Secret Scrimmages

[Cyinthenorth]

Yeah, I'm sure they're doing it on purpose. If they ARE doing that, then they are simply not doing their job. Their job is to cover the team, not cover the new coach's a$$.

I agree their job is to cover the team, which they are doing. The media also frames narratives for the public. They always have and always will. Right, wrong, or indifferent in regards to covering the coach's behind, it is fair to keep expectations in check so that TJ has a chance to prove himself to the fan base and prove that he can dig this program out of the hole they're in. His job is going to be tougher than Fred's was following McDermott.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Based on commentary from Bluhm and CW on their pod, amongst others, I think the expectation (hope?) is that Enaruna can have an Abdel Nader type of career at ISU. A talented but raw guy who might be a little up and down in year one but becomes a solid, steady contributor in year two. I'd be ecstatic if his career arc is similar to Nader's.

Sometimes I think a guy like that just needs to see the floor to get in tune. Should have a chance to do that.

 

[brentblum]

Not to speak for CW, but it can be tough to "cover" teams these days when on one hand you can be charged with over-hyping expectations like the football team and then on the other hand be charged with protecting the staff by tempering expectations for example on the basketball team. Not sure what the best balance is sometimes, so we are just generally saying what we believe to be true, right or wrong.

 

[Rural]

The line between "coverage" and speculation is always fairly thin.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

His job is going to be tougher than Fred's was following McDermott.

See, I'm not so sure I buy that. Maybe now that Foster and Hinson have sailed there might be merit to it, but even then there is enough talent here. IMO those who want to use last year's win total as a basis in which to start fall into two camps. One.....don't think he is any good and two......keep expectations in the dirt to protect TJ's butt. Fine, but this year is entirely different. They get a full slate of practices....a full slate of non-cons......fans in the stands at Hilton. Brand new car if you will, and with the talent here there is zero reason to think they can't win 15-16 games just like Greg and Fred their first years.

 

[CycloneErik]

Not to speak for CW, but it can be tough to "cover" teams these days when on one hand you can be charged with over-hyping expectations like the football team and then on the other hand be charged with protecting the staff by tempering expectations for example on the basketball team. Not sure what the best balance is sometimes, so we are just generally saying what we believe to be true, right or wrong.

2 thoughts:
1. Being charged is half the fun.
2. We don't talk about charges around here. We've had bad experiences with those calls. Come on, man.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

See, I'm not so sure I buy that. Maybe now that Foster and Hinson have sailed there might be merit to it, but even then there is enough talent here. IMO those who want to use last year's win total as a basis in which to start fall into two camps. One.....don't think he is any good and two......keep expectations in the dirt to protect TJ's butt. Fine, but this year is entirely different. They get a full slate of practices....a full slate of non-cons......fans in the stands at Hilton. Brand new car if you will, and with the talent here there is zero reason to think they can't win 15-16 games just like Greg and Fred their first years.

It is far too early to know if TJ is "any good". I don't think there is enough of a sample size given the brevity of his first two head coaching stints. I think it is right to temper the expectations in year one and give TJ all the grace in the world for what we might be witnessing...which I will be shocked (but in a good way) if it's 15-16 wins. You bring up a good point about the full slate of practices, fans in attendance and non-cons, but have to keep in mind that so does everyone else on the schedule, and I only see maybe 7 games in which ISU will be favored to win, none of which are conference or P6 opponents.

There are a lot of question marks, and I am excited for the season to start to see what transpires. It does feel good to have a fresh start with a new coach and new players. I will be watching every game with both eyes taped open if I must.

 

[PineClone]

Success for me will be not W's and L's but these things:

- Effort!
- Basic fundamental rebounding
- A commitment to fundamental defense
- Evidence of team basketball IQ (seeing the floor, making the open pass, taking good shots)
- Evidence of coaching and being coachable
- Commitment to teammates and coaches (culture)
- Some evidence of a playbook

These are things that a decent 8th grade AAU coach could achieve, and we didn't see much of in the recent past. Beyond that, anything else is a bonus and can come in Year 2 (e.g. offensive and defensive schemes, situational basketball, adjustments, etc.)

 

[SolarGarlic]

See, I'm not so sure I buy that. Maybe now that Foster and Hinson have sailed there might be merit to it, but even then there is enough talent here. IMO those who want to use last year's win total as a basis in which to start fall into two camps. One.....don't think he is any good and two......keep expectations in the dirt to protect TJ's butt. Fine, but this year is entirely different. They get a full slate of practices....a full slate of non-cons......fans in the stands at Hilton. Brand new car if you will, and with the talent here there is zero reason to think they can't win 15-16 games just like Greg and Fred their first years.

