Next Years Team

[Dingus]

Hope we get Diallo (obviously) and I hope Burton decides to be s boss rebounder. And that cook or Thomas can be a consistent 3 pt threat.

I love how Fred has players play offense with confidence. But guys need to know that failing to box out or not giving it all on D will get you pulled.

 

[DesignerClone]

Today was a lack of effort. How that happens is beyond me, but that's how I saw it.

Its hilarious how some never give any credit to another team's execution on exposing weakness. ISU could beat that team probably four out of five times, but UAB happened to execute their coach's plan to perfection; pack the lane, body us up, avoid excessive turnovers, slow the tempo. We played poorly and didn't counter well.

 

[mb7299]

I know were in on Diallo yet but with this loss Im actually thinking we go juco with one if not both of the openings left. We need some chip on their shoulder type players, like Hogue last year, he was amazing, loved his defense and refusal to give up easy boards, players like that are appreciated by this fan base, we love hard workers that do the dirty things.

 

[Cyclonepride]

This team had the talent to go deep. The tournament graveyard is filled yearly with teams that do.

Next year should be special. I guarantee our guys will bring it with purpose.

 

[Psiclone]

Ok, This team was too flawed to go far. I see it now, I have passed to the acceptance stage. It is just basketball anyway, sucks this team will be defined by this one game, but that is how this tournament works. We thought they were peaking at the right time, but really, the tournament comes down to matchups, effort, and some luck. None of that was on our side today.

What new faces are we looking at next year? Would love to hear some analysis.

I thought we had started to peak before the KSU game, but didn't feel we progressed as Fred's other teams had. Getting down by so many points so often was a sign that something was not clicking with the team. Our fans bailed out the team again and again but when the crowd support was not there, the confidence slipped away.

I so hope the players/Fred don't start talking about winning national titles before the season starts this year. It only puts pressure on themselves to meet those expectations.

We need a big infusion of athleticism. Other than McKay, and maybe Monte, who else is an elite athlete on the team? I am hoping Burton, Williams, and Cooke will help in that regard. We desperately need an athletic big next year, i.e., Diallo.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Its hilarious how some never give any credit to another team's execution on exposing weakness. ISU could beat that team probably four out of five times, but UAB happened to execute their coach's plan to perfection; pack the lane, body us up, avoid excessive turnovers, slow the tempo. We played poorly and didn't counter well.

Yep it's crazy to think that effort, heart, desire and focus aren't the only reason that every team to lose a game lost. Like I always say; let me know when they come out with metric for measuring these things.

 

[MartyFine]

Its hilarious how some never give any credit to another team's execution on exposing weakness. ISU could beat that team probably four out of five times, but UAB happened to execute their coach's plan to perfection; pack the lane, body us up, avoid excessive turnovers, slow the tempo. We played poorly and didn't counter well.

Nobody wants to hear this. UAB is terrible. Worse than Tech and South Carolina

 

[CyTwins]

I know were in on Diallo yet but with this loss Im actually thinking we go juco with one if not both of the openings left. We need some chip on their shoulder type players, like Hogue last year, he was amazing, loved his defense and refusal to give up easy boards, players like that are appreciated by this fan base, we love hard workers that do the dirty things.

I can promise you this won't be happening. We'll get one transfer that has to sit out (possibly two) and Diallo hopefully. Not enough minutes to be had to bring in another JUCO besides Williams IMO

 

[Daserop]

lol next years team.... lol

 

[jdoggivjc]

Its hilarious how some never give any credit to another team's execution on exposing weakness. ISU could beat that team probably four out of five times, but UAB happened to execute their coach's plan to perfection; pack the lane, body us up, avoid excessive turnovers, slow the tempo. We played poorly and didn't counter well.

I think it's hilarious that some people think that the results of one game means that a team exposed another team's weaknesses. We outrebounded Kansas and Texas in the Big 12 Tournament. Hmm. You honestly think that weakness developed in a matter of 5 days?

Today was not a matter of UAB exposing a weakness, it was a matter of ISU not showing up to play, thinking they had the game in hand early when they went up double digits and playing sloppy, and getting repeatedly punched in the mouth but refusing to punch back.

Today was not about a weakness being exposed, it was about the players not playing like there was no tomorrow, not wanting it as much as UAB.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

I get that it is therapeutic to post **** right now, but can we hold off on using this game to bash next year? JFC. This isn't what the program deserves from us.

I agree with acgclone. We will have the most assets in my Cyclone memory, and with adding a true big man could have the most complete team too. Less weaknesses, which is huge. However, few teams are elite without having one or two elite players (AA level). Not just elite in numbers, but physically dominant. I am not sure we have that physically dominant player. Kane, White, Fizer, JT etc. We have two more scholarships, so maybe that changes.

Even without, I am optimistic we will have a better record. We were a"shot-making" team this year. Home games and Big 12 officiating allows for that, but the tournament does not often facilitate it. Odd times, empty gyms, physical play. We need to improve our ability to win in other ways (FT, OReb, drives, defense, etc). I think we will.

-Top-20 team as is.

-With a little improvement to Nader, Naz, Thomas, McKay, and Burton (based on MU play).... perhaps top-15. I think Georges and Morris played about as well as you can ask.

-Diallo or another post (even a juco like Jiri would be huge) and another guard that can create and take,... top-10.

 

[DesignerClone]

I thought we had started to peak before the KSU game, but didn't feel we progressed as Fred's other teams had. Getting down by so many points so often was a sign that something was not clicking with the team. Our fans bailed out the team again and again but when the crowd support was not there, the confidence slipped away.

