*** Official #8 IOWA STATE vs #5 Houston Game(Day) Thread ***

[ClonesFTW]

Scouting report on us from Houston

Film study: the Iowa State Cyclones are as talented as ever

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger leads his 21-5 (11-4) Cyclones to the Fertitta Center for a Saturday matinee against the Houston Cougars 22-4 (14-1). This is one that both fanbases have had circled all season. The Coogs and Cyclones have become "frienemies" on social media, but when ESPN...

gocoogs.com

 

[Cyientist]

Today is a good day to bust out my CF Cyclones vs the World sweatshirt.

 

[Cardinal2001]

can we swap bilas for fran? there's time!

 

[Cyhig]

Time to shock the world.

I’m most looking forward to seeing some players get quality minutes who haven’t seen much big 12 action yet.

 

[bosco]

My biggest concern is point guard. Both Keshon and Jones play that role for us along with Lipsey and now all we have is just Lipsey. I expect Houston to pressure all inbound plays. Hopefully Jefferson and Heise can help bringing the ball down the court. Those are probably our next best two ball handlers.

We have Keld.

 

[TLBCLONE]

TJ when making lineups for today

 

[bsaltyman]

I had a dream last night that the good guys win by 30, 75-45.

For some reason Chris Williams suited up for the Cyclones and was just draining 3’s from everywhere. I could hear Walters play by play… “Lipsey extra pass to Williams… and he’s got it stuck on automatic”!

So yeah, I’m sure that will happen.

 

[Cyburbbalz]

Hoping the committee forgives us for this one. Most likely a double digit loss but hey anything is possible.

 

[clone37]

Fully expecting a blowout loss today, but this could pay dividends in March. Get some other guys key experience today and give Keshon and Curt some rest. A lot of times a Final 4 run comes down to a couple of key plays in the tourney. Could be 1-2 plays from a Nojus or Demarion that make the difference.

 

[bawbie]

My biggest concern is point guard. Both Keshon and Jones play that role for us along with Lipsey and now all we have is just Lipsey. I expect Houston to pressure all inbound plays. Hopefully Jefferson and Heise can help bringing the ball down the court. Those are probably our next best two ball handlers.

Not saying this will happen - but I wouldn't be surprised to see more Kelderman than Nojus. Unless Lipsey plays 40 minutes, there needs to be a backup PG, and Kelderman is the only one

 

[xboxfever]

Not saying this will happen - but I wouldn't be surprised to see more Kelderman than Nojus. Unless Lipsey plays 40 minutes, there needs to be a backup PG, and Kelderman is the only one

lol no.

 

[RezClone]

 

[Big_Sill]

Don’t let Tamin kill himself trying to win. Pull the plug early if it goes bad.

 

[NENick]

Gilbert has shut down Cryer in the past. I suspect Cryer will go off today.

 

[LLCoolCY]

I know expectations are low and rightfully so without Gilbert and CuJo..... But this is still an ISU Gameday and there is nothing I'd rather do than see our Cyclones play. Excited to see Milan and Jefferson with some help from Heise and Watson can do in a preview of next year's team.
No doubt TJ relishes the challenge and will the team will play hard represent ISU proudly.

Let's Go Clones!!! shock the world and get the dub!

 

[to2extreme]

For whatever reason I think we go big and try to disrupt with our size on defense and pound it inside on offense. Will see a lot of Jefferson bringing the ball up.

 

[bawbie]

Hoping the committee forgives us for this one. Most likely a double digit loss but hey anything is possible.

Its @ a top 5 team - there is no score that would make it a "bad loss", even if we were fully healthy. The pressure is all on them - I think we could mix up the defense we've played so far this year a bit in this game - there's nothing to lose.

Houston plays at a very very slow pace - 2.5 possessions per game slower than they played last year, which was very slow.

Normally we would try to run when possible, but I think we could lean into that slow pace and really try to grind them down - I could easily see this being a game in the 50s where both teams struggle to score, much like the game in Ames last year.

Because of that, 12.5 is too high for the line. Not that I think we are going to beat them, but it's really hard to win by 13+ when there's less than 60 possessions in the game

 

[67CY]

Thanks Rulzzz. Go Cyclone! Play loose and give em all you got.

 

[bosco]

No KG and Cujo. Lipsey when driving in the lane today.

 

[iseedit]

This might just be a 2 dollar bill game