tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28659786975005407862024-03-13T06:45:39.259-07:00IOWA STATE DAILY - SportsBy Tommy Birch, Staff Writer, Iowa State DailyTommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-63218283751126534832008-04-15T21:24:00.000-07:002008-04-15T21:29:55.696-07:00Hubalek improving his stockDuring the second half of the season, a reporter asked Cyclones' coach Greg McDermott if center Jiri Hubalek was making a case for himself to earn some money after graduation.<br />"Absolutely," said McDermott of Hubalek's play during the seaon. <br />He made an even bigger argument this weekend when the former ISU center earned all-tournament honors at the Portsmith Invitational last weekend. <br />Hubalek averaged 17.7 points and 8.7 rebounds during the tournament. <br />" was a great feeling to be able to go there and play well,” Hubalek said in a press release. “I am a competitor and I love to compete. It was a fun experience.”<br />How much longer do you think Hubalek can compete? Will he have to go back overseas to his homeland in Prague, Czech Republic?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-8514173410807333882008-03-28T15:13:00.001-07:002008-03-28T15:14:17.145-07:00Curtis Stinson returnsDES MOINES, Ia- Liked what you saw out of Curtis Stinson Thursday night? Iowa Energy coach Nick Nurse is excited about what he could see. <br />The 6’3, 215 pound former ISU guard made his debut with the D-League team last night with a 16 point performance at Wells Fargo Arena. <br />“He’s got good size and strength which is good at the NBA level,” Nurse said. <br />So good that Nurse thinks Stinson is, “on the fringe of the NBA,” he said. <br />Stinson brought many of the 4,375 fans to their feet when he checked into the game late in the second quarter. <br />With six games remaining on the Energy’s schedule, Nurse hopes to have him back for next season. <br />Iowa has three home games remaining this season with their next coming Thursday when they host the Dakota Wizards. <br />Will the addition of Stinson bring you to the Well? Nurse is banking on it. <br />"I think there are a lot of Cyclone fans and this just gives them more of a reason to come and cheer on the Energy," he said.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-61513710233583341522008-03-26T19:56:00.000-07:002008-03-26T20:02:26.351-07:00Iowa State Football Pro Day Wrap UpJerry Moses liked what he saw. Now he’s waiting to see what the scouts thought. <br />The Waterloo native and father of former Cyclone J.J. Moses watched his younger son and former ISU wide receiver Milan Moses work out for 25 NFL scouts Wednesday during Pro Day in Ames. <br />“It was fun,” the oldest Moses said. “I thought he (Milan) did pretty good today. Could have been a little better but overall I thought he did a good job.”<br />The highlight of his day came during a twenty minute session in which Moses, along with wide receiver Todd Blythe and tight end Ben Barkema caught passes for Bret Meyer. <br />The former Cyclone play caller completed 22-of-32 passes during the sesson and threw the ball strong, crisp, and comfortably. <br />“I felt good,” Meyer said. “I did everything I wanted to do. I felt like I helped myself a little bit.”Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-31070805499718096872008-03-25T17:14:00.000-07:002008-03-25T17:15:00.821-07:00Iowa State Football Pro DayThe Iowa State football team isn’t the only ones taking the field this week. The Cyclones host pro day tomorrow, with a number of former ISU players working out for NFL scouts coming to Ames. They’ll participate in a weight lifting session, 40-yard dash, and individual skill workouts. <br />So far, ISU officials have confirmed that only linebacker Alvin Bowen will be there, although former wide receiver Todd Blythe said last month he’ll work out. He hopes to improve on his 40-yard dash time of 4.61 seconds that he turned in at the NFL Scouting Combine last month in Indianapolis. <br />“I’m going to do everything again here and see if I can improve and move myself up,” Blythe said after the combine.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-33567768529352191062008-03-24T21:02:00.000-07:002008-03-24T21:04:34.450-07:00Spring footballSpring football practice officially begins tomorrow. While Coach Gene Chizik will enter his second year at as head coach, there aren’t as many question marks going into this season as his first. <br />With the annual spring game just weeks away on April 19th, what are you looking forward to the most? <br />The quarterback battle between Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates? <br />The emergence of Alexander Robinson at running back? Can J.J. Bass and Jason Scales challenge him for playing time? <br />There’s plenty to look forward to with it all starting tomorrow but what’s catching your eye?