ISU 85, CU 75

[CyRox98]

Hope everyone enjoyed the game on tv today. Was a lot of fun to be in Hilton for this one. Kinda glad CU showed up and made it interesting this year, unlike the last time they came to town.

Once again, tho, we proved that the Big 12 has the worst officials in the country. *sigh* At least we can usually play thru bad refs.

Very proud of our girls to come out onto the floor and fight the whole game. This (play of our last five games) is what was missing during the 2-5 start (with the exception of the OU game).

Was bothered by the overly physical (IMO) play of CU. This never seemed to be a characteristic of theirs in the games I've watched them in before. Thought it was disappointing, tho I know exactly why they tried it. ISU has had a much tougher time handling the ball when the defense gets rough. But I think we've been thru it enough this year to finally have figured out how to handle most of it.

As of now, there still was no box score to view, but Welle had 24 points and 23 rebounds today. The rebound # tied a school record, if I'm not mistaken. Just a great effort all around by ISU. Very happy to see Erica back on the court, too. The standing 'O' was really great - hope it got picked up on the tv.

[mred]

There were some pretty bad calls, including the charge on Lindsey when she landed on Nightingale on her way down after a layup. I thought Lindsey should have been called for an intentional foul on that one play when the ball was stolen from her, and I thought Welle fouled out for sure going for a rebound in the last couple of minutes.

Colorado really respected Junod. They blanketed her the whole game. She played 15 minutes and never had a chance to shoot. She looked pretty good out there, though

ISU had 26 turnovers but won without too much difficulty. Go figure. Colorado just had trouble making shots today.

Another good game by Mary Cofield. She and Tracy Paustian have been playing consistently well recently, which is part of the reason ISU has a 5 game winning streak.

[This message has been edited by mred (edited 02-09-2002).]

[cycofan]

Just back from Ames, and still grinning ear to ear! I don't know who if Fennelly or Erica Junod had the bigger smile when she went in the game, but it was a great moment.

I was proud of the Clones today. They traditionally have had a LOT of trouble when the play gets physical. Angie Welle worked her tail off on both ends of the floor today and played as well as I have ever seen her play.

7-5 looks pretty good given where we have come from to get there. Hopefully they can keep the streak going. The Clones have a week off, and it definitely think it will do them some good!

[cycofan]

I meant to add this to my previous post, but did you notice that ISU played a significant amount of man today. At times it also looked like four were playing man and Welle was camping in the lane. Teams were starting to figure out our zone. Switching up the defenses was a good move IMO. Thoughts?

[rock]

thoughts from a CU fan. First, props to the clones for playing a good game. I thought there defense was as good as I have seen it. I thought the difference in the game was Cofeild and Paustin. They made some huge shots when Iowa St. needed them. I also think Welle had to have the game she did as she gave up 25 points to the CU centers. I thought Her rebounds were huge. The CU gaurds could not shoot to save their lives today. They got open shots but could not hit them while the Iowa St. did. The TV annoucers were horrid and did not keep up with the game nor did they know much about the big twelve as they said CU would move down in the standings if they were to loose.
This makes the Baylor game in waco huge for Cu as it will probably be for third place. If you told me at the start of the year that CU would split at Iowa St. and Texas Tech, I would be satisfied and I am. Cu came back and won the second half today even though they only were 2 for about 20 on three point shots. Who is going to be the center for Iowa St next year? It could be a tough year if an inside presence is not found

[mred]

There are several possibilities at post for ISU next year. If Nina Smith is back (and I'm guessing she will be) she'll get significant time. Freshman Lisa Kriener has put in some good minutes for ISU this season. Currently redshirting freshman Brittany Wilkins is suppossed to be pretty good. ISU is likely one of two finalists (with UConn) for Gillian Goring, one of the top few high schoolers in the nation (and she's 6'7").

[cycofan]

Think about this list of players that will have experience next year:

Wilson, Junod, Paustian, Cofield, Fox, Bremer (who I think will improve dramatically by next year), Anne O'Neil (Fennelly said she would start today if she were eligible), Kriener.

Add to that the possibility (I believe good) of Nina Smith, Brittney Wilkins, and dare I dream of Gillian Goring??

