Let's Talk Iowa State...

[Onions]

Are we better with Niang? Sure but the real question is how much better. Do we drop to 11th in offense or 20th? I think you feel our offense will drop way down and I think it will not drop that far.
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It seems as though you think with Niang out, his 16.7, 4.5 and 3.6 disappear. That simply isn't true. Neither does the opposing team big having to guard on the perimeter. Hogue shoots a higher 3pt% than Niang.
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Another thing thing is UConn simply has no idea what ISU will do without Niang and four days of practice.

I don't think Niang's points disappear, but I don't think other players will completely fill his stat sheet either. Your taking about 33 minutes and 5 fouls out of your game plan. Who get's those minutes and what will they do with them - the more minutes you give to your starters the more foul trouble they can be in, and regional finals are not the place to try out unproven backups. If Niang is that easily replaceable then he wasn't very good to begin with, and we both know that's not true.

As for Hoiberg and 4 days of practice - well that's always the case. I'd rather face him with 4 days of practice and no Niang, then after 4 days of practice with a full team. At this point all the coaches are pretty good, Izzo, Pitino -- I'd prefer to play against Stan Heath but unfortunately he's not here. Yours is the more experienced coach, but I think it's pretty much a toss up between them, which is why I figure it will come down to talent on the floor.

 

[tazclone]

I honestly don't think that works out well for you. If you don't double, fine, if those two combine for 16 we are playing the game at our pace, not yours. If that's the case, I think we win.

Disagree. If the game is slowed down and those guys only get 16 and we aren't doubling....then they are missing shots and are not kicking out for threes. Missed shots equal transition buckets. Hell, if they shoot 100% that is 8 touches in the paint. 8 out of 66-76. That keeps Hogue out of foul trouble and allows him to be more aggressive on the boards and in help defense

As an ISU fan, two bigs scoring 16 points is heaven. Unless of course, UConn is draining threes and don't need to go down low.

 

[tzznandrew]

Disagree. If the game is slowed down and those guys only get 16 and we aren't doubling....then they are missing shots and are not kicking out for threes. Missed shots equal transition buckets. Hell, if they shoot 100% that is 8 touches in the paint. 8 out of 66-76. That keeps Hogue out of foul trouble and allows him to be more aggressive on the boards and in help defense

As an ISU fan, two bigs scoring 16 points is heaven. Unless of course, UConn is draining threes and don't need to go down low.

Keep in mind, they'll never be on the court at the same time, and they average a combined 8 points a game.

Daniels will be there, too. And if Daniels is included, and it's only 16, or 20 combined, then you are in good shape. He's averaging 12.6 and 5.7, but over the past month, once he's gotten healthy, he's been much better: 15 and 6.8. When he's playing well, UConn is a Top 10 team (he had 14 and 7 against Florida, for instance).

 

[Awesome Sauce]

I think we're more concerned about Kane because he's a worse matchup. We have a lot of 6'6-6'8 guys at the 3/4 who can match up with Ejim. Sure, we can't exploit a size advantage in our favor (maybe you're used to that happening against you), but you also can't exploit a quickness/shooting advantage at the 4 that you're used to doing.

Kane at a muscular 6'4, with quickess, is a nightmare matchup for a team with a woefully undersized backcourt in Boatright ad Napier.

Yeah, this will probably come down to how the two lines battle it out.

I don't think Niang's points disappear, but I don't think other players will completely fill his stat sheet either. Your taking about 33 minutes and 5 fouls out of your game plan. Who get's those minutes and what will they do with them - the more minutes you give to your starters the more foul trouble they can be in, and regional finals are not the place to try out unproven backups. If Niang is that easily replaceable then he wasn't very good to begin with, and we both know that's not true.

As for Hoiberg and 4 days of practice - well that's always the case. I'd rather face him with 4 days of practice and no Niang, then after 4 days of practice with a full team. At this point all the coaches are pretty good, Izzo, Pitino -- I'd prefer to play against Stan Heath but unfortunately he's not here. Yours is the more experienced coach, but I think it's pretty much a toss up between them, which is why I figure it will come down to talent on the floor.

