LETS BEAT IOWA STATE, they have been having a really good stretch lately it will be important for us play team defense and the bench need to be ready to step up.

This ISU team blows chunks. No reason to not win handily in Waco vs the Clones

blackie said:

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on the DLB thread it supposedly was heard that the players hoped she would be back by the tournament (didn't specify which one).

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For what it's worth, I recall hearing something along these lines on the broadcast too, but I have no inside knowledge.

Quote:

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CNC is very protective of this type of information, it seems. More so than Scott.

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I chuckled at this because based on Drew's interviews, I never have any clue what sort of time frame any injured player has. It is either a definitive, "yes, he is playing the next game" or "we're just seeing how he is doing and hoping to have him back soon." That sort of comment has meant one missed game, and it has also meant "we won't see him again this season" (I'm thinking of Cryer's foot injury in particular).

We have arrived at that point in the schedule when every game matters. The next 3 games are against strong opponents and will determine the Big 12 regular season, then it's on to the Big 12 Tournament, and on to the NCAA Tournament. No more cupcake games, no off nights allowed.

I'm a little sad that the unbalanced schedule results in only 1 game v Iowa State this year, because that's been a fun and fascinating rivalry over the last several years. They always have skilled players, and Fennelly normally has wrinkles in the game plan for the Lady Bears. I haven't watched many Iowa State games this year, but I am surprised they aren't contending for the conference title. This was a very young 21-12 team last year that got to the Big 12 Tourney championship game, and took Stanford to OT in Palo Alto in the NCAAs. They returned all of their core this year, and they were ranked #8 in the preseason AP poll. They now sit at 19-9, unranked. The only really shocking loss is to UNI, and the rest of those losses were largely to respectable and ranked teams such as South Carolina and UConn, TCU, Kansas State, West Virginia, Utah, and Iowa. What they're missing is any meaningful win; they have not beaten a ranked team all season.

The question is what happened? They're still a competitive team, will still likely make the NCAA Tournament, but they've underperformed expectations. Why? A few guesses:

1) Injuries. If you read the fan forum (Cyclone Fanatics) there are whispers about nagging injuries to most of their key players, which they are playing through but has limited their effectiveness.
2) Defense, and specifically perimeter defense. If you look at the Big 12 team stats, ISU ranks very low in opponent 3 Pt FG% (35%), low in blocked shots (3.14/game), and last in steals (6.21/game). They don't have a lot of speed on the perimeter. And while Audi Crooks is large and imposing, she's not mobile and doesn't contest shots. She generally goes flat footed with arms straight up when contesting shots, because she's trying to stay out of foul trouble; it works because she only averages 2 fouls/game, but it also means she doesn't make much of an active effort to contest shots.
3) Bench. They have a strong starting core, and Kelsey Joens is capable as the 6th man, but they're not getting great production from the rest. They hoped that Lily Hansford (transfer from Oregon State) would be a 3 point shooting Wing, but she's gone cold with her shot and isn't athletic enough to defend. They lost Mackenzie Hare to injury in December, so they've really only got 6 players they trust.

What to watch for on Saturday?
1. Offense. Iowa State still has an outstanding offense. scoring 76 points/game. Their offense revolves around the low post excellence of Audi Crooks (59% FG), the ballhandling and experience of Emily Ryan (7 assists/game), the all around talents of Addy Brown (may be their best player), and the spot up 3 point shooting of TCU transfer Sydney Harris (48% from 3). If their outside shots are falling, they can beat anybody. Meanwhile, we score 80 points/game. Could be fireworks on Saturday.
2. Vonleh v Crooks. These players are very, very similar. They are both large, strong wide bodies. They both have elite low post offensive skills, and both shoot 59%. They are both average low post defenders. I sometimes wonder if recruiting Vonleh was done specifically with Crooks in mind. We need Netty to at least battle Crooks to a draw on Saturday. It will be fun to watch them match up.
3. Brown v Fontleroy. It feels logical that Bella will match up against the 6'2" Addy, because Addy is their most talented perimeter and midrange offensive player and nobody else has the skill or size to guard her; Buggs is likely out, Yaya at 5'8" is too small, and Kayla is too slow and inexperienced. Bella must stay out of foul trouble; we need a good 34 minutes or more from her.
4. Perimeter game. We have a quickness advantage; can we utilize it? Will our Guards play downhill and challenge Crooks, since she isn't an active defender? Note that they shoot 36% from 3, and we shoot 35%, so it's a dead heat with shooting accuracy.
5. Buggs. We have to assume that Darianna won't be playing on Saturday, so can we overcome? Can we make up for her rebounding production? It likely means increased minutes from Yaya, Aaliyah, and Kyla; are they up to the task?
6. Bill Fennelly. What wrinkles will he throw at us? Will they play Man, or some kind of junk defense (like the famous Triangle and 2 in the 2020 Ames game). Will they collapse on Netty, and dare us to shoot over the top? Will they take the air out of the ball and extend every possession?

Can't wait.