Matmann's Blog

Now that we lost that Southern Good Old Boy scoundrel, it is time to see what Coach Paul Rhodes and his staff have going on in Ames.

1) What a great day for a spring game.  Temps in the  mid 60s, sun in the second half, no rain, and no wind ! 

2) It is hard in this type of game to learn much, but I have some observations nonethelesa

3) The backup kicker was horrendous.  He nailed an upright on a PAT and hit one of his blockers in the back on an earlier FG attempt.

4) There were an alarming number of bad and bobbled snaps

5) Nice wildcat formation !

6) I loved that wrinkle on the bubble screen were the one receiver fakes a block and releases downfield.  It was a big gainer...

7) You heard it here first.  Bo 'Lower the boom' Williams at running back !

8) The defense seemed much more aggressive than last year. Tackling appeared better to.

9) I thought Jerome Tiller looked better at QB than Austen did.  He was definitely faster when he took off running and has a cannon for an arm.  He reminded me of a lesser Senecca Wallace but he is only a Redshirt Freshman

10) The punt teams looked disinterested and sloppy

11) Is anyone going to feed Wallace Franklin and Sedrick Johnson ?  These guys look too scrawny to be football players.

12) After the game, the players sung the fight song and you could hear it in the upper deck!

13) A very nice crowd !  The usual drunk idiots were out in the parking lot so the fans were in midseason form.

14) Is there ANY nutritional value in a concession stand lunch of a hot dog and a coke ?

15) If you are going to a football game, please leave the flip flops at home.  I saw at least 5 people wipe out trying to walk up stairs wearing these things...

1) Iowa State guard Heather Ezell was named the Iowa Games 2008 Marty McHone female athlete of the year Wednesday.

2) Jiri Hubalek has been invited to Phoenix Suns's training camp after playing on their Summer League team.  Insiders aren't giving any of these invites (Jiri included) a good chance of making the team.

1) For all the money spent on Kinnick, the U of I can't fix the drainage system under the field ?

2) CAN ANYONE ON THIS DEFENSE TACKLE? We cant even tackle that walk on named Paki....

3) Iowa takes the opening kickoff and gets a field goal because we cant tackle.  Iowa also overthrew a pretty open Tight End in the end zone. We have already seen a couple of 'slips' by Iowa, lets see if ISU chose the correct cleats.

4) Who is the ISU sideline coach with the BLACK polo shirt on ?

5) More not really commercial breaks on the Big Ten Network.  By the way, can anyone at that network or conference count ?  There are 11 teams in that Conference...

6) AA will take the opening series for the Clones.  A-Rob in at Running back as well.  Nice catch by Houston Jones! Another nice throw and catch to RJ Sumerall. The one run then all pass drive stalls after 3 first downs.  Nice punt into the end zone...Brantner...

7) Iowa's 2nd series.  Up 3-0.  Nice way to start this drive Clone defense by being offsides.  A nice throw and catch gets Iowa a first down.  We know have our 3rd penalty of the drive- 2 on Iowa.

A CYCLONE INTERCEPTION.  Michael Tate tips it to Fred Garrin !

8) ISU starts its second series at midfield.  Our first shot is a bomb down the field to Sed Johnson.  Pass interference Iowa.  A-Rob gets 4 up the middle but man is that play slow developing. First down Clones after 2 great runs by A-Rob. 

ANOTHER *** D*** PERSONAL FOUL..THIS ONE ON MARQUIS HAMILTON.  IT IS TIME WE START SITTING THESE GUYS DOWN...THIS IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS !!!

First down again at the 25 for the Clone Offense.  It is now 4th and 6, field goal time.   Shaggy Jr just shanked a 38 field goal attempt.  2 minutes left in the first qtr and st Iowa is up 3-0.

9) Iowa starts its third series up 3-0.  You might want to cover an Iowa tight end on THIRD AND LONG ! Greene limps off the field and Iowa immediately fumbles the snap to end the first quarter.  That is twice now a speed guy for the ISU defense has had Stanzi and he missed him. Iowa is forced to punt but the good guys will get it on the 4 yard line.41.

10) ISU starts its third series from the 4 yard line.  Bates is it at QB and they throw it.  Catllet makes the catch and it is pass inteference Iowa.   After Bates's first run, this wet field is really slowing him down.  Philip Bates overthrows a wide open receiver, interception Iowa.

