*** Official Florida A&M vs IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***

[RezClone]

I wonder why Watson doesn't get more minutes more than Omaha. I think Watson has a great body of work to build off of.

I like Watson both for what he is and his potential. But if he could rebound with the tenacity and strength of Hogue and shoot as efficiently from 3 as Hogue did, it would not be question. He would play major minutes for sure.

I think Demarion actually has a better handle than Hogue, sees the floor better, and has been opportune and sneaky clutch at times. But with that frame and athleticism, you would like to see him find another gear intensity-wise and keep it there. And stick high 30s to 40 ish percent of his 3pt when open for spacing.

That being said, I really like Watson and never have a problem with him being on the floor. And I agree that he is definitely ahead of Biliew. I'm just not entirely sure how much of that statement has as much to do with Omaha as it does Watson. It is a curious thing. I didn't see the Omaha struggles coming at all.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Felt like we kind of struggled a bit in this one but still won by 38. Feels like a game that we would have won by 15 a few years ago.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I just wanna give a shout out to Jackson, D-ing up their 5 and boxing him out during the 7:00 mark in the first half.

 

[exCYtable]

Anyone who knows basketball, can just watch where Billew is looking and positioning when on D and know that he is a little lost most of the time. He is also not asserting himself on O, when he could cut to the basket he is either not doing it OR is a second of so late in doing it. He doesn't position against his man well on either end. I'm rooting for him, I just think the time before the season that he wasn't with the guys has set him behind. We'll see if that is true soon enough.

This is all true. And he's clearly only the 9th best player on this team right now. I think we as CyFantics are struggling with 2 things:
1. He's a 5 star McDonald's AA. Iowa State doesn't get that caliber player often/ever. I think we are all a little stunned he's as unpolished as he is right now.
2. If he needs the minutes, and he can be a major contributor, NOW is the time when you are clearly 40 points better than competition. 5 minutes a game isn't going to do it. I think this is the biggest rub with fans.

 

[Texbudman]

Anyone who knows basketball, can just watch where Billew is looking and positioning when on D and know that he is a little lost most of the time. He is also not asserting himself on O, when he could cut to the basket he is either not doing it OR is a second of so late in doing it. He doesn't position against his man well on either end. I'm rooting for him, I just think the time before the season that he wasn't with the guys has set him behind. We'll see if that is true soon enough.

If he was a three star recruit we would all be thrilled with his progress. Recruiting rankings aren’t always 100% right. I know some of you saw him play in high school. Did you think he was a can’t miss?

 

[RezClone]

Don't look now, but in the time between Prairie View and Florida A&M, not playing for a week, sandwiched between 2 cupcakes...

ISU moved from #8 in NET... to #7... and then to #6 NET where they currently sit.
All while being 0-1 in quad one games and having two losses overall.

Meanwhile, Kansas (9-1 overall) is 3-1 in quad one games with yet another brutal non-con. they are sitting at #13

Crazy, huh?

 

[mb7299]

Can't wait for the fluff season to be over with. I've barely watched any games so far because of how poor the schedule is this year. Hopefully this is the last time it's this bad as it'd have been amazing to see them even play MVC level teams.

 

[cydnote]

and to 13 on KenPom

 

[Cupped]

That was our 25th straight non-conference win at Hilton. That's a streak. It really feels like Hilton Magic is returning.

 

[Aclone]

If he was a three star recruit we would all be thrilled with his progress. Recruiting rankings aren’t always 100% right. I know some of you saw him play in high school. Did you think he was a can’t miss?

Yes, because he is. And everyone also thought he was unfinished on offense.

One problem is that Tre King is playing Omaha’s specific role.

I know it’s been said here that Omaha is a one and done regardless, but I can’t help but think that another year would help—more than the G League. Especially when you add Rock (a post who can play outside) and Indrusaitus (an elite shooter and passer) to the returning mix.

But then, maybe I’m just greedy.

 

[cyclones500]

Hey, @CycloneRulzzz, who won closest-to-the-pin award for game score?

(I know it wasn't me, although I did come close on point-spread)

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Rulzzz Prediction Awards

Lots of score predictions and many were fairly close so ranking them was hard.

38 point difference and 1 off on each team from being dead on

Thanks Rulzzz!
GO CYCLONES!!! ☼
Iowa State 97 - 59 Florida A&M

The last A&M game (PV A&M), I predicted a 35 point win (97-62) and felt a bit guilty for doing it! We started slow but, by gads we beat that and sqeaked by with a 51 point win!!

