Nevada from a Nevada fan

[Dryburn]

This has the potential to be a very good game. Two very similar teams and two very good offensive teams. First one to 85 wins? I think Nevada looks a lot like Okie State, but Nevada has a better front court.

I don't think we should take Nevada lightly at all. Hopefully, the players won't. At least most of the key players on this team should remember what happened to ISU 2 years ago (the last time ISU won the Big 12 tourney) when ISU lost to 14-seed UAB.

Nevada is a great-shooting offensive team, but they seem to lack a solid defense. To me they look a lot like some of Fred's teams that could out-score anyone, but couldn't always do much or enough to stop the other team. ISU's defense is much better than past teams, and that could be the main difference in this game. Another huge advantage for ISU should be our fan base, if the tickets are available.

 

[madguy30]

Oh great, he's probably telling them all our secrets like how Monte doesn't turn the ball over, and Burton likes to dunk, and Matt is good at shooting.

Maybe also something about how if you don't put the team in front of yourself, you don't get to play.

 

[Spanky]

Oh, I agree. If it's KU instead of TCU, we're a 4 seed and people are all over our nuts. .

Yeah people, stay off our nuts...
(What does that even mean?)

 

[mctallerton]

DraftExpress is the best out there and they have Monte #42 and Oliver #46

And we have played (multiple games) against 5 guys rated higher than Oliver. I mean not trying to be disrespectful but think of the talent these seniors have played against. I am happier having nba draft prospects opposing us than not.

 

[Brandon]

burton vs. caroline should be some banging around the hoop

I'm ready to see some bangin

 

[@Tlemieux72]

It is going to be a good battle, very similar teams.

I just wanted to come by and say I have mad respect for your team. We will have to play our best to hang. Really looking forward to it...just wish it wasn't so far away for us.

Good luck

 

[srjclone]

Kendall Stephens is on this team!?!? Played against this kid in hs when he was a freshman on Varsity and always thought he was severely overrated, but had some problems with friends/family last year while at Purdue and he basically went MIA towards the end of the season. Surpridsed to see him on a roster, let alone a good team. To @Nevada do you know much about Stephens situation, I see he hasn't played this year, I assume he is sitting a transfer year?

 

[carvers4math]

I think our guys are well aware of Nevada's strengths and their team. Naz mentioned watching their games and quickly rattled off stuff about their players immediately after the field was announced. They may have been watching them closer than others just because of Hallice.

 

[mctallerton]

I just wanted to come by and say I have mad respect for your team. We will have to play our best to hang. Really looking forward to it...just wish it wasn't so far away for us.

Good luck

ISU fans know all about playing away games in the NBA tournament. Mussleman will have you guys playing close to home in no time, dude can flat out coach.

 

[@Tlemieux72]

You're right and there is a reason you're a 5 seed and Kenpom gives you a 73% of winning. It's an interesting matchup from the perspective that both teams play basically the same style, are similar in size, and overall Kenpom numbers. The biggest differences imo are:

1). ISU has proven it can beat the best teams in the country..@allen field house WTF. Nevada's haven't gotten any opportunities so who knows.

2). Your team has NCAA experience and winning experience in the tournament. This is Nevada's first trip in a decade.

3). Iowa State, rightfully so, will basically be playing a home game. From what I've read you guys travel really well too. Unfortunately I doubt there will be more than a couple hundred Nevada fans.


All that being said, if we get hot and dominate on the offensive glass we could pull of the upset, but it's a tough draw for us Nevada fans.

 

[@Tlemieux72]

ISU fans know all about playing away games in the NBA tournament. Mussleman will have you guys playing close to home in no time, dude can flat out coach.

Thanks...that's if he stays!

 

[DrT]

We (my wife & I are ISU grads) happen to live close enough (Yosemite area) to Reno that our main "local TV channels" show a lot of/about the Wolfpack. UNR (University of Nevada, Reno, aka "Nevada") has long seemed to be a sort of way-station or refuge for players not fitting in somewhere else or having some other sort of (usually temporary) hardship needing to be worked through. Hallice Cook clearly fills that mold, as does their former NBA coach Musselman. As such, they are rarely short on talent, and LIVE for the upset.

The Cyclones will NEED to bring their "A" game, because IF there is the slightest lapse OR looking past of this team, then you can bet Nevada will play the game of their lives to get the upset! I cannot emphasize enough that they DO HAVE excellent NBA talent, and ARE motivated and well coached! This team is UAB times three in terms of talent and threat level. Yes, IF the Cyclones treat this like they're playing in the Big 12 Tourney, then victory is well possible (and even likely), but letdown at ALL, and they'll be on the first plane back home, regretful and sorry! Let's NOT let that happen!

Also, I am hoping CSP is laying down STRICT guidelines for all those players who have friends and family bothering them for tickets and other 'favors' during this (possible distraction laden trap) trip! This team NEEDS to be on a sort of a lock-down (IMHO) for a COUPLE days before this game! As much as a let down is possible, then its worst complications become likely!

Go Cyclones!

