Bottom Line

[Irish1]

Of course I am totally bummed out we lost that game, just like I was after West Virginia. However, we just haven't played up to our potential for many games. I would be interested in people's opinions as to WHY.
IMO it's not losing Milan, I hadn't been impressed with him, at all. Preseason TJ said Milan would be a first-class shot hunter......I didn't see that.
Obviously we aren't taking care of the ball, maybe we need to have the ball in Tamin's hands the majority of the time? I realize he has had turnovers also, but he is much calmer and makes good decisions, most of the time.
This is not a bitchfest, or a negative, I believe our fantastic coaches and these hard-nosed players can work it out, just curious on people's thoughts.

 

[cyfan964]

We statistically won that game. Which means we were right there with a team that was 7-1 in conference, and doesn't lose at home... much like us. I'd say we played up to our potential, it was just a freak coincidence we lost.

Our losses are a tip in to the #1 team in the nation on a neutral court, a loss @ WVU on Jerry West day where they didn't call fouls, and a loss @Arizona on a fluke 3/4 court shot.

I'm not sure there is anything we need to "work out". We're playing great basketball.

 

[CycloneErik]

We statistically won that game. Which means we were right there with a team that was 7-1 in conference, and doesn't lose at home... much like us. I'd say we played up to our potential, it was just a freak coincidence we lost.

Our losses area a tip in to the #1 team in the nation on a neutral court, a loss @ WVU on Jerry West day where they didn't call fouls, and a loss @Arizona on a fluke 3/4 court shot.

I'm not sure there is anything we need to "work out". We're playing great basketball.

And we're a legit national title contender. We're in fine shape with an excellent player returning soon.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Of course I am totally bummed out we lost that game, just like I was after West Virginia. However, we just haven't played up to our potential for many games. I would be interested in people's opinions as to WHY.
IMO it's not losing Milan, I hadn't been impressed with him, at all. Preseason TJ said Milan would be a first-class shot hunter......I didn't see that.
Obviously we aren't taking care of the ball, maybe we need to have the ball in Tamin's hands the majority of the time? I realize he has had turnovers also, but he is much calmer and makes good decisions, most of the time.
This is not a bitchfest, or a negative, I believe our fantastic coaches and these hard-nosed players can work it out, just curious on people's thoughts.

FACT: Milan is our best percentage three point shooter. Teams have to guard him every second. Our spacing has been off since he left the lineup. Whether you're impressed with him or not, his absence is huge.

 

[thisISnextyear]

Bottom Line - We are an elite team and one like many haven't seen at ISU previously. Would have loved to get a W last night but November - early March is literally just preseason when you are as good as we are.

 

[stuclone]

Bottom Line- I love cheering for this team every game they play because they will always give it their best effort. Tamin is playing with a broken thumb on his shooting hand and balling out, Cujo is a big 12 PoTY candidate, Keshon is a dog, etc. We will be even better when Milan comes back with his elite shooting this year. We will be fine and will still be national champion contenders

 

[1TwistedCyclone]

Bottom line: Cyclones are getting the best shot every team in the conference has to offer, that's probably taking a bit of a toll, but also toughens the team up.

I'm not sure about Lipsey's thumb injury, he seems to be shooting fine, but it definitely doesn't seem like he's had the ball in his hands on offense as much. I'm not sure that Curtis is best utilized as the primary ball handler, nor is Keshon a true point guard. Somewhere lies the answer, but the offense seems off kilter a bit.

 

[Klubber]

Of course I am totally bummed out we lost that game, just like I was after West Virginia. However, we just haven't played up to our potential for many games. I would be interested in people's opinions as to WHY.
IMO it's not losing Milan, I hadn't been impressed with him, at all. Preseason TJ said Milan would be a first-class shot hunter......I didn't see that.
Obviously we aren't taking care of the ball, maybe we need to have the ball in Tamin's hands the majority of the time? I realize he has had turnovers also, but he is much calmer and makes good decisions, most of the time.
This is not a bitchfest, or a negative, I believe our fantastic coaches and these hard-nosed players can work it out, just curious on people's thoughts.

Milan is a great shooter. He has to be accounted for at the 3 point line whenever he's on the court. And that opens up the lane more for our guards to drive. And all 3 (TL, CuJo, KG) can do this and finish at the rim or kick it out to Milan if the D collapses in the lane.

Without Milan in there, teams are jamming the lane making it more difficult for our guards to drive, and this is also leading to more turnovers. CuJo's recent scoring has helped alleviate this a little. But we still miss MM.

 

[Statefan10]

Bottom line - we're a missed miracle shot away from every single person on this board saying what a ginormous win that was and this team is the best ISU team of all time. That obviously didn't happen and instead we have people arguing whether we should've done things differently and actually given them a better chance to tie the game in that scenario.

 

[CoachHines3]

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Our opponents play basketball, too.

 

[stormchaser2014]

Came here to post this.

 

[madguy30]

Our opponents play basketball, too.

Weird!

But seriously many of them are more athletic than what ISU brings to boot. I don't know if that gets recognized near enough.

 

[09clone]

We are two plays away from being 19-1 and likely ranked #1

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Weird!

But seriously many of them are more athletic than what ISU brings to boot. I don't know if that gets recognized near enough.

Arizona's game plan to stop us offensively was to hound Jones relentlessly and clog the lane to take away Keshon and Lipsey's strengths. They have long and athletic guards and sped us up in the first half. Without Milan, that's probably how I'd try to defend us. Credit to Arizona for that.

Our guards forced things in the first half and our offensive sets were messy at times, dribbling too much. Lipsey saved us by knocking down some 3s in the first half to keep the game close and making Arizona adjust.

Once Jones and Gilbert slowed things down in the second half, our offense settled in a bit and we looked way more composed. We kept the ball moving in the second half and had the game won until Love's 60 footer. In overtime, home court advantage took over and things went about as expected when both teams are even.

They made one more play, and a crazy low-percentage one at that. It didn't take anything away from the toughness we showed last night.

 

[Kettes]

We are two plays away from being 19-1 and likely ranked #1

While this is true, you can't have it both ways. If you look at the Tech game, you could as easily say we are a play away from being 16-4.

We have an outstanding team that can go very deep in the tournament. We are at 17-3. That's good. Personally, and I realize many don't hold this view, I'd rather have a team that goes to the Final Four (or better) than win the conference. But, that's my preference.

This loss might help the team in the end.

 

[CoachHines3]

While this is true, you can't have it both ways. If you look at the Tech game, you could as easily say we are a play away from being 16-4.

We have an outstanding team that can go very deep in the tournament. We are at 17-3. That's good. Personally, and I realize many don't hold this view, I'd rather have a team that goes to the Final Four (or better) than win the conference. But, that's my preference.

This loss might help the team in the end.

I'm more worried about seeding/reaching a Final 4 than a regular season title, as well.

But to each their own!

 

[Kettes]

I'm more worried about seeding/reaching a Final 4 than a regular season title, as well.

But to each their own!

Most times there isn't a huge difference between a 1 and 2 seed. We are still on track for both, I think. Just win.

 

[mark82]

I admit I down at this point but:

We are in third place in the Big XII, two games behind Houston and very little chance for a Big XII regular season crown.

A #1 seed is at high risk.

 

[mark82]

Most times there isn't a huge difference between a 1 and 2 seed. We are still on track for both, I think. Just win.

There can be a big difference. I don't want to be in the same region as Auburn. That would be like the 2000 Michigan State game all over again. Being a #1 seed will prevent that.