Hadley was two years ago. Last year it was Rohde (spelling?) from Virginia I believe
Williams & Blum: Is Iowa State’s 2026-27 basketball roster final?
- Thread starter Aiden Wyatt
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Cyclonepride
Thought Police
Yeah, I was not sorry we missed on him watching Wisconsin this year
And Oscar Cluff, who was targeted very early by TJ, but went to Purdue. He would have been a massive piece on this year's team.
Cluff is clearly the better scorer and stronger rebounder. Blake is a good bit more mobile and athletic. I don't know if we are necessarily a better team this year with Cluff.
We're probably a poorer team. I assume we'd have had to pay Cluff more than Buchanan. Do we then still have enough to return Jefferson?
With Cluff we'd also be back in the portal right now looking for a center when everyone is overpaying for centers, and wondering if Pleta can play 25 minutes per game, rather than returning a 6'10" starter with three years of major conference experience.
We're probably a poorer team. I assume we'd have had to pay Cluff more than Buchanan. Do we then still have enough to return Jefferson?
With Cluff we'd also be back in the portal right now looking for a center when everyone is overpaying for centers, and wondering if Pleta can play 25 minutes per game, rather than returning a 6'10" starter with three years of major conference experience.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
Yeah, I don't think our defense would have been anywhere near as effective with Cluff, and I doubt the extra points and rebounds make up for that deficit.
Blake is quicker/faster which is necessary in order to rotate defensively. But, Cluff would have given us a low post scoring option in addition to JJeff.
I was bummed about missing Cluff until I saw Buchanan flip his hips and move his feet to force a trap near halfcourt against Mississippi State in the fall. Granted MSU was doodoo but what a fit he was in this defense. Love having that guy and no regrets now.
This roster is definitely more athletic and bigger than last year. They are going to be a defensive juggernaut.
We had to scramble for $ at the last minute to retain JJ though. Not sure we manage that if we're committed to paying Cluff.
Exactly. Iron sharpens iron. We can see a path for any of these guys to play, but not all will. But the ones who don't will make the ones that do better.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
Getting to practice every day against really good competition is a very underrated benefit to depth.
Still, this is light-years ahead of what we did this year. As the FT% goes up, teams will be more reluctant to play the Hack-a-Shaq strategy on us.
"if they can play at the Big 12 level." Neither of those guys could play at the big 12 level
I feel like almost every transfer has a significant drop in FT%, perhaps because of the strength training or the physicality of the play. But I'm not sure the numbers back that up - I started looking at it a couple years ago but didn't finish it.
I thought the Cluff obsession died in December when Blake out played him on his own floor.
CW needs to file for copyright on "Right?," although it's probably the most common vocal tic in the podcasting/broadcasting universe.
It's a compliment. I listen to evey Williams and Blum and Two Guys pod. Eventually you start picking up on these things. I wouldn't take it too seriously. I find these things interesting.
Not a critique, just an observation. We all have our tics. Mine just aren't broadcasted twice a week to thousands of people.
I’m a Leach guy so I could make the argument that you either evolve or you die, right?
