*** Official #3 IOWA STATE vs Colorado Game(Day) Thread ***

[kentkel]

I couldn't watch the game live, so I'm watching it now. A few observations:

1) After giving up a 22-5 run and falling behind by 5 on the road in the second half, this team still has the confidence and poise to get back on track on pull out the 10 point win.

2) It was great to see Chatfield contribute like that off the bench. They are going to need his rebounding and defense during the conference season.

3) Even though Colorado shot nearly 50% from the field, I thought ISU's defense was good. The had 13 steals and forced 19 turnovers. The box score says ISU had 3 blocks, but it seems like there were more than that in reality.

4) ISU didn't shoot well tonight. That's going to happen on the road. To win these games ISU needs to take care of the ball and rebound. ISU had 10 fewer turnovers than CU and 7 more rebounds than CU. That's 17 more possessions. If they keep doing that they're going to be win a lot of games on the road.

5) The only negative I saw was the half-court offense didn't seem to be as efficient. Only 9 assists on 29 field goals.

Great win for the Cyclones. Huge to get that first road conference win. Like Cincinnati found out, there are no easy road wins in the Big 12.

Sometimes the assist numbers are lower BECAUSE we shoot poorly - I think that was at least one reason for that number last night. There were MANY open looks that we missed in that game that, had we made, it would have increased our assist # AND we would have won by 20.

 

[Cyclad]

I think Cato has some sons we could recruit.

Cato - possibly my favorite ISU center of all time

 

[AuH2O]

Interesting that we only played 8 guys last night. I think that’s the first time playing so few guys this season. We were all worried how TJ would pare down minutes and find the right lineup combos but last night felt like a perfect mix of rotations.

It's been clear for a while that this is going to be an 8 man rotation. For a bit Nojus was making it 9, but TJ's decided to keep this at 8. The last noncon game even in garbage time TJ was sticking to the rotation.

In a backcourt emergency Nojus will play, and a frontcourt emergency Watson will play. But if everybody is healthy and not fouled out, this is probably what it's going to be.

An 8 man rotation with a frontcourt and backcourt emergency player is probably the most common rotation in college basketball.

 

[Cyrealist]

Any conference road win is a really good win. Looking at Colorado's record at home against top teams. I'd call this a GREAT win. You just can't duplicate a road environment.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Your annual reminder that league play, no matter what league you play in, is really, REALLY hard.

You take a league road win any way you can get it.

 

[NYCYFan]

4-18 from three, 42% from the field on the road in a tough place to win and still won by double digits. This team has that championship DNA, really helps when you have a core group that doesn't hit the portal and wants to stick together (a rarity nowadays) and when you make very smart adds in the portal for guys that are great fits. Sky is the limit for this team.

 

[madguy30]

Your annual reminder that league play, no matter what league you play in, is really, REALLY hard.

You take a league road win any way you can get it.

Especially when you've already seen the opponent.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Thoughts watching it this morning.

Chatfield channeled Jard Homan. Just TOUGH and relentless in there.

Tamin Lipsey has a level of court awareness that is incredible. Almost supernatural. He anticipates what people are going to do and where the ball is going to go as well as any player I've seen in a long time.

Didn't shoot well, but we manufactured opportunities. 11 more field goal attempts, 14 more free throws. When you do that, it's going to be almost impossible to beat you.

We just have so many options, and are so unselfish that I'm not sure how you game plan against us as there's nowhere to hide your weaker defenders.

 

[WISCY1895]

Thoughts watching it this morning.

Chatfield channeled Jard Homan. Just TOUGH and relentless in there.

Tamin Lipsey has a level of court awareness that is incredible. Almost supernatural. He anticipates what people are going to do and where the ball is going to go as well as any player I've seen in a long time.

Didn't shoot well, but we manufactured opportunities. 11 more field goal attempts, 14 more free throws. When you do that, it's going to be almost impossible to beat you.

We just have so many options, and are so unselfishness that I'm not sure how you game plan against us as there's nowhere to hide your weaker defenders.

We got to the line a lot more because they could not stop anyone who drove to the basket. Our size and strength down low was a major difference

 

[FerShizzle]

Interesting that we only played 8 guys last night. I think that’s the first time playing so few guys this season. We were all worried how TJ would pare down minutes and find the right lineup combos but last night felt like a perfect mix of rotations.

