This team has no inside offensive (or defensive) threat, none at all, unless you want to consider Burton that, but he plays more as a wing. That makes it a lot easier for other teams to cover the perimeter and double-team the ball out top if they choose to do that. Disrupts ISU's offense and if ISU does not figure that out soon, every Big 12 team will use it against them.
I am just surprised that 9 games in, and after a struggling offense against any team with a pulse, ISU has not figured it out yet. Coaching staff has not figured it out, or seems unable to adjust and get the players to adjust, and the experienced players have not figured it out on their own. ISU has 4 players starting who all have started at times in the past, yet they can't seem to play as a team. The only time the offense has looked good this year, imho, was the first half against Omaha, a team that beat Iowa. Yet, the very next game, how that was done seems to be forgotten. That was the only game this year where the assists to basket percentage was respectable.....again against teams not named Citadel.
This team needed Malou, or needed grad transfers who actually were a strong inside presence for their previous teams. We were spoiled I think with the transfers Fred was able to get. So far, I don't think Prohm and staff have shown that same ability to find the right players that fit and fill the team's needs. Holden should not be starting. I think you start Young. He is much more of an offensive threat than Holden. At the same time, I would start Bowie or Babb in place of Naz. Naz is just not the same. Could be he is still shaking off the rust, but to me his outside shot does not look the same as before. A coach needs to work with him on his shot or help him figure out why he is only shooting 26 per cent.
I just don't have a lot of faith at this point that this group of players or this coaching staff can make the necessary adjustments. If they have not done it by the 9th game...