Basically the minutes go to Long and Morris. They lose the height and paint, but they gain assists and threes. Those two scored 17 pts against Baylor on 50 minutes, with Niang getting 13 on 37. Against UNC, Morris/Long scored 25 on 58 minutes. Edozie/Thomas get the other 30 minutes. Edozie can play, but he's a mop. He's a much better defender than an offensive guy, if you need to stop drives. Thomas is a sharp shooter, who will get lots of minutes if he's hot. Kane/Ejim/Houge picked up the extra few rebounds and assists that Niang would have had.

Basically losing Niang just gives them one less outlet to run their offense, not that no one else can score. Generally he moves better than other 6-9s and plays an old man game of hooks and layups, so they have him bring up the ball into the paint. He is not a monster on the boards though, he's primarily a scorer or he kicks out on a double team. Houge and Ejim are the board cleaners, averaging 8.5 rpg, each.

 

[tazclone]

I don't think Niang's points disappear, but I don't think other players will completely fill his stat sheet either. Your taking about 33 minutes and 5 fouls out of your game plan. Who get's those minutes and what will they do with them - the more minutes you give to your starters the more foul trouble they can be in, and regional finals are not the place to try out unproven backups. If Niang is that easily replaceable then he wasn't very good to begin with, and we both know that's not true.

As for Hoiberg and 4 days of practice - well that's always the case. I'd rather face him with 4 days of practice and no Niang, then after 4 days of practice with a full team. At this point all the coaches are pretty good, Izzo, Pitino -- I'd prefer to play against Stan Heath but unfortunately he's not here. Yours is the more experienced coach, but I think it's pretty much a toss up between them, which is why I figure it will come down to talent on the floor.

Who gets the minutes? Hogue, Long and Niang. with Edozie and Thomas getting a few. All have seen quality time. All, but Edozie, have been starters at one point or another and Edozie saw his time increase as the season went on.

I guess you missed where I pointed that out.

Niang isn't easy to replace which is why his lost production is spread out over 3-4 guys but I guess you can't see that difference.

Morris has not been asked to do a lot offensively this season but is capable. It has been a blessing to allow him to grow all season with no pressure. In the tourney he is 80% from three. When niang went out, he went for 13 or 7 more than his average. The kid leads the nation in assist to turnover ratio and broke the all time record. btw- 2 personal fouls compared to his season average of 1.7
Long increased his ppg last game by 5 and had 0 personal fouls. Below his season average of 1.8
Hogue increased his PPG by 4 points with Niang gone. He did foul out with about 0:10 left in the game and that is 2.3 more than his average.



You see how those guys' increase equal the numbers that Niang put up? That does not include Edozie or Thomas or Kane be more of the go to guy.
Now I have been told that UConn is a much better school than ISU educationally but that is pretty simple math.

Now... why play Niang instead of counting on those 3-5. Niang is more consistent. Niang is very unique and causes more mismatch issues against bigger teams. Niang is a calming force and a leader. If Niang has a bad night then one of those three can help out. It means we have more options. Now if any of those three has an off night then our options are much more limited and Kane and Ejim have to carry more of the load. Of course a coach would rather have 1 player deliver the the same as three players. It doesn't mean those players can't step up their game if called upon.

Now I have been told that UConn is a much better school than ISU but this is simple math and I am pretty sure I added rt. 7+5+4=16

 

[tazclone]

Keep in mind, they'll never be on the court at the same time, and they average a combined 8 points a game.

Daniels will be there, too. And if Daniels is included, and it's only 16, or 20 combined, then you are in good shape. He's averaging 12.6 and 5.7, but over the past month, once he's gotten healthy, he's been much better: 15 and 6.8. When he's playing well, UConn is a Top 10 team (he had 14 and 7 against Florida, for instance).

Macadoo and Meeks went for 14 and 15. That is what I worry about. Judging by what people have said on here, I like the Ejim/Daniels match upbecause Ejiim will be fine against a finesse player but not a physical player.

 

[tazclone]

Yeah, this will probably come down to how the two lines battle it out.