11) Iowa starts its fourth series up 3-0 at the ISU 41.  Iowa gets deep into the red zone but then goes backwards after a chop block and then a Christopher Lyle sack.  Iowa then tries a 50 yard field goal and the knuckle ball is wide left.

Great stop Clone Defense.  Leonard Johnson had perfect coverage on DJK and a better thrown ball would have been a pick.  Michael Tate and Lyle both played well on the D line.

WTF!!! I CANT AVOID POLITICAL ADS ON THE BTN ?

12) ISU starts its fourth series from the 31 yard line with AA at QB and Scales at RB.  We run a pass on first down and on second down and a QB keeper on third down before punting.  Our play selection is now 12 pass and 9 run.

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING SINGLETO!  That was a 15 yard penalty  when you took out the kick return.  I consider this the second personal foul of the game and about the 8th or 9th ISU Personal foul this SEASON.

13) Iowa starts its fifth series up 3-0.  ISU Forces a 3 and out. ISU comes after the punt but we don't get it.  It is a short kick that official fair catcher catches.

Another all promo commercial break on the BTN ! I really need to start drinking so my trips for another beer drag me away from these promo breaks...

14) ISU starts its fifth series down 3-0.  PB in at QB with about 4 minutes left in the first half.

No real sense of urgency out of the Clones as we get to midfield.  A-Rob is getting some running room as we go to a 3 wide formation.  On 3rd and 2, we try to throw and PB doesnt take off running when no one is open ?  Huh ?

BRANTNER, STOP PUNTING IT 50 YARDS INTO THE END ZONE ...

15) Iowa starts its 6th series up 3-0 with 1:45 left.    Greene slips down AGAIN for the Hawks and Singleton is down.  Iowa runs the clock out to end the first half.

Half time thoughts:

1) I NEVER would have guessed this would have been 3-0 at the half

2) Iowa's offensive looks a litte shaky.  There O-line has at least 4 penalties and Stanzi has overthrown several open receivers - especially early in the game

3) The knock on Iowa's 'D' is that they cant handle mobile QBs.  Our mobile QBs have done nothing

4) A-Rob is definitely our best back and I liked him running out of the three wide formation

5) Greene makes our LBs look very unathletic.

6) Could we PLEASE Score a TOUCHDOWN against the Hawks.  PLEASE ?

Is this REALLY the third 'Be remarkable at the U of I' infomercial ?

On to the second half...

1) ISU starts its first series on the 20 after getting a mesely 109 yards in the first half.  These teams are combined 3-12 on 3rd down. AA in at QB.  Big 3rd down catch and run for A-Rob to get us a first down on 3rd and long!  We now have 3 and 4 from the 15...AND WE CANT SNAP THE D**N BALL FAST ENOUGH.  GRRRRR... THIS IS AT LEAST TWICE NOW WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE PLAY IN ON TIME!  AND WE STILL CANT GET THE F*****G PLAY IN AFTER THE DELAY OF GAME SO WE BURN A TIME OUT. 

AA then tries to float one in against double coverage and it gets picked by Tyler Sash.  Then Sash runs out at the one.

2) Iowa starts its first series on the 1.  Iowa goes 3 and out.  Chizik is not scared to put his true freshman Corners out on an island and Benton came up big on second down.  The punt is shanked ! ISU will get the ball around the 30 !

3) ISU starts its second series from the Iowa 26 and PB is in at QB.  We finally get a 3rd down conversion !  First Down Clones but Houston Jones would have had a TD in another second... We are starting to have success pounding A-Rob...  Why did Iowa just call timeout while on 'D' with 2 seconds left on the game clock ?

#88 you dropped a TD ! Bates comes up a yard short on 3rd down and then we let the game clock run out.  Maybe on purpose to get more distance for a hash mark field goal.  Iowa declined anyway... 21 yards.  Bad snap and the kick hits the upright.  NO GOOD.  0-2 now. Chizik is FURIOUS about something on the sidelines.  ABSOLUTELY LIVID... Chivik is ticked that an Iowa guy rolled into his kicker.

4) Iowa starts its second series and Stanzi promptly falls down. 2nd and long now.  On 3rd and 10.. .Michael Bibbs picks off a pass thrown into TRIPLE coverage.

