Bracketology 2024

[trevn]

Some of you guys really need to figure out some mood stabilizers. It sucks that we lost but not that big of a deal. The only way I see us not being a 2 seed is if we lose the first game in KC.

I also think people are overreacting to our offense. Yes it has been a struggle but as Blum and Williams have said it actually isn’t down that much and I think we will benefit from not having to play against Big 12 defenses.

Agreed. I think we are mentally and physically tired. The a big 12 is a grind. More than any other conference. I think turning the page to the post season will be good for everyone and I expect we’ll see a lot more energy.

Guys are banged up and just tired. I thought we had a lot more opportunities to run yesterday but instead elected to walk it up the floor. I think we were trying to shorten the game, limit possessions, and “rest” on offense when we could.

 

[madguy30]

I don’t think I’m overreacting. I don’t think it’s a big deal if we’re a 2-seed or 3-seed. We’re in good shape for Omaha, and matchup-wise a 3-seed may be better.

Respectfully disagree about the offense. It’s objectively down significantly from where it was. We were flirting with 25th after the Houston game (I think. Someone correct me if I’m wrong) in adjusted O in KenPom. We’re down to 79th in the matter of 5 games.

I think it was 40th or something.

Although I'm not sure if the non-conference influenced that, or where ISU was on like December 30th. I thought it was like 60th or something (?).

I'm guessing if there's an improvement from here it will be somewhere between the peak and what we've seen the last few games.

 

[LLCoolCY]

247 Sunday update. ISU #2 in the MW.

 

[Urbandale2013]

I don’t think I’m overreacting. I don’t think it’s a big deal if we’re a 2-seed or 3-seed. We’re in good shape for Omaha, and matchup-wise a 3-seed may be better.

Respectfully disagree about the offense. It’s objectively down significantly from where it was. We were flirting with 25th after the Houston game (I think. Someone correct me if I’m wrong) in adjusted O in KenPom. We’re down to 79th in the matter of 5 games.

The ranking is down quite a bit but the actual raw number isn’t. It’s just that a lot of teams are rally really close.

 

[Cyowa 14]

Some of you guys really need to figure out some mood stabilizers. It sucks that we lost but not that big of a deal. The only way I see us not being a 2 seed is if we lose the first game in KC.

I also think people are overreacting to our offense. Yes it has been a struggle but as Blum and Williams have said it actually isn’t down that much and I think we will benefit from not having to play against Big 12 defenses.

We went into the day yesterday 7-5 Q1 and ended the day 8-6 Q1. I'll call that a win this late in the season. It's also not just the fan base, the smaller bracketologists seemed to have overreacted a bit as well I guess not remembering that both Kansas and Baylor lost in Manhattan.

 

[cycloneworld]

Agreed. I think we are mentally and physically tired. The a big 12 is a grind. More than any other conference. I think turning the page to the post season will be good for everyone and I expect we’ll see a lot more energy.

Guys are banged up and just tired. I thought we had a lot more opportunities to run yesterday but instead elected to walk it up the floor. I think we were trying to shorten the game, limit possessions, and “rest” on offense when we could.

I think the “they are tired” narrative is overblown. All teams are banged up and tired. We may be a little more susceptible to it because of the way we play defense but other teams aren’t (Houston, etc).

The bigger issue is the style of offense. We aren’t passing the ball, we are playing a ton of hero ball, and the only strategy we have is to drive the ball and throw up a circus shot and hope for the best. Our offensive IQ has cratered. That’s what needs a reset, in my opinion.

 

[AlaCyclone]

Why do I have this sinking feeling that our overall seed will say "Omaha", but the committee will somehow have to make an exception for some other team, and we'll get bumped?

I don't even know if that's something that would be allowed, but how often do those types of things go in our favor?

The biggest thing in ISU's favor is that since the Big XII will have the most teams, much of the exception moving will involve Big XII teams. With ISU a solid #2 in the Coference, I am not worried about them being jossled by other Big XII teams (KU or Baylor being seeded over ISU in Omaha is just not in my worry house at all).

 

[CyPunch]

247 Sunday update. ISU #2 in the MW.

Dropped KU behind Kentucky? Wow. That was a damaging loss yesterday for the Jayhoks.

I think you could make a case to keep us on the 2 line along with Marquette. But you could also make a case for Creighton and Baylor. It's close.

 

[mctallerton]

Losing at home to UNC in a rivalry game is not nearly as bad as losing to an NIT team.

Here is a good explanation on Duke

 

[Cyforce]

Cbs guy has us as one of the possible high seeds being upset early in the Tourney.

College basketball scores, winners and losers: UNC gaining on fourth No. 1 seed as Tennessee, Arizona lose

The Tar Heels won the ACC title and have a No. 1 seed in their sights after losses by the Volunteers and Wildcats

www.cbssports.com

With their tongue so far up the ACC's ass I'm surprised they can get the words out. Like the whiney little ******* on here that have no concept of why TJ doesn't try to out blueblood the bluebloods he's got a formula that's put us squarely in the top 10. If you had to stake your life on 2 conference teams surviving round one who else you going to take other than us and Houston?

 

[cydnote]

I think the “they are tired” narrative is overblown. All teams are banged up and tired. We may be a little more susceptible to it because of the way we play defense but other teams aren’t (Houston, etc).

The bigger issue is the style of offense. We aren’t passing the ball, we are playing a ton of hero ball, and the only strategy we have is to drive the ball and throw up a circus shot and hope for the best. Our offensive IQ has cratered. That’s what needs a reset, in my opinion.