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-4521787464924888642008-03-14T18:21:00.001-07:002008-03-15T18:07:54.470-07:00Live from the Big 12 tournament-Brackins and A&M seeing eye-to-eyeKANSAS CITY, Mo.- Excited for next season's Iowa State men’s basketball team? You’re not the only one. Texas A&M assistant coach Mike Rohn sat next to me during the second round matchup of the Big 12 tournament between Nebraska and Kansas Friday. <br />His Aggies face Kansas State in an hour just a day after eliminating the Cyclones’ from the tournament with a 60-47 win. <br />He liked what he saw Thursday. <br />“They’ve got a bright future,” Rohn said. <br />Including freshman Craig Brackins who Rohn predicts will be a first-team all conference selection in the future. <br />Brackins sees great things for the rest of his team. <br />“We’ve learned a lot,” Brackins said. “I feel like the sky is the limit for us. I feel like we’re going to be tough next year. I can’t wait.”Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-91128729735497126782008-03-14T10:53:00.001-07:002008-03-14T12:03:47.620-07:00Live from the Big 12 tournament- The end for Rahshon ClarkKANSAS CITY, Mo.-You could see the tears coming from Rahshon Clark's eyes as he left the court for the final time as a Cyclone Thursday. What you couldn't see was how proud he was. <br />"I'm not disappointed," Clark said. "We went out there and gave it everything we had. The guys never gave up; we tried our best and that's all I can ask for." <br />A week ago, I posed the questions to fans after the all-century team celebration, should Clark be mentioned with the likes of Fred Hoiberg and Kelvin Cato. In the lockeroom after the game, I asked him. <br />"I would love to be named one of those players," he said. "I really can't say, it's not for me to decide." <br />What is left for him to decide is what's next on the senior's agenda. He'll graduate with a degree in criminal justice. He said he isn't ready to give up basketball quite yet. That wasn't hard to tell as Clark was the last player in the lockeroom with his jersey on afterwards. <br />"Just see where basketball takes me," said Clark. "I'm not going to stop playing basketball just as of yet. I'm too young, I have to get going."Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-54045569976497599502008-03-13T15:43:00.001-07:002008-03-13T15:44:36.409-07:00Around the horn, court-Live from the Big 12 TournamentKANSAS CITY, Mo.- Just ran into Kevin Blackistone from Around the Horn. Blackistone, who has done work with the Dallas Morning News, is in town working with XM Satellite Radio covering the Big 12 tournament. He’ll be in the booth when the Cyclones’ take on Texas A&M at 8:30 p.m. tonight. <br />“I’ve watched some good Iowa State teams over the years,” Blackistone said. <br />Not quite the same type of team he said he’s seen this year.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-4251320913983997982008-03-13T14:58:00.000-07:002008-03-13T15:03:12.179-07:00Live from the Big 12 TournamentKANSAS CITY, Mo.- Looking for a little hope? No. 12 seed Colorado just upset Baylor 91-84 during the first round of the Big 12 tournament at the Spring Center Thursday. It’s an 8:30 p.m. tipoff tonight and walking around Kansas City I’ve caught a few fans with ISU gear on. Have you made the trip? Are you watching the game on television tonight hoping for another upset?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-44191422965748878012008-03-12T10:06:00.000-07:002008-03-12T10:14:32.489-07:00Road Trip to Kansas CityNick Paulson and I will be heading to the heart of America tomorrow for the start of the Big 12 tournament. The Cyclones kick off the nightcap with a 8:30 tip off against Texas A&M. It'll be our first trip covering the tournament there. It'll also be the first time in Kansas City for the Big 12 tournament for one other person, ISU coach Greg McDermott. <br />"I haven't had an opportunity to experience it personally yet, (but I'M) really looking forward to that," McDermott said. "We need any edge we can get."<br />Especially against an Aggies team that handed the Cyclones their worst home loss of the season with a 69-51 dismantling of ISU on Jan. 18. <br />Despite the opponent, McDermott sounded eager to get down to the Sprint Center to see what everything is about. They hit the road today. <br />"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I've heard so much about it and what an impact Iowa State fans have in Kansas City and i'll be fun to experience it first hand."Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-41231691838145252992008-03-08T07:29:00.000-08:002008-03-08T07:46:16.723-08:00Senior DayFans remember the dunks, I remember the first time I met Rahshon Clark. <br />The 6'6, 210 pound senior was shooing baskets near the hoop on media day. For twenty minutes, I talked with Clark about the upcoming season, the point guard battle, his relationship with former coach Wayne Morgan, and how easily it could have been for the Queens, NY native to jump ship during the coaching changes. He answered each quetion openly and honetly. <br />Today, Clark, along with Jiri Hubalek, Mark Currie, and Mike Smith, will play his final game at Hilton Coliseum. <br />"The season went by real fast. Four years went by fast," said Clark this past week in an interview with the Daily. "It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman."<br />That day could sum up Clarks' career as a Cyclone full of ups and downs. <br />A win against Kansas and an appearence in the NCAA tournament. A coaching change and the departure of friends Curtis Stinson, Will Blalock and Mike Taylor. <br />Clark will leave ISU as the only play in Big 12 history to record 1,000 points, 100 blocks, 100 steals, and 100 3 pointers in a career. <br />Iowa State honored it's All-Century team this year. Does Clark have a future spot on that roster?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-84735734704332436892008-03-07T16:54:00.000-08:002008-03-07T16:58:49.300-08:00State tournament time for recruitsCaught any of the state boy’s basketball tournament at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines? <br />If not, there’s a pretty good one going on in Nebraska. <br />Cyclones’ recruit Wes Eikmeier scored 29 points as his team the Fremont Bergans Knights advanced to the second round of the Nebraska boy’s state tournament. <br />The 6’3 guard, was in town recently to catch a Cyclones game and followed that game up with a 35-point performance Friday to put the Knights into the championship game. <br />Not impressed by that? How about future ISU forward Justin Hamilton who helped lead his Lone Peak squad to back-to-back class 5A Utah state championships with a 10 points, six rebounds, and 10 block performance. <br />“These guys have great backgrounds,” said Cyclones’ assistant coach Jeff Rutter. “We’re anxious to have them here on campus and help us as we continue to move forward.”Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-80255032751674970832008-03-04T18:24:00.000-08:002008-03-04T21:40:41.427-08:00Getting the offensive sparkAssistant coach Jeff Rutter said he thinks the best offensive game plan against Missouri is one off the dribble. Enter freshman Diante Garrett who is averaging 5.9 points and 2.8 assists per games. <br />“Diante Garrett gives us our best chance in that area of penetrating the defense and trying to create good scoring opportunities for his teammates,” Rutter said. <br />Garrett, who has started only three games for the Cyclones this season, has seen a steady rise in playing time this season, logging 29 minutes against Colorado Saturday. <br />The Cyclones will need any spark they can get with seniors Rahshon Clark and Jiri Hubalek still nursing injuries. <br />Garrett could be that match. In their last four losses, ISU has scored only 64 points. <br />“We’re really trying to have our guards find each other and create some shots that way,” Rutter said.<br />Do you think Garrett is the answer?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-10825956963531692572008-03-03T19:40:00.000-08:002008-03-03T21:14:57.166-08:00Injury reportWord out of the Cyclones is that seniors Jiri Hubalek and Rahshon Clark were still nursing injuries. Hubalek, who has an injured ankle is expected to play Wednesday while Clark, who sat out of Saturday's game is still dealing with an injured knee. On Monday, Cyclones' assistant coach Jeff Rutter said Clark was, "questionable," for Wednesday's game.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-34759630664141762142008-02-28T09:50:00.000-08:002008-03-03T21:14:16.923-08:00Iowa State vs. Kansas, post-gameIowa State currently ranks 137 on the RPI standings. Perhaps a little misleading? The Cyclones' schedule has included games with Drake, whose bounced around the Top 25, Baylor, who is rapidly rising in the Big 12, Nebraska who knocked off Kansas State, No. 18 Texas A&M, No. 12 Texas and No. 6 Kansas. Wednesday they might have faced the best of them all in the Jayhawks. <br />"I think they are the most complete team in the country," McDermott said. <br />With their loss last night, ISU has dropped 10 straight games to ranked opponents. With the Big 12 tournament just around the corner, the Cyclones will most like get a crack at, at least one more. Can they end the streak this season?