score more.
Looking at our results since conference started, the 68-point threshold seems to be where we need to be.
If we can get to 68, our defense puts us in good shape to win (some games notwithstanding). Recently we have been struggling to get to 60. Even with BYU, we got to 68, but it required BYU getting cold and us putting up a 41-point second half
If we can get to 68, our defense puts us in good shape to win (some games notwithstanding). Recently we have been struggling to get to 60. Even with BYU, we got to 68, but it required BYU getting cold and us putting up a 41-point second half
The Gilbert drive into 3 defenders thing has to stop. Also Gilbert getting the majority of the ball even with Lipsey in. Makes no sense to me. Also take your shots when they’re open my god. Milan has been passing them up. Ward has a wide open 3 footer. Instead tries to go past the defender for a layup, gets stuffed, takes the same shot he had open fading away.
This is something that should be brought up more. Feel like the last few games we've passed up good looks to try and get perfect looks and it usually ends up in just a tougher shot or TO. Need the guys to just pull the trigger when they're open
Their offense is rated much higher on Kenpom than the last two years.
So on paper, they're different.
Gonna need Milan to step up to advance in the tourney. His confidence looks extremely low. Gotta take more shots. He only had 2 attempts and looked like he really wanted to get rid of the ball.
We can still make a run, but Rob Jones, Tre King and Milan need to get it together. They combined for 7 points today, that cannot happen for guys playing about 90 minutes a game. Play Omaha or Watson more if that's the output we're getting.
Something that concerns me is that while the offense fell off a cliff since the houston game and has largely stayed there, the defense has trended downward over that stretch.
Maybe some players are banged up, nursing injuries but I don't buy the tired excuse. College athletes with two 40min games a week are not tired. And they all played similar schedule.
Fair to say that ISU relies on top effort and teamwork and can not out score teams based on talent alone. So when not clicking it can look ugly fast.
Fair to say that ISU relies on top effort and teamwork and can not out score teams based on talent alone. So when not clicking it can look ugly fast.
Perhaps it is time to change the starting line-up a little to kick some life into the team. Perhaps start Curt Jones over Milan and move Gilbert to the 3 to make a less mobile 3 have to guard him. Need to something different off the high screen and roll as it seems we are getting very little from that when we were scoring a dozen times a game from that. If we have success in the B12 tourney and make the finals, that is 3 games in 3 days. Need to have more than 7 guys play the majority of the minutes. Need Jackson and Watson to put in 10+ minutes a game each. Need them to be intensity minutes.
In the post game article there's quotes from TJ about the lack of focus and valuing the ball, etc. and how things need to be better for the team to be better etc.
I got the sense he was talking about the things from what you've just said but behind closed doors it's more 'I told you guys, if you keep doing this ****, this happens'.
Maybe this loss will be a good reboot moment.
