The good and the bad

Worried about the future of Cyclone football? Talking with Iowa State officials, coach Gene Chizik didn’t hesitate to hit the road. After completing his first season with ISU, the Cyclones’ coach has been out on recruiting trips for the week and isn’t expected back until Friday.
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My colleagues and I in the media could see this coming. Today, the NCAA ruled that freshman guard Lucca Staiger would not be eligible for the 2007-08 season, losing the Cyclones’ appeal. When I first heard about his situation, I figured that there might be a reduction in his suspension. But then the hits started coming for the Cyclones. Wesley Johnson sat out the first three games with a bad foot. Freshman guard Marcus Brister left the team for personal reasons. The NCAA offices had to be evacuated when a fire struck the building while officials were in the process of reviewing Staiger’s case. When I saw freshman Craig Brackins go down in the fourth quarter of the Minnesota game, I thought that was the last straw. Now, it’s beginning to look like there are a lot of straws left in a pretty big hat.

Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State, 1st quarter

A pair of Johnson three-pointers and ISU is up 10-4.

Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State

Looking for motivation? Wesley Johnson is starting......

Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State-pre-game

It's a packed house, literally. Just about every media outlet in Iowa has come out of the woodwork for this one. Word is Wesley Johnson will be coming off the bench tonight. How big of a difference do you think it will make?

He's back

Coach Greg McDermott wants to take his time bringing back sophomore guard Wesley Johnson. The first day of that will come tomorrow when the Cyclones host Northern Iowa. Johnson, whose been sidelined with a bruised bone, will come off the bench for ISU. The big question is, how productive can he be? He's hasn't seen competition since the preseason and has sat out a lot of practice. Cyclone players seem excited about just having him back in general. How excited are you? Should we be taking our time welcoming him back?
I'll be blogging throughout the game tomorrow night at Hilton Colliseum so check it out.

Minnesota vs. Iowa State, 2nd half

Looks like a knee. He was carried off by coaches to the locker room and we probably won't see him the rest of the game. Did Iowa State's comeback hopes die with him? It's going to be a close one. Check back on www.iowastatedaily.com for a recap of the game and for my interview with Carlos Boozer.

Minnesota vs. Iowa State, 2nd half

You could hear a penny drop right now. Brackins is down on the floor hurt......