New topic: Colorado at Iowa State (NO WHINERS ALLOWED)

[kate dawg]

So how about the big showdown in Ames on Saturday? I think everyone is probably looking forward to it as I think it will be another opportunity to see if CU is for real.

I, like many others, want to believe it is true after the overtime win in Lubbock, but since the Buffs got pasted last year in Ames by over 30 points, I think this is an even better and more accurate test. They have proven they can beat ISU at home, but not so on the road. If the Buffs can pull it off, I will be fired up.

HOWEVER. The Big Three. Specifically, the Big One. She was sort of held in check vs. CU thanks to some weak calls in the post on the offensive end. Should the officials let them play, this will be a really exciting game.

Thoughts? OPINIONS? I hope y'all have a good weekend and remember, it is just a game...

[Bball Girl]

So glad that's its actually going to be televised. My money's on Colorado...I think they're riding a hot shooting streak and Nightingale and Roulier are going to be out to prove something to themselves and the Big 12, not to mention Ceale...she's got that fire in her eyes. Should be a good coaching dual too.

I'm looking forward to seeing Nightingale and Wilson take each other on. They are both such warriors.

It will be interesting to see how CU handles ISU's various junk zone defenses and handles the always involved Ames crowd.

Go Buffs!

[RaiderPower1]

If the three big players for ISU are firing then it'll be good bye to CU. When those three get on they can beat anyone in the nation IMHO. Tech played CU well but flat out didn't come prepared to play a great CU team and it showed. ISU will be tough at home, but CU can be tough if they drain 30 foot three pointers http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif . It'll be a tough close game. I'd have to go with the _________ team right now....it'll be that close...I just don't know!!!!

[mred]

Here's a strange question:

ISU preview for the game says Rob Stone (play-by-play) and Vera Jones (color) will be doing the game for ESPN2. Anyone familiar with them? Are they any good?

[ISUbballfan]

Fennelly likes to stop the other teams best 2 players and make the rest of the team win the game. But Colorado doesn't seem to have only 2 good player. You know Lappe is going to propably play the best game of her life. She usally does in Ames. I hope the crowd can help ISU win.

[Bob_Ballew]

I like Vera Jones' color commentary. (Much better than Nell Fortner's) IMO, Vera is funny, knowledgeable and does a good job. I am not familiar with Rob Stone.

[RaiderPower1]

Just please don't put on Harris(the woman-don't remember her first name)....PLEASE!!

[KSUron]

Kate Dawg, do not worry, CU is for real win or lose. Please do not take offense OU, but some of my friends think CU will be a tougher game for KSU at Boulder than OU at Manhattan. The fact that CU is "for real" does not mean they will beat ISU however. I like ISU's chances given how strongly they have come back from their early season funk. This is going to be a hard fought game between two heavyweights that are on top of their game. Good luck and may ISU win so as to give my Wildcats a little more space.

[mred]

Another reason to watch the game, quoted from an official ISU release previewing the game:

Cyclone guard Erica Junod could see her first action of the season on Saturday, after suffering a torn ACL Nov. 5 ... Junod, who sank a team-best .529 (36-of-68) from behind the arc last seaason, was a projected starter for ISU in the preseason .

[ISUbballfan]

I hope Erica gets in the game for a couple minutes so the fans can show her how much we appreciate all the hard work that she has put into coming back. I just hope she doesn't hurt it again.

[This message has been edited by ISUbballfan (edited 02-07-2002).]

[mred]

I honestly think Junod will see a few minutes if her knee is feeling fine, but I doubt she'll play more than a few minutes.

[RaiderPower1]

well...i'll be looking forward to seeing her. Hope she is healing well and good luck to her.

[Cycurl714]

Rob Stone is pretty good he's done a lot of announcing for the US Women's National Soccer team.

[ChipperF1]

Just antoher reason to love the Big 12. ESPN2 got themselves a game with some serious crash Saturday, and I think it will be a very good game.

Colorado is Conoco, the hottest brand going. Eight straight wins in conference play. They beat this Iowa State handily in Boulder in that streak. They are playing the way Colorado teams do play. Solid ball movement, taking advantage of every opportunity and making sound play on defense. After playing somewhat tentative early in the conference slate, this team is attacking and they are shooting well.
Iowa State is up and down. When this team is on their game, they can make you look bad. But when their off, they struggle. This team has won four games in the row, but have needed a mount a major run in the second half to do it. Plus, they are depending more on a core group of players, a small core group of players.

FIVE THINGS TO LOOK FOR SATURDAY.
1. Wilson vs. Nightingale
These two make me wish that all that interactive stuff that HDTV will provide was ready to go right now. I would love to just view an iso camera on these two for the entire game.

HEAD TO HEAD LINDSEY WILSON MANDY NIGHTINGALE
FIELD GOAL % .468 (156-333) .397 (98-247)
3 POINT % .415 (61-147) .370 (54-146)
FREE THROW % .651 (84-129) .879 (94-107)
REBOUNDS 68 (3.0 RPG) 102 (4.3 RPG)
ASSISTS 141 115
TURNOVERS 97 38
A/T RATIO 1.45 3.02
STEALS 43 37
BLOCKS 3 3
POINTS PER GAME 19.9 14.9
FOULS 44 48
DISQUALIFICATIONS 1 2

This matchup is really close. Both kids scrap. Both kids can shoot the ball. Both kids can penetrate. Nightingale's stats are a little misleading. She started the year in a shooting slump. She been shooting 7% above her average in the last 8 games. But the question for Mandy is, is she streaky or is she really into a rhythm? Given Iowa State's penchant for zone defense, Mandy will get looks. I have a feeling Iowa State may tweak their defense a little in a effort to not let Mandy get free looks. Lindsey Wilson will play a lot more man defense and challenge some shots, and she should. Giving Mandy Nightingale an open look right now is like giving a pyromaniac a flamethrower.
On the other side. Mandy will have to work defensively because, Lindsey will attack the defense on a lot of front. Zone Lindsey, she'll hit her shots. Press Lindsey, and she'll penetrate. Either way, your defense has to be very solid, and at times you need double teams, you need a second shadow. You have to run a number of man and zone traps to keep tabs on Wilson, and that open you up to bombing courtesy of ICBM State.

