MONDAY MUSINGS: Three thoughts on hoop struggles, football’s momentum

Jan 27, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Steve Prohm looks on during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s jump right in this morning with three thoughts on the current state of Iowa State basketball.

1 – It’s going to get worse before it gets better. 

I am unequivocally still a “Steve Prohm guy” and a believer in the future of this program. But at the same time, I am currently curled up in the fetal position in anticipation for the next few weeks.

Following the worst offensive performance in the history of Hilton Coliseum, up next for Iowa State is a date with West Virginia, a road trip to Baylor, another road trip to Texas Tech  and home games vs. Oklahoma and Kansas.

I would say that I like Iowa State’s chances vs. Baylor and Texas Tech – two teams the Cyclones have already beaten – but I need to know more about Nick Weiler-Babb’s knee injury first. Prohm seemed awfully dejected when talking about it following Saturday’s loss…

My guess is we will learn more about that later on today at Prohm’s weekly press conference.

2 – I went back and watched the game…

Believe it or not, this travesty was even uglier the second time – offensively at least.

I will say that Iowa State’s defense wasn’t that bad, for real. The Cyclones were late on close outs a few times, which has been a chronic problem for this team. But all around, holding a top-25 opponent to 38.7 percent shooting is a performance you can live with – and should be able to win with at home.

The 16 Tennessee offensive rebounds were the dagger, which led to 22 second chance points. That’s where all of that “soft” talk came into play…

As far as Iowa State’s shot making – or lack thereof – brutal doesn’t even describe it how bad that was. Going 4-for-17 from three was one thing, but the amount of bunnies around the rim that the Cyclones missed was borderline unbelievable. I had to see it with my own two eyes a second time to truly believe it.

Then add in the 7-for-17 free throw shooting…

I don’t want to be too big of a downer, but West Virginia and it’s 15th ranked adjusted defense (KenPom) coming to town absolutely terrifies me.

Iowa State should be a double-digit underdog at home on Wednesday night.

3 – How bad is ISU at defending the three?

Just for my own research, I wanted to find out exactly how bad Iowa State is at defending the 3-point shot. Honestly, the numbers aren’t nearly as bad as I thought they would be.

Still, on average, Iowa State predictably allows more threes than the opposition usually makes.

Below are their pre playing ISU (conference only) averages … then how many threes they hit vs. the Cyclones.

Tennessee, 6.8 …. 12
Texas, 7.8 … 8
Texas Tech, 6.8 … 6
TCU, 10.1 … 12
Baylor, 4.9 … 4
Kansas, 10.4 … 14
Oklahoma State, 6.3 … 6
Kansas State, 8.3 … 13

Football keeps rolling

I feel like Iowa State football is currently a snowball rolling down a hill that continues to grow the more momentum it gets.

In case you missed it, yesterday Matt Campbell picked up his highest-rated commit ever at Iowa State in the form of wide receiver Joseph Scates. The 6-foot-2, 186-pound Ohio native chose Iowa State over claimed offers from Michigan State, Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and others.

Later this week, it is anticipated that Arizona prep quarterback Brock Purdy will decide between Iowa State, Alabama and UCF.

The second National Signing Day of this winter (still weird) is next week.

It’s just fun to see Iowa State competing like this on the trail. I’ve covered the Cyclones since 2004 and have never seen anything like it.
Stay tuned. We will for sure keep you guys in the loop.