How about some optimism...

[CyclonesRock]

I am proud of this team. They stopped all of the horrendous losing streaks where we were the worst in the conference if not all of P6 basketball. Anything from here on out is gravy as I had little expectation of making any sort of a post season tourney in year 1.

 

[8bitnes]

ISU best wins come against teams who had players out for those games (Xavier & Texas Tech). When the team was rated #8 in the country , I stated they were overrated and their season would mirror the football teams season. So far I've been spot on.

Too busy being right to enjoy the ride. What was missing from Kansas when the refs handed them the win on the road? What was missing from Iowa when we destroyed them?

 

[Statefan10]

Too busy being right to enjoy the ride. What was missing from Kansas when the refs handed them the win on the road? What was missing from Iowa when we destroyed them?

And that same Texas Tech team we played handled KU like a game after we beat ‘em. That doesn’t fit the narrative though.

There are going to be days / nights when the ball doesn’t go in and we stink. That’s basketball. #13 Michigan State got ran out of the gym by a .500 Rutgers team yesterday. Kansas got embarrassed at home like a week ago.

People just want to be miserable and bring others down to their level. This team has struggled the last couple of games and now it’s “welp it was fun while it lasted.”

 

[CyclonesRock]

And that same Texas Tech team we played handled KU like a game after we beat ‘em. That doesn’t fit the narrative though.

There are going to be days / nights when the ball doesn’t go in and we stink. That’s basketball. #13 Michigan State got ran out of the gym by a .500 Rutgers team yesterday. Kansas got embarrassed at home like a week ago.

People just want to be miserable and bring others down to their level. This team has struggled the last couple of games and now it’s “welp it was fun while it lasted.”

Several blow outs yesterday involving teams that should not be getting blown out. KU over Baylor 83-59, Rutgers over Mich St 84-63, and Duke over UNC 87-67 to name a few. We at least competed for a half before we went ICE COLD from the field. Glad I couldn't see the game due to being on LHN.

 

[sj4]

I'm not gonna sugar coat the offensive offense we have seen the past few games/basically all season. No point in doing so.

However, what I am going to do is try and bring some levity to the season at this point.

I think many, including myself, need to remember a couple of things: first, the fact we are even DISCUSSING the NCAA tournament as a possibility given last year is incredible. Doesn't make our play lately any better, I'm not saying that. But let's remember where we were last year. It's amazing we are 16-7 with very solid quad one wins and not one bad loss. Second, the defense in this league gets bandied about a lot, and for good reason.

But look at who we've played so far this year in the league:

• Baylor (#5 NET, #9 AO, #17 AD)
• Kansas (twice) (#9 NET, #3 AO, #31 AD)
• Texas Tech (#10 NET, #55 AO, #2 AD)
• Oklahoma (#42 NET, #74 AD, #37 AD)
• Texas (#16 NET, #42 AO, #9 AD)
• TCU (#43 NET, #112 AO, #25 AD)

That is insanity. In our first TEN league games we had to play a no worse than #37 AD with our putrid offense. With those numbers by other teams and our offense sputtering it's no shock we are 3-7. And let's be clear, there are a LOT of P5 schools that would have our same record or worse with this schedule thus far.

Here is where the optimism comes in...

We have 8 games left...

• at West Virginia (#62 NET, #106 AO, #32 AD)
• vs Kansas State (#72 NET, #89 AO, #39 AD)
• at TCU (#43 NET, #112 AO, #25 AD)
• vs Oklahoma (#42 NET, #74 AD, #37 AD)
• vs West Virginia (#62 NET, #106 AO, #32 AD)
• at Kansas State (#72 NET, #89 AO, #39 AD)
• vs Oklahoma State (#61 NET, #153 AO, #16 AD)
• at Baylor ((#5 NET, #9 AO, #17 AD)

I'm in no way saying the schedule is easy from here on out. But it is EASIER. By a lot. The next week will tell us a lot. If we go to Morgantown and lose a close one and get 65+ points it will suck but I can live with that. But if we can't score and get blown out and then come home and lay an egg against KSU then sadly I think the shot at the NCAAs is toast.