Basically the minutes go to Long and Morris. They lose the height and paint, but they gain assists and threes. Those two scored 17 pts against Baylor on 50 minutes, with Niang getting 13 on 37. Against UNC, Morris/Long scored 25 on 58 minutes. Edozie/Thomas get the other 30 minutes. Edozie can play, but he's a mop. He's a much better defender than an offensive guy, if you need to stop drives. Thomas is a sharp shooter, who will get lots of minutes if he's hot. Kane/Ejim/Houge picked up the extra few rebounds and assists that Niang would have had.

Basically losing Niang just gives them one less outlet to run their offense, not that no one else can score. Generally he moves better than other 6-9s and plays an old man game of hooks and layups, so they have him bring up the ball into the paint. He is not a monster on the boards though, he's primarily a scorer or he kicks out on a double team. Houge and Ejim are the board cleaners, averaging 8.5 rpg, each.

Hogue saw 6 more minutes than he normally gets as well.

 

[tazclone]

I think we're more concerned about Kane because he's a worse matchup. We have a lot of 6'6-6'8 guys at the 3/4 who can match up with Ejim. Sure, we can't exploit a size advantage in our favor (maybe you're used to that happening against you), but you also can't exploit a quickness/shooting advantage at the 4 that you're used to doing.

Kane at a muscular 6'4, with quickess, is a nightmare matchup for a team with a woefully undersized backcourt in Boatright ad Napier.

But we can at the 5 which is where we exploit that advantage the most. I see Daniels on Ejim and I like that matchup. If Daniels is out and you go with Kromah or Giffey then you have the smaller guards on Kane and I see Ejim mopping up the boards against them getting junk buckets. Ejim is an odd player as well. He doesn't wow you. He can shoot the 3, he can take his guy off the dribble but he does neither exceptionally well. Against a typical four he can do both at will. Against a 3/4 he becomes a rebounder and a put back type of guy.

 

[intlzncster]

But we can at the 5 which is where we exploit that advantage the most. I see Daniels on Ejim and I like that matchup. If Daniels is out and you go with Kromah or Giffey then you have the smaller guards on Kane and I see Ejim mopping up the boards against them getting junk buckets. Ejim is an odd player as well. He doesn't wow you. He can shoot the 3, he can take his guy off the dribble but he does neither exceptionally well. Against a typical four he can do both at will. Against a 3/4 he becomes a rebounder and a put back type of guy.

We'll sometimes show a lineup with a 5, Daniels, Giffey, Kromah, and Bazz. If we need to, it wouldn't be an issue. It will simply be about adjustments. Also, our guards may be small, but they rebound like crazy, and have against bigger competition all season long. So we'll see how that plays out.

Ejim will be able to drive on Daniels, but will have more trouble getting a clean shot off. If he beats Daniels, then he'll be funneled to Brimah, our best shot blocker. Backside help will then be key, as you relate your players can pass. If Ejim shoots, Daniels is a very long 6'9 and a strong shot blocker. He's pretty good at contesting shots. I'm

 

[HuskyBoi]

Team's gotta chip on their shoulder from that 2012 loss in the second round.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Okay, I am officially convinced that we have no chance, that the game has been settled based on these devastating arguments, and that we are doomed. Not only that, we are
DOOMED AS DOOMED CAN BE.

 

[MileHighFish]

If you read some of the replies in the other threads regarding the game, one could get the exact opposite impression and that Iowa State has no chance Friday. It's the beauty of message boards and pure opinion!

 

[tazclone]

Okay, I am officially convinced that we have no chance, that the game has been settled based on these devastating arguments, and that we are doomed. Not only that, we are
DOOMED AS DOOMED CAN BE.

Don't know why you would think this. Shabazz can't be stopped, Boat is quicker than anyone we have Kromah will stop Kane and Brimah and Daniels will swat away anyone that gets by the guards. ISU won't be able to score more than 10 points.

 

[tazclone]

We'll sometimes show a lineup with a 5, Daniels, Giffey, Kromah, and Bazz. If we need to, it wouldn't be an issue. It will simply be about adjustments. Also, our guards may be small, but they rebound like crazy, and have against bigger competition all season long. So we'll see how that plays out.

Ejim will be able to drive on Daniels, but will have more trouble getting a clean shot off. If he beats Daniels, then he'll be funneled to Brimah, our best shot blocker. Backside help will then be key, as you relate your players can pass. If Ejim shoots, Daniels is a very long 6'9 and a strong shot blocker. He's pretty good at contesting shots. I'm

Or he will dump to Hogue.

