*** Official Iowa State Season Thread ***

[heitclone]

Much better yesterday but this team is in a tough spot, the offensive success early is kind of fool's gold. It came through such poor team basketball that it isn't sustainable. When guys like Solo, JCL and Bolton score, they are often the only guys that touch the ball, that makes it easier for teams to stop down the stretch. You have to adjust, OU did, we didn't. The last 5 minutes when it came down to Lon vs Steve, OU pulled away.

This was a textbook Prohm loss, fooled in to thinking things are going well by hot shooting early and then fade when the opponent adjusts and doesn't give you easy shots. It's not impossible to win this way but this team just doesn't have enough guys who can create their own shot or an alpha who you can ride down the stretch.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Saw some good things, some frustrating, but ultimately came within 10 of knocking off highly ranked OU team. I don't know if they're as good as their ranking, but Lon has them playing well. Shot well, defended or at least showed effort on that end pretty well. Possibly the most complete game we've played as a team all season, and go figure it was because they're all healthy and available. I think they can pick up a win or two down the stretch.

Really only frustrating part was not seeing Dubar get any minutes. At this point in a lost season, it's really not a good look to be keeping your future on the bench. I get you had a shot at the win down the stretch, but if I'm Prohm I've gotta get Dubar some reps, if only for a few minutes between media timeouts. This is an area of his coaching that has got him into a lot of problems with player retention and buy in IMO

 

[madguy30]

Much better yesterday but this team is in a tough spot, the offensive success early is kind of fool's gold. It came through such poor team basketball that it isn't sustainable. When guys like Solo, JCL and Bolton score, they are often the only guys that touch the ball, that makes it easier for teams to stop down the stretch. You have to adjust, OU did, we didn't. The last 5 minutes when it came down to Lon vs Steve, OU pulled away.

This was a textbook Prohm loss, fooled in to thinking things are going well by hot shooting early and then fade when the opponent adjusts and doesn't give you easy shots. It's not impossible to win this way but this team just doesn't have enough guys who can create their own shot or an alpha who you can ride down the stretch.

It seems fairly rare for ISU to really take control late in these close games and I didn't expect it yesterday.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

It seems fairly rare for ISU to really take control late in these close games and I didn't expect it yesterday.

Right. I watched the game and really at this point having witnessed the travesty of this season, you are kind of happy with the simple fact that our guys competed, were in till almost the end, and didn't hang their heads at any point in time prior to the final whistle. Prohm won't win many one on one coaching battles against HOF level coaches especially, but I thought he did fine yesterday, aside from not playing the freshmen a lot, given that he simply had the guys ready to play.

 

[madguy30]

Right. I watched the game and really at this point having witnessed the travesty of this season, you are kind of happy with the simple fact that our guys competed, were in till almost the end, and didn't hang their heads at any point in time prior to the final whistle. Prohm won't win many one on one coaching battles against HOF level coaches especially, but I thought he did fine yesterday, aside from not playing the freshmen a lot, given that he simply had the guys ready to play.

It's been a trend for much of his tenure. Even with a small lead late I would have figured OU would still win by a couple of buckets. There would be some weird possession late for ISU and a leak in the defense.

 

[blutarsky]

I truly think you are missing the true point (no pun intended) of my argument. It’s not that Rasir is a good pg, it’s just the he has developed pg skills. Yes his assist to turnover isn’t beautiful but it’s improved from last years 1:1 ratio. He’s turning the ball over more this year because he has it more, but his stats saying even though he is turning it over more he’s creating even more for others. He’s gone from 2.8 apg to 4.5 apg (so far) while going from 2.8 T/Os to 3.2 T/Os. That tells us he is seeing more opportunities to turn it over because he now pg most of the time and playing 35 minutes a game. Yes I like to have NWB too, but that’s not what my argument is. It is simply that Rasir has shown growth at running an offense

I see it as player improvement not position development. Similar to Solomon Young. He’s improved year over year, but hasn’t developed at the PF/C position.

Perhaps this is all semantics.

It’s been a grinding season. My pet peeve is watching PGs who have the “hammer in search of a nail” mentality and miss the detail and execution involved in running basic offense. It would go a long way in avoiding huge droughts this team is prone to.

 

[heitclone]

It seems fairly rare for ISU to really take control late in these close games and I didn't expect it yesterday.

Like I said, textbook Prohm loss.

 

[Big_Sill]

Bolton is critical to our teams chances, and in many ways he is our best player. However, there are 5 or 6 possessions a game where I think we would be better if he were not on the floor. The players stand, watch and defer to him, he dribbles for 25 seconds and tries to force something. I'm not even sure this is his fault, but it is noticeable.

 

[Nococy]

It seems fairly rare for ISU to really take control late in these close games and I didn't expect it yesterday.

our guys get worn down chasing their guy on defense while the opponent just stands while playing defense because we usually have no motion on offense. just a two man game or dump it into the post and watch offense go one on one

 

[NENick]

Much better yesterday but this team is in a tough spot, the offensive success early is kind of fool's gold. It came through such poor team basketball that it isn't sustainable. When guys like Solo, JCL and Bolton score, they are often the only guys that touch the ball, that makes it easier for teams to stop down the stretch.

Not completely disagreeing, but there were some possessions yesterday that included the best ball movement all year, which resulted in wide-open looks. Still not consistent in that, but it was good to see.

