Wieben to play

[jaretac]

According to the Des Moines register.

Berkeley, Calif. — Iowa State center Nicky Wieben said she isn't about to watch what could be her final collegiate basketball game from the bench.

Wieben said she will play in tonight's NCAA Tournament regional semifinal game against Michigan State, set for 8 p.m. at Haas Pavilion.

She sprained her left foot in the final minute of Iowa State's 71-57 second-round victory against Ball State on Tuesday. Wieben was walking without trouble Friday, though she hadn't yet tried to run. She said the swelling had gone down.

"It's good," Wieben said. "I'll play tomorrow. Every day it seems to be better.

ISU's Wieben ready to battle Michigan State's tall tree | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

 

[CyCrazy]

sweet lets go clones!!!!!!!!!

 

[twistedredbird]

this is great news. Hopefully, we can play really well and get a good lead going so she can get some good time on the bench.

Go clones!!

 

[scyclonekid]

That is great news!! Go get em Cyclones, kick MSU's butt!! I just love watching these girls, actually I like all of Bill's teams. These girls are good and what can I say about Coach Fennely, awesome!!

 

[buckskin]

Why was she still playing with the game in hand and with about a minute left to play? Poor decision by BF imo.

 

[TedFlintKansas]

Lets complain about the only coach we have right now in the major sports that knows how to win, instead lets just be happy she is ok and is going to kick some spartan ***

 

[buckskin]

It wasn't a complaint, only an observation. Why would you leave your starters in with less than a minute to play with the game already won? It's a legitimate question.

 

[bawbie]

It wasn't a complaint, only an observation. Why would you leave your starters in with less than a minute to play with the game already won? It's a legitimate question.

because a 12-14 point lead can disappear in a hurry

the game didn't feel over until just before her injury happened.

 

[jaretac]

It wasn't a complaint, only an observation. Why would you leave your starters in with less than a minute to play with the game already won? It's a legitimate question.

BF is about as good as anyone at spreading playing time among the players so that everyone can play. He would never leave a player in to run up the score. I think we can assume he knew what he was doing by keeping Wieben in.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Why was she still playing with the game in hand and with about a minute left to play? Poor decision by BF imo.

How about you not only become the womens' coach, but also the mens' coach, the football coach, and the AD and then we can ***** about every little decision that you make...

 

[CyForPresident]

This is the NCAA tournament. You play until the clock reads zeros

 

[buckskin]

How about you not only become the womens' coach, but also the mens' coach, the football coach, and the AD and then we can ***** about every little decision that you make...

I have never made ONE negative comment about the fb coach, MBB coach or the AD. Not once, not ever. All I did was ask a simple question. I didn't expect to be put in front of a firing squad.

 

[mred]

I have never made ONE negative comment about the fb coach, MBB coach or the AD. Not once, not ever. All I did was ask a simple question. I didn't expect to be put in front of a firing squad.

Technically you didn't just ask a question. You also called it a "poor decision".

That said, to answer your question, this game wasn't remotely a blowout. It would have been stupid to pull her when ISU was up 12 points with 1:10 left, especially in a do-or-die game. There's no way having her in the game only 25 seconds later was a bad decision.

This is not the same situation as, say, Deb Patterson putting her starters back in with 3:30 left in the B12 Tourney against a Colorado team that hadn't been within 15 points all half.

 

[CTAClone]

Technically you didn't just ask a question. You also called it a "poor decision".

That said, to answer your question, this game wasn't remotely a blowout. It would have been stupid to pull her when ISU was up 12 points with 1:10 left, especially in a do-or-die game. There's no way having her in the game only 25 seconds later was a bad decision.

This is not the same situation as, say, Deb Patterson putting her starters back in with 3:30 left in the B12 Tourney against a Colorado team that hadn't been within 15 points all half.

What I thought was really classy was after that play, the Ball State coach took her starters out and conceded the game. I think she realized at that point it was a lost cause and didn't want to be the cause of any more injuries. Ball State has got a good coach.

 

[Dryburn]

Settle down everyone. Hindsight is always perfect. Looking back, I think everyone will agree it would have been nice (knowing what we know now) to not have the starters still in at that point, risking injury. It would be interesting to know what BF's thinking was there, as I am sure he had his reasons for still having her in. It was a legitimate question, but not sure any of us were thinking at the time.......Why doesn't he take the starters out?.........we only see it in hindsight, but it is still a legitimate question. IMHO

 

[Benny34]

What I thought was really classy was after that play, the Ball State coach took her starters out and conceded the game. I think she realized at that point it was a lost cause and didn't want to be the cause of any more injuries. Ball State has got a good coach.

I noticed this too. Very very nice and classy move out of her.

 

[Dave19642006]

She looked hot too, but dyes her hair

 

[twistedredbird]

If my memory serves correctly, I believe reserves were waiting to go into the game at the time of her going down, BF was waiting for a dead ball.

 

[clonetheworld]

If my memory serves correctly, I believe reserves were waiting to go into the game at the time of her going down, BF was waiting for a dead ball.

I have the game recorded. At 1:09 Nisleit hits 2 free throws giving the cyclones the 14 point lead. There is no one waiting the scorer's desk when Wieben is injured with :56 left. BF leaves the starters in until the game is over. She is hurt when Ball St Number 25 drives to the hoop and as 25 comes down her right foot lands on Nicky's left foot causing her to roll it as she is moving away out of bounds.
I agree with the coach's decision to leave her in. This is way too close and important of a game to pull your starters at that point. The only reason I could see to pull her would be to put in more speed on defense. The negative there is free throw shooting.
Nicky is the key to the game tonight. The way to neurtralize a Michigan State 6-9 center is to have our center on the wing shooting 3s with her 48%. (14-29 .483). IF MS moves Dehaan outside that allows us to use our guard size inside, or MS will have to play zone and it's bombs away for the cyclones. I predict you will see Nicky on the wing tossing 3s until Dehann is on the bench, they go zone, or they switch on her. If Nicky hits a couple of threes and they switch someone else on her, who ever Dehaan leaves open outside will shoot the lights out.
NOTE: the dagger 3 nicky hit with 2 minutes left was a brilliant call by coach BF. Clones took time off the clock and BF knew they would guard our backcourt shooters for the last second shot. You can see him make the call and the play is set up perfectly. Wieben steps out and BS center stays back and then is screened by Ezell. She makes the nice assist and NW buries the 3. NICE.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Why was she still playing with the game in hand and with about a minute left to play? Poor decision by BF imo.

I agree with this.

Technically you didn't just ask a question. You also called it a "poor decision".

That said, to answer your question, this game wasn't remotely a blowout. It would have been stupid to pull her when ISU was up 12 points with 1:10 left, especially in a do-or-die game. There's no way having her in the game only 25 seconds later was a bad decision.

Actually a 12 point lead with a minute left was game over because any momentum Ball St. had was gone. The game was over and some of our girls at the end of our bench should of gotten to be in the game to share in the moment. I'm just glad she will get to play.