Sleepers does a pretty good job here.
Is this Iowa State team BETTER than last year? Potentially. If 100 percent healthy and engaged, last year’s team could be excellent, but that confluence was a rarity. Gilbert gets hurt, thrn looks disengaged, Jones was up and down, Tamin gets hurt, and there were too many issues against elite teams. Milan and Jefferson could be doubled into TOs, Gilbert and Jones could disappear, the high doubles would get us into trouble, and the outside shooting werent consistent.
This year, so far, I think its clear their is a much high team IQ and compete level. Jones was a disintered off the ball defender, whereas Toure is engaged, more athletic, and displays a much higher bball IQ. Having Jones and Milan on the floor defensively, at the same time, was often problematic. Both struggled away from the ball, on switches, and were routinely late on closeouts. The refusal/inability for Otz and the team to reign in the high doubles, which created problems against elite teams, would repeatedly bring the aforementioned into play. In turn, it lead to a lot of easy baskets and wide open 3s. At some point, Otz/team need to demonstrate they know when to be selective. Got someone trapped on the base/sideline? It works. But up high the teams with elite guards take us to the wood shed. It also leads to unnecessary foul trouble, something the team needs to prove they can avoid.
Elsewhere, Buchanan is an upgrade over Jackson. Peak Jackson was better, but we got that all of 3 or 4 games a year. Buchanan plays harder and is a more consistent presence in every facet. One of the most intriguing developments is our 3 point shooting. Last year it was okay on the overall, but the tean was very inconsistent with it. The team often shot well at home but struggled to hit 3s away from Hilton. We were also a 2 person threat with Jones and Momcilovic. This year? Holdovers look better and more consistent with their shot. Toure has proved more than adequate, while Batemon showcased he has the ability to go off. 23 of 30…in a game? Yes, it was against a crap team, but last years team couldnt have done that im a game of Horse. Can they shoot better than last year on the road? Having more consistenty in being adequate would be a massive improvement.
Tomorrow, I will be looking for several things. Will we be adequate from 3 against an elite team on the road? Can Otz/team recognize when the high double/doubles arent working and stick more with man defense? Can we stay out of foul trouble? How will Toure, Batemon, and Buchanan handle their first true road test? Will the team continue to showcase high IQ, particularly with shot selection and off ball defense, at Mackey? Do we have enough interior scoring/bodies?
The jury’s out, but there are a lot of signs for optimism. Purdue will be a great barometer.
. His excuses have about run out…
