***Official ISU vs. Baylor Game Thread***

[Cyclonestate78]

Their PG Jackson has been playing really well lately. In 3 of their last 5 games he has scored 15 or 16 points with Allen Iverson like efficiency. If it takes you 17 shots to score 16 points.... you are doing it wrong.

Jackson should pay close attention to Chris Allen. In 3 of the last 4 games Chris Allen has scored a total of 62 points on 40 field goal attempts.

Chris Allen has received the "Bobs" seal of approval as they are efficiency experts.

 

[cyclonepower]

I think a big factor that often gets overlooked is Scotty. If he is looking to shoot the spot up 3, we are much better off. He has been trying to drive the lane so much and I really think there are games we could have won (OSU) or won by more if he knows his roll. He's such a good shooter I just don't understand his thought process sometimes.

if he tries this against Baylor it will be one heck of a block party

 

[cy1010]

if he tries this against Baylor it will be one heck of a block party

I agree. But Scotty needs to find some way to be a threat on offense. Whether that's coming off screens or just helping space the floor, I don't know. But he has to be a threat.

Also, note to Melvin Ejim. Mel, you'll be open from the three point line a bunch tonight. Don't shoot it. You're open for a reason.

 

[VeloClone]

Also, note to Melvin Ejim. Mel, you'll be open from the three point line a bunch tonight. Don't shoot it. You're open for a reason.

If he is open on the 3 point line, he needs to needs to exploit it by setting solid screens for the 3 point shooters as his man won't be in position to help...

 

[Cyclonestate78]

if he tries this against Baylor it will be one heck of a block party

He won't. Royce on dribble penetration is going to kill Baylor's zone. If that zone doesn't collapse he is going to put on an NBA style slam dunk contest and if it does collapse our perimeter players are going to look like Craig Hodges in an NBA 3-point shooting contest burying wide open 3's.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux5nKMsEJvM]Craig Hodges three point shooting contest performance - YouTube[/ame]

 

[KMAC_ATTACK]

Okay here's my by the numbers.....

Since Baylor got blasted by KU the first time 92-74, theyve played Missou tough losing by 1 and then have had a series of unflattering wins and losses. In their wins against, Oklahoma, Texas, A&M, OkSt they only won decisively against oklahma....the rest were 5 points or below. Throw in that mix back to back throttles by KU and Missou and you have a team that could be a bit mis-matched mentally. We need to get ahead of them and apply pressure and i think this team will crumble. Percy is struggling scoring just 9 points in their last 2 games where he should have dominated the paint. In their last 5 home games they've only covered the spread once.

Conversely, ISU in their last 5 road games have either beat the spread in all but one and that was an even going 4-0-1. ISU is really playing well - having watched the game against A&M they seem to be spreading the floor and working hard for shots. What i hated so much during the McDermott era was the standing around one pass shots....i hated that....with this offense, its very selfless, guys setting screens, guys working to get other guys easy shots....I mean seriously, Royce only had 5 points last game and 2 before that - both in wins. When your best player is unselfish and willing to help get other guys the ball in a good spot the other players thrive off of it....its easy to sell!!!!

I think ISU matches up to Baylor very well, in fact both teams have 6 guys that average 15 minutes or more. Right now the difference is Baylor has been in a funk and ISU is surging. In the last 5 games Baylor has shot above 40% only once. Conversely, ISU has been above the 40% in 4 out of 5 and 7 out of their last 10. IF ISU shoots above 44% they will win this game. Baylor has not had an offensive bust out game in their last 7 games which makes me fear this as them eyeing this as their bust out game and they simply do it.....

Obviously i see Royce defending Jones. I'm worried that White not being able to move his feet quick enough against the ultra quick Jones. If that happens, dont be surprised to see ejim defend jones. Then i see our defensive stopper Babb on Q. Miller. I think from my perspective there are a few guys that can fill it up for Baylor, but i'm more worried about Jones and Quincy Miller. If we can contain them, the going gets a bit tougher for the other Miller and Jackson.

ISU needs to pound the glass....it was so fun watching the missed shots from A&M and then a cyclone jersey cleaning the glass...that made it fun....If we can do these few things we win in Waco and truly set the table for a historic run in ISU basketball.