Think about this...what if...IF...we go 2-0 next week. I know that is a huge ask after what we've seen lately. But I'm trying to be the optimist. Say we go 2-0...we'd sit at 18-7 and 5-7 with a game at TCU looming. If we can go to TCU and win (again...huge task especially with how we sucked against them at home) then we'd get two VERY winnable games at home. That happens and we're suddenly 21-7 and 8-7 with two winnable games in front of us at KSU and vs OSU.

Do I really think this will happen? No. But just looking at who we've played against who we have left...I'm not as much as a cliff-jumper as I was just hours ago. I do think this game at WVU is massive. If we can pull that out and then KSU at home I can 100% see us stringing some wins together and all of a sudden NCAA is a sure thing.

Take this or leave this post. I know it's a big of sunshine pumping. All games in this league are brutal. But we've gotten the most brutal out of the way. We'll see how we do against the other teams now jockeying in our same position.

Go Cyclones!

Agreed. And this. Going forward....

Kansas State has to play Baylor, Kansas and Texas Tech
TCU has to play Kansas (twice) and Baylor (twice) ..and Texas @ Texas
Texas has to play Kansas (twice) and Baylor (twice) and Texas Tech
Texas Tech has to play Baylor, Texas and TCU

Iowa State has to play Baylor – pretty much done with the rest of the teams in the top 4 or so. This doesn’t mean a thing if we don’t win our games but it’s interesting none the less.

 

[Statefan10]

Several blow outs yesterday involving teams that should not be getting blown out. KU over Baylor 83-59, Rutgers over Mich St 84-63, and Duke over UNC 87-67 to name a few. We at least competed for a half before we went ICE COLD from the field. Glad I couldn't see the game due to being on LHN.

It was an extremely poor offensive performance overall, and especially in the second half. We actually were doing a pretty good job keeping things close and then we had multiple terrible defensive possessions and probably 4 turnovers in the next 5 offensive possessions.

People want to solely single out our offensive scheme, but you can’t turn the ball over as much as we did and expect to score well.

 

[TXCyclones]

• at West Virginia (#62 NET, #106 AO, #32 AD)
• vs Kansas State (#72 NET, #89 AO, #39 AD)
• at TCU (#43 NET, #112 AO, #25 AD)
• vs Oklahoma (#42 NET, #74 AD, #37 AD)
• vs West Virginia (#62 NET, #106 AO, #32 AD)
• at Kansas State (#72 NET, #89 AO, #39 AD)
• vs Oklahoma State (#61 NET, #153 AO, #16 AD)
• at Baylor ((#5 NET, #9 AO, #17 AD)

Go Cyclones!

4 wins and we're in. Just 4 more wins. I think the six games that I've bolded are our best shots. Would love to see us steal another somewhere. But... just... 4... more... wins...

Aside from this, I'm f'ng THRILLED that we even get to have a conversation about such things after the putrid state of Cyclone basketball under CSP's last few seasons!

 

[Cyclones1969]

It was an extremely poor offensive performance overall, and especially in the second half. We actually were doing a pretty good job keeping things close and then we had multiple terrible defensive possessions and probably 4 turnovers in the next 5 offensive possessions.

People want to solely single out our offensive scheme, but you can’t turn the ball over as much as we did and expect to score well.

The struggles on offense affected the defense yesterday.

They aren’t going to reinvent the wheel at this point. The offense is essentially movement with no real sense of purpose, and then individuals (ok Brockington, and sometimes Hunter) making plays on their own.

they need to make enough tough shots to keep them in games. When they don’t, it can spiral like it did yesterday, and against TCU

It’s who they’ve been since game one. It’s who they will be for the rest of the year.

 

[cyclonepower]

4 wins and we're in. Just 4 more wins. I think the six games that I've bolded are our best shots. Would love to see us steal another somewhere. But... just... 4... more... wins...

Aside from this, I'm f'ng THRILLED that we even get to have a conversation about such things after the putrid state of Cyclone basketball under CSP's last few seasons!

You bolded 6 of 8 but not OU at home?

 

[Statefan10]

The struggles on offense affected the defense yesterday.

They aren’t going to reinvent the wheel at this point. The offense is essentially movement with no real sense of purpose, and then individuals (ok Brockington, and sometimes Hunter) making plays on their own.

they need to make enough tough shots to keep them in games. When they don’t, it can spiral like it did yesterday, and against TCU

It’s who they’ve been since game one. It’s who they will be for the rest of the year.