I so hope the players/Fred don't start talking about winning national titles before the season starts this year. It only puts pressure on themselves to meet those expectations.

We need a big infusion of athleticism. Other than McKay, and maybe Monte, who else is an elite athlete on the team? I am hoping Burton, Williams, and Cooke will help in that regard. We desperately need an athletic big next year, i.e., Diallo.

Very much of a "yes" on the bolded above. This is exactly the point of contention with our fan base. Many think we have that athleticism, many of us agree with your sentiment. Love all our guys, but I agree that McKay and Morris are the "athletes." I've always hated using this term but I know what you are saying and agree.

 

[huntt26]

We'll be pretty damn good unless Monte or Hoiberg leave for some reason. which hopefully doesn't happen...

 

[Gunnerclone]

I think it's hilarious that some people think that the results of one game means that a team exposed another team's weaknesses. We outrebounded Kansas and Texas in the Big 12 Tournament. Hmm. You honestly think that weakness developed in a matter of 5 days?

Today was not a matter of UAB exposing a weakness, it was a matter of ISU not showing up to play, thinking they had the game in hand early when they went up double digits and playing sloppy, and getting repeatedly punched in the mouth but refusing to punch back.

Today was not about a weakness being exposed, it was about the players not playing like there was no tomorrow, not wanting it as much as UAB.

Once again you may be right, but to state it as fact isn't cool.

 

[DesignerClone]

Nobody wants to hear this. UAB is terrible. Worse than Tech and South Carolina

I said we would beat them 4/5. Today they executed perfectly and played poorly. It happens. Mercer sucked and beat Dukey last year. Its the nature of the beast.

 

[LivntheCyLife]

Some thoughts heading into next year:

1) For all the talk of depth and talent on this year's team, it really wasn't possible to give teams very many different matchups. Basically had a bench consisting of 3 guys fighting to be the instant offense SG/SF. Would be great if could get to a bench that is an instant offense guy, a defensive stopper, a backup post player, and a backup PG.

2) Need to find a consistent 2nd scorer to run the bulk of the offense through opposite Georges. It might be Morris but it might be even better if its somebody else and Monte remains a pure, pass-first PG.

3) Love that Georges cut the weight and played more minutes with less fouls but it's hard to lose weight and put on muscle. Hoping he spends this offseason hitting the weights.

 

[tyler24]

I know I'm going to get attacked for it, but I'm excited to move on from this group of seniors. Mainly hogue and BDJ. Those two were very big head cases. They allowed a lot more to get to them than most players. I understand when players play with emotions, but when you pout instead of moving to the next play it affects the team in a negative manner. Idk the type of demeanor our newcomers are going to have but I hope they play with a chip like niang. The problem this team had was the allows one bad play to grow into two. I know we won some comeback games, but for the most part this team was mentally weak.

 

[twocoach]

Talent won't mean anything if they have the same attitude this team had.

This. ISU has more than enough talent to make a deep run this year but it was a bad day to have a bad day. In this day and age you cannot come out and play casual basketball in the first round and make it through. Even the bad teams in the tourney are good enough to beat a team playing uninspired. It takes more than just a good team to have a good tourney run these days. Better days will come for ISU. They will clearly be equipped with enough parts to make a run next year. That's half the battle.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Today was not about a weakness being exposed, it was about the players not playing like there was no tomorrow, not wanting it as much as UAB.

This is his point though. If we have to play like there is no tomorrow to beat a 15 seed, we are not as talented as you think we are.

That was always the bittersweet truth most on CF refuse to believe. Instead of recognizing the hell of a job the team and staff did, we used the high frequency of playing near our best and turned it into undeserved shots at the team.

We lose? Must be heart and effort. We are a shot-making team...we need to make shots to win (not just 3Ps). As a team we are not naturally talented at defense (although that was fine today), rebounding, FT, ball-handling, etc. Physical play and being away from home can impact shot-making teams with no contingency for when they don't fall. Defense and rebound are talents. Yeah, effort goes a certain ways, but some guys just are not good rebounders. Imo UAB was more athletic than us as a team.

 

[Sigmapolis]

Funny how some threads are going on about Fred's a "good recruiter" but can't coach, then I get here, and people are saying we need one more level of talent to be a true national powerhouse. I come down much more on the latter side. Fred's done great, McGyner work on a roster construction that was a work in progress in many ways and certainly not elite...

Morris = 4*
Naz = 2*/3*
Hogue = JUCO
Niang = 4*
McKay = JUCO
---
BDJ = "misfit" transfer
Nader = "misfit" transfer
Thomas = 4*

None were elite by any means as recruits. None, save probably Monte (maybe McKay) are likely to have a shot at, much less a substantial career in, the NBA.

That's 40% of our starting lineup was 40% of IHCC's starting lineup not too long ago. Granted, that's an elite JUCO program, but impress enough to me you can almost win the Big 12 with that as a coaching job. Fred's a better coach than recruiter, so far.

Adding "one step up" there... finally breaking into the one-and-done pipeline, maybe landing a few 5* that might stick around a few years, would be great... much as I love how Monte and Georges had developed, and how much Ejim worked himself from a 3* to POY, and what diamonds in the rough were Kane and Royce, and solid role guys were transfers like McGee and Babb, we still need a Fizer beast if we really want to be something in March.

Just to put UAB in some context...

http://sagarin.com/sports/cbsend.htm

UAB = 145
USC = 60
TTU = 127
KSU = 70

Yeah, that was our worst loss of the year. No way around that. Oh well.