T J

[Cyclonepride]

The few people I know that knew TJ personally were rabidly supporting him to replace Fred. At the time, I didn’t quite get it, but now I do.

 

[ZRF]

That's incredibly unrealistic

I dont think it's that unrealistic. This could be a potential Elite 8 team this year. Several programs have done more with a lot less the last two decades. Expecting to be a perennial contender? Yeah, probably unrealisric. But having a 2nd-3rd weekend team every 5 years? That's a pretty good goal to strive for.

 

[cydnote]

This.

. Glad I was wrong.

You should be one happy guy. There's many on here that think you are wrong quite often

 

[alarson]

I dont think it's that unrealistic. This could be a potential Elite 8 team this year. Several programs have done more with a lot less the last two decades. Expecting to be a perennial contender? Yeah, probably unrealisric. But having a 2nd-3rd weekend team every 5 years? That's a pretty good goal to strive for.

Second weekend every 5 years is a lower expectation than E8\final 4 every 5 years.

I mean, we've basically shown we can do the first one over the last decade. But clearly E8\F4 is a big step farther than that.

 

[T-oh double D]

That would be fun but that's a super high bar.

I'm curious what programs have reached those types of tourney runs at that clip.

Absolutely a high bar, but it would be territory we’ve never been in. My question (and my hope) is whether TJ can get us to the next level where we’re getting a deep run every so often. I hope he’s the guy that can do it.

 

[CloniesForLife]

Since the 2015 coaching search will inevitably get brought up - it's clear TJ is a better fit for ISU than SP was, so in hindsight that would've been the right hire.

But in a way we also benefited from TJ coming in at such a low point. It gave him the latitude to rebuild everything as he saw fit; when you go 2-22 and winless in conference there are no sacred cows. That probably expedited the rebuild.

I've thought about this before. I think TJ would've been successful regardless BUT having to build this program back from where it was really forced him to lean into the gritty, defense first culture in a way he wouldn't have had to. Having that base with the success he's had is now allowing him to get more talented players and integrate them into that system/environment and pull up our offense without the defense taking a dip. Setting up the program to truly compete with the top dogs and be analytically in a place to have some deep runs in March.

 

[ZRF]

Seeing how you've posted about TJ, if you had posted back then that amount of negative energy could probably have powered a small nation or something.

I complain about things I see, am frustrated with, and usually support. While many disagree (which is fine) most come across as being assailed rather than taking issue with the actual points being said.

I hate when message boards are overly homerish and also dislike "weak hate" where fans say "we suck" without even trying to back it up.

I said it early in the year but I truly felt like this team would be the best team we've had since the Fizer team. It drives me nuts how much he plays Pavs as the data shows he's not a good player against quality teams. I back that up with some data yet many on here say I should be the coach, which is laughable.

I think TJ has done a fantastic job. But if we are going to maximize our potential it means playing Pavs less, playing Ward more, and making more FTs. Of those there are two things we can control and that's why I harp on them so much.

Whatever. It's the same people who take issue and they rarely refute with data. Hines and Sigmopolis are ones who will at least support, counter, or outright refute with something substantive.

 

[dahliaclone]

It's really a bummer because I used to chat with TJ's dad a lot on the other board and offline and Pollard really wanted TJ when we lost Fred but Pollard got told no and we got Prohm which was ok at the time. But you have to wonder where we'd be now (we are already doing incredible) if TJ was here this whole time after Fred.

 

[ZRF]

I've thought about this before. I think TJ would've been successful regardless BUT having to build this program back from where it was really forced him to lean into the gritty, defense first culture in a way he wouldn't have had to. Having that base with the success he's had is now allowing him to get more talented players and integrate them into that system/environment and pull up our offense without the defense taking a dip. Setting up the program to truly compete with the top dogs and be analytically in a place to have some deep runs in March.

Interesting perspective and one I'd like to hear TJs thoughts on. Maybe he has but if so I can't recall.

Is defense and effort first the chosen identity, or simply the identity he thought he needed to build the program? Maybe both is the answer? To be honest ai hadn't put as much thought into the why as it has just been this way. But once pondered it's interesting to think about.

 

[ZRF]

You should be one happy guy. There's many on here that think you are wrong quite often

I'm aware. It's the same people every time. When the x's, folders, and thumbs downs come in I already know who the posters are before looking.

 

[ZRF]

Second weekend every 5 years is a lower expectation than E8\final 4 every 5 years.

