Jameel McBlock
- Thread starter GTO
- Start date
It's a semi-fair point. A five-shooter offense doesn't work when one of them is either layups/dunks or nada. Then again, McKay on the block with four spaced around him (including Niang, who can play outside just fine) seems to work just fine.
Per ESPN, "The Cyclones have improved from being 133rd in adjusted defense in 2013 to 52nd this season, according to Kenpom.com."
McKay definitely a big part of that. Let that sink in.
McKay definitely a big part of that. Let that sink in.
Even tho its not a stat, the Okie St and Baylor games, he had multiple plays where he blocked a shot after someone else on our team had been called for a foul, basically preventing any chance at a 3 point play. Those plays don't get recognized but an extra basket or two was huge in both of those games.
I've been impressed with how much better he has gotten even in just the last month at timing shots, his first few games he was swatting stuff out of bounds or out of our control at least, now he's getting good at blocking the shot, then keeping it in play. As someone who saw him play a lot of juco ball, Im surprised, he didn't show anything like this in terms of shot blocking. He was always a good defender and would tip a lot of passes but his focusing on blocking shots shows just how special a player we have. He has essentially transformed his entire game to fit what the team needs best. He just seems to get better each game
I've been impressed with how much better he has gotten even in just the last month at timing shots, his first few games he was swatting stuff out of bounds or out of our control at least, now he's getting good at blocking the shot, then keeping it in play. As someone who saw him play a lot of juco ball, Im surprised, he didn't show anything like this in terms of shot blocking. He was always a good defender and would tip a lot of passes but his focusing on blocking shots shows just how special a player we have. He has essentially transformed his entire game to fit what the team needs best. He just seems to get better each game
McKay sprinting the floor will actually help spacing much more then he will ever hurt. After his dunk and layup from sprinting the floor, watch a few plays later. He had sprinted the floor again, was on the lower right block with Perry Ellis face guarding him with his own back to the bucket. Naz went right behind him for the layup and Perry never left McKay.
That series of plays by JM went a little under the radar, there are only a handful of guys in the country with the speed and athleticism to make those plays more or less 3 trips up the floor. I think as a whole, we were faster and more athletic than KU. That hasn't been the case for a long time. Like you said, McKay flying around the court put a lot of pressure on KU's defense. The case you mentioned wasn't the only time that same thing happened.
My wife is always asking me, "Why are you always watching the Cyclones? You're a UNI grad and you like the Panthers."
I say, "Because they're fun to watch. Now get out of here, this is my quiet space!"
Let. That. Sink. In.
I say, "Because they're fun to watch. Now get out of here, this is my quiet space!"
Let. That. Sink. In.
My 6-year old son always asks me during football season: "Why does Iowa State lose all the time?"
Not a peep out of him during basketball season.
Let that sink in.
Not a peep out of him during basketball season.
Let that sink in.
This thread needs a picture of a sink knocking on someone's door and a person saying "let that sink in."
