BIG 12 25-26 | Page 3 | The Boneyard
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BIG 12 25-26

Kitties host East Kentucky at McKale in the hope of bounce back after consecutive losses. Those unexpected losses dropped the kitties a jaw-dropping 43 places in Massey. 93% when probability for the case so no pressure. Following two games Chicago State and bellamine both in the bottom 300 in Massey.

Big 12 play will be a real shock and change for the kitties.
 
I like the way Jada Williams is playing this season. Assists up and scoring up even though minutes are down. Of course, the assists are probably mainly looping the ball into Crooks on the low post. But it looks like she made a good decision to transfer into ISU
 
Both Iowa and Iowa St. are good teams. Coming into our matchup with Iowa in 10 days, I would say that if we maintain defensive discipline, we should be able to hamper their offense enough to secure a win. They don't look unstoppable in that aspect by any stretch. But basketball is a funny game - for all I know, Iowa will go nuts from 3 against us, or something similar to that.
 
Iowa needed to play with more pace. Implement a zone for a couple of reasons. And if they could hit mid range shots and free throws they would have won easily. I’m a Crooks admirer, but she drew a kind whistle.
 
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LwrcasefaN said:
Iowa needed to play with more pace. Implement a zone for a couple of reasons. And if they could hit mid range shots and free throws they would have won easily. I’m a Crooks admirer, but she drew a kind whistle.
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I was thinking the same thing last night. Thought there were a few times she could have been called for a foul compared to the Iowa players.
 
cancontent said:
I was thinking the same thing last night. Thought there were a few times she could have been called for a foul compared to the Iowa players.
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I always think that good home crowd can influence the ref whistle. I sum it up as part of home court advantage. Fronting with Steulke (i.e. countering with athleticism instead of size) and being aggressive on the perimeter to prevent the post pass seemed to be the best playing card for Iowa. Iowa State looks really good. They remind me of a lite version of the Gamecock championship team with Boston. I think they are an Elite 8 type of team to me but I think it is going to come down to matchups with Crooks on how far they go in the tournament.

I don't know if it was just Iowa State but I came away a little disappointed with Iowa. I like Chit chat but otherwise I thought their guard play wasn't up to the Iowa standard, especially when #1 was on the court. She did not look in sync with the rest of the team. I was also kind of disappointed that Steulke hasn't developed an outside shot over her college career.
 
GamecockFam said:
I always think that good home crowd can influence the ref whistle. I sum it up as part of home court advantage. Fronting with Steulke (i.e. countering with athleticism instead of size) and being aggressive on the perimeter to prevent the post pass seemed to be the best playing card for Iowa. Iowa State looks really good. They remind me of a lite version of the Gamecock championship team with Boston. I think they are an Elite 8 type of team to me but I think it is going to come down to matchups with Crooks on how far they go in the tournament.

I don't know if it was just Iowa State but I came away a little disappointed with Iowa. I like Chit chat but otherwise I thought their guard play wasn't up to the Iowa standard, especially when #1 was on the court. She did not look in sync with the rest of the team. I was also kind of disappointed that Steulke hasn't developed an outside shot over her college career.
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Home crowds definitely have an effect, but using the Stuelke fronting example, there were times I couldn't understand how refs could overlook how Crooks was pushing to establish herself. Some physicality is expected, but Stuelke looked like a rag doll at some points which is what had me perplexed.

The development of guards is a question mark for Iowa. I know a couple players are still out due to injury but I'm not sure if they're impact players at that position. We'll see how they bounce back once they get into conference play.

I'm with you regarding the lack of Stuelke's outside shot. Last season, they were trying to play her in the 4 and get more opportunities, but that didn't last. It's something she needs for the next level.
 
cancontent said:
Home crowds definitely have an effect, but using the Stuelke fronting example, there were times I couldn't understand how refs could overlook how Crooks was pushing to establish herself. Some physicality is expected, but Stuelke looked like a rag doll at some points which is what had me perplexed.

The development of guards is a question mark for Iowa. I know a couple players are still out due to injury but I'm not sure if they're impact players at that position. We'll see how they bounce back once they get into conference play.

I'm with you regarding the lack of Stuelke's outside shot. Last season, they were trying to play her in the 4 and get more opportunities, but that didn't last. It's something she needs for the next level.
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They could have also used Stuelke or whoever Crooks was guarding in pick and rolls. Crooks can’t guard that. Or still even…play Stuelke at the 4 even without a jump shot. She has decent handles for her size.
 
I thought Iowa-Iowa State was the most enjoyable game I’ve seen this season. I’ve always enjoyed Iowa’s style of play, and I’m a huge fan of the Brown/Crooks duo. The game also makes me question our prevailing wisdom that you have to play a tough non-conference schedule to get your team ready for good teams. Iowa State has played virtually no one good all season, but they looked really sharp last night. Maybe Mulkey has been onto something all along. 😵‍💫 There’s no denying her teams always seem ready when the schedule gets tougher. More than one way to skin a cat, I reckon.