Is Daniels capable of guarding the 3on the perimeter?

 

[Hume]

From the explanation and the "math" here by the Iowa State fans it appears that the loss of Niang will have no affect. Others will just fill his number. I think that's great so if Uconn should win there should be no complaints about "if they only had Niang."

 

[nomar]

I feel like every season we have this same conversation with fans of our Tourny opponents who accuse us of underestimating their players, etc. I remember specifically chatting with some very confident SDSU fans.

We shall see.

1999
2004
2011

 

[MileHighFish]

From the explanation and the "math" here by the Iowa State fans it appears that the loss of Niang will have no affect. Others will just fill his number. I think that's great so if Uconn should win there should be no complaints about "if they only had Niang."

Just to clarify, it is one Iowa State fan saying that.

 

[Hume]

Yes but math doesn't lie, so it must be true.

 

[Onions]

... Niang is more consistent. Niang is very unique and causes more mismatch issues against bigger teams. Niang is a calming force and a leader. If Niang has a bad night then one of those three can help out. It means we have more options. Now if any of those three has an off night then our options are much more limited and Kane and Ejim have to carry more of the load.

That about covers it.

 

[ophion1031]

Anyone else think this has been a very long week? Still got close to 48 hours until tipoff. I'm really looking forward to this game.

 

[MileHighFish]

Anyone else think this has been a very long week? Still got close to 48 hours until tipoff. I'm really looking forward to this game.

I feel like every season we have this same conversation with fans of our Tourny opponents who accuse us of underestimating their players, etc. I remember specifically chatting with some very confident SDSU fans.

We shall see.

1999
2004
2011

.... Flip this and the same can be said for UConn fans posting on Iowa State message boards I'm sure fwiw.

 

[BlueMAB]

.... Flip this and the same can be said for UConn fans posting on Iowa State message boards I'm sure fwiw.

I'm sure you're right.

Minus the 3 national championships mentioned and considering we make the tournament twice as often as Iowa State (31-15).

 

[caw]

Or he will dump to Hogue.

Is Daniels capable of guarding the 3on the perimeter?

Yes. He usually fairs better against threes or stretch fours than big (250+ fours). That doesn't necessarily mean he can defend Hogue or Ejim or Lebron, but yes he can guard most threes. In some games recently when Giffey/Kromah are screened by Daniels man they simply switch the screen. Daniels does play a bit further off the ball as his feet aren't as quick as Kromah and he has a longer reach than either Kromah or Giffey. He can usually still challenge the shot but gives more room overall.

Giffey has some trouble on quick guards who can attack from midrange or shoot step backs. He's pretty decent on man defense overall though, as his positioning is usually solid. Kromah can, when he's locked in, play in your shorts defense. Samuel tries to eat your soul, lol jk, but he's been pretty good when he doesn't go deer in headlights. Calhoun is a weak defender. Napier and boat are good at staying in front of their men, though Boat can be bumped on screens. Napier cheats off his man at times when his man is off the ball. Sometimes it leads to open shots sometimes to steals. Bazz also likes to set the other point guard up and pick his pocket (reach around bandit was an unfortunate nickname he once held). I've actually never seen another player successfully pull off that move multiple times before. I still don't quite get how he sets the offensive player up so well for it. That said he hasn't tried it a ton this year. If there are any highlights of him doing that, it's pretty unique.

Nolan, Olander and Brimah are the only guys that really can't defend the perimeter well. Brimah may be the best in one on one because of his athleticism. Nolan is probably the best at hedging. Olander is Olander.

 

[MileHighFish]

I'm sure you're right.

Minus the 3 national championships mentioned and considering we make the tournament twice as often as Iowa State (31-15).

Got me there! I do believe Iowa State is 1-0 vs UConn in the tournament though fwiw.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Don't know why you would think this. Shabazz can't be stopped, Boat is quicker than anyone we have Kromah will stop Kane and Brimah and Daniels will swat away anyone that gets by the guards. ISU won't be able to score more than 10 points.

