Watching ISU vs OU

[CTWarrior]

I know McKay would be gone by now had he stayed, and it is not likely he would have improved our last two seasons enough for us to do much of anything given our weaknesses elsewhere, but he is exactly the kind of college player we haven't had on our roster in a long time.  The 6-9 super athlete who rebounds and protects the lane.  Seems like there are a lot of those guys out there, but we never seem to have one. 

We probably don't miss that kind of guy as much this year as in years past, because while Fischer and Henry are not super-athletic, they are tall, skilled and effective.  I enjoy watching the McKay type of player, though.

[GGGG]

Yes he was impatient, no to tampering.  And he had a right to be impatient.  During his recruitment he was told he would get significant playing time at the 4.  When he got to campus he was told he was the backup 5 to a kid he was clearly better than.  Part of the risk of a coach lying to a kid during his recruitment is the kid getting impatient quickly.

By the letter of the law, there was no tampering.  Intermediaries played a part however. 

[GGGG]

That brings me to Mr. Burton.  Oh Deonte, Deonte, where have you gone?  Looks like he's put on 10-15 lbs (not like needed to), looks lost on defense AND offense.  ISU's starting five plays more minutes than any team in the country, meaning Deonte's importance is going to be crucial down the stretch as legs get tired.  I'm right with a lot of Scoopers who fell in love with Deonte's frame, reckless aggression, and cradle jams.  Here's to hoping he puts it all together.  He's a player I will always play the shoulda coulda game with. 

I wish he would have been better coached in high school.

[GGGG]

I gotta admit that I've grown impressive of Matt Thomas.  He came in billed as a great shooter (if I recall, Buzz didn't show much interest in, right?), and definitely has found his stroke.  As a starter, what's really impressed me has been his defense.  He's in tremendous shape and is fundamentally sound on all aspects of the game.  Having a reliable jumper like his, unlike JJJ or Duane, would be a difference maker.

Matt Thomas looked a bit like a wasted scholarship after his sophomore year.  That should show you what hard work can do to get someone contributing on a D1 team.  Exactly why you shouldn't write off players and expect they aren't going to improve further.

[Goose]

Keefe

Agreed that McKay could have been a Warrior great. Unfortunate Buzz f'd that up.

[GooooMarquette]

That brings me to Mr. Burton.  Oh Deonte, Deonte, where have you gone?  Looks like he's put on 10-15 lbs (not like needed to), looks lost on defense AND offense.  ISU's starting five plays more minutes than any team in the country, meaning Deonte's importance is going to be crucial down the stretch as legs get tired.  I'm right with a lot of Scoopers who fell in love with Deonte's frame, reckless aggression, and cradle jams.  Here's to hoping he puts it all together.  He's a player I will always play the shoulda coulda game with. 


Buddy Hield...your table is ready.  That dude can fill it up.  Reminiscent of Curry's Davidson days, but with a better build.  Stud.

Agree 100% on both Burton and Hield.  It's amazing how effortless Hield can make difficult shots look.  Double-teamed, fadeaway - nothing but nylon.

[brewcity77]

By the letter of the law, there was no tampering.  Intermediaries played a part however.

Tampering might not be the right word, but both McKay and Burton definitely had someone in their ear pushing them straight to ISU. And I have little doubt that voice had their own interests in mind.

[GGGG]

Tampering might not be the right word, but both McKay and Burton definitely had someone in their ear pushing them straight to ISU. And I have little doubt that voice had their own interests in mind.

Remember that McKay and Burton were former AAU teammates.

[MUfan12]

Tampering might not be the right word, but both McKay and Burton definitely had someone in their ear pushing them straight to ISU. And I have little doubt that voice had their own interests in mind.

Yup. I shouldn't have used "tampering," but the same guy was in their ear, and had contact with ISU prior to their release.

[keefe]

Keefe

Agreed that McKay could have been a Warrior great. Unfortunate Buzz f'd that up.

McKay had Black Swan II written all over him

[MU82]

Matt Thomas looked a bit like a wasted scholarship after his sophomore year.  That should show you what hard work can do to get someone contributing on a D1 team.  Exactly why you shouldn't write off players and expect they aren't going to improve further.

Great points here, Sultan.

I was extremely impressed with Thomas' defense on Hield when they were matched up and ISU wasn't screening all over the place. Thomas kept Hield from getting where he wanted to go, and not many can say that.

As for your overriding point -- that people can and do improve -- it's so true yet so many forget all the time that this happens. I mean, it was only a few years ago that Vander was being slammed relentlessly here as a kid who would never be any good. To them, there wasn't even a possibility that he would work and improve. Sad that some only see the negative possibilities.

[Goose]

Keefe

A better scoring Black Swan.

[keefe]

Keefe

A better scoring Black Swan.

Goose

Roger that. I think my point is that McKay has the same passion and ferocity of Lackey. That is a great starting point!

What I loved about Al's teams is that they were in fact well-conceived units where the gears meshed beautifully.

[GooooMarquette]

Keefe

A better scoring Black Swan.

McKay averaged 11.0 last year and is averaging 13.5 this year.

Lackey averaged 12.9 as a junior and 15.2 as a senior.

[UticaBusBarn]

Goose

Roger that. I think my point is that McKay has the same passion and ferocity of Lackey. That is a great starting point!

What I loved about Al's teams is that they were in fact well-conceived units where the gears meshed beautifully.

As Al was fond of saying, "My teams are the most disciplined in the universe."

[GooooMarquette]

As Al was fond of saying, "My teams are the most disciplined in the universe."

They were also "arrogant and obnoxious."

[keefe]

As Al was fond of saying, "My teams are the most disciplined in the universe."

The hallmark of Al's teams was their defense. No one was better.

We routinely prevented the other guys from inbounding the ball at least once a game. Think about that. Skill, precision, tenacity, focus, and discipline.

Al always said that he just rolled out the balls but that was just part of his schtick. He was a brilliant tactician and a master motivator.

Crean overplans to the point of inflexibility. When things go awry he blames the players for not executing to his brilliance.

Al reinforced hard lessons in practice then unleashed his tigers to execute. His T's were part of that plan. And he never ever blamed his players for failure. If I recall, Al took full responsibility for the NC State loss. That is what a man does.

[PGsHeroes32]

It also helps Oklahoma and Iowa State to have 2-3 guys -- especially seniors and probable lottery picks Hield and Niang -- who can totally take over a game in crunch time.

McKay would have been a help two years ago, though we still would have had the worst starting backcourt in the nation. Hard to say he would have made last year's team matter much. And he wouldn't have been around this year.

As for Burton, seems to be a nice kid. Yet another guy some Scoopers anointed as a possible NBAer who ... well ... ain't. Black hole on offense; sieve on defense. Did I mention that he seems to be a nice kid?

Uhh Hield is the only probable lottery pick.

Niang would be a surprise to even be drafted.

[Goose]

GOOO Marquette

Lackey was different type of scorer. McKay has some moves, especially in transition, that are more geared towards today's game. For the record, I LOVED Bob Lackey as a Warrior.

Keefe

Al used to say we were wild off the court but most disciplined on it. I remember him taking jab at Russian's on his team's being more disciplined.