Not sure why we’re complaining about something that is largely benefiting us but go off…
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I mean it doesn’t actually count the same. The quad system is just short hand but the committee does understand there’s a difference between those wins.
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Yup. Lost my @$$ on that one
Okey State got me dumpster diving for food AND any homer takes that might have gotten thrown away! Really any form of sustenance at this point.
If only we had beaten NKU on the road…
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Correct. First, they separate teams with a metric chainsaw, but then they will go through what’s left with a subjective fine-tooth comb.
Computers matter more than they used to, but ultimately human beings will have the final say on a lot of things.
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Nope! He’s not.
But if you want to have that conversation, there does appear to be some trouble in paradise that I’m sure is of legitmate concern to TJ and crew.
There is evidence that our roster is going through a bit of a tampering/NIL/portal crisis right now.
I have it on good authority that our guys with remaining eligibility are getting ABSOLUTELY BOMBARDED DAILY with huge offers from other teams that we simply cannot match.
This is not new or unforseen, but it’s 100% happening and I’m sure it’s frustrating as heck. The easy answer is TJ should and will go elsewhere with deeper pockets in order to stop this from happening.
We run into this problem in BOTH football and basketball every single year, and ISU manages to come out the other end unscathed and nearly 100% intact across the board. But yeah, it’s definitely a concern and might be responsible for upsetting the chemistry we had early on.
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BYU wasn’t ready by the start of conference play. Kevin Young has learned a lot this year.
In the last 3 weeks BYU has gone from being a mid NIT team to looking like a dangerous team in the tourney.
If Demin can cut down on turnovers and the 3 point defense keeps improving a little more, BYU will be a tough matchup.
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The players need to put the NIL noise aside until the season is over. That’s a locker room cancer if it’s spreading.
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FIFY.
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I find a lot of this to be believable but really don’t think it’s responsible for the on court problems we’ve been seeing. Stuff in the locker room? Maybe. But all of TJ’s ISU teams have struggled as conference seasons have progressed.
I think it’s clear TJ has a great system/off season program that lends to ISU teams being closer to their peak (early on) than most of college basketball. As the season progresses other teams jell and really seem to make adjustments to what we are doing. Quite frankly I think TJ sucks (primarily) at in-game strategy while also failing to hold “players accountable” for the same, repeated lapses in effort/decision making.
TJ can talk about practice all he wants, but he’s THERE at the games. If Dishon is going to stand there (not block out), pull him out, make him tell you why he’s coming out, and put him back in within a couple of minutes. CuJo wants to play hero ball? Have him sit a bit. If Lipsey is going to jack up several off-balance 3s in a half? Same thing. Does it happen? Never. It reinforces to the players that they can make repeated bad decisions/give lax effort, and continue to play. It’s been a problem for a while.
Right now we are a team that does NOT play smart basketball and TJ needs to take more accountability for that. When we pass the ball into the post, guys force moves instead of kicking out and recycling. Away from the ball, guys aren’t paying attention to what’s going on around them. How many times did a ball handler get hung out to dry because nobody came back to the ball? Five to seven times (at OSU)? It was ridiculous. At some point players need to be coached AND reinforced the effort and awareness. Right now I think it’s clear Otz is not doing a good job with that as it’s pervasive across the entire roster.
Want to right the ship and win games? Not being your own worst enemy is the first place he should start. A lot of that blame falls on him.
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Hopefully the Cyclones focus is squarely on their opponent. Bc the Arizona Wildcats are coming to Ames n I’m looking for a great game on Saturday night. Wish that was more the talk but this new stuff can be overwhelming for everyone.
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It’s also worth noting that coaches generally fall into one of two camps in-season with regard to practice and preparation.
It’s well-documented that TJ certainly falls more in the camp of keeping your foot on the gas and practicing very hard the same way year round.
Jess Settles and Fran have both talked about how ISU’s shootarounds are more grueling than most team’s regular practices. And you’re right about the late February fade and blazing hot starts we tend to see.
While football is not an apples to apples comparison, we’ve seen Campbell start his tenure the same way, then move in the opposite direction to keep guys healthy until he thought we got soft and lost sharpness from taking it easy, so he doubled back down on the old school approach this year only to see the injury bug hit BIG TIME again.
The in-game X’s and O’s stuff is obvious and I dont neceasarily disagree. But I am saying I think guys are getting worn down physically and mentally for a number of reasons, which no doubt at least somewhat contributes to our sloppy play.
Its not without its benefits. Guys like Heise and Lipsey are probably built for it more which is where you see them thriving right now. Milan’s defense and aggressivness is rounding into form. His growth is undeniable.
But I think TJ is rightly resting Keshon because its not about growth for him its about getting November/December Keshon back physically.
I hear you @Jesse22 I do think we will be ok come March. Arizona is really good and they are going to bring it. Im 50/50 at best on that one right now.
Awaka, Lewis, and Bryant are really tough matchups for us. We don’t really have anyone who matches what they bring this year. We’re not the most athletic team overall.
That’s not to take Bradley and Love lightly either. They are top players in this league, but we have a few of our own so ill take my chances with them at home. But our role players have to beat their role players and that’s a tough ask right now.
Hopefully y’all can pull it out n get back to good ISU Basketball. Its good for the BIG12 as a whole.
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Dang! That’s two big time home & homes.
Love it.
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Nice !
AZ bringing it.
All in the only way to hang in Big12 post NIL.
OT
A smart crowd from their game reactions in general BUT
that Morman chant so bush league last week.
Low seeded ISU the last thing you want in your bracket.
Especially a BE or MW.
IF someone wants to make All Big12 2025 freshman teams.
I would like to read them.
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Ah heck no 
