Positives From Exhibition

[BallSoHard4Cy]

I expect Hogue to start until Monte demands (not verbally, but from how well he has played) a starting spot. Then Hogue is first or second off the bench depending on how Melvin/Georges are doing. If we don't get McKay then Hogue starts at the 4 next year with Nader at the 3.

 

[RustShack]

Interesting that Morris got so many minutes off the bench.

Niang 26
Naz 26
Morris 25
Thomas 24
Hogue 22
Kane 20
SDW 19
Percy 17

 

[acgclone]

Is there a stat sheet somewhere?

Linked in the recap that Chris put up last night.

 

[acgclone]

I expect Hogue to start until Monte demands (not verbally, but from how well he has played) a starting spot. Then Hogue is first or second off the bench depending on how Melvin/Georges are doing. If we don't get McKay then Hogue starts at the 4 next year with Nader at the 3.

That seems possible. Or Fred may just keep Hogue in the starting rotation and have MM come off the bench ala Tyrus. McGee was certainly in our top 5 players last year, but did well coming off the bench. Either way.... Kane, MT, MM, Hogue, Ejim, Niang and possibly Naz will be our core.

Also, I agree that assuming we don't land McKay and/or Vaughn, you're looking at a starting line up that's still pretty good with MM, MT, Nader, Hogue and Niang.

 

[CyKings]

Interesting that Morris got so many minutes off the bench.

Niang 26
Naz 26
Morris 25
Thomas 24
Hogue 22
Kane 20
SDW 19
Percy 17

Bear in mind once our 21 pt run separated the game out a little bit, those minutes started to get skewed. Why risk further injury of Kane in an Exhibition, when he had some muscle cramping?

 

[rholtgraves]

Agreed, the 5 is extremely shakey.
It's obvious Kane is a boss. When Ejim returns, Kane, Thomas, Hogue, Ejim and Niang will be a fearsome starting lineup. Then with Morris, Naz and SDW off the bench make me feel vary good about the coming season. Percy and Edozie will struggle against BCS competition but we only need them for small minutes.

ISU basketball is playing in the BCS this year??

 

[RustShack]

Our front court is better than last year, and we did fine last year. I'm not too worried.

 

[rholtgraves]

Gibson looked better and I think he is going to provide some quality minutes this year.

 

[acgclone]

Gibson looked better and I think he is going to provide some quality minutes this year.

Any improvement is free upside because I don't think anyone was really counting on him. If he can pick up the slack while Ejim is out and use that to improve his game, it will help us down the road. There will be times when we're playing a top notch opponent and Ejim/Niang will be in foul trouble. You need someone to come in for 10-15 min and not allow the wheels to fall off the bus.

 

[rholtgraves]

Any improvement is free upside because I don't think anyone was really counting on him. If he can pick up the slack while Ejim is out and use that to improve his game, it will help us down the road. There will be times when we're playing a top notch opponent and Ejim/Niang will be in foul trouble. You need someone to come in for 10-15 min and not allow the wheels to fall off the bus.

I agree. I think his improvement conditioning wise will really help.

 

[oldman]

I really liked MM drilling the jumper with no time left at the end of the first half. That is quality ice from a true freshman.

 

[rholtgraves]

I really liked MM drilling the jumper with no time left at the end of the first half. That is quality ice from a true freshman.

I wouldn't really call it "ice" when it's halftime against an exhibition opponent that they are way more talented than
But I was very impressed with him and Thomas and Long.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

I really liked MM drilling the jumper with no time left at the end of the first half. That is quality ice from a true freshman.

That was a sick crossover at about midcourt to free himself

 

[Rabbuk]

We won a sporting event, I'm counting that as a positive.

 

[iacyguy]

That was a sick crossover at about midcourt to free himself

Agreed. I told my buddy it was basically a juke move

 

[IASTATE4LIFE]

I was extremely impressed with the freshman. during the game, I was trying to think of the last time we had true freshman that came in, played that many minutes, and looked that impressive. Minus Niang of course. Monte needs to start, he is just a player, like Niang. can't teach that stuff. Loved the play in the second half when monte found thomas on the fast break for the deep 3. Lots of good times to come.

 

[bawbie]

I was extremely impressed with the freshman. during the game, I was trying to think of the last time we had true freshman that came in, played that many minutes, and looked that impressive. Minus Niang of course. Monte needs to start, he is just a player, like Niang. can't teach that stuff. Loved the play in the second half when monte found thomas on the fast break for the deep 3. Lots of good times to come.

Stinson and Blaylock.

 

[Dingus]

My thoughts from the exhibition:
Kane is a hoss. He's going to shoot a lot of free throws so hopefully does well in that area.

Thomas pretty much did no wrong, great passer, shot's money, handles the ball well. Even when he turned the ball over it was on a pretty good pass. As long as he can find someone to guard he'll be on the floor a lot.

Morris played well, though with all the 'he never turns the ball over talk' from the coaches I was a little surprised at a few of the poor passes. Not resulting in turnovers just hitting guys in awkward positions and kind of leaving the ball out there. I'll bet this is just rookie mistakes that will get ironed out during this season. He'll be very good.

Don't see many comments about Hogue, but he's pretty much as advertised. A couple times needed to get a body on someone but aggressive on the boards and super athletic. Offense a bit erratic.

Percy gave some good minutes. Not looking to wade into the Percy battle but... I hadn't seen him play much but some of the criticisms of him on here are valid. Went left every time, doesn't really seem to play vs. the defense, just decides he's going to go left as soon as he touches the ball and does so. I thought he had 2 bad shots FWIW but overall would be happy to get 15 minutes like that a game.

 

[Erik4Cy]

Kane is a hoss. He's going to shoot a lot of free throws so hopefully does well in that area.

 

[Doc]

I guess you guys are right. I'll admit, I was a wrestler and don't know the finer points of the game.

It seems to me that I have seen other players that have had "the light come on" during their careers and improve their effort and game awareness. I must be mistaken though, so we should just let Percy make bad plays.

Yes, this game against a DII opponent, he wasn't AS BAD as he was last year. Hope that carries forward.

I don't they should let Percy make bad plays, but I disagree with anybody who prefers that Percy kick it out over taking a 5 foot left-handed jump hook. Percy forced up one bad shot, but I think we want him to try to score when he is near the basket. If he doesn't improve his FG% over last year, his opportunities will go down though.

I can't really judge Percy's effort. He's fairly coordinated and smooth, but not particularly athletic so I think people see that as an effort issue. Some of you seem to just want some gangly guy out there who flails his arms a bunch.