*** Official #1 Baylor vs #8 IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***

[NorthCyd]

What’s crazy is that everyone is agreement on two things. One, Baylor is really good and clutch and couldn’t miss. But two, we really didn’t play well. That’s partly Baylor’s defense.

But being that off from three while they had at least ten points from shot clock beating shots and yet only losing by five?! Proud of these guys.

can’t wait for Wednesday!

I don't agree that ISU didn't play well. They didn't shoot well, but they gave great effort and did some other things really well. If they give that effort they will win a lot of games in conference. The shooting is what it is. It's not something they can depend on, but on the nights they are shooting well they will be tough to beat.

 

[NorthCyd]

The late TO was on Enaruna. TE was cutting and then stopped in the middle of the lane.

He didn't stop, the big dude for Baylor stepped in his way and stopped him. I thought it was a borderline foul as I don't think he really established his position when TE ran into him.

 

[cytor]

ISU played well all things considered. They made too many preventable turnovers though.

 

[davegilbertson]

He didn't stop, the big dude for Baylor stepped in his way and stopped him. I thought it was a borderline foul as I don't think he really established his position when TE ran into him.

Don't think game was on the refs, but thought they let contact go a little uneven. We had at least two and-1s for IZB and TE that didn't get called

 

[alarson]

ISU played well all things considered. They made too many preventable turnovers though.

Some of those unforced turnovers also seemed like it could be Baylor's defense causing them to rush some plays and get a bit sloppy. We've done the same thing to some of our opponents.

The good news is Baylor is probably the best defense we'll see all year.

 

[madguy30]

Some of those unforced turnovers also seemed like it could be Baylor's defense causing them to rush some plays and get a bit sloppy. We've done the same thing to some of our opponents.

The good news is Baylor is probably the best defense we'll see all year.

ISU's been a little sloppy with the ball the last 3-4 games and Baylor only exposed it further.

They need to find a new way to value possessions.

 

[CentexCyclone]

Some other thoughts on today's game after nerding out on some stats

• Cyclones held Baylor below their season offensive efficiency number (1.16 vs 1.11 today) and forced them into 19 turnovers vs 11.8/game coming into today's contest. We all know the Cyclones play elite defense, but today's showing helps underscore the threat the Cyclones pose to even the best teams. And credit Baylor having dudes who can get buckets in key junctures of the game and help them win in spite of their sub par offensive performance today.
• Cyclones also drew 22 fouls, 7 more than Baylor commits on average, that led to a 27-14 edge in Free Throw attempts. While this might seem a mundane stat, I think this is an under appreciated aspect of the Cyclones' success this season. Getting opponents in foul trouble and extra bites at the apple on the free throw line, when combined with the elite defense described above, can be a formula for "winning ugly".
• Cyclones' Offensive Efficiency today (1.043) was actually better than their season average (1.026). This is largely due to Brockington and Enaruna having hugely efficient games today, while some other players struggled against Baylor's tough defense. Enaruna could be a game changer. If the light is really coming on for him, it could be a change this season's trajectory for the better.
• Unfortunately, Kalsheur has been trending down offensively. His offensive rating has gone from 175 vs Iowa to 6.2 today). Kunc, who has had a great offensive rating trend since Iowa (ave 146 from Iowa to Chi State), dipped to 52.6% today. In Jaz's case, I think today was a one-off because of the match up. If we can help Kalsheur get back to his early season form and get him, Hunter, Brockington, Enaruna, Kunc, Conditt and Jackson (Kalsheur plus our top 6 in terms of Offensive Rating the last 5 games) ample run together, that should help increase our odds of generating sufficient offense.

Overall, the Cyclones' defense remains elite. The offensive identity and the consistent scoring punch is almost there to solidify a formula that can consistently succeed in the Big 12.

 

[Jiub]

Team proved they could hang with the best. We should be able to win some games in B12 this year.
Shot didn’t go out way particularly well (three point offense) but kept it close. Proud of the effort! Thanks for the great game.

 

[Clonehomer]

I don't agree that ISU didn't play well. They didn't shoot well, but they gave great effort and did some other things really well. If they give that effort they will win a lot of games in conference. The shooting is what it is. It's not something they can depend on, but on the nights they are shooting well they will be tough to beat.

While it wasn't a huge offensive day for Conditt, I thought he played incredible. His defense without fouling in the first half was impressive.

Really, outside of Gabe struggling and the 3's not falling, I thought this team played very well. The defense was great all night. Baylor is just really really good. They made a lot of contested shots that I'm not sure you're going to play any better.

 

[cyclonestunners]

Don't think game was on the refs, but thought they let contact go a little uneven. We had at least two and-1s for IZB and TE that didn't get called

I was actually happy with the refs, and assume Baylor was not... They had foul trouble early and had many fouls called against them. Free throw disparity (27-14) was vastly in our favor.

