Minnesota vs. ISU...Pick The Cyclones
If you listen to the local media, especially the crew up in the Twin Cities, you'll look at the game that pits the 8-seed vs. 9-seed in the Syracuse region and pick Minnesota without a second thought. If you're a "homer" who likes to pick your favorite teams so you can cheer wholeheartedly through the tournament, then go with the Gophs. But if you're a serious bracketologist, you might want to look a little deeper.
Let me admit here that I am an Iowa State alumnus and a Cyclone. I concede that, since college, I haven't been a big Gopher fan. I cheer for them most of the time but, truth be told, I'm a Cyclone. Still, the analysis I'm about to indulge in is as objective as I can make it. And that analysis tells me to pick the Cyclones.
When I've watched the Gophers play this season, they seemed to be a one-man team. The Gophers go as Vincent Grier goes. The junior scores 18 points per game, with Jeff Hagen being the only other player in double-digits with 11. Although Minnesota played Illinois pretty tough, the end of the game was nothing but giving the ball to Grier and letting him try to score. He didn't create offense and dish the ball off, he tried to score. Every time. That seems to be the trend for Minnesota. If the Cyclones shut down Vincent Grier, they shut down the Gophers.
ISU, on the other hand, has a few more weapons. There is no doubt that Curtis Stinson, at 17 points per game, is the leader of the team. But they have two other valid scoring threats in senior center Jared Homan (13 ppg) and sophomore guard Will Blalock (12.8 ppg). Also, freshman Tasheed Carr has made huge strides this season and is poised to have a big tourney. Not to mention the fact that the Cyclones are a defensive club.
Iowa State has also proven that they can play with anyone in the nation when they're hot. In one of those hot stretches from January 29th to February 19th, ISU won seven straight conference games including wins against #15 Oklahoma, #18 Texas, #23 Texas Tech and #2 Kansas. Two of those, including the Kansas game, were on the road.
The Gophers are 1-6 against ranked teams this season.
You make the call.
Let me admit here that I am an Iowa State alumnus and a Cyclone. I concede that, since college, I haven't been a big Gopher fan. I cheer for them most of the time but, truth be told, I'm a Cyclone. Still, the analysis I'm about to indulge in is as objective as I can make it. And that analysis tells me to pick the Cyclones.
When I've watched the Gophers play this season, they seemed to be a one-man team. The Gophers go as Vincent Grier goes. The junior scores 18 points per game, with Jeff Hagen being the only other player in double-digits with 11. Although Minnesota played Illinois pretty tough, the end of the game was nothing but giving the ball to Grier and letting him try to score. He didn't create offense and dish the ball off, he tried to score. Every time. That seems to be the trend for Minnesota. If the Cyclones shut down Vincent Grier, they shut down the Gophers.
ISU, on the other hand, has a few more weapons. There is no doubt that Curtis Stinson, at 17 points per game, is the leader of the team. But they have two other valid scoring threats in senior center Jared Homan (13 ppg) and sophomore guard Will Blalock (12.8 ppg). Also, freshman Tasheed Carr has made huge strides this season and is poised to have a big tourney. Not to mention the fact that the Cyclones are a defensive club.
Iowa State has also proven that they can play with anyone in the nation when they're hot. In one of those hot stretches from January 29th to February 19th, ISU won seven straight conference games including wins against #15 Oklahoma, #18 Texas, #23 Texas Tech and #2 Kansas. Two of those, including the Kansas game, were on the road.
The Gophers are 1-6 against ranked teams this season.
You make the call.
posted by Joe Siple | 10:00 PM
3 Comments:
First the Vikings, now the Gophers...Let the deportation proceedings begin!
Go Gophers, Beat the Cyclones!
Next thing you know Joe will start a rumor Johan Santana sold poisoned milk to school children. Just kidding Joe, I don't like the Gophers chances much either, but neither team will beat UNC.
I am a Gopher fan but I picked Iowa State, I actually agreed with Joe's Blog. Who did everyone pick to win it all, I took North Carolina to take it. Keep up on the Blogs Joe it makes work go by a little bit faster.
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