Exactly. I just get annoyed at times with those who get so frustrated in the moment. And I’m not perfect as a fan either as I know I’ve freaked out more times than I can remember. But we’ve lost 7 games this year, 6 of which we were the underdogs in.

 

[cyclone1209]

Yep, just win the home games, and see if they can steal one in Fort Worth or Morgantown

Yes. Where i'm at too. Just make the dance. If we get a low seed and lose in first round, this year is still a remarkable success.

 

[dirtyninety]

Don't know if you remember the Jackson Vroman teams.....they did not go to the sweet sixteen....but I LOVED those teams. NIT and all. A few fun NIT games with this bunch would be joyful....especially at home. March games in Hilton are fun....and yes I do know there was that one loss to Iowa to Alford. Still LOVED those teams.

 

[4CY4EVR]

I’d loved to see the guys to finish strong and get an ncaa invite. Can’t sit hear to say we deserve one today obviously. I agree that we need to sweep the rest of the games at Hilton. Steal one in ft worth, Manhattan, or Morgantown.. .. still will have a guaranteed game in kc.. tj needed to instill faith in the program.. they will recruit and build the offense with understanding the future is based on the defense..

 

[Statefan10]

Don't know if you remember the Jackson Vroman teams.....they did not go to the sweet sixteen....but I LOVED those teams. NIT and all. A few fun NIT games with this bunch would be joyful....especially at home. March games in Hilton are fun....and yes I do know there was that one loss to Iowa to Alford. Still LOVED those teams.

If we’d play in the NIT, I’d be disappointed but would still be ecstatic for the future. It’d be a great foundation. I don’t think that’s going to happen though I think we win 20 games, then steal one in KC to get to 21 and get a 7 seed in the Dance.

 

[dahliaclone]

If we’d play in the NIT, I’d be disappointed but would still be ecstatic for the future. It’d be a great foundation. I don’t think that’s going to happen though I think we win 20 games, then steal one in KC to get to 21 and get a 7 seed in the Dance.

I’ve thought we’d be a 7 seed as well even when we started 12-0. Too much of a grind. I think, if we make the tourney, we will be anywhere from a 6 seed to a 10 seed.

 

[cygrads]

You bolded 6 of 8 but not OU at home?

Best four chances are all home vs OU, WVA, KSU and OSU. Slim odds at best and good luck in away games. I hope they can get it turned around but don't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

 

[Wally86]

It was an extremely poor offensive performance overall, and especially in the second half. We actually were doing a pretty good job keeping things close and then we had multiple terrible defensive possessions and probably 4 turnovers in the next 5 offensive possessions.

People want to solely single out our offensive scheme, but you can’t turn the ball over as much as we did and expect to score well.

The ineffectiveness and predictability of the offense contributes to players being in positions where the likelihood of a turnover goes up.

 

[t-noah]

Leaving off the Ok St game, the other 9 conference games, opponent averaged #16 NET. Leaving off Baylor, the other 7 remaining conference games, the opponent averages #59. Hopefully we can have better results over that 7 game stretch playing on average #59 instead of #16. Not saying we will go 7-0 but I hope for at least 5-2 in that stretch.

This team has re-ignited my interest in Cyclone BB. What more could you ask for? Would be thrilled to win 4, even 3 more of the remaining Big 12 games!

They have shown the ability to win 5 more, but consistency has been lacking. Fingers crossed.

ISU best wins come against teams who had players out for those games (Xavier & Texas Tech). When the team was rated #8 in the country , I stated they were overrated and their season would mirror the football teams season. So far I've been spot on.

What'll it be? Medal or Chest?

 

[Final42b]

I appreciate the optimism…but I think there is a better chance we finish last in the conference then make the tournament. Regardless this season has been much more successful then I would’ve guessed at the beginning of the year so I’m grateful for that.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Honestly what will make me feel more optimistic is if more than 2 guys can feel confident to put the ball on the deck and make a play. I want to see Caleb Grill be assertive enough to take more than one dribble before passing. Guys like Enaruna taking a defender off the dribble. More cutting to the basket in general would be great. End of the day, this team goes as Tyrese Hunter goes. If he has a good game and everyone else simply does their job. Cyclones usually win.