2025-2026 MBB computer projections thread

[F5cy]

Notable Accomplishments of the Buchanan Administration​

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3. Admission of New States​

• Minnesota (1858)
• Oregon (1859)
  These admissions continued westward growth, though slavery-related tensions influenced both processes.

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Bottom Line​

Buchanan’s accomplishments were real but modest—mainly in foreign policy and territorial administration. His failure to confront the slavery crisis and prevent disunion overwhelmingly defines his legacy.

Admitting Minnesota is an accomplishment?


It would sure be nice for schools like Creighton and Syracuse to figure things out and quit dragging us down. I realize the guys just need to keep focusing on what they need to do to win games, but from an analytics standpoint and for seeding, etc.. we could use a hand from the teams we've beaten already!

 

[cyclones500]

Admitting Minnesota is an accomplishment?


It would sure be nice for schools like Creighton and Syracuse to figure things out and quit dragging us down. I realize the guys just need to keep focusing on what they need to do to win games, but from an analytics standpoint and for seeding, etc.. we could use a hand from the teams we've beaten already!

There was a bit of that last season, too. Without going into mega-detail, some of ISU's non-con wins weren't as "big" later as they were in the moment.

Dayton in Maui (had defeated North Carolina, which went from top 15 to a bubble team (probably should have missed NCAAT), Marquette (still solid, but dropped from top 5 to 20-25 range). UD and Colorado each defeated UConn, was top 5 early season, 8/9 in NCAAT ... Dayton also a First Four. Colorado was a footnote.

 

[twincyties]

These teams that skipped the thanksgiving tournaments and scheduled on their own might be on to something.

 

[Texbudman]

There is a large difference in our defense when Mulder comes in against even programs like Eastern Illinois. He’s laterally poor and undersized and that will become even more glaring in conference games. There isn’t any “I hope he can improve” to it. Ideally these are types of guys we aren’t needing to roster in the future.

I understand he’s not great but how many college teams go 10 to 12 deep. If he’s our 10th man and 3rd big I think we’re ok

 

[cyclonekrazie]

Especially this year when there seems to be a small group of elite teams emerging. For example, I think you really want to avoid Michigan, Arizona, and Duke for as long as you possibly can.

Holy f*** man you watch hoops thanks for pointing that out

 

[twincyties]

Holy f*** man you watch hoops thanks for pointing that out

Why are you being a **** for absolutely no reason?

 

[madguy30]

I understand he’s not great but how many college teams go 10 to 12 deep. If he’s our 10th man and 3rd big I think we’re ok

I'd guess it's a super small number and the only ones I can think of that were actually good were like UNC '05 and UK '15 who had 'platoons' or whatever.

People act like ISU's 3rd big should be some 15/game type that just needs the minutes and that's just not the case...ever.

 

[GoodOleDays]

I'd guess it's a super small number and the only ones I can think of that were actually good were like UNC '05 and UK '15 who had 'platoons' or whatever.

People act like ISU's 3rd big should be some 15/game type that just needs the minutes and that's just not the case...ever.

Right if we're gonna make a final 4 run we have to have 5 of the best players in the country on the court as much as possible. If Buchanan goes down we're probably F'ed anyway.

Depth pieces are good to keep us from dropping mid-season games that should otherwise be easy to protect a seed line but if this team's gonna achieve what we hope we're gonna have get lucky with March/April health and there's not much to do about it

 

[Sigmapolis]

Admitting Minnesota is an accomplishment?

 

[CySmurf]

Mulder is who he is, he's not going to magically become playable in the next 3 weeks. He's here for depth and only going to play in tough games if we have injuries or foul trouble.

...or beating someone really bad in the final minute...(I'm an optimist!)

 

[NWICY]

46% I think is more reasonable, even that perhaps a little on high side.

But many seasons, even with the best ISU teams, anything above about 30% seemed like "Wow!"

It's always 8 on 5 when we play at the Fog.

 

[NWICY]

Remember when the fanbase wanted the transfer from South Dakota State (William Kyle) and we "settled" for Joshua Jefferson? I too was crushed when we "missed" on Oscar Cluff and had to "settle" for Blake Buchanan. Im good never questioning the staff in terms of their recruits again. Think they know what they are doing. Our frontcourt is incredible!

After TJs 1st year, I just show up and cheer and expect to be good every yr. Him and his staff have forgot more about BB than I will ever know especially in roster construction.

 

[Cyclonepride]

So this is pretty cool

 

[VeloClone]

So this is pretty cool

It is crazy to have two of the top 3 combinations, it is crazy to have 5 combos in the top two dozen, but what is probably most crazy is that every starter is represented in that top 24.

 

[Letterkenny]

So this is pretty cool

This tells me our starters are really good. Maybe the best starting 5 in the country right now. And also, we could probably use a little more production from the bench. It'll help getting Pleta back, and I'd expect Batemon to keep getting better.

 

[cycloneG]

So this is pretty cool

Fascinating that the most efficient Purdue trio doesn't include Braden Smith.

 

[Cyclonepride]

This tells me our starters are really good. Maybe the best starting 5 in the country right now. And also, we could probably use a little more production from the bench. It'll help getting Pleta back, and I'd expect Batemon to keep getting better.

I think our bench is very strong for what we need them for. As good as our starters are, you don't really notice a significant drop off when any of them are out (when Pleta is healthy) because we always have a high quality scoring option out there and the defense carries on.

 

[Letterkenny]

Fascinating that the most efficient Purdue trio doesn't include Braden Smith.

He's good, but hugely overrated when he was considered a favorite for National Player of the Year. Great assist numbers, solid scorer, but averages 3 turnovers per game, and only shoots 42% from the floor. For comparison, Lipsey is shooting 49.5% and 0.6 turnovers per game. Jefferson is at 54.7% and 2.0 turnovers per game. And they both score more than Smith.

 

[Sigmapolis]

This tells me our starters are really good. Maybe the best starting 5 in the country right now. And also, we could probably use a little more production from the bench. It'll help getting Pleta back, and I'd expect Batemon to keep getting better.

You could easily extend this argument to the top six with Heise.

Bit of a decrease after that point but six elite guys is 5-6 more than most teams have.

 

[VeloClone]

You could easily extend this argument to the top six with Heise.

Bit of a decrease after that point but six elite guys is 5-6 more than most teams have.

Well TJ continues to maintain that he has 6 starters...