I mean, we've basically shown we can do the first one over the last decade. But clearly E8\F4 is a big step farther than that.

No it's not. The end of the 2nd weekend IS the elite 8. 3rd weekend is the Final Four.

There's a significant distinction between those games. I thought it was implied so not outwardly stated (I don't mean that in a smarmy way).

 

[WastedTalent]

Since the 2015 coaching search will inevitably get brought up - it's clear TJ is a better fit for ISU than SP was, so in hindsight that would've been the right hire.

But in a way we also benefited from TJ coming in at such a low point. It gave him the latitude to rebuild everything as he saw fit; when you go 2-22 and winless in conference there are no sacred cows. That probably expedited the rebuild.

Agree. I'm not sure TJ comes in with this style right after Hoiball. If he did, I can't imagine the fans would be too happy with it.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Since the 2015 coaching search will inevitably get brought up - it's clear TJ is a better fit for ISU than SP was, so in hindsight that would've been the right hire.

But in a way we also benefited from TJ coming in at such a low point. It gave him the latitude to rebuild everything as he saw fit; when you go 2-22 and winless in conference there are no sacred cows. That probably expedited the rebuild.

It also gave him experience in two places in building a staff and thinking about how he wanted to build a foundation for a program

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

If we could get to the E8 or F4 once every 4 or 5 years, that would be taking us to the next level in my opinion.
Right now, we’re a solid team that gets to the tournament most years and the occasional S16. My question is whether TJ can get us to that next level where we’re making a deep run every 4 years or so.

That would require money and more notoriety. We're not going to reach blue blood status without both and the only way to get the notoriety is to get there in the first place.

 

[CYdTracked]

I have said it before here, I think we got a better version of TJ when he got his feet wet as a head coach at another school before he took the job. He had no head coaching expirience when Fred left and it's not garuntee he would have had success right away. Prohm at the time had 20+ wins every season as a head coach and the roster was built to win now with an expirienced head coach.

Just enjoy the ride now and not dwell on the past. The future is bright with the system in place now.

 

[ChickenNuggetMan]

Also going to chime in for being wrong about TJ. I obviously didn’t have any issue with his character, but I was underwhelmed with his results as a HC at other schools. Man was I wrong. TJ is definitely in the right place right now and he’s killing it.

 

[CycloneErik]

1 Elite 8 and he equals the best in my lifetime.
1 Final Four and he equals an all-time ISU mark.
2 of either = Rename Hilton Coliseum!

Goodness, a 2nd Sweet 16 will be a Cyclone record.

 

[AlaCyclone]

There are three things that matter in the Modern Era (Orr to Present) of ISU Basketball. Win the Regular Season Championship, win the Big 12 Tournament and make the Sweet 16 (or higher).

L.E. leads the way with 2 Regular Season Championships, 1 Big 12 Tournament Championship and an Elite 8.

Fred Hoiberg won 2 Big 12 Tournaments and 1 Sweet 16.

Steve Prohm won 2 Big 12 Tournaments and 1 Sweet 16.

Tim Floyd won a Big 8 Tournament and 1 Sweet 16.

Johhny Orr had 1 Sweet 16.

T.J has 1 Sweet 16.

Hopefully, TJ can win a Regular Season, a Big 12 Tournament and / or make it to the Sweet 16 or higher this year to climb up this list!

 

[NWICY]

I love having TJ as our coach. I think it’s a little early to think about his legacy in terms of where he ranks of all-time Cyclone coaches. However, I agree with the OP- I feel like we have a chance to win every game we play in and that makes every game fun to watch.

TJ seems like a great guy and the thing I like about him most is that he loves Iowa State. You hear it in his interviews and just how he talks about our program- he’s one of us and that’s a huge plus in my book.

The only thing I wonder is if he can get us to that next step- that Final 4 or Elite 8 season on a regular basis. I think most seasons we‘re a solid 20-22 win team and a first or second round of the NCAA tournament, with the occasional Sweet 16 appearance. Just not sure if he can take us to the next level.

LOL Nebraska slipped into mediocrity chasing the "next level" fired 2 ten win coaches look what it got them.

If you're so smart who should be hired.

 

[Cmonwhatarewedoinghereman]

I'm aware. It's the same people every time. When the x's, folders, and thumbs downs come in I already know who the posters are before looking.

I’m new to saying it. I don’t disagree with some of the stuff you are posting but you’re ruining every thread you post in. Just dial it down by half and enjoy a pretty good time for cyclone fandom.