I must have been watching a different game than some of you.
Neither Iowa nor ISU dominated in this game. It was a very competitive game between two pretty good teams that both have some work to do.
ISU could not keep Iowa off the boards, and the transition defense was not good at all. That is something ISU has to work on because it will really hurt them against some Big 12 teams, although not many Big 12 teams have the size that Iowa does 1-10. ISU has to learn to box out better against bigger teams, and slow down the fast break. Sorry, but I doubt the way the transition defense was played was part of the plan. Yes, I think they were told not to give up cheap, stupid fouls, but I don't think uncontested layups or back door cuts and open dunks were what CFH was hoping would happen.
ISU does not appear to have the outside shooting threat to the same degree it had in past years, even though to date they are averaging more three point shots made per game. Matt needs to take his shots and gain some confidence with his outside shooting. Kane needs to improve from the outside, but that may be difficult for a senior. Iowa left him wide open from the outside as no threat at all. Ejim is doing fine from out there, but Niang needs some work. I would love to see Monte take more 3's when he is in there. The best 3 point shooter outside of Naz is Hogue......but I'm not sure we want him doing a lot of it. It really needs to get a little better, because that is what really helps ISU's offense work. The threat needs to be there from multiple players.
The thing I love about this team is that it has a mental toughness, a never quit attitude that I don't recall seeing on an ISU team in the past. I'm sure CFH would like to avoid the double digit comebacks, but it is still a pretty impressive feat. You just don't want to count on it having to happen every time, but I don't think I will ever count this team out until the very last minute of a game. I mean they were down by 5 with just over a minute left Friday night, yet they won by doing what needed to be done. Yes, Iowa missed some FT's, but ISU still had to make theirs, and Georges had to make the play he did or it would not have mattered. Impressive team at gut check time.
Neither Iowa nor ISU dominated in this game. It was a very competitive game between two pretty good teams that both have some work to do.
ISU could not keep Iowa off the boards, and the transition defense was not good at all. That is something ISU has to work on because it will really hurt them against some Big 12 teams, although not many Big 12 teams have the size that Iowa does 1-10. ISU has to learn to box out better against bigger teams, and slow down the fast break. Sorry, but I doubt the way the transition defense was played was part of the plan. Yes, I think they were told not to give up cheap, stupid fouls, but I don't think uncontested layups or back door cuts and open dunks were what CFH was hoping would happen.
ISU does not appear to have the outside shooting threat to the same degree it had in past years, even though to date they are averaging more three point shots made per game. Matt needs to take his shots and gain some confidence with his outside shooting. Kane needs to improve from the outside, but that may be difficult for a senior. Iowa left him wide open from the outside as no threat at all. Ejim is doing fine from out there, but Niang needs some work. I would love to see Monte take more 3's when he is in there. The best 3 point shooter outside of Naz is Hogue......but I'm not sure we want him doing a lot of it. It really needs to get a little better, because that is what really helps ISU's offense work. The threat needs to be there from multiple players.
The thing I love about this team is that it has a mental toughness, a never quit attitude that I don't recall seeing on an ISU team in the past. I'm sure CFH would like to avoid the double digit comebacks, but it is still a pretty impressive feat. You just don't want to count on it having to happen every time, but I don't think I will ever count this team out until the very last minute of a game. I mean they were down by 5 with just over a minute left Friday night, yet they won by doing what needed to be done. Yes, Iowa missed some FT's, but ISU still had to make theirs, and Georges had to make the play he did or it would not have mattered. Impressive team at gut check time.
