*** Official Kansas State vs #23 IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***

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Not following this one

Pretty sure he got a monster NIL deal at Creighton

Kaluma was committed to play for TJ at UNLV before TJ took the Iowa State job.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/apr/27/unlv-basketball-loses-top-recruit-arthur-kaluma/

He reopened his commitment and initially went to Creighton before K-State.

I don't know if the Creighton decision was pre-NIL or not.

I can only imagine the K-State commitment had some serious NIL behind it.
 
Something to keep an eye on tonight: Arthur Kaluma is an absolute stud. I think I remember hearing he was one of Creighton's top signees ever. 4 star out of St Louis I believe??

Similar to Tre King, but better shooter and more athletic (No disrespect to Tre King, and please please prove me wrong)
Kaluma committed to TJ out of HS. I have full confidence Otz (with a potential call to McDermott) will have a good plan how to frustrate him.
 
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Kaluma was committed to play for TJ at UNLV before TJ took the Iowa State job.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/apr/27/unlv-basketball-loses-top-recruit-arthur-kaluma/

He reopened his commitment and initially went to Creighton before K-State.

I don't know if the Creighton decision was pre-NIL or not.

I can only imagine the K-State commitment had some serious NIL behind it.
Yeah I remember thinking that we'd have a shot with him but I don't think TJ even considered it. Either way, that was one of the first years of NIL when Kaluma went to Creighton.
 
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Does anybody know how/why TJ didn't bring Kaluma with him to Ames...?

The guy has been having some monster games lately...

https://www.barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?t=Kansas+St.&year=2024&p=Arthur+Kaluma
It was a major topic of conversation when TJ left UNLV for ISU. I don't think the staff ever tried to get AK to Ames as they didn't think he'd be a fit for the culture TJ was trying to set.
I've never seen specific reason but considering he ended up at Creighton we can all make the assumption.
 
Someone else who can't read.

He has been. But, again, his athletic limitations do pose problems when he's improperly utilized. He simply isn't athletic enough to cover when we have 2-3 of our worst defenders on the court at the same time. Again (emphasizing for those with reading comprehension issues here), that's not on Rob but on Otz.
I think if we stop throwing him the ball while he's cutting to the basket even you couldn't find something to ***** about.
 
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Kaluma doesn't have a great reputation as a teammate and plays selfishly. Can't see him as a fit here.

I doubt we could afford him anyways but than again Kansas State is not some NIL tycoon. Tang had a lot of program momentum last Spring and I'm sure sold Kaluma on the Keyontae Johnson role.
 
Only when BRE has the ball

Haha.

Nah. I only do this when certain posters piss on my posts without even reading. I don't care when people don't agree but disagree with something that was never stated, lol. I've seen that happen 3 or 4 times in this thread alone. Unsurprisingly its the same posters every single time.

As for BRE it was maddening watching him play the first 75 percent of last year. He was Ejiming layups, forcing ridiculous shots on the offensive end, and putting the ball on the floor way too much. At the end of last year, more specifically this year, he has played within himself extremely well. His moves are quicker, more decisive, and he's dunking the ball instead of missing layups. His footwork is better and he's much more consistent. I can't recall which game it was, maybe OU in the 2nd half, bur he was trying to do some things when trapped/doubled. Probably the only time I've seen "bad Rob" all year.

To be fair I've probably praised him more than just about anyone this year. He was already a hard worker, nobody has ever doubted that, but the dude busted his ass and showed massive improvement late in his career. I guess Grills improvement from 2 years ago to last should habe showed me such improvement is possible even if the athleticism is limited. Hats off to him.
 
On an internet forum where it is literally impossible to interpret tone, voice, demeaner, etc. - why get so hung up on the written delivery? Isn't it the substance what matters?

BRE is a really good player, a really improved player, that most definitely does have physical and talent limitations, and a fan here has expressed concern with coaching decisions that said fan perceives to put BRE (and the team) in positions that don't give it best change to be successful.

Seems like an OK position to have. Nothing really controversial. No one here should expect that TJ is always making the right decisions, in real-time or in hindsight. It is perfectly OK to share a bit of frustration that TJ's teams have lost (or almost lost) some huge leads in the past couple of season. It is actually even OK to b*tch about it a little bit, as that's what passionate fans do - they b*tch about stuff that they have no control over in any way. I actually think it is kind of silly that fans imply things like "I trust the coach to make the right decisions!" Cyclone fans are especially clingy and dorky about coaches and the overarching "defending" of coaches, like they are family member. The only thing we can even realistically hope to 'trust' about our coach is that A) TJ wants to win, badly, and B) He's watching way more tape than any of us could ever dream of, and learning from his coaching decisions (and mistakes) and applying those learnings in the future.
ZRF doesn't understand TJ bringing up Rob's limitations is actually his way of complementing his accomplishments.
 
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It was a major topic of conversation when TJ left UNLV for ISU. I don't think the staff ever tried to get AK to Ames as they didn't think he'd be a fit for the culture TJ was trying to set.
I've never seen specific reason but considering he ended up at Creighton we can all make the assumption.

Kaluma doesn't have a great reputation as a teammate and plays selfishly. Can't see him as a fit here.

Odd TJ would think he was okay for his culture in Paradise.

And that he'd put in a good word for Kaluma with McDermott.

(I'm sure some conversation took place there between the two of them.)

But then not want him in Ames. They could have used a guy like that.
 
I highlighted the part about TJ's team's losing leads because I think it's important to note that basketball is in large part, a game of runs and when you're playing against quality opponents, it's inevitable that they're going to go on a run. When a team has a lead that stretches to 16-20 points, it's really not that crazy to see the opposing team go on a run, especially when that team is solid.

Now, that's not to say that TJ gets no blame. I don't think he's the best utilizing his TO's at times during other team's runs. I will say I thought he was pretty perfect in that TCU game though.

Very good post.

I thought he was much better with his TOs than he was his rotations. Other than Pavs, it was less about who he used than it was who he used together. While I agree games are full of runs and I was expecting TCU to have at least one good run in them at home, but really thought Otz compounded that issue with said rotations. When Tre isnt paying attention, Pavs can't keep up athletically, Omaha still has lapses, BRE isn't quick enough to cover for others mistakes, and Milan is still figuring things out, there are combinations yiu stay away from, ESPECIALLY with a big lead. With said lead Ward and Watson needed to be out there as much as possible, especially if Cujo and Gilbert are being spelled.

You know last year, when we were subbing guys in and out like it was pre-determined and scheduled? I'd like to see Otz show a better feel for the game. Show you understand effective rotations, when timeouts should be utilized, and when to run set plays.

Based on your responses I think you'd agree with me Otz is much better in leading practices, creating a culture, and preparation than he is managing a game. He's hardly alone in that distinction (Campbell is the same way).
 
ZRF doesn't understand TJ bringing up Rob's limitations is actually his way of complementing his accomplishments.

Another errant comment.

When did I ever say or imply such? I'm perfectly aware that was intention. Also, if you had the ability to infer context, I was and have been stating the exact same thing all year: Bob busts his ass and is getting the most out of what he has.

Good lord, if people had this reaction when people (rightfully) stated "I wish Tamin was better and more decisive st shooting the 3" last year it would have been nuts. Just because a player has a limitation, or in this case probably isn't the best utilized in certain rotational combinations, doesn't mean one is hating on the player. Far from it.
 
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