See that's where you're wrong.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Not to speak for CW, but it can be tough to "cover" teams these days when on one hand you can be charged with over-hyping expectations like the football team and then on the other hand be charged with protecting the staff by tempering expectations for example on the basketball team. Not sure what the best balance is sometimes, so we are just generally saying what we believe to be true, right or wrong.

Just tell TJ to win every game.

 

[Bipolarcy]

I agree their job is to cover the team, which they are doing. The media also frames narratives for the public. They always have and always will. Right, wrong, or indifferent in regards to covering the coach's behind, it is fair to keep expectations in check so that TJ has a chance to prove himself to the fan base and prove that he can dig this program out of the hole they're in. His job is going to be tougher than Fred's was following McDermott.

You get your information from a different media than I do. I don't let anyone "frame" my narrative.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

See that's where you're wrong.

That's fine........go ahead and think of all the reasons he can't do it. I'll continue to think he can.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I think Enaruna will be frustrating this year but really good next year. He was starting to get it towards the end of last year then he went in the Self Doghouse apparently. Just throw him Lobs because the short corner is back in Ames baby!

 

[isucy86]

Not to speak for CW, but it can be tough to "cover" teams these days when on one hand you can be charged with over-hyping expectations like the football team and then on the other hand be charged with protecting the staff by tempering expectations for example on the basketball team. Not sure what the best balance is sometimes, so we are just generally saying what we believe to be true, right or wrong.

I get that fans like to focus on results rather than the season. Heck a lot of ISU fans have been jonesing about the football team making the CFP or winning the Big12 title all summer/fall.

But I think the media and ISU could do a much better job of reporting on ISU basketball without hyping the 2021/22 Cyclones. Cyclone fans love our players- do stories on the players. We have like 8 new guys on the roster, I'd like to get to know them in Sept/Oct. I also think the media can do culture stories on TJ's vision for the program. We see that to a degree in media day and some of TJ's interviews during the offseason. But we could also see/hear more from the assistant coaches.

The toughest part today is fans consume information in many different ways and a lot of fans only choose a few methods; print, local TV, Cyclone.com, message boards, twitter, facebook, youtube, etc.

 

[carvers4math]

I get that fans like to focus on results rather than the season. Heck a lot of ISU fans have been jonesing about the football team making the CFP or winning the Big12 title all summer/fall.

But I think the media and ISU could do a much better job of reporting on ISU basketball without hyping the 2021/22 Cyclones. Cyclone fans love our players- do stories on the players. We have like 8 new guys on the roster, I'd like to get to know them in Sept/Oct. I also think the media can do culture stories on TJ's vision for the program. We see that to a degree in media day and some of TJ's interviews during the offseason. But we could also see/hear more from the assistant coaches.

The toughest part today is fans consume information in many different ways and a lot of fans only choose a few methods; print, local TV, Cyclone.com, message boards, twitter, facebook, youtube, etc.

If they aren’t doing a Hilton Madness, was hoping Stanz or Rob Gray could write something with pictures, numbers, brief player history. May have to turn to the Daily or Cyclones.com. Not sure if the new version of that runs faster than the old

 

[allfourcy]

See, I'm not so sure I buy that. Maybe now that Foster and Hinson have sailed there might be merit to it, but even then there is enough talent here. IMO those who want to use last year's win total as a basis in which to start fall into two camps. One.....don't think he is any good and two......keep expectations in the dirt to protect TJ's butt. Fine, but this year is entirely different. They get a full slate of practices....a full slate of non-cons......fans in the stands at Hilton. Brand new car if you will, and with the talent here there is zero reason to think they can't win 15-16 games just like Greg and Fred their first years.

No reflection on TJ when I say fans interpret "the talent here" so differently. You make it sound like winning 15-16 games is so easy. At one time we had Morris, Long, Thomas, Niang, and Hogue on the floor. Grant it they won more games than 15, but I ask you....is there any one player starting for us this year that is as good as any of those 5?

 

[Hayes30]

No reflection on TJ when I say fans interpret "the talent here" so differently. You make it sound like winning 15-16 games is so easy. At one time we had Morris, Long, Thomas, Niang, and Hogue on the floor. Grant it they won more games than 15, but I ask you....is there any one player starting for us this year that is as good as any of those 5?

I could argue Brockington is better than Hogue.

 

[Acylum]

I think we’re actually a worse team than last season but have a better record.

 

[allfourcy]

I think we’re actually a worse team than last season but have a better record.

Has anyone ever heard any more about why Javon left? I thought that guy had talent/potential

 

[Cyclad]

Has anyone ever heard any more about why Javon left? I thought that guy had talent/potential

I have no inside information.
My speculation, based on observation is that it comes down to EFFORT and attitude. I thought Javon was deficient in both.