I was so disapointed in what I saw last night that I signed up here to air some issues that I've been noticing since the summer league.
I already noticed the thread about Christopherson's issues on defense, but I want to keep this thread positive and not just call a good guy out.
Towards the very end Iowa State put on some pressure, caused some turnovers, and made some key buckets to get back in the game. Once we got back in the game and after Coach Hoiberg had an opportunity to setup his defensive strategy with the team... Christopherson was put on a fairly speedy Drake point guard (I say fairly speedy because they will get faster in the Big 12). Obviously for those watching Christopherson was on him way out towards half court and he got beat bad allowing Drake the easy bucket.
What happened was not Christopherson's fault. He was asked to play and defend quick point guards and he did the best he could.
I like having him with the program and we needed him to play a big role in past years. But to be honest if he was playing for Baylor he'd be a speciality shooter (role player) off the bench.
If Iowa State wants to compete in the Big 12 we can't be asking Christopherson to do things he just can't physically do.
I'd also like to give the Iowa State program credit for recruiting Tyrus McGee from the JUCO ranks. McGee clearly doesn't have the length we'd all like to see in a two, but he clearly looks like a high percentage shooter. Plus he has much quicker feet than Christopherson.
Allen and McGee need to start in the backcourt with McGee off the ball. Ejim's perimeter skills are clearly a work in progress and is still a long ways from being an NBA prospect at the SF position but he still is a dynamic talent with upside. He should start at the 3 for Iowa State and hopefully he figures it out.
To compete in the Big 12 Iowa State needs to pair Booker and White up front. We are lucky to have two big bodies that are skilled in the post. The first option in the half court set is for them to get good post position and to drop it in... play inside out.
Royce White this summer has showcased that he can handle the ball and pass it well for a big man. But at 6'7 and 270 he is not a point guard. He made great plays in the summer league that drew lots of applause, but he also forced the action and turned the ball over against D2 and D3 level competition. To be clear I have no problems with Royce White driving from the top of the key within the flow of the offense. I have no problem with him starting the fast break like Barkley used to do in the NBA off a rebound if he has numbers... but he should not be the decision maker/ point guard on the floor. Generally speaking he needs to outlet to the guards. If he pretends he is Magic against Big 12 competition it will end up hurting the team. He'll have some big highlights, but he'll also turn the ball over at a much higher rate.
I'm sure some will not like that I suggested McGee start over Christopherson, but it happens in college basketball all the time. New recruit comes in... former key player changes roles. In fact when Clyburn plays next year McGee should turn into the 6th man so the same thing should happen to him.
Also, I have a quick comment on Tavon Sledge. Based on this summer it is easy to see Sledge is a much bigger prospect and talent than Palo. Palo bailed the team out last year and we needed him, but I'd hate to see Sledge sit all year and then transfer. He really should be backing up Allen at the point in my opinion.
And I understand especially with Railey out why Booker and White both don't start, but Railey and Gibson are going to have to play spot minutes for Iowa State to be big enough to compete against top level competition. I understand why Godfrey isn't with the program any longer, but if Booker is coming off the bench because the staff doesn't have any faith in Gibson or Railey (when he comes back) to play spot minutes... then Godfrey will surely be missed this year as someone who could have handled the role well.
Right now Rayvonte Rice is the best player in the state of Iowa. I think everyone has gotten a little hyped up on Royce before he even suited up for the team. Over the summer at the Capital City League lots of people where trying to compare him to Marcus Fizer. Thinking back... one thing about Marcus Fizer... he had a jumpshot. I'm not yet sold on Royce being an NBA player. At 6'7 he is undersized for the PF position, but he does have some tools to help make up for that. But you can't get by as a man amoungst boys in the NBA. Well unless your Shaq, his work ethic sucked.
I already noticed the thread about Christopherson's issues on defense, but I want to keep this thread positive and not just call a good guy out.
Towards the very end Iowa State put on some pressure, caused some turnovers, and made some key buckets to get back in the game. Once we got back in the game and after Coach Hoiberg had an opportunity to setup his defensive strategy with the team... Christopherson was put on a fairly speedy Drake point guard (I say fairly speedy because they will get faster in the Big 12). Obviously for those watching Christopherson was on him way out towards half court and he got beat bad allowing Drake the easy bucket.
What happened was not Christopherson's fault. He was asked to play and defend quick point guards and he did the best he could.
I like having him with the program and we needed him to play a big role in past years. But to be honest if he was playing for Baylor he'd be a speciality shooter (role player) off the bench.
If Iowa State wants to compete in the Big 12 we can't be asking Christopherson to do things he just can't physically do.
I'd also like to give the Iowa State program credit for recruiting Tyrus McGee from the JUCO ranks. McGee clearly doesn't have the length we'd all like to see in a two, but he clearly looks like a high percentage shooter. Plus he has much quicker feet than Christopherson.
Allen and McGee need to start in the backcourt with McGee off the ball. Ejim's perimeter skills are clearly a work in progress and is still a long ways from being an NBA prospect at the SF position but he still is a dynamic talent with upside. He should start at the 3 for Iowa State and hopefully he figures it out.
To compete in the Big 12 Iowa State needs to pair Booker and White up front. We are lucky to have two big bodies that are skilled in the post. The first option in the half court set is for them to get good post position and to drop it in... play inside out.
Royce White this summer has showcased that he can handle the ball and pass it well for a big man. But at 6'7 and 270 he is not a point guard. He made great plays in the summer league that drew lots of applause, but he also forced the action and turned the ball over against D2 and D3 level competition. To be clear I have no problems with Royce White driving from the top of the key within the flow of the offense. I have no problem with him starting the fast break like Barkley used to do in the NBA off a rebound if he has numbers... but he should not be the decision maker/ point guard on the floor. Generally speaking he needs to outlet to the guards. If he pretends he is Magic against Big 12 competition it will end up hurting the team. He'll have some big highlights, but he'll also turn the ball over at a much higher rate.
I'm sure some will not like that I suggested McGee start over Christopherson, but it happens in college basketball all the time. New recruit comes in... former key player changes roles. In fact when Clyburn plays next year McGee should turn into the 6th man so the same thing should happen to him.
Also, I have a quick comment on Tavon Sledge. Based on this summer it is easy to see Sledge is a much bigger prospect and talent than Palo. Palo bailed the team out last year and we needed him, but I'd hate to see Sledge sit all year and then transfer. He really should be backing up Allen at the point in my opinion.
And I understand especially with Railey out why Booker and White both don't start, but Railey and Gibson are going to have to play spot minutes for Iowa State to be big enough to compete against top level competition. I understand why Godfrey isn't with the program any longer, but if Booker is coming off the bench because the staff doesn't have any faith in Gibson or Railey (when he comes back) to play spot minutes... then Godfrey will surely be missed this year as someone who could have handled the role well.
Right now Rayvonte Rice is the best player in the state of Iowa. I think everyone has gotten a little hyped up on Royce before he even suited up for the team. Over the summer at the Capital City League lots of people where trying to compare him to Marcus Fizer. Thinking back... one thing about Marcus Fizer... he had a jumpshot. I'm not yet sold on Royce being an NBA player. At 6'7 he is undersized for the PF position, but he does have some tools to help make up for that. But you can't get by as a man amoungst boys in the NBA. Well unless your Shaq, his work ethic sucked.
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