Spot on. It was painful. I am not ready to dump on TJ for being outcoached, but man, it looked like BYU had been preparing all season specifically for this game. It felt like a Prohm-coached ISU team against one of the prime Fran teams with lethal 3 point shooters at all 5 positions. They seemed to know exactly what to do and how to break down our defense.
I don't think this very often, but I do agree that TJ was outcoached last night.
I am back to this too, now. I have gone back and forth all season long. Was encouraged by the fast start, as we were crushing opponents albeit teams that basically had no pulse. Thought the sky was potentially the limit. Then after Orlando, I resurfaced quite a bit and thought maybe this team is decent and can land a 6-10 seed in the NCAA Tournament. After blowing out Iowa and cutting thru the rest of non con like butter, I was back to thinking maybe a 4-5 seeded type of team that could compete for a top 5 Big 12 finish. After beating Houston and starting conference play 2-1 I was drinking all of the kool aid again. After last night I find myself ramping down again.
Admittedly, yes. There was the opportunity for adjustments to be made at halftime, when we were only down 4. It didn't seem like he changed much about what we were doing schematically or with lineups until it was far too late. BYU stole his lunch and then ate it, right in front of him.
It is all about being realistic, and I think for me at least, maybe other fans too, it has just been difficult to identify what that expectation should be for this team. We are legitimately halfway into the season now, and I think I am seeing things as I should. That doesn't mean I won't have a blow a gasket moment or two when we continue to lose games down the stretch!
Yeah, there's a reason TJ has been trying to build mostly with freshmen and the transfers for this year having multiple years of eligibility. I like that a lot for program stability, and next year has the chance to be even better (still not giving up on this year by any stretch lol).
I noticed we switched to more of a man look in the 2nd half, but they picked us apart on that too, with screens and back door cutting. We could do nothing right, and they could do nothing wrong it seemed.
I think we to recognize that there are just “spots” that set up really well for teams. We will be a far better team at home versus on the road given our shooting and the benefit of the crowd at home. BYU coming back home after a 2 game road trip to a team that is going to pressure you but allows good looks at 3 was a great spot for the Cougars. That game will play out much differently than in Ames in March.
It’s a pattern now where we are susceptible. Good-shooting offensive teams light us up because we are so aggressive with the trap that we give up open 3s. Iowa and Pitt last year. Virginia Tech, BYU this year. Those were more finesse but good 3-point shooting teams and they all killed us.
Going into the year my expectations were a 3 or 4 seed in the tournament. 12-13 wins in the Big 12. I lowered those after Orlando when the freshmen showed they weren’t going to be contributors (outside of Milan, who really is kind of a one trick pony at this point).
Not an NCAA Tournament team? I think they would have to finish 12th or worse in the Big 12 to not get an invite. I don't have data to back that up or anything, but man, I think the wheels would have to come flying off. If they simply held serve at home, they are a lock.
I hope I’m wrong. And will gladly eat crow.
All fair points I suppose. I am a little less concerned about closing conference play on a strong note. There won't be quite as much round robin/seeing teams for a 2nd time this year, so hopefully that gives ISU some advantage they haven't had the last 2 years.
The Big 12 is so ridiculously strong that this will easily put them in.