Just my opinion, but I think that when the shots aren't falling, that is our go to offense. How many times has Tamin driven into the lane and made the layup or drew the foul to get some points on the board and eventually changed the flow of the game in a positive way? I think CuJo is asked to do the same at times and what is viewed by some as hero ball is actually a planned strategy. It's great when it works and it's ugly when it doesn't but I think it's more of a plan than not especially when the defenders are risking foul trouble

 

[VeloClone]

This was also with some guys playing guard (Gabe and Caleb) who were important to the success but struggled to dribble down the open court without watching the ball.

Then favorable matchups happened and they got to the Sweet 16.

The offense has bogged down lately as things have evened out but is still better in year 3.
Some sort of 40-some point game would be very surprising.

I would love to see some of the posters who post hyperbole about Div 1 players go one on one with them to see just how stupid some of their posts are.

Kalscheur and Grill weren't point guards but that comment is plain stupid.

 

[madguy30]

I would love to see some of the posters who post hyperbole about Div 1 players go one on one with them to see just how stupid some of their posts are.

Kalscheur and Grill weren't point guards but that comment is plain stupid.

JFC I'm not saying I could take them one on one. They are/were D1 players, but not with the same athleticism as many of their opponents.

I was at the OU game last year.

Both Gabe and Caleb got out on run outs in the open court and looked at the ball while dribbling.

It's a concrete observation and one factor (speed etc. being another) in what limits an offense.

 

[VeloClone]

JFC I'm not saying I could take them one on one. They are/were D1 players, but not with the same athleticism as many of their opponents.

I was at the OU game last year.

Both Gabe and Caleb got out on run outs in the open court and looked at the ball while dribbling.

It's a concrete observation and one factor (speed etc. being another) in what limits an offense.

Yes, the exception is the rule. Every player has had times when they get a bad touch and they need to look at the ball to recover even All star NBA players have that problem on occasion.

What you said is still stupid.

 

[CloniesForLife]

Some of you guys really need to figure out some mood stabilizers. It sucks that we lost but not that big of a deal. The only way I see us not being a 2 seed is if we lose the first game in KC.

I also think people are overreacting to our offense. Yes it has been a struggle but as Blum and Williams have said it actually isn’t down that much and I think we will benefit from not having to play against Big 12 defenses.

I don't think most people are that upset about the loss from what I've seen. It's more the trend in offense is a concern. I really haven't seen that much of a meltdown. People are just pointing out that the offense has been worse lately and if we continue to play poorly on offense we have a smaller margin and are more likely to be upset (duh!). As I've said before, I still love this team and think the potential is there still for a really good run but I can also be objective and look at that offense and know it is not great right now. That can change quickly though which is why this sport is so fun and frustrating at the same time. Hopefully some more rest, getting out of the Big 12 etc will help all of that!

 

[cycloneworld]

Just my opinion, but I think that when the shots aren't falling, that is our go to offense. How many times has Tamin driven into the lane and made the layup or drew the foul to get some points on the board and eventually changed the flow of the game in a positive way? I think CuJo is asked to do the same at times and what is viewed by some as hero ball is actually a planned strategy. It's great when it works and it's ugly when it doesn't but I think it's more of a plan than not especially when the defenders are risking foul trouble

I agree but I would rather keep firing mostly open shots than continued out of control drives while throwing up a prayer. I’ll trust CuJo and Milan over out of control Keshon all day long.

Gilbert is now 11 for his last 42 and 2 for 11 from 3. Yet he’s taking almost 10 shots per game…why? Add his 15 turnovers in the last 4 games. I get that he is dinged up but then don’t give him the constant green light. He’s hurting more than he’s helping offensively. Sit him on Thursday to try and get him as healthy as possible because he is a liability on offense right now.

 

[madguy30]

Yes, the exception is the rule. Every player has had times when they get a bad touch and they need to look at the ball to recover even All star NBA players have that problem on occasion.

What you said is still stupid.

Were Caleb and Gabe good and reliable to drive to the hoop consistently against P6 teams, compared to Curtis Jones, Gilbert or Tamin?

Yes or no?

 

[CloniesForLife]

Yes, the exception is the rule. Every player has had times when they get a bad touch and they need to look at the ball to recover even All star NBA players have that problem on occasion.

What you said is still stupid.

Gabe and Grill were great players for us but I think it's very fair to say they were not very good ball handlers

 

[twincyties]

Baylor loss helps us. Alabama loss would have been nice. Duke loss should help but the committee will have a hard on for Duke like they always do and is probably in denial about how bad the ACC is. Think we need to win two in KC to get a 2 seed. If We win one and then lose to Baylor I think you’ve got to give them the nod with 2 head to head wins over us.

 

[Cloned4Life]

I don’t think I’m overreacting. I don’t think it’s a big deal if we’re a 2-seed or 3-seed. We’re in good shape for Omaha, and matchup-wise a 3-seed may be better.

Respectfully disagree about the offense. It’s objectively down significantly from where it was. We were flirting with 25th after the Houston game (I think. Someone correct me if I’m wrong) in adjusted O in KenPom. We’re down to 79th in the matter of 5 games.

Agree. If Williams/Blum said something along the lines of “it isn’t down that much” then I cannot take much of what they are saying seriously. Every metric (and if we’re being honest - even in the eye test) tells us our offense has been terrible since Houston, and spiraling into an increasingly negative trend.

We’re seeing a crazy drop in the KP OE metrics in just a matter of weeks - it’s unheard of to drop THAT much that fast this late in the season.

And no, it doesn’t mean we can’t turn it around and it doesn’t mean we can’t still make a long/fun postseason run. It simply means what it is - we’ve been bad offensively for several weeks. Really bad.