Okay, it sounds like you feel that posters on the UConn Basketball board have not been showing respect to your team. Since you have been a good visitor (until lately when the arguing is getting very tedious), I will say this: I suspect that your coach could be a special talent who could make your school a perennial school to be reckoned with (if not a blue blood). If you can keep him, of course. Second, I remember the last NCAA game we played and realize that we were outplayed and outcoached that night by a large margin. Now we have the bad luck to get you again and we have a team that has some significant flaws. It sounds like you have an experienced team with a lot of balance and skill at multiple positions. Our team will have to play very well to win, I would guess. We will need some of our "other" guys to step up and play well at the same time. They started to do that against Villanova and then Shabazz found some magic and brought the win home. Can they do that against what is probably a better team than Villanova? Will Shabazz be physically ready to perform at a high level? Is Kane as ready as Shabazz to shine under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden? Friday night will answer our questions.

Good luck. May the team with the most grittiness, pluckiness, and mojo win!!

 

[ophion1031]

Got me there! I do believe Iowa State is 1-0 vs UConn in the tournament though fwiw.

Does that really matter, honestly? That is a disadvantage for us. UCONN players want payback for that. The only ISU player that even played in that game was Ejim. This is a new and much different ISU team.

 

[tazclone]

I'm sure you're right.

Minus the 3 national championships mentioned and considering we make the tournament twice as often as Iowa State (31-15).

Wait this team won three national championships and has been to the tourney twice as much as ISU in the last four years. Impressive.

I feel like every season we have this same conversation with fans of our Tourny opponents who accuse us of underestimating their players, etc. I remember specifically chatting with some very confident SDSU fans.

We shall see.

1999
2004
2011

did you have those convos with ISU fans two years ago?

 

[tazclone]

I didn't even say that. I was responding to onion saying ISU doesn't have a chance without Niang. I showed how three others stepped up their play against UNC. Can they do it consistently? Who knowsquote="Dogbreath2U, post: 899309, member: 42"]Okay, it sounds like you feel that posters on the UConn Basketball board have not been showing respect to your team. Since you have been a good visitor (until lately when the arguing is getting very tedious), I will say this: I suspect that your coach could be a special talent who could make your school a perennial school to be reckoned with (if not a blue blood). If you can keep him, of course. Second, I remember the last NCAA game we played and realize that we were outplayed and outcoached that night by a large margin. Now we have the bad luck to get you again and we have a team that has some significant flaws. It sounds like you have an experienced team with a lot of balance and skill at multiple positions. Our team will have to play very well to win, I would guess. We will need some of our "other" guys to step up and play well at the same time. They started to do that against Villanova and then Shabazz found some magic and brought the win home. Can they do that against what is probably a better team than Villanova? Will Shabazz be physically ready to perform at a high level? Is Kane as ready as Shabazz to shine under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden? Friday night will answer our questions.

Good luck. May the team with the most grittiness, pluckiness, and mojo win!![/quote]
The only one I have really argued with is onions who flat out stated if UCOnn brings their a game they win. I disagree and think if both teams bring their A game it will be a damn good game and a toss up. I think a lot of UConn fans think we are Villanova. Well we won't chuck up 31 with half being contested. We move the ball, and have an inside game even without Niang. Heck we took 15 more shots against UNC and only took 24 3s. This will be a great game and I am pretty sure I have said that many times

Just to clarify, it is one Iowa State fan saying that.

I

 

[intlzncster]

The only one I have really argued with is onions who flat out stated if UCOnn brings their a game they win. I disagree and think if both teams bring their A game it will be a damn good game and a toss up. I think a lot of UConn fans think we are Villanova. Well we won't chuck up 31 with half being contested. We move the ball, and have an inside game even without Niang. Heck we took 15 more shots against UNC and only took 24 3s. This will be a great game and I am pretty sure I have said that many times[/quote]

No, most UConn fans didn't think Nova was that great. St Joes was a tougher team imo.

The only reason we are talking about threes is because you guys talked about how good a 3pt shooting team you were. That and ISU's attempted over 40 percent of their shots from three.

 

[BlueMAB]

Wait this team won three national championships and has been to the tourney twice as much as ISU in the last four years. Impressive.
did you have those convos with ISU fans two years ago?

Wait. Did you intentionally ignore the post I responding to or are you really just a moron?