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-45574390599455834142008-02-27T11:36:00.001-08:002008-02-27T11:38:12.784-08:00How bad do they need this?The Cyclones have lost nine games in a row to ranked opponents. They let an overtime win slip away from them against Texas on Feb. 9. ESPN will be there tonight. It's expected to be a sellout and the last time before the Big 12 tournament the Cyclones get some heavy coverage. How bad do they need this win? <br />I'll be blogging periodically from press row throughout the game tonight.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-72035243390157726132008-02-26T09:56:00.000-08:002008-02-26T18:40:38.950-08:00What a win against Kansas would meanSean Haluska has only been around a half a season, but the junior college transfer from Carroll has no doubts about what a win against No. 6 Kansas could do for his struggling Cyclones' team. <br />"Anytime you beat a ranked opponent it's just going to give your team a boost of confidence and that could very well be the case Wednesday," Haluska said. <br />The Cyclones' last win over Kansas? Feb. 17, 2001 at Hilton Coliseum where Iowa State defeated the Jayhawks 79-71. Iowa State finished the season 25-6 (13-3 in the Big 12). <br />Senior Rahshon Clark was on that squad. <br />"That'd be a huge win," Clark said of tomorrow's game. "That'd be a great confident builder." <br />There are no Big 12 regular season title hopes on the line for Iowa State this season, but what do you think a win tomorrow night could do?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-3509208664938236862008-02-25T15:45:00.001-08:002008-02-25T15:55:56.292-08:00Up and Down Times of the Haluska familySean Haluska isn't the only member of his family having success. The Cyclones' junior guard's younger brother Blake Haluska is averaging 12.7 points per game for Carroll who is one victory away from punching a ticket to the Iowa High School state basketball tournament. <br />Sean, who scored a career high 15 points on Saturday against Texas Tech, said he is feeling as confident as he's ever been. The 6'3, 200 pound guard started the season missing his first 26 shots from 3-point range to open the season. <br />"I wasn't shooting the ball with confidence at the beginning of the year and these past few games I've just been a lot more confident," Sean said. <br />Both of Sean's parents will be in town Wednesday when the Cyclones host No. 6 Kansas. The one Haluska who won't be there? Older brother and former Cyclone and Hawkeye Adam Haluska was traded to the Houston Rockets last week. Several media outlets have reported he could be released as early as today. <br />"It's pretty interesting how the NBA life goes day-to-day," Sean said. "Your not sure where you're going to be. We'll just have to see how it goes."Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-28208642564768916942008-02-24T14:45:00.000-08:002008-02-24T15:02:26.165-08:00Cyclones at the NFL Scouting CombineAlvin Bowen’s dream has always been to play in the NFL. <br />This past weekend, he’s taken a step closer to fulfilling that as the former Cyclone linebacker has participated in the NFL’s annual Scouting Combine. <br />“For the most part everyone says they love the way I play,” Bowen said in a telephone interview from the combine. “I play with a passion; it’s what they love to see.” <br />So far, the 6’3, 224 pound linebacker has met with officials from the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. Bowen, who led the nation in tackles per game in 2006, was a second-team All-Big 12 selection after recording 99 tackles in 2007. <br />Now, he’s showing teams how he does it. <br />“Not only have I gotten to show my face but I’ve got to sit down, talk with scouts,” he said. “They get a feel for me.” <br />Bowen, is joined by former Cyclone teammates wide receiver Todd Blythe and defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin as the only Iowa State players participating in the Scouting Combine.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-79136587267935403062008-02-21T17:31:00.001-08:002008-02-21T17:38:58.712-08:00Getting Craig Brackins on trackTwo weeks ago, Cyclones' coach Greg McDermott said he wasn't ready to send freshman Craig Brackins to the bench. Saturday, he did for the entire second half of Iowa State's 60-52 win over Nebraksa. Brackins, who is averaging 10.9 points per game, in 27.6 minutes of playing, but against the Cornhuskers, played a season low seven minutes. Is it time to bench him?Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-60840999583241819912008-02-19T21:16:00.000-08:002008-02-19T21:32:08.308-08:00Catching up with Mike TI spent about fourty five minutes last week doing a telephone interview with former Cyclone guard Mike Taylor. Taylor, who was dismissed from the Cyclones after numerous off the court violations. The most striking part of our conversation? What Taylor had to say about ISU coach Greg McDermott removing him from the team. <br />"I'm thankful that coach Mac (McDermott) and everybody tried to get me on track and everything," Taylor said. "It just wasn't the time for me."<br />This weekend it was. Taylor was back in town while the Iowa Energy hosted his Developmental League team, the Idaho Stampede.He scored 23 points in the Stampede's 108-100 victory over the Energy.<br />In conversations that I had with McDermott, he said nothing but good things about Taylor and even classified his leaving as "on good terms." <br />They must have been. I ran into Taylor during the Cyclones' victory over Nerbraska Saturday. He was high fiving McDermott during timeouts, sitting with Lucca Staiger by the Cyclones' bench and even saying, "hi" to ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard. While my story about Taylor ran in last week's Iowa State Daily, enclosed are some things that didn't make it in. <br />On his relationship with current Iowa State players and coaches: "I still talk to everybody because we were a family then and nothing changed," he said. "I'm still going to support Iowa State. <br />On what he's learned from his off the court issues: "I've learned that just everything you do, it's business, it's professional, it's the way you must carry yourself besides all the basketball," Taylor said. <br />On possibily returning to Ames to finish his degree: "I'm trying to work something out," he said. "I don't know yet. I really enjoyed my time here, I really enjoyed my time at Iowa State. Coach McDermott has a great program, everybody there is great and good and I really enjoyed it. So, I wouldn't mind coming back and getting a degree from Iowa State." <br />Probably one of the most productive conversations I've ever had.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-27540192530697017282008-02-16T14:23:00.001-08:002008-02-16T14:25:38.266-08:00Nebraska vs. Iowa State, 2nd halfCall it inspiriation from the half-time ceremony or whatever, the Cyclones' open the half on a huge run and led Nebraska by three. Happy homecoming to Mike Taylor who is sitting behind the Cyclones bench. Taylor, who was dismissed from the Cyclones this summer, is in town this week for the Idaho Stampede to play the Iowa Energy. <br />Nebraska 27, Iowa State 30Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-85260142065832602232008-02-16T13:41:00.000-08:002008-02-16T13:42:57.257-08:00Nebraska vs. Iowa State, 1st halfThe Cyclones' end a nine minute scoring drought with a basket from Wesley Johnson. Maybe Fred Hoiberg will stay on the court after the half-tiem ceremony. <br />Nebraska 24, Iowa State 11.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-79081394839705324442008-02-16T12:57:00.000-08:002008-02-16T12:58:38.810-08:00Nebraska at Iowa StateThe injury bug must still be in the Cyclones' lockeroom. Sophomore guard Wesley Johnson is not starting today's game against the Cornhuskers.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2865978697500540786.post-43879798024469776662008-02-06T21:04:00.000-08:002008-02-06T21:15:21.057-08:00Big Signing DayAfter coach Gene Chizik’s signing day press conference Wednesday, I ran into Steve Malchow, senior associate athletic director of communications. <br />“It’s like Christmas,” Malchow said. <br />On this holiday, Malchow, Chizik, and the Cyclones got a big gift. Sedrick Johnson, a 6-4, 180 pound wide receiver, sent in his letter of intent to play for Iowa State just minutes before the clock hit the noon hour. <br />In July Johnson had verbally committed to Texas A&M. By January he was on campus visiting Iowa State during the Cyclones’ men’s basketball game against Oklahoma State. Braving the negative temperatures, Johnson apperarently liked what he saw. <br />From watching his highlight tapes, there’s plenty to like about him as well. As a junior, Johnson hauled in 38 passes for 1,019 yards and 12 touchdowns. He finished his senior year catching 41 passes for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s those stats that brought coaches From Florida, TCU, LSU, Michigan, Missouri, and Nebraska to Johnson’s house. <br />“Through a lot of heavy pressure on him and other coaches trying to do their job well, we were very fortunate he made the decision to come to us,” said offensive coordinator Robert McFarland. <br />Now that’s the gift that keeps on giving….....for at least four years.Tommy Birchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06283152023357741592noreply@blogger.com0