 

[carvers4math]

You're right and there is a reason you're a 5 seed and Kenpom gives you a 73% of winning. It's an interesting matchup from the perspective that both teams play basically the same style, are similar in size, and overall Kenpom numbers. The biggest differences imo are:

1). ISU has proven it can beat the best teams in the country..@allen field house WTF. Nevada's haven't gotten any opportunities so who knows.

2). Your team has NCAA experience and winning experience in the tournament. This is Nevada's first trip in a decade.

3). Iowa State, rightfully so, will basically be playing a home game. From what I've read you guys travel really well too. Unfortunately I doubt there will be more than a couple hundred Nevada fans.


All that being said, if we get hot and dominate on the offensive glass we could pull of the upset, but it's a tough draw for us Nevada fans.

Met some really nice Nevada fans at our hotel when we went to the Nevada at Notre Dame football game. I think they were staying in Indiana a few weeks until they played another team in Indiana, maybe Purdue? But I think one of them was the wife of someone connected to the team. Great folks. Probably a little easier to make those trips with a team connection.

 

[mctallerton]

Thanks...that's if he stays!

I was listening to Gregg Marshall this morning and it was kind of pissing me off, him complaining about mid majors playing mid majors in gen first round. It got me thinking that playing another mid major means you have arrived. No longer are mid majors the cannon fodder of the p5 programs in the tourney but are actual high seeds to playing against AQ teams.

Mid major coaching jobs are becoming destination jobs. Why go to a school like mizzou where you are second fiddle to a terrible football program when you can stay at a basketball first school and be the focal point. Nevada could be that, especially with the ******** that Rice turn Las Vegas into (I know he is an assistant on your team now but he will forever be a joke to ISU).

 

[rholtgraves]

ISU by 15

 

[carvers4math]

Also, I am hoping CSP is laying down STRICT guidelines for all those players who have friends and family bothering them for tickets and other 'favors' during this (possible distraction laden trap) trip! This team NEEDS to be on a sort of a lock-down (IMHO) for a COUPLE days before this game! As much as a let down is possible, then its worst complications become likely!

Go Cyclones!

If Deonte, Darrell,and Donovan all put up 34 when they get to go home for the tourney like Dustin did, we should be good.

Deonte said he was basically going to treat it as a business trip.

 

[@Tlemieux72]

Is there talk about Cam Oliver going to the NBA draft after the season?

And what do you think about Hallice Cook, a transfer from Iowa State and Oregon State, redshirting this year?

Yes, unfortunately imo Cam is 100% gone. Not because he's a lottery guy or anything. Hell he might fall to the second round. It's more just based on talk around town.

 

[BuffettClone]

If Deonte, Darrell,and Donovan all put up 34 when they get to go home for the tourney like Dustin did, we should be good.

Deonte said he was basically going to treat it as a business trip.

I was just thinking this same thing! If the Milwaukee natives have as good of a "homecoming" game as Hogue, we should be good.

 

[t-noah]

I'll give it a go
4 senior starters. 6 total
Very efficient on offense, like to get out in transition, but won't get out of control.
Defensively, the national guys haven't realized it yet, but Iowa St is actually much better on defense than the Hoiberg years. It's not all about out scoring our opponents now. We're best at on-ball defense. Post defense, and rebounding are our weakness.

Starts at the top, Monte Morris is a freak, top 5 PG in the country. 6:1 assist to turnover ratio, highest in NCAA history. Scores more this year, than in the past. Usually off the dribble, but still good from deep

Naz Mitrou Long 5th year guy, leads in 3 pt makes, but will finish in the lane occasionally

Matt Thomas. Pure shooter, best 3 pt %, was a very good defender last season, bone spurs this year have slowed him some

Deonte Burton 6'4 250, 7' wingspan, athletic freak. Pretty inconsistent early, but has really settled in as of late. Can shoot the 3, but his specialty is taking a guy one on one and finishing at the rim.

Solomon Young 6'8 freshmen. Only started the last like ten games, but Iowa St is 9-1 in those games. Gives the team a legit post presence. Won't score much, but plays physical defense.

Off the bench
Donovan Jackson. Shooting very good from 3 the last month, like 55%. Can handle the ball when Monte needs a breather
Nick Weiler Babb, athletic versatile g/f, won't score much, but plays smart, and good on defense
Darrell Bowie, 5th year transfer from N. Ill, playing his best basketball of the season. Settled into his role, after starting some games in January. Layups on offense, and can guard decent in the paint.

What, no Buford or Morton? You're right though, I don't think we should give them too much.

 

[@Tlemieux72]

Its hard to compare your players have some really good stats but the competition they have played doesn't compare to ISU's competition. That said if Nevada gets hot they can certainly win but ISU is favored and should be. You have a good team and should be proud.

Thank you we are very proud and excited. Us diehard Pack fans have had to wait a decade to get back to the tournament after a solid stretch in the early to mid 2000s.

I totally agree about your stat comparison, the MW was down again this year and our OOC schedule sucked. Now we did win the CBI last year so that will probably be the difference maker...