That’s been the rotation for several games now.

 

[NYCYFan]

I am sick of hearing about how great Cooper Flagg is. If he is playing for Oklahoma State, he wouldn’t receive any attention from the media

That isn't true at all.
Cade Cunningham got a crazy amount of attention in his 1 year at Okie State as did Marcus Smart prior to that who was a projected #1 pick once upon a time. Flagg gets all the attention because he's a mega hyped prospect who also happens to be having a good start to his season, needs to improve his shooting though.

 

[rosshm16]

Both of these things are true:

(i) He'd be getting major publicity no matter where he went.
(ii) Going to Duke has increased his publicity over what it likely would have been going to Big State U.

 

[CloniesForLife]

Not sure if this was discussed elsewhere but the Cyclones turned out in Boulder! We had a pretty solid amount in the house, and got a couple chants going (not sure if anyone heard on tv). Great game though a little testy at times. Glad I was able to attend!

You could definitely hear the chanting and cheers when the Clones did something well. I was impressed

 

[cycloneworld]

That’s been the rotation for several games now.

Went back and looked, and @AllInForISU is right - they only played 8 against Morgan State. Every other game has been 9 or 10 deep.

Like I said, this 8 feels right with a sprinkle of Nojus or Watson if there is foul trouble or a spark needed.

 

[cycloneworld]

They were missing an 11-ppg guy, that is probably why any CU minute distributions were a bit off.

Listening to the announcers and you would have thought LeBron James was out for them…

 

[Thomasrickj]

My opinion - on some of the Comments in this thread, and in general:

1) great win. That was a dangerous game.
2) Flagg is very good. A young kid playing in what has become an old man’s game. Not overarrated.
3) great to have a winning record over Colorado - but they were not very good for decades. Frankly, we had some not so great teams as well. Younger fans probably do not remember this.
4) Boyle is an outstanding coach
5) Jefferson is REALLY good, so is our team
6) I think a growing number of teams have figured out our defense, to some degree. I agree we are giving up more easy shots.
You must reverse the ball quickly and back cut us. You take the good with the bad - but our D in total is outstanding. It may be easier to know what to do, than be able to do it against us.
7) we wear people out. Really true in the Iowa game
8) I love Chatfield. Very tough kid. Plays D!
He was fabulous last night. He contributes based on effort.
9) with their huge investment the media is bias toward the SEC. They want to be B10 bias, but the basketball product is not good.
10) not since 2000 have I been so excited for BB. We have a legit shot to win it all. As a big fan since the late 1960’s I have not been able to believe that very often - like maybe twice.
11) TJ is very special. Very special.

TJ is a saint. He actually wants to be here and is building a program that's not only fantastic but maintains character and he gets the most out of his players. This years squad is incredible and it's going to be a fun time leading up to March and April. If we hadn't blown that lead against Auburn, we would be number one right now. I think a rematch with Auburn, we would be able to beat them. Hopefully we meet Auburn in San Antonio in 2025 for that rematch.

 

[isufbcurt]

That’s been the rotation for several games now.

Pretty much since Iowa

 

[FerShizzle]

Thoughts watching it this morning.

Chatfield channeled Jard Homan. Just TOUGH and relentless in there.

Tamin Lipsey has a level of court awareness that is incredible. Almost supernatural. He anticipates what people are going to do and where the ball is going to go as well as any player I've seen in a long time.

Didn't shoot well, but we manufactured opportunities. 11 more field goal attempts, 14 more free throws. When you do that, it's going to be almost impossible to beat you.

We just have so many options, and are so unselfishness that I'm not sure how you game plan against us as there's nowhere to hide your weaker defenders.

tamin is a freaking Jedi. the dude communes with midi-chlorians.

 

[FerShizzle]

Pretty much since Iowa

its been the competitive rotation for sure. nojus and watson have gotten a few minutes in games were the opponent was overmatched, but these 8 are the dudes that will play all conference season.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

its been the competitive rotation for sure. nojus and watson have gotten a few minutes in games were the opponent was overmatched, but these 8 are the dudes that will play all conference season.

Nojus has a ton of potential and Watson has incredible D. Too bad they can't get on the floor.