It's not even that great of a rivalry. I mean since Fred has been coach he has twice as many wins in the series than Fran and Fran hasn't even won at Hilton yet. Pretty lopsided...
Iowa State vs. Iowa player by player matchups
- Thread starter GoSTATE71
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It's not even that great of a rivalry. I mean since Fred has been coach he has twice as many wins in the series than Fran and Fran hasn't even won at Hilton yet. Pretty lopsided...
But it is a rivalry none-the-less and as such it is for bragging rights. It means more to the fans and players on both sides because they know they are going to hear about the outcome for the next 365 days if not more. How much smack would they have heard from Michigan fans during the next year if they had lost that game? How much ink would the press give it after and at this time next year?
And yes, I said both sides. Whether the particular Iowa fan you talk to will admit it or not, it does mean more to both sides than your average non-con game because of the bragging rights and all of the baggage that comes with it.
I don't think that "player-by-player matchups" is the best way to analyze this game, particularly because Hoiberg tries so hard to create mis-matches?
Yeah I was joking. It's a big game for both teams but for different reasons. It'd be a big win for Iowa and ISU needs to protect their home court
McCabe is a key matchup. He a tough dude and really brings it physically. His 3 point shot is actually pretty good this year too, I'd even argue he is currently their most consistent outside threat. Again, if I'm a Hawkeye fan I'm scratching my head as to why Woodbury starts over Olaseni. They are both the same height, but Olaseni actually has some build to him AND he is wayyyyy more athletic than Woodbury. I've seen Olaseni run the court and get a few ally oops and dunks, Woodbury hardly dunks for being 7 feet. Olaseni also has a pretty decent mid range jumper for being a 7 footer too.
Look at how the minutes usually shake out. Olaseni plays way more than woodbury so I could care less who starts.
My guess is Iowa will try to pound inside with Woodbury and Olaseni and try to get Ejim/Hogue/Niang in early foul trouble. It will work briefly, until Fred sends Edozie and Gibson in to knock some heads together, give a couple hard fouls and force Iowa to do something different. Seems Iowa is one team that will somehow make Iowa State pay for being undersized. No one else seems able to capitalize on that, but it's an old tried and true formula for the Hoks for whatever reason.
I don't think Iowa is as good as many of the top teams on our schedule, but I do think they match up better with us than most teams. It is going to be hard for Fred to create his normal mis-matches unless they play Woodbury a bunch. I think we need to shoot the 3 great and Hilton needs to be rock'n. Historically, one kid normally has a super game and his team wins. I'm hoping Ejim has a Lafester kind of night.
Of course Olaseni plays more. The Stick Woodbury is usually in foul trouble in the first few minutes.
He will be a factor in that he will play in the game. Excuse us if we aren't gameplanning for an unathletic 6'7" white dude that averages 9.5 points. He's a role player.
My prediction for McCabe: He will hit a couple threes, get his shot blocked 3-5 times, get called for a block trying to take a charge, stare at the ref like a doofus, lower his shoulder and bump an ISU player, lose the ball trying to dribble.
If Ejim and/or Niang get into foul trouble who come in first, Edozie or Gibson? Both seem to have been productive in the minutes they've had this year, personally I'd say Edozie comes in before Gibson.