 

[madguy30]

our guys get worn down chasing their guy on defense while the opponent just stands while playing defense because we usually have no motion on offense. just a two man game or dump it into the post and watch offense go one on one

2-3 players standing outside the arc waiting for the kick out.

I can't help to think that at least some movement at least makes the pick and roll more difficult to track.

 

[heitclone]

Not completely disagreeing, but there were some possessions yesterday that included the best ball movement all year, which resulted in wide-open looks. Still not consistent in that, but it was good to see.

I agree, in this regard, the last two games have been two of our better of the season but it still seemed like down the stretch, it was a lot of 1 on 1 stuff with Rasir.

I think we have lineups that really hurt him, with Jackson and Harris on the floor, you get two guys that don't move much and do almost nothing off the dribble. When they are in together, if we aren't moving the ball, it shrinks the floor and really hurts Rasir's ability to drive. He's played great but at times, I think we ask too much of him and he gets a little selfish trying to do too much and that's why we see the turnovers. I think this has been especially true in late game situations.

Rasir hasn't been perfect but you have to respect what he's done this year, it's really unfair how much of the load he is asked to carry. I hope when we look back at the last two years, that his contributions don't get lost in the drama surrounding this teams struggles. All the kids deserve to have success but he's the guy I really feel for, he's having a really good season that gets overlooked because we aren't winning.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

Much better yesterday but this team is in a tough spot, the offensive success early is kind of fool's gold. It came through such poor team basketball that it isn't sustainable. When guys like Solo, JCL and Bolton score, they are often the only guys that touch the ball, that makes it easier for teams to stop down the stretch. You have to adjust, OU did, we didn't. The last 5 minutes when it came down to Lon vs Steve, OU pulled away.

This was a textbook Prohm loss, fooled in to thinking things are going well by hot shooting early and then fade when the opponent adjusts and doesn't give you easy shots. It's not impossible to win this way but this team just doesn't have enough guys who can create their own shot or an alpha who you can ride down the stretch.

Prohm’s only strategy is cross his fingers and hope we shoot around 50% from 3. That’s it. As soon as the other coach makes a single change, Prohm is toast and cannot make any worthwhile adjustments.

 

[isucy86]

I think KU is beatable. Funny thing is, there is a good chance they are playing on Wednesday night if there is a Big 12 Tourney.

Agreed. As silly as it sounds, beating KU might be our best chance for a win other than KSU. IMO KU's offense if pretty limited this year.

KU has been pretty solid the last couple of years, but they have a very average roster this year. A lot of people are blaming the Adidas scandal. But IMO KU lost their brand when Self went small ball with 4 guards/wings. KU was dominant in the Big12 for over a decade because they always had a solid PG, a couple NBA level post players and wing shooters with length. Having talented post players is something all other Big 12 teams can't match in recruiting (other than Texas).

 

[blutarsky]

2-3 players standing outside the arc waiting for the kick out.

I can't help to think that at least some movement at least makes the pick and roll more difficult to track.

Spacing is key. A couple of 3 pt threats helps keep the defense honest. You’re right... that ends up with a decent amount of standing around.

Typically, it’s due to Bolton not being able to get into the paint or hit the roller. He winds up getting hedged and stopped or pushed towards the sideline.

Currently, guys like Harris, Jackson and Coleman-Lands, to some extent, are MIA until the ball can get into the paint and force the defense to help off the edges.

 

[CyBobby]

And he’s 3rd in the league at 3.4 TO per game. His 1.32 AST/TO ratio puts him outside the top 20. Also quite an accomplishment in only 12 games.

Bolton has improved as a player year over year. He’s a true high volume type scorer. (Something this team needs.) Averaging 12 FGA per game he’s a shoot first, pass second, kind of player.

Bolton is one of the few players that can break down a defense. That doesn’t make him a good facilitator. He’s just the best option on a bad team.

Im not asking for CP3 type PG play. I’d take Nick Weiler-Babb at this point. Someone who can handle the only play we run -high ball screen- with some kind of efficiency.

I AGREE with you on "He's just the best option on a bad team." I will add AN HISTORICALLY VERY BAD TEAM!!!

 

[MeowingCows]

With how we've been playing lately, it's not unreasonable to think there's a decent chance to beat TCU tonight. Gonna need another good shooting day, though. And a much better one around the rim, specifically.

 

[moores2]

Saw some good things, some frustrating, but ultimately came within 10 of knocking off highly ranked OU team. I don't know if they're as good as their ranking, but Lon has them playing well. Shot well, defended or at least showed effort on that end pretty well. Possibly the most complete game we've played as a team all season, and go figure it was because they're all healthy and available. I think they can pick up a win or two down the stretch.

Really only frustrating part was not seeing Dubar get any minutes. At this point in a lost season, it's really not a good look to be keeping your future on the bench. I get you had a shot at the win down the stretch, but if I'm Prohm I've gotta get Dubar some reps, if only for a few minutes between media timeouts. This is an area of his coaching that has got him into a lot of problems with player retention and buy in IMO

I wonder if it has anything to do with how hard he fell in the game against WV. He went up for the dunk and landed pretty hard.

 

[ISUTex]

With how we've been playing lately, it's not unreasonable to think there's a decent chance to beat TCU tonight. Gonna need another good shooting day, though. And a much better one around the rim, specifically.

Really? TCU has, like, 5x the amount of wins we do at this point. They're probably pumped to play us.

 

[moores2]

Really? TCU has, like, 5x the amount of wins we do at this point. They're probably pumped to play us.

depends on if their big man is healthy.