No question that Welle and Gahan will be missed terribly, but I think the future looks pretty bright.

[CyRox98]

ISU will have plenty of options for post play next season. All those mentioned before will be able to contribute greatly. Kriener has already shown that her defense is solid by holding her own covering for Angie so far this season. The offense isn't there yet, but it will be when she gets more time on the floor. Bremer can also handle post duties, but is not as solid on defense - one of the weaker defensive links on the team, IMO.

Just got done watching the tape of the game this morning. Things translated pretty well from being there in person to watching on the tube. Two things seemed louder/longer in person: crowd reaction when Erica checked in for the first time and when Nightingale fouled out (I know I was particularly happy with the latter). Bohman looked even better on tape than she did live. Seems like she plays against us better for some reason. Maybe Fennelly is willing to give her points if it means shutting down Roulier and N'gale.

Again, I'm very happy with the performance of the team yesterday. There is a definite possibility of going undefeated the rest of the way. Not saying for sure it will happen, but I like our chances.

[Press]

I just finished watching the tape of yesterday's game and it looks like the Cyclones are back! Welle, Gahan and Wilson, had another impressive day, especially the first half. I have to say, I've been a big Wilson fan (except when playing Tech) since her frosh year. I love her game and her ability to look her defender in the eye and score. Not seeing them play much this year, I was also really impressed with Cofield--nice pull-up jumper! Unfortunately for CU, it was a bad shooting day, ISU's defense was good, but CU just missed some shots they normally make, but an enjoyable game to watch. I personally don't understand why CU leaves Hartshorn in there so much when she missed a lot of chip shots and Bjorklund is obviously the offesive threat. Maybe it's their defense?

[BenEClone]

The rest of the country is getting on to the Big Three, but, the key to the turn around is the contributions of the others. Paustian is leading in assists, great feeds to the post, as well as contributing points. The team has been getting at least one other double digit score between Tracy, Cofield and Bremer. The defensive contributions of everyone are significant also. Wilson's offense gets the attention but her defense is also outstanding. Do all photos have her tongue out? I wouldn't be overly concerned about post play. Even without Smith or Goring. A few days ago Chipper discussed Wilkins, I think he may have understated her potential. Based on my limited observations of her at hs state tournament and knowing what she is getting this year, her contributions next year may be at least what CU gets from Hartshorn. Kreiner can be a factor. There are good teams that play well without any true post.

[Jennifer]

I got a chuckle out of this pic. Love that look of concentration!
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/ncw/2002/0209/photo/a_wilson_ht.jpg

[kate dawg]

I think they leave Hartshorn in there sometimes because Bjorklund's defense, while not awful, can be a liability sometimes. But I mean I guess it's pick your poison...you can have Tera in there scoring all the time but not as effective on defense, or Hartshorn in there doing a better job defensively but bricking layups.

I personally would go with Bjorklund...I know that Hartshorn's presence inside is more dominating, but I think her inability to score in the first minutes of the second half cost the Buffs a chance at making a game of it. On CU's first three possessions of the second half, Hartshorn missed layups and ISU extended their lead to 17. Should she have made those shots, it would have been an 11 point lead instead and much more of a game. But again, her defensive presence is better...it's hard to say which is more valuable. I think in this case, with Bjorklund putting in 13 points in 13 minutes I guess I would go with her.

[tamn8or]

I agree that the officiating was horrible, again. Close, physical play like that usually pulls ISU out of their game, but this time they seemed to shrug it off for the most part. I thought Wilson tried to draw a couple of calls, though, that ended up in ISU fouls or points -- one was a turnover at midcourt when she drove directly into the defender and got her pocket picked, the other was the steal followed by the body slam to the floor (it looked o.k. in person, but on tape seemed clearly intentional). Overall I thought the officiating was in ISU's favor.

I'm not sure I would characterize the ISU defense as man-to-man. They were following the cutters through the lane to prevent the pass from the post and easy lay-up (triangle offense). I don't think they stayed in a true man, though. I'll have to watch the game again (shucks http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif ) for a better opinion.

