CW: Five thoughts on Iowa State's late-season turnaround

[ChrisMWilliams]

Enjoy.

WILLIAMS: Five thoughts on Iowa State basketball’s late season turnaround

KANSAS CITY — Following Thursday’s 78-72 quarterfinal win over Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament, here are my current thoughts on the status of Iowa State basketball in quick-hit form. 5 — Looking back…. None of the guys in the locker room have anything bad to say about Caleb Grill. So I don’t

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[NickTheGreat]

 

[mjhavlo76]

Couldn’t be peaking at a more better time!!

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

I’m not sure peaking is the right term just yet. Playing well, yes, but we have Baylor’s numbers. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

 

[Cyforce]

I’m not sure peaking is the right term just yet. Playing well, yes, but we have Baylor’s numbers. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

KU is our Kansas city *****.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

Playing with house money tomorrow

 

[GoldCy]

Drastic change in substitutions. We used to be very predictable.

 

[CyCloned]

ISU is pretty darn good when Gabe and Holmes are shooting well. The guys really went after the boards today, and they needed too. Look at the stats. Baylor shot out of their minds today, especially the guy that was 7-8 from 3.

 

[CyCloned]

Playing with house money tomorrow

Yep, guys just need to come out and play loose.

 

[MushroomPinball]

I’m not sure peaking is the right term just yet. Playing well, yes, but we have Baylor’s numbers. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Iowa State hasn't even begun to peak and when they do, you're going to feel it.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

Iowa State hasn't even begun to peak and when they do, you're going to feel it.

 

[Marcelason78]

Drastic change in substitutions. We used to be very predictable.

And King starting and getting good minutes has payed dividends.

 

[fsanford]

1) Grill was having an impact on the team and it needed to be dealt with
2) TJ finally decided to trust his bench more.

Not sure if it is coincidence both things occurred at the same time. But guys are having fun again

 

[Frak]

IMO he should have been going deeper into the bench the whole time. Two years in a row now they start out playing with incredible energy and effort only to bog down the 2nd half of the conference season. I mean, they look so tired and beat down that you wonder if they’ll win another game. I think TJ needs to trust his bench more earlier in the season so those starters still have their legs in February.

 

[allfourcy]

I’m not sure peaking is the right term just yet. Playing well, yes, but we have Baylor’s numbers. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

I was thinking the same thing. While its been a pure joy watching these last two games, and seeing 'contributions' from more guys down low like King, Watson, and Ward...both games have been against Baylor who as everyone has said , "they're a good matchup for us". Win or lose today vs. KU, I think it will give us a better indication of the outlook of some of these guys.

 

[Cyclonepride]

IMO he should have been going deeper into the bench the whole time. Two years in a row now they start out playing with incredible energy and effort only to bog down the 2nd half of the conference season. I mean, they look so tired and beat down that you wonder if they’ll win another game. I think TJ needs to trust his bench more earlier in the season so those starters still have their legs in February.

Definitely, especially with the effort these guys give night in and night out. Getting everyone involved will keep the key guys fresh game by game, and for the late season.

 

[allfourcy]

Definitely, especially with the effort these guys give night in and night out. Getting everyone involved will keep the key guys fresh game by game, and for the late season.

Agree. Still wish Gabe didn't have to play 39 minutes today, but its so hard to take him off the floor.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Agree. Still wish Gabe didn't have to play 39 minutes today, but its so hard to take him off the floor.

It is. Luckily, if there is any guy on the team that can play at a high level for 40 minutes for three games in three days, it is Gabe. Iron man

 

[allfourcy]

It is. Luckily, if there is any guy on the team that can play at a high level for 40 minutes for three games in three days, it is Gabe. Iron man

He's going to have to guard Wilson today. That will be 39 minutes of iron for sure. Maybe a few other guys are going to have to guard him for a few minutes at a time. So hard to give help, because you just can't leave Gradey D. open.

 

[Cyclonepride]

He's going to have to guard Wilson today. That will be 39 minutes of iron for sure. Maybe a few other guys are going to have to guard him for a few minutes at a time. So hard to give help, because you just can't leave Gradey D. open.

Watson is a guy that could be big defensively in this game.