2. Keep A Watch On Turnovers.
Colorado beat Iowa State in part due to turnovers and making points of them. Colorado got 26 points off of turnovers compared to 18 for Iowa State. The Cyclone averaged 15 turnovers per game in their last 4 games, and 18 a game in the conference slate. Colorado's numbers are nearly identical.

3. The Inside Game.
Iowa State has Angie Welle. Six-foot-four, one of best inside in the game. She has good moves with the ball, and can put in the basket. And she has that Welle Family Left Hand. If you'veever seen Angie or her older sister Carrie play ball, you notice that trademark southpaw hook that each has honed to a razor-sharp perfection.
Colorado has two solid posts in senior Britt Hartshorn and sophomore Tera Bjorklund. The weapon of choice is recent game has been Hartshorn. Mostly inconsistent in her college career, she's been locked in since conference play started this year.
But even with Welle, Iowa State was beaten in the paint, the last time the two teams played. Hartshorn outscored Welle 22 to 12. The Buffs outrounded the Cyclones 30-26, and in a game where both teams shot above 50%, every rebound counted, and Colorado made their count even more.
The stat that broke the game was second chance points. Colorado had 13. Iowa State had none.

4. Reserve Troops
Bill Fennelly's talked about relying on more than just the Wilson-Welle-Gahan trio to make plays. A Mary Cofield, a Mary Fox or a Tracy Paustian could pay some dividend with increased production.
This was another area that hurt Iowa State the last time they met Colorado. The Buffs got 32 points from their non-starters, compared to ISU's 17. Kate Fagan comes off the bench and goes 5-for-5. Linda Lappe, for whom this coming game is another trip home to Iowa, had 15 points off the bench.
Iowa State best reserve efforts where done by Cofield who had 9, and Mary Fox who added 6 points.

5. Defense
The last time these two team met, they both shot over 50%. Iowa State shot 67% in the second half. In a game that could be high scoring, its a question who can make key stops at a time, and more often than not, its the team that has better group of athletes that can make those plays.

I that is why I'm picking Colorado.
Colorado may be a team on a hot streak, but when you get right down to it, the difference will be athletes, and the better athletes are wearing black and gold.
Both teams can shoot the ball, both have fine playmakers in offense. Both have posts who can control the paint. Both teams minimize their mistakes and can take advantage of opportunity.
The difference will be the very same one that always plagues Iowa State. In an even game in every other category, the Cyclones lack of athleticism will bite them.

Colorado 81, Iowa State 76.
--ChipperF1

[swok34]

I really like Vera Jones.....

I believe that Iowa State has come fully to the realization that they have to win out their games http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif Heck, the fans, alone will give 'em about 10 points; because you know they will be up for this game..........bust up someone's 8 game winning streak, you betcha!

[metromaniac]

Chipper---loved your analysis----

Minor point not mentioned or considered----

I think Wilson V. Nightengale will wash out---I think the key is whether Roulier can offset Gahan in total game contributions. This probably means a scoring advantage, due to all the other things Gahan does. In other words, if Roulier doesn't get at least 18, CU loses.

This game will be 3-5 points either way.

[cycofan]

I am looking so forward to this game. I expect it will be nip and tuck all the way. I believe there are two big difference makers for Iowa State. 1. The crowd. 2. Erica Junod.

I think the crowd is worth 5-10 points to ISU.

I personally believe that the ISU slide started the day the Erica went down. It really hurt this team emotionally. I don't think it is any coincidence that they have played SO much better since Erica has been back at practice.

Erica will play on Saturday...even if it is for 30 seconds. The emotional lift of putting her back on the floor is priceless.

I hope for this to be a bit of a shootout. I think that plays to ISU's favor. My prediction is ISU 78 CU 72. I hope these two teams give a good show for the national tv audience. Another good opportunity for the Big 12 to show off its wares!

[CyFanRick]

Great pre-game analysis Chipper. I agree the game will be close, but I think the home court advantage will play into the mix. I have to go with my clones by 3. Of course they will have to control the turnovers and keep Welle out of foul trouble. Kansas stayed close (2 at half time) with Welle on the bench for most of the first half. Whoever wins, I think the game will be a good one to watch. I will be there. For those who can't, ESPN2 is broadcasting.

[Bball Girl]

From WCH.com

Colorado at Iowa State- May be the best game of the day as Buffs fighting for top 2 in Big 12 and ISU fighting to get out of middle of the pack despite top 10 RPI. Colorado backcourt and first five give them a slight advantage as does depth at post. Still, Welle best player in the paint and when ISU's awesome threesome are on they beat most anyone. Match-ups favor Buffs, home court big. Mild upset, Colorado 75-72.

[CyFanRick]

3rd largest crowd at an ISU women's game! Really helped out. Don't know how many minutes Junod got, but did a super job defending. Great physical game all the way around. ISU by 10!