The overarching point you're making is correct. However, you're disregarding the context of the actual schedule. We have 7 wins baked in thanks to strategic scheduling. 9 non-conference wins is very reasonable. 10 would be great.
2021-2022 Nonconference Schedule
- Thread starter CyPunch
- Start date
The overarching point you're making is correct. However, you're disregarding the context of the actual schedule. We have 7 wins baked in thanks to strategic scheduling. 9 non-conference wins is very reasonable. 10 would be great.
This is definitely not meant to start another flame war about the Prohm tenure.
But the 2017/2018 team (the one the year after Morris and his class left Ames) beat...
3/3 in its preseason tournament, defeated a pretty good Boise State squad in the championship
beat Iowa in Hilton
#8 Texas Tech
#15 West Virginia
#17 Oklahoma
also beat a decent Baylor team that went 8-8 in the Big 12
I will note that was considered a "bad" team at the time, and it only went 13-18 and 4-14.
I am not very used to agreeing with you, but I agree -- if we are making progress, we should be replicating some of these accomplishments, rather than beating the cupcakes and nothing else.
I don't disagree that the schedule is set up to get Ws and that is EXACTLY what should have been done with this team. 1000% the right move.
I just think it's unrealistic to expect such a young team to not have a couple of those nights where they play down to the level of the competition in the same way I expect them to play up to the level of competition at times. It's a really big ask for this team to show that maturity on an every night basis.
This team will win some games they shouldn't but is also going to lose some games they shouldn't. It's the nature of a rebuild.
Going to be fun as hell to watch no matter what!
This team will be closer to the bubble than most think
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Maybe. Probably not.
If I am, does it matter? I'm not pressing high expectations here. If I'm wrong, then that's a lot of fun up ahead this year.
I dont have high expectations either, but 9-4 in non-con and at least 6 Big 12 wins seems reasonable.
I'm in the same boat. That said, I'm not going to lose my freaking mind if we lose to one of those 7 body bag teams. Not saying we WILL lose to one, just not going to freak out if we do. I'm along for the ride and am certain it will be more fun than last year.
This is a rare season when NIT would seem satisfactory (ahead of time).
On the other hand, if it's that close to bubble territory, I'd prefer to grab a couple more wins somewhere along the way and get an NCAAT bid.
Caveat to my on-the-other-hand statement: If first couple of months are rough but the team begins to gel & surge in February and March to reach NIT level, that's a different matter.
8-10 might be asking too much. That requires something like 6-3 in Hilton and a couple road wins, something they haven't done going on 2 seasons now.
We will be underdogs in at least five of our non conference games this year. 7-6 would certainly be a negative but I think it would be prudent to let the season play out before we start using “red flag” terminology for a guy that took over a 2-22 program.
Maybe T.J. Can beat Iowa and then lose to Jackson State since you want to compare to the CSP era.
Do we get to lose to one of the cupcakes at home like we did with Milwaukee as long as we pull over upsets later in the year? Or do we just burn it down after a potential loss to an Elite 8 squad (Oregon State)?
If we get to 14 wins this year it will be a very successful season in Year 1. 8-10 in the Big 12 is delusional based upon the fact your Top 7 will be completely new players and Foster. You will get swept by Baylor, Texas and Kansas more than likely as those will all be Top 8 squad. 5-4 in Hilton in the Big 12 and a win on the road would be a step in the right direction. More importantly just don’t get throttled.
I think it's prudent to let the season play out also, but you seem to have the "excuse" gun all locked, loaded and ready to go. Who gives a rats rear end what happened last year. CMC would not except what had happened in the past as a excuse for what to expect now and look at where our football program is. I'm sure TJ doesn't agree with your sentiment that hey......last year sucked so give me a break. Last I heard he wants to win.............now!
Remember, you and all the other day one Prohm haters were the one's having a ticker tape parade with this hire telling us of his recruiting and coaching prowess. And now you want to throw water on that fire.....................screw that! I'm excited with the talent he kept, and the talent he brought in and expecting this group to challenge the bubble.
What did Matt Campbell do in his first year? How about Fred Hoiberg? You could argue that the talent that CSP left was bottom five in all of Power 5. And now we expect bubble in Year 1. GTFOH. This from the Prohm lover faction that preached patience for the last 4 years. We will be back in the tournament by Year 2 and I think T.J. will eventually put the program back in the Top 20 range that Hoiberg left it. But culture isn’t established overnight. If you actually listen to Campbell you would know that.
I don't know 1 person who "expects" bubble. I think people are simply stating the bubble isn't outside thr realm of possibility when you look at the roster and schedule to go along with a new coaching style.
Literally post #55 “I’m expecting this group to challenge for the bubble”.
It is outside of the realm of reasonable possibilities. To make the tournament this team would need to finish 19-12. That would be +17 wins over last year. This has happened once in Iowa State history and it was with the most talented group of Cyclones to ever put on a Jersey (1999-2000).
I believe that +17 would actually tie the record with Towson, Mercer and UTEP as the best single season turnaround ever. So yes it is an unrealistic expectation and thus not reasonable. If it happens it will be historic.
Yeah, I see being on the bubble as best case scenario. There is a lot of experience on the team and that generally translates to a better year and there is some really good talent. Just need to learn to play together and hopefully this coaching staff is as good at coaching the game as I think they are.