 

[cy1010]

If he is open on the 3 point line, he needs to needs to exploit it by setting solid screens for the 3 point shooters as his man won't be in position to help...

I understand the sentiment but not sure he'll have a "man" to screen in Baylor's zone.

 

[LegendofRodA]

I think a big factor that often gets overlooked is Scotty. If he is looking to shoot the spot up 3, we are much better off. He has been trying to drive the lane so much and I really think there are games we could have won (OSU) or won by more if he knows his roll. He's such a good shooter I just don't understand his thought process sometimes.

We don't beat KU or KSU without SC driving and getting fouled. He made 9 FT in each game. I agree that he is better at spot up 3's, but I will take that guy getting to the FT line 10 times a game anyday.

 

[Triggermv]

I love our momentum and improvement as a team lately, even with the loss at Oklahoma State. However, I predict Baylor wins this game by 5 points on their home court. I think we definitely have the ability to beat them if we are playing well though. My prediction is that we split this series home and home.

 

[VeloClone]

I understand the sentiment but not sure he'll have a "man" to screen in Baylor's zone.

While admittedly less effective if you leave someone unguarded, a screen away from the ball can still be effective in an overloaded zone (2 offensive players vs. one defender) in the zone defense.

 

[ISUChippewa]

I have a good feeling about tonight. Not guaranteeing a win, but I think we cover.
I only wish it was on ESPN or ESPN2 instead of ESPNU, I don't get that one.

 

[bawbie]

I've heard that Baylor is playing less zone this year, up to almost 50% man. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't play the zone much at all today. I have no idea how you zone ISU effectively.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

I've heard that Baylor is playing less zone this year, up to almost 50% man. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't play the zone much at all today. I have no idea how you zone ISU effectively.

Their last two games were mostly played with zone IIRC. Don't remember seeing them in man much.

 

[DMICyclone]

If BU runs the zone just have white dribble drive.

If BU runs man just clear it out and let white do his thing.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Their last two games were mostly played with zone IIRC. Don't remember seeing them in man much.

They rely on the zone pretty heavily. Probably because they have a bunch of lazy players on their team that bought in too much on their early season press clippings. Reality is catching up with them real quick.

 

[andybernard]

We don't beat KU or KSU without SC driving and getting fouled. He made 9 FT in each game. I agree that he is better at spot up 3's, but I will take that guy getting to the FT line 10 times a game anyday.

I'm not saying it's always a terrible thing to drive, but that seems to be his first option right now. IMO that has hurt more than it has helped. A lot of turnovers, especially against Okie Light and their athleticism. Baylor is like OSU on growth hormones.

 

[jbindm]

I have a good feeling about tonight. Not guaranteeing a win, but I think we cover.
I only wish it was on ESPN or ESPN2 instead of ESPNU, I don't get that one.

Yeah, I'm feeling good about this one too. Scott Drew doesn't strike me as a rally the troops kind of guy, and I expect Baylor to come out flat as hell. If they start slowly and ISU is shooting well, things could snowball for Drew and company. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go mix up another batch of kool-aid.

 

[Cardinal2001]

Mix up extra kool-aid, I'll be needing a refill.

Baylor needs this game just as much as we do. Wonder if the crowd will be up for it.

 

[VikesFan22]

Man, I wish I could watch this one.

 

[baylrballa]

to recap the last handful of posts, we've got a horrible coach, lazy players, overrated, ready to give up, and no motivation to win this game.

This thread had started off so well too.

As someone else said, this game is much more important to Baylor than ISU (as the game at hilton will likely be for ya'll). As much as people want to point fingers at our defense, our offense has been the problem the last several weeks, and not just Perry disappearing. Hopefully we can find it tonight.

Either White or the 3 point shooters are going to have a big night for ya'll, that's just our defense, I've come to accept it. But we always were able to answer until recently. Weve played some close games on the road, but won, I can't be mad about any road win in this conference. We played well in the texas game, Brown went nuts towards the end of the game to keep UT close. Other than that it's been rough.

That said, most of the main points have been covered. I expect a game of runs by both teams. Attacking Royce while we are on offense will be key. I just hope we find our shot tonight.