Halfway done…

[acoustimac]

The ladies are halfway through the conference season Sitting at 6-3. Most of us would have been overjoyed with that record prior to the start of conference play. But after seeing how well this team can play I know I feel there were so many opportunities lost. I posted in another thread that a 5-4 second half record is very possible. It could also be worse. BUT, I looked at the schedule again and I firmly believe this team can right itself. If it does it could win every home game and pick up 1-2 on the road. I could see another 6-3 record or even 7-2 IF the defense shores up. What are your thoughts?

 

[BCClone]

The ladies are halfway through the conference season Sitting at 6-3. Most of us would have been overjoyed with that record prior to the start of conference play. But after seeing how well this team can play I know I feel there were so many opportunities lost. I posted in another thread that a 5-4 second half record is very possible. It could also be worse. BUT, I looked at the schedule again and I firmly believe this team can right itself. If it does it could win every home game and pick up 1-2 on the road. I could see another 6-3 record or even 7-2 IF the defense shores up. What are your thoughts?

What do they have to do to make the tourney?

 

[BoxsterCy]

What do they have to do to make the tourney?

"Technically" the forfeit doesn't count for anything but Big 12 rankings but I believe you can count it when doing overalls since the committee will know that was a likely win if played. Usually 9-9 gets you on the bubble or in but I think Kansas was 9-9 last year and got left out. We've gone 9-9 four times and made the NCAA all four of those years.

So, my hot take:

9-9 Bubble, crappy seed maybe a 10
10-8 Bubble probably in, crappy seed 8/9
11-7 in, seed?
12-6 in and maybe avoids the dreaded 8/9 seed.

We've been in the 8/9/10 seed area the last couple of weeks since the talking heads put us "in". Our current NET is #38 and poll votes have us at AP #28 (will drop some Monday) and coaches #32 so the seeding projections are sort of in line with the "rankings".

#boredonSundaynighthottake

 

[acoustimac]

"Technically" the forfeit doesn't count for anything but Big 12 rankings but I believe you can count it when doing overalls since the committee will know that was a likely win if played. Usually 9-9 gets you on the bubble or in but I think Kansas was 9-9 last year and got left out. We've gone 9-9 four times and made the NCAA all four of those years.

So, my hot take:

9-9 Bubble, crappy seed maybe a 10
10-8 Bubble probably in, crappy seed 8/9
11-7 in, seed?
12-6 in and maybe avoids the dreaded 8/9 seed.

We've been in the 8/9/10 seed area the last couple of weeks since the talking heads put us "in". Our current NET is #38 and poll votes have us at AP #28 (will drop some Monday) and coaches #32 so the seeding projections are sort of in line with the "rankings".

#boredonSundaynighthottake

Normally I’d agree, but our losses in the non-con really hurt. A 9-9 conference record would mean an overall 15-13 record (if my math is right). That won’t lead anywhere except the NIT. They need at least 17 wins and likely 18 to get a ticket to the dance IMO.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Just my two cents but they need to run some offense and move the ball. We have a lot of possessions where we are forcing the ball inside or doing way too much dribbling. I don't really get it, this isn't how Iowa State used to play but it's been our strategy for the last few years.

 

[CYdTracked]

I think the ladies make it to the tourney which probably beats expectations given all the attrition after last season. Consistency is the biggest issue right now which is understandable with as many freshman playing big minutes. Audi has far exceeded expectations and is our best player so far. Addy is the one that seems to have hit the wall lately offensively. Just 1 double digit scoring game over the past 4 games. Getting her back to more of the double-double type games she had earlier would be a big boost. Getting something from Diew again would help a lot too. She has gone MIA on offense for over a month now. On a positive note Bristow has been stepping up more lately and providing some nice minutes off the bench.

It's been a fun group to watch this season regardless. There was a bit of a black cloud in the offseason with the transfers out then Ryan having to sit out to start the season that there wasn't much optimism coming into this season and then the freshman embraced the challenge in front of them and have done more than any of us could of imagined.

 

[ICCYFAN]

Getting something from Diew again would help a lot too. She has gone MIA on offense for over a month now. On a positive note Bristow has been stepping up more lately and providing some nice minutes off the bench.

At WVU, Diew played 19 minutes and was perfect from the floor for 9 points (2-2 from floor, 1-1 from three point and 4-4 from free throws), 4 rebounds, 1 blocked shot and 0 turnovers. She really played well in the second half, which was a sight for sore eyes! I guess you were watching the ISU men beat KU on Saturday!

Having acknowledged that Diew played well, I was disappointed in Bristow's lack of playing time in the second half. She totaled 18 minutes, with 12 points (5-10 from field with two 3 pointers), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 turnovers, almost entirely in the first half. If I remember correctly, she threw up a couple ill-advised threes early in the second half and went to the bench for the rest of the game. She needs to be on the court and CBF needs to allow her to make mistakes. Same holds true for Kelsey Joens, who only got ten minutes versus WVU.

I'm not a coach with HOF credentials, but these five freshman are special and I'd start the Fab Five together for the rest of the season. Ryan & Belanger, along with Diew and Natabou, can come off the benchl JMHO.

 

[CYdTracked]

At WVU, Diew played 19 minutes and was perfect from the floor for 9 points (2-2 from floor, 1-1 from three point and 4-4 from free throws), 4 rebounds, 1 blocked shot and 0 turnovers. She really played well in the second half, which was a sight for sore eyes! I guess you were watching the ISU men beat KU on Saturday!

Having acknowledged that Diew played well, I was disappointed in Bristow's lack of playing time in the second half. She totaled 18 minutes, with 12 points (5-10 from field with two 3 pointers), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 turnovers, almost entirely in the first half. If I remember correctly, she threw up a couple ill-advised threes early in the second half and went to the bench for the rest of the game. She needs to be on the court and CBF needs to allow her to make mistakes. Same holds true for Kelsey Joens, who only got ten minutes versus WVU.

I'm not a coach with HOF credentials, but these five freshman are special and I'd start the Fab Five together for the rest of the season. Ryan & Belanger, along with Diew and Natabou, can come off the benchl JMHO.

Yes I was at the KU game so I didn't watch much of the women's game other than a few minutes during halftime on my phone. Yes Diew had a better game but it hasn't been the norm for her lately. Case in point see her game log: Nyamer Diew 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAW - ESPN She's had 3 Big 12 games with 0 points and 3 others with just 1 made FG. She plays good defense so maybe its nitpicking but we've seen that she can be a capable scorer at times too so feels like you never really know what version is going to show up on a given night. I love her energy when she is on the floor, maybe my expectations were a little increased coming into this season being one of the holdovers and a senior that she'd be playing a little bigger role on offense by now. Her numbers are pretty comparable to last year although she is averaging about 7 more minutes a game this year on the season but that's been scaled back over the last 6 games. 28 mpg a game on the year but been just under 19 over the last 6 games.

 

[acoustimac]

Nice article in the Register discussing ISU. Being in contention to make the dance.
Check out this article from Des Moines Register:

ESPN's Charlie Creme believes Iowa State women's basketball is an NCAA Tournament team

ESPN's Charlie Creme believes Iowa State women's basketball is an NCAA Tournament team

ESPN women's basketball bracketologist Charlie Creme has Iowa State reaching the NCAA Tournament. He discusses what ISU needs to do to stay there.

www.desmoinesregister.com