Iowa 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.
"I think they are the most complete team in the country," McDermott said.
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?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
How 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?
I'll be blogging periodically from press row throughout the game tonight.
I'll be blogging periodically from press row throughout the game tonight.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
What a win against Kansas would mean
Sean 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.
"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.
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).
Senior Rahshon Clark was on that squad.
"That'd be a huge win," Clark said of tomorrow's game. "That'd be a great confident builder."
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?
"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.
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).
Senior Rahshon Clark was on that squad.
"That'd be a huge win," Clark said of tomorrow's game. "That'd be a great confident builder."
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?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Up and Down Times of the Haluska family
Sean 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.
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.
"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.
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.
"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."
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.
"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.
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.
"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."
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Cyclones at the NFL Scouting Combine
Alvin Bowen’s dream has always been to play in the NFL.
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.
“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.”
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.
Now, he’s showing teams how he does it.
“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.”
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Now, he’s showing teams how he does it.
“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.”
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.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Getting Craig Brackins on track
Two 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?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Catching up with Mike T
I 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.
"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."
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.
In conversations that I had with McDermott, he said nothing but good things about Taylor and even classified his leaving as "on good terms."
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.
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.
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.
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."
Probably one of the most productive conversations I've ever had.
"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."
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.
In conversations that I had with McDermott, he said nothing but good things about Taylor and even classified his leaving as "on good terms."
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.
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.
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.
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."
Probably one of the most productive conversations I've ever had.
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