I still don’t like it, though.
 
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YoDore said:
I thought Iowa-Iowa State was the most enjoyable game I’ve seen this season. I’ve always enjoyed Iowa’s style of play, and I’m a huge fan of the Brown/Crooks duo. The game also makes me question our prevailing wisdom that you have to play a tough non-conference schedule to get your team ready for good teams. Iowa State has played virtually no one good all season, but they looked really sharp last night. Maybe Mulkey has been onto something all along. 😵‍💫 There’s no denying her teams always seem ready when the schedule gets tougher. More than one way to skin a cat, I reckon.

I still don’t like it, though.
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Well, at the moment, there is very little proof ISU is a good team. only speculation. They beat Iowa, whose only semi-quality win was Baylor. Baylor's only semi quality win was Duke. Baylor has Texas on Sunday so we will get a better assessment of them-which I think Texas will blow them out. ISU does not play another team with a pulse until Baylor on Jan 4. Even if they win that game, it may be that Baylor is not as good as people thought.
 
DefenseBB said:
Well, at the moment, there is very little proof ISU is a good team. only speculation. They beat Iowa, whose only semi-quality win was Baylor. Baylor's only semi quality win was Duke. Baylor has Texas on Sunday so we will get a better assessment of them-which I think Texas will blow them out. ISU does not play another team with a pulse until Baylor on Jan 4. Even if they win that game, it may be that Baylor is not as good as people thought.
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Not going to argue that at all other than to say ISU is a good team, whether they will be better than just "good" remains to be seen. Like you said, we've played nobody other than Iowa and I don't think Iowa played very well in this game. Even the Cyclones Big 12 schedule is pretty weak with, as ranked now, only 4 games vs ranked opponents.

Will be interesting to see how rankings, NET and seeding work out if ISU just keeps winning through a weak conference. It's hard to knock teams down once they are perceived to be good unless they lose a slew of games. The #10 ranking is a bit of a gift but one that will be hard to reprocess since ISU will have to give it back.
 
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cancontent said:
I was thinking the same thing last night. Thought there were a few times she could have been called for a foul compared to the Iowa players.
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Most Cyclone fans will never admit it but she is getting very kind ref star/diva treatment. She gets treated like she is made of delicate china at times and if you touch her it's a foul.
 
ISUnorth said:
Most Cyclone fans will never admit it but she is getting very kind ref star/diva treatment. She gets treated like she is made of delicate china at times and if you touch her it's a foul.
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Appreciate the feedback and glad it didn't come across as a dig against her. I enjoy watching her play but do find the officiating when she plays confusing.
 
Woof. #23 OSU gets thumped in their rivals game vs Sooners and #13 Baylor gets absolutely routed in the Texas I-35 matchup by the Longhorns. Gotta think OSU is out of Top 25 now or just hanging on at #25 and Baylor should take a dive down to #20 or so.

Will only TCU and ISU be ranked in three weeks or can TT keep winning and get in?
 
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Only three Big 12 teams ranked now, #9 TCU, #10 ISU and #15 Baylor. OSU drops out and is with Texas Tech as the #26/#27 teams. TT will finally play someone* next week as they play at Waco. Maybe a win could move them closer to sneaking in.

* "Finally play someone" is typed with full acknowledgement that my Cyclones have played a Charmin Soft non-conference schedule saved only somewhat by rival Iowa being a good team.
 
ISUnorth said:
Only three Big 12 teams ranked now, #9 TCU, #10 ISU and #15 Baylor. OSU drops out and is with Texas Tech as the #26/#27 teams. TT will finally play someone* next week as they play at Waco. Maybe a win could move them closer to sneaking in.

* "Finally play someone" is typed with full acknowledgement that my Cyclones have played a Charmin Soft non-conference schedule saved only somewhat by rival Iowa being a good team.
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Yeah I'm curious to see if TT is actually pretty decent this year. I guess same w/ Arizona St., but I'm not really convinced they are.
 
ISUnorth said:
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The number 7 Devils host number 9 Buffs on the 21st in the opener for both. Currently ASU is a 4 point dog at home.

Today's game (a victory over 2-7 Montana) shows that Houston has earned the basement.
 
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ISUnorth said:
ISU, TCU, TT and ASU are all undefeated.

Collectively the four teams have played a grand total of two Quad 1 games so maybe "undefeated" should have an asterisk.
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The Sun Devils may fall from the unbeaten ranks Sunday. 5:00 p.m. tip against the Buffs and this will be a real challenge for Molly Miller.

Both McKinna Brackens and Maykala Moore missed last game, the road win over Gonzaga due to injury. If those two aren't available Buffs should cruise.

And in the event Molly Miller schemes the Devils to 14 and 0, on the 31st there will be a real tough game on the road against Utah.
 
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