Yes, get it to the 90 percent FT shooter to make it a two possession game late. Loved the decision.
*** Official #2 Houston vs IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***
- Thread starter CycloneRulzzz
- Start date
It's tough to tell without being biased of course, but I felt like Houston was very handsy in their defense and typically wasn't called for it (most of their fouls came at the rim or on blocking fouls with the body). For instance, it felt like as soon as MM touched the ball, his defender at least one hand on him, if not two.
On the other side, I feel like this Iowa State defense, compared to the previous couple years, is better at defending without fouling (regardless of whether the fouls get called or not). Fewer hand checks, fewer swipes at the ball, and more defense that's just quick feet. Maybe that'll change as we face better offenses, but at least tonight that's how it felt. The first two Otz years it felt like we were the ones getting away with a foul every possession and daring the refs to call it.
That shot was like an NBA game winner. Not much else you can do to defend that.
Anybody got a pic of the crowd, say mid 2nd half? How full (or MT) did it look?
Good shout out to Curtis too. He was awesome defensively and moving the ball. He’s a valuable bench guy.
This is gonna be good...Opportunity to regain some skin in the game:
I think you are right about us. It does seem (from afar) that TJ realizes he has to control the number of fouls his team is getting. There is a concentrated effort to foul less while still maintaining good D.
He (TJ) is an analytics guy. He wants us to make more free throws and the other team to make less. That makes sense!
That was a satisfying W - the relatively young Cyclones matched Houston's physicality and didn't flinch. Hat's off to the Cougars - that play where PG Jamal Shead blocked BRE to himself for the breakaway was spectacular. If not for MM's game winner, that would have been my play of the game! Go State!!!
Just watched Kelvin Sampson's post game. He is still just as big of an ass as he was when he coached at OU. ISU played a hell of a game and he refused to give even a modicum of credit. I had hoped he grew up a bit. Nope.
Ward doesn't know when, as some other guys don't at times, to just let a guy score. One of his fouls came when a player drove to the hoop and had a clear lane to the basket. It wasn't even Ward's man but he rotated over to contest the shot. That's a case where you concede the basket and live to fight another day. Sometimes you get beat and the tradeoff of contesting vs the odds of a valuable player picking up a foul just aren't worth it.
As for Jones being "better" thats not even remotely the case. Half of Wards fouls come on plays where Ward is able to position himself to make a play that BRE or even King couldnt dream of doing. Ward is a force, he just needs to recognize those extra 1 to 3 times a game where he's not going to make a play without (likely) fouling.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Glad that TJ called those 2 touchdown plays to get this started.
Houston was very handsy and with MM in particular were bodying him up coming off screens.
I think you are right. If ISU got a tightly called game they could adjust this year.
Houston got called for quite a few more fouls, got away with more, so I think it was about how you might expect. Houston is one of those tough teams to officiate. Overall great defense but lots of fouling.
Lmao. BRE shot 42% or so in conference play last year but that didn't stop Otz from using him late in games. So if that IS the reason why does that matter now when it apparently hasn't in the past.
That was TJs 8th top ten win in less than 2.5 seasons at ISU. Does Fran have that in his entire career?