Welle really backed off the post on defense in the second half. Hartshorn (I think) wasn't looking to score -- she often looked to the cutter and then passed back outside without even turning or checking the defense. Late in the game she got a couple of baskets by just turning and popping a 5-7 footer and I wondered why she hadn't been doing that more often. Any insights?

Junod really got respect from the crowd and the CU coaching staff. I don't blame them -- in the warm-up before the game and at half time she was making almost everything. A 3-pt from her in that game would have brought the house down. I was almost sorry to see such a poor game from Nightingale. She's one of my favorite players and seemed very frustrated throughout the game.

I agree that Paustian and Cofield have been a significant part of the recent win streak. Saturday, Paustian looked like she did at the beginning of the season with the quick release, no hesitation, and nothin' but net from behind the arc. Cofield's fg% has to be picking up, too. They both seem to be playing with a lot more confidence. We need them to be consistant contributors.

On ISU post future: I'm not as optimistic on Smith. She's having academic problems, and I'm leery of counting on her as a part of the team if she can't maintain academic eligibility when she's redshirting. I like Kriener -- she plays hard and with a lot of energy. I'm not as sold on her defensive capabilities, though. I haven't been impressed with Bremer's defense on the wing (she seems to be out of position in the zone a lot) but I thought she was excellent against Ohlde when Welle fouled out of the KSU game. Bremer brings more offense than Kriener right now, but I think she's more suited to forward than post.

Finally, people made fun of MJ's tongue, too. It didn't seem to hold him back. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[mred]

I need to go back through old AP photos. I swear there are five or six from this season that have Lindsey's tongue sticking out.

[mred]

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/iast/sports/w-baskbl/auto_action/a-wilson-iast-020202.jpg
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/iast/sports/w-baskbl/01-02action/a-wilson-iast-120801.jpg
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/iast/sports/w-baskbl/auto_action/a-wilson-iast-013002-2.jpg
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/iast/sports/w-baskbl/00-01action/A-WILSON-IAST-011301.jpg
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/iast/sports/w-baskbl/00-01action/a-iast-wilson-030701.jpg



[This message has been edited by mred (edited 02-11-2002).]

[swok34]

Now, there's an idea of repelling a physical man defense, don't brush your teeth and eat garlic and onions before the game.....
http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[cycofan]

Tamn8tor, what I thought looked like man, or some variation thereof, was in the middle/end of the first half. Take another look and let me know what you think. It definitely was not the standard zone.

I wish I had taped the game so that I could take another look. Keep in mind that I have fairly crappy seats (behind the basket in the parquet) so no matter where the action is, part of my view is blocked!

[cyfanatic]

Thanks for those pics of Lindsey...they make my heart smile.

[tamn8or]

Cycofan,

I'll try to fit that into my obsessive Olymipcs watching schedule. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif I'm pretty sure I'm right, though -- Bill mentioned something on the post-game show about adjusting the defense to cover the cutters in the trinagle offense. He said that they had expected cutters to come from the baseline (because that's what they did in the first game) and had to adjust to cutters coming from the elbow instead. I'll look it over and let you know.

It's a little late now, but the local CBS affiliate did an "in-depth" look at the ISU women's team last night. They spent an inordinate amount of time talking about Lindsey Wilson's pictures -- her open mouth, her tongue sticking out, etc. It seems Lindsey is aware of the phenomenon but is not doing anything about it because it is not a conscious reaction. What hard hitting journalism.

[mred]

Hmmm... Is a KCCI employee reading this board?

[CyRox98]

Thought that story was pretty funny on Channel 8. Guess it was a slow sports day or something. Always happy when they devote any time at all to the women's program. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[tamn8or]

All right, I watched the game again. I've never watched the defense so slowly and I was really impressed by ISU's matchup zone. There's a lot more going on in slo-mo than I ever noticed before.

They stayed in zone the whole game, although at times it was kinda deceptive. There were some times when ISU was in a box-and-one on Roullier or Nightingale, Angie was on the post, and the other three were fighting to keep the cutters covered. It looked pretty close to man at those times.

I answered my own question about he post thing, too. Angie only backed off the CU post after she got 4 fouls. Understandable, I guess. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif I don't think she was as open before that.

[cycofan]

Thanks for looking at it again for me Tamn8tor! It was VERY deceptive to me apparently! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif