Saturday, January 08, 2005
Unbelievable
Do you ever get the feeling that this conference road losing streak will never end? How many close calls have they endured in the last few years? Much like the Kansas game last year ISU gave up a late run to lose a close one. And much like the Kansas and Nebraska games there were some pretty bad calls down the stretch that really hurt the Clones.
The first half was shaping up to be a lot like the Xavier game. The team looked tired, they weren't playing very tough defense, they were giving up too many offensive rebounds, etc. But, in the second half, for a 13 or 14 minute stretch they really turned it on like I know they are capable of doing. The halfcourt defense was stifling and forced a lot of turnovers which is really what turned the game around. The team got some momentum going which led to some offensive rhythm. Guys like Staple actually started making some layups.
Speaking of layups, I think I'm going to rant for a second. How is it possible that this team misses as many layups as they do? They're probably shooting about 50% on them for the year! So many times I just want to scream at them to grab the ball and dunk it instead of trying to take a few dribbles or tip in the ball. Is there a way to teach that? Get them stronger? Practice them? I don't know.
ANyway, Staple played tough during this stretch and got a few buckets and boards. Where has he been this season? I'm not sure. But, he had 6 points during the 28-4 run and Stinson had 9 to go from 12 down to ahead by 12. Unfortunately (there's always an unfortunately coming when ISU plays on the road), this is where things went wrong. The key moment seems to come right after Mizzou hits a three to cut it to 9 and the TV timeout at 3:53. ISU obviously slowed the game down to run some clock which seems like a smart choice except that the Cyclones have essentially no half-court offense. That said, I still like the call because we were putting teams away like that at the end of last year when Stinson would absolutely take over the game. Whenever he tried to do that today he would get mugged and stripped of the ball. The team's collective sphincter tightened up and reverted to their ole' defense and giving Mizzou three point play opportunities. Some of these were horrible calls (Clark's foul on Horton at 1:53) and others were just poor defense (Staple's on Kleiza). So, the story ends with ISU down by three and John Neal getting an open look to tie that bounces long.
I don't know what's going on with Neal's shot but he doesn't even look like he's setting up when he shoots. His first two three attempts looked like he just threw them up hoping it would find the bucket somehow. There are no outside shooters on the team which is really hurting them because there's no one for Stinson and Blalock to kick out to and keep defenses honest. That's where Sullivan's absence is really killing them. Just putting him out on the court meant that defenses had to stay out near the line.
When it comes down to it it's another road loss and the gorilla on their back keeps getting larger and larger. This game really would have helped them get the Big 12 season started right with two top ten teams up next. There's still time to get things going but this road thing is getting pretty old. The questions about Wayne Morgan are getting louder. Somewhat unfairly, in my opinion, but I'll save that for another post.
The first half was shaping up to be a lot like the Xavier game. The team looked tired, they weren't playing very tough defense, they were giving up too many offensive rebounds, etc. But, in the second half, for a 13 or 14 minute stretch they really turned it on like I know they are capable of doing. The halfcourt defense was stifling and forced a lot of turnovers which is really what turned the game around. The team got some momentum going which led to some offensive rhythm. Guys like Staple actually started making some layups.
Speaking of layups, I think I'm going to rant for a second. How is it possible that this team misses as many layups as they do? They're probably shooting about 50% on them for the year! So many times I just want to scream at them to grab the ball and dunk it instead of trying to take a few dribbles or tip in the ball. Is there a way to teach that? Get them stronger? Practice them? I don't know.
ANyway, Staple played tough during this stretch and got a few buckets and boards. Where has he been this season? I'm not sure. But, he had 6 points during the 28-4 run and Stinson had 9 to go from 12 down to ahead by 12. Unfortunately (there's always an unfortunately coming when ISU plays on the road), this is where things went wrong. The key moment seems to come right after Mizzou hits a three to cut it to 9 and the TV timeout at 3:53. ISU obviously slowed the game down to run some clock which seems like a smart choice except that the Cyclones have essentially no half-court offense. That said, I still like the call because we were putting teams away like that at the end of last year when Stinson would absolutely take over the game. Whenever he tried to do that today he would get mugged and stripped of the ball. The team's collective sphincter tightened up and reverted to their ole' defense and giving Mizzou three point play opportunities. Some of these were horrible calls (Clark's foul on Horton at 1:53) and others were just poor defense (Staple's on Kleiza). So, the story ends with ISU down by three and John Neal getting an open look to tie that bounces long.
I don't know what's going on with Neal's shot but he doesn't even look like he's setting up when he shoots. His first two three attempts looked like he just threw them up hoping it would find the bucket somehow. There are no outside shooters on the team which is really hurting them because there's no one for Stinson and Blalock to kick out to and keep defenses honest. That's where Sullivan's absence is really killing them. Just putting him out on the court meant that defenses had to stay out near the line.
When it comes down to it it's another road loss and the gorilla on their back keeps getting larger and larger. This game really would have helped them get the Big 12 season started right with two top ten teams up next. There's still time to get things going but this road thing is getting pretty old. The questions about Wayne Morgan are getting louder. Somewhat unfairly, in my opinion, but I'll save that for another post.
# posted by Ben @ 3:24 PM 
