Foolishly? Nope, the Cyclones looked like clearly the better team on the court in Ames. KU has probably improved, and will continue to do so with their youth, but I like our chances.
COLUMN: Who owes who?
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
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Foolishly? Nope, the Cyclones looked like clearly the better team on the court in Ames. KU has probably improved, and will continue to do so with their youth, but I like our chances.
Transition was a big reason for the win in Ames and I would expect a similar game plan going into tonight. Thing is going into the last game all the analysis was that KU needed to stop ISU's running game and would lose if they didn't. Everyone who casually follows College Basketball know about the Hoiball style and ISU forces tempo. It wasn't like Self wasn't aware of his team's weakness and didn't stress transition D leading up to the game, or yell at players for bad transition during it. I don't think it just "effort" thing either, their players have to alter their tendencies to rebound and identify the ball handler/their man on the run. I don't know how any coach, even Self, can just "fix" that in just a little over two weeks especially since they have been playing teams that don't look to run as much thus I doubt was a major focus in game prep (UT/TCU/KSU).
It is easy to say just stop the transition and win but, much easier said than done with this cyclone team if they are shooting normally.
At the end of the day I think Iowa State played to about 70 to 75 percent of their overall capabilities when they beat Kansas in Ames. Kansas was quite fortunate that ISU didn't play their best because that final score would have been much worse had they played better. I think ISU goes into a hostile (Not even close to as hostile as Hilton for the record) environment tonight with the goal of punching the state of Kansas, the Jayhawks, Bill Self, their fans, Phog Allen, James Naismith, their former players, their streak, and everyone and everything associated with Kansas Basketball right in the mouth.
It's going to be a brawl tonight.
It's going to be a brawl tonight.
Fortunately the users of Phog dot net do not coach the Kansas basketball team. Oubre on Niang is about the dumbest idea I have ever heard. KU doesn't need to try anything new except for getting back on defense in transition. Both teams will be amped up for the game. KU will be more aggressive in attacking McKay under the rim and trying to get him in foul trouble. Too many drives by KU guards where they shied away from him hoping to avoid the block instead of seeking out contact to draw the foul. Some ISU fans will rant about home cooking but KU will absolutely be making a concerted effort to hang some fouls on McKay to get him to the bench. Look for Alexander to play a lot more tonight to force the issue down low on offense as well. His benching resulted in message delivered so it will be interesting to see if he has his mind right on defense tonight. Should be a great one!
"Fixing" not getting back in transition is the single easiest fix to make in basketball. 1) Show a guy tape of him jogging back in transition while the other team torches him 2) ask him if he believes that he did all he could to prevent that transition basket 3) after the answer of "no" then politely ask him if perhaps the next time he plays that team that he hustle enough to where he could answer "yes" when reviewing film of the game. Done. Certain players are assigned to go after the rebounds and the rest of the players are assigned to run full speed to get back. Even if it's not specifically "your guy" coming at you, your job in that role is to stop that persons drive up the floor so that the rest of the defense can get into the play. Selden and the PGs need to make sure they do their job and get back at full speed. Selden especially was burned repeatedly by not sprinting back.
KU will send their two bigs in on the offensive glass plus Oubre if he is on that side of the floor. Ku guards only had 2 of the 15 offensive rebounds in the last meeting and I don't think that will change. Sprint two guards back full speed to cut of the driver and force ISU into half court offense and i think KU has a great shot at winning. That's IF those two guys commit to getting back on every play, not just every now and then when it's easy. I also expect Brannen Greene and Cliff Alexander to be much bigger factors in this game than they were in Ames.
Naz and Matt must play well and hit some shots from the perimeter. One of the toughest venues in America to play in. Have to show up and take the Phog out of the game. With all of that said i haven't been this amped for a game since they were in Hilton.
He can't guard Niang, don't think he can keep up with McKay. We'll find out though, should be a good game!
I'm just hoping for a fair officiated game and may the team that plays the best win. Far too often in AF, I've seen the ISU players be bodied and hammered under the baskets as well as guys driving to the bucket, and ...no call. Then on the other end, our guys touch somebody and its automatically a whistle. In no way am I a "blame the refs" kind of person. Just want to see a good, consistently officiated college basketball game. That shouldn't be too much to ask.
KU will be amped up for this one. I expect them to come out and play with a huge amount of energy. We are going to have to survive the first 4 minutes. If we are looking good at that point, I expect our guys to settle down and play their game. If not, they will panic, take bad shots and play hero ball.
Kansas gets calls in the Phog, ISU gets calls in Hilton. If ISU wants to win the game they'll have to rebound, be strong with it, and win the 50/50 balls. It can be done.