I'm not saying we will do that again! Predicting a 38 point win, any game, is pretty incredible. It would not surprise me to win with a much lower margin, finals and all. On the other hand, I think we could do better than Iowa (who just had a 36 point win against this team) and could easily hit a 40+ point win margin.

Lower than actual final but nailed 38 point difference

Probably a lackluster game in front of a quiet crowd
89-51 Cyclones

39 point difference 1 off final difference

ISU 87 FAMU 48. LET's GOOOO!

39 point difference 1 off final difference

Iowa State 85, FAMU 46

Nailed ISU total but 2 off the final difference

Going with a 96-60 nail biter.

35 point difference

ISU > 90
FAMU < 55

If Tamin plays at least 25 minutes, he could break his own steal’s record.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Hey, @CycloneRulzzz, who won closest-to-the-pin award for game score?

(I know it wasn't me, although I did come close on point-spread)

I was literally compiling said post. lol

 

[I-stateTheTruth]

Not a deep analysis but some positives that caught my eye:

* Pavletzke's continued confidence and shooting. What a revelation he's been the last few weeks.

* Curtis Jones is a great combo of scoring and defensive energy off the bench. It doesn't look like there'll be a big drop-off when Pav and he come in (though we'll have to see vs. Big12 comp).

* Omaha brought high energy and showed how he might contribute at times this year. While he did get blown past in his first defensive possession and still is not completely comfortable, he showed signs of using his athleticism plus high energy.

* Tamin hitting FIVE 3s in a game after hitting five last year??? I had no idea he'd make this big of a leap (and not just in shooting; his whole game has improved). What a credit to the work he put in.

* Tre "G.A.M." King - I hope he can do 70% in the Big 12 of what he's done in recent games in the lane. It was also good to see him hit a 14-footer. The guy's really looking strong and confident.

* Momcilovic may have had as many points on the move in that game as he's had all season. I was hoping he'd start to show the ability to do more than catch-and-shoot and Dirk turnarounds and he showed a few moves tonight. He's not explosive but a guy with his shot has got to be able to keep them honest by putting the ball on the deck and/or on the blocks.

Some nice, encouraging signs in an otherwise meaningless game.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

That was our 25th straight non-conference win at Hilton. That's a streak. It really feels like Hilton Magic is returning.

We will find out soon enough when Houston comes to town.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Don't look now, but in the time between Prairie View and Florida A&M, not playing for a week, sandwiched between 2 cupcakes...

ISU moved from #8 in NET... to #7... and then to #6 NET where they currently sit.
All while being 0-1 in quad one games and having two losses overall.

Meanwhile, Kansas (9-1 overall) is 3-1 in quad one games with yet another brutal non-con. they are sitting at #13

Crazy, huh?

Tells you all you need to know about the NET as a metric...

 

[simply1]

King has looked like Kawhi out there

 

[NENick]

I'm hoping Lipsey doesn't ever have foul troubles.

I'm not sure how things would go as far as effective back up PG goes. Maybe it will come with time.

Hmm, I feel better about back-up pg than I have since Kane/Monte. But yeah, 30+ mpg for Lipsey seems ideal.

Yes, because he is. And everyone also thought he was unfinished on offense.

One problem is that Tre King is playing Omaha’s specific role.

I know it’s been said here that Omaha is a one and done regardless, but I can’t help but think that another year would help—more than the G League. Especially when you add Rock (a post who can play outside) and Indrusaitus (an elite shooter and passer) to the returning mix.

But then, maybe I’m just greedy.

I completely agree that a big reason Omaha isn't playing is because Tre deserves those minutes. Hasan coming back healthy will only make it harder for Omaha to see the floor. This isn’t middle school. TJ is playing who he feels needs the minutes in order to be best prepared for conference play. Omaha and Watson aren't cracking the lineup at this point. What a luxury!

Can't wait for the fluff season to be over with. I've barely watched any games so far because of how poor the schedule is this year. Hopefully this is the last time it's this bad as it'd have been amazing to see them even play MVC level teams.

I've watched every minute and enjoyed it!

 

[cyfreddy]

He's buried so deep on that bench he doesn't even have his warm up shirt off

Omaha was featured on the scorecard tonight, and it said he was from Dension and not from Waukee, what is that all about?

 

[Clone95]

You could tell at tip off that Omaha wasn’t going to get many minutes tonight. I’m sure it’s part of some plan. Can we just trust TJ and be happy that Milan is playing like a 5 star recruit?