 

[2122]

1/14 on threes and we lose to #1 team in country by 5? Wow. We're going to win a bunch of conf. games.

 

[MattCampbell]

Just watching the game on tv, it seemed like coach drew did a pretty good job with his timeouts to subdue the crowd at the right times. Was this the case inside Hilton?

 

[CoKane]

Well, we knew this day would come eventually. Baylor is stupid good though. They hit so many crazy and stupid shots. Mad props to them

As for us, we're fine. Played hard for 40 mins and only lost by 5 after making 1 3. Forced 19 turnovers. We'll be alright. Really gotta work on offense though. Also, the Tech and OU games coming up are pretty big now. Drop both of those and we're 0-3 going to AFH with Chris Beard and a road trip to Tech incoming after that. After that monster stretch it lightens up a lot but there's a chance we dig ourselves into a very deep hole early and I'd rather not have that happen. 1-5 or 0-6 and things start to feel a lot worse.

 

[Tpups21]

Pretty encouraging that Iowa State scored 72 points against that defense despite going just 1-for-14 from deep. Not sure Baylor could’ve played much better offensively. Rest of this season will be a lot of fun.

 

[Walden4Prez]

Some random bullets from my first game in a year or so.

Pregame

• The drive up was speed limit, no issues on I-35 or the way into parking.
• It was my first time at Boulder Tap House. Beer selection and food were decent. Service was a little lacking, but with no students in town and the crowd they had, it was adequate.
• The long walk into Hilton was brutal ass cold walking into that wind.

Game

• Seats were behind the basket. It was kind of hard to see all the action looking through the backboard, but it was good being down close.
• Early in the first half on the Conditt dunk after the steal….it felt like Hilton Magic was back. I could literally feel the pressure in my ears with how loud that place got. It never got that loud again, but it was hopping a few times.
• Obviously Enaruna is the MVP. Crazy good game by that kid.
• Kalscheur was BAAAAAD. Basically a liability out there today. Something is not right in his head.
• Hunter is going to be special.
• I LOVE this team. They never gave up. A couple of times when it got to double digits and it could have gotten away, they fought back. It was great to see.
• We have to start making more three throws.
• 1-14 from 3 and lose by 5 to that team? I’ll take it.

Baylor

• They are definitely #1 and deserve it. Great D. Excellent ball movement. They get (and make) great shots at the end of the shot clock.
• Akinjo is baller. Watching him in person I was blown the frick away. So quick and smooth.
• They have some big dudes that can shoot and handle the ball.

Had a blast at the game with the family. The drive home wasn’t bad, but it got a little sketchy a couple of times. We have tickets to Kansas in Feb, looking forward to it already.

 

[GTO]

Not much to complain about today but any reason Gabe got so much time? Is he that good on defense? I’d like to see tre and tyrese play a bit together. Especially if we can’t hit a three.

I really do notice the difference on defense when he is in there. I love Grill's hustle and defensive effort, but you can defenitely tell that he is a step slower than Gabe on defense against quicker guards. That usually results in needing help defense when his guy gets past him and defensive breakdowns. It's a shame Gabe is struggling on offense, because he is one of our better perimeter defenders.

 

[cycloneML]

Why did Coleman Lands leave? He scored 20 for KU today.

 

[Clonehomer]

Just watching the game on tv, it seemed like coach drew did a pretty good job with his timeouts to subdue the crowd at the right times. Was this the case inside Hilton?

He did. But without the 3 pointers hitting, there wasn't the types of big runs that you'd see with a Hoiberg type team that gets Hilton going. Today was more about the defense getting the crowd started which lead to turnovers and run-outs. There wasn't the 10-0 run that's lead to timeouts and I'm not sure we're going to see those with this team. Hilton Magic is still there and the crowd was great, it's just different to be cheering on hard nose on the ball defense as the shot clock expires vs the 3 point barrage.

 

[NorthCyd]

I really do notice the difference on defense when he is in there. I love Grill's hustle and defensive effort, but you can defenitely tell that he is a step slower than Gabe on defense against quicker guards. That usually results in needing help defense when his guy gets past him and defensive breakdowns. It's a shame Gabe is struggling on offense, because he is one of our better perimeter defenders.

He's awesome on D. That charge he drew on the perimeter was a thing of beauty. He can lock people down at times.

 

[Clonehomer]

Why did Coleman Lands leave? He scored 20 for KU today.

I'd assume he expected a rebuilding process the same as the rest of us. If you gave him truth serum, I'd wonder if he'd say he regrets it now. But I still think we got the better end of the trade with Kansas.