WILLIAMS: Iowa State’s defensive intensity has not dropped off at all this season – Cyclones rout Idaho State

ChrisMWilliams

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Apr 10, 2006
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Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Jones (5) looks for pass around Green Bay Phoenix guard David Douglas Jr. (15)during the first half at Hilton Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.



AMES — The theme from the first week of the 2023-24 Iowa State men’s basketball season was a refreshing explosion of offense, which is a nice change of pace from the grind it out style we watched in Hilton Coliseum during the first two years of the T.J. Otzelberger era. 



Iowa State averaged 93.5 points in its first two games in wins over Green Bay and Lindenwood. 



However on Sunday, in an early noon tip vs. Idaho State of the Big Sky Conference, the shots weren’t falling as freely as the games prior. That’s where old reliable, Iowa State’s suffocating defense – also known as “Otzelball” – came in handy. 



The Cyclones forced 24 turnovers, scored 24 points off of them and cruised to an 86-55 win – despite going just 4-of-13 from 3-point range. 



“It is a big...

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That's 3 straight games with > 85 points after having exactly 1(!!) such game in TJ's first two years (IUPUI in the opener last year).

The last time the Cyclones scored >85 in 3 straight games was February 2016 when Monte and Georges were filling it up.
Scoring multiple ways too. They aren't just hot from 3 and bombing away
 
That's 3 straight games with > 85 points after having exactly 1(!!) such game in TJ's first two years (IUPUI in the opener last year).

The last time the Cyclones scored >85 in 3 straight games was February 2016 when Monte and Georges were filling it up.
Their pace is way up from the first 2 years too. So I would imagine the D efficiency is still on par or better than the previous years.
 
Their pace is way up from the first 2 years too. So I would imagine the D efficiency is still on par or better than the previous years.

Yes. PPG will not be a good comparative measuring stick for defensive performance. When the offense is infinitely better, scoring more points and taking less time/possession to do so, the oppositions possessions will also increase, invariably leading to more points. But that obviously doesn't mean the efficiency has decreased. I expect us to have more steals and blocks while probably also eclipsing fg percentage yielded. The latter will be heavily influence by a vastly easier schedule, both in and out of conference.

Yesterday the defensive communication were poor and sloppy. But it was the 3rd game of the week and 3rd game against a sleepwalkable opponent. That was to be expected.
 
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Scoring multiple ways too. They aren't just hot from 3 and bombing away

Interior game is better. King is a definite go to scorer down low. Lipsey is more explosive. Buckets is the best pure shooter we've had. Gilbert is a get to the hole player we haven't had since Brockington (though Lipsey can get there as well). Jones and Ward are more adept in their roles and we are a vastly superior transition team, largely do to the athleticism.

This will be a Hoiberg level scoring offense, that's better in transition and with better efficiency. We are going to (consistently) score a lot of points.
 
Interior game is better. King is a definite go to scorer down low. Lipsey is more explosive. Buckets is the best pure shooter we've had. Gilbert is a get to the hole player we haven't had since Brockington (though Lipsey can get there as well). Jones and Ward are more adept in their roles and we are a vastly superior transition team, largely do to the athleticism.

This will be a Hoiberg level scoring offense, that's better in transition and with better efficiency. We are going to (consistently) score a lot of points.
I'd add that it appears Gilbert looks equally effective going left or right.
 
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