5) ISU starts series #3 at the Iowa 29 with AA in at QB.  Will someone PLEASE block #91 (Binns) ? On third down, Darius Darks gets WIDE OPEN and AA misses him... We finally make a FG !  43 yard ties it up with 25 seconds left in the third.  We have DOMINATED the third qtr and have a measely 3 points.

6) Iowa starts its third series from the 35 after a low and short line drive kick off.  JC is in at QB for Iowa.. He completes and easy pass over the middle that Greene runs for a first down. The fans go nuts... What a hit on Moeaki by Leonard Johnson.  Unfortunately LJ knocked himself out  That is a fumble recovered by ISU... AND WE GOT A PERSONAL FOUL FOR THAT ?  WTF? WTF ? WTF? Singleton is hurt again thumping an Iowa Tight end because they cant throw to a Wide receiver.  Does Iowa have one ? Back to the game... A missed tackle and Greene is down at the 5.    We have an Iowa TD.  Go nuts Squak fans..you finally scored a TD against a mediocre major conference D1 defense...

7) ISU starts series #4 at the 26 with AA at QB.  Big throw to Sed Johnson with Mitch King in his face! We waste another timeout because of an apparent play calling SNAFU. Another big throw for a first down to RJ Sumerall.  Our drive runs out of steam so it is field goal time and we miss a 46 yard.  1-4 in the game and this one was all on him.

8) Iowa starts its fourth series up 10-3.  JC Still in at QB.  Iowa on 3 and 3 throws incomplete, but I think the wrong receiver tried to catch it... Iowa BOOMS a punt into the end zone.

9) ISU starts series #5 with 8:37 left from the 20.  AA at QB.  We get a first down and then have to punt.  Brodell takes it UNTOUCHED to the house.  17-3 Iowa. 

10) ISU starts series #6 with AA at QB.  A-Rob with a huge first down run and catch.  NICE CAMERA ANGLE BTN...That was almost a TD grab by Sed Johnson that we didn't get too see.. Yet another ball to Wallace Franklin that the BIG target cant get... First and GOAL at the 5.  Why were #84 and #5 in the same spot in the end zone ? WE waste our LAST timeout with 4:04 left in the game ?   This is beyond inexcusable at this point...this is the THIRD game of your SECOND season.  Call a play and let them run it! 2 cracks from the one and we cant get anything.  We lose 2 on a running play and then the pass on fourth was worthless.

Themes of the game.  1) Missed oppurtunites.  You have to get TDs in the red zone.  We DOMINATED the third quarter and GOT NOTHING 2) Missed tackles resulted in a lot, including Broddell's punt return for a TD  3) Personal Fouls again really hurt us  4) Inability to get an offensive play into the game.  5) 17-5 Iowa and they dont cover the spead. 6) Brace yourself State fans, they Hawk blowhards are going to be out in full force. I thought the Hawks didn't care about this game ?  I see thousands on the field...

Bettors everywhere are cursing KF for taking a safety to make it 17-5 hawks...

We are mere moments from the showdown with the Squakeyes in IOwa City, but I wanted to share some ISU basketball news...

1) Greg McDermott is going to be inducted into University of North Dakota Hall of Fame this weekend.

Greg was an assistant coach at UND from '89-94. The ceremony this weekend is in honor of the great accomplishments of the '89-90 season.

2) We have another 2010 men's basketball recruit.  Chim Kadima plays at Lutheran, Wisconsin High School.  He is a 6' 3", 185 lb point guard who was being recruited by BC, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Marquette.

He joins Jordan Dykstra as our other known 2010 recruit.

What a game!

Almost 50,000 folks were in Jack Trice Stadium for Saturday nights showdown between the team that ruined Gene Chizik's Cyclone debut (Kent State) and the Iowa State Cyclones.

ISU wins a wild (and occasionally a very ugly) game 48-28.

This game was a lot like the season opener. Stupid personal foul penalties. Our defense forced a lot of turnovers but couldn't tackle.  Bates made a great run.  We couldn't consistantly run the ball or stop them FROM running the ball.  A shoestring tackle stopped a potential kick off return for a touchdown by Leonard Johnson.

I can see why Philip Bates needs to be on the field...Every run could be a touchdown. Unfortunately for him, Austen Arnaud is a better 'leader' on the field.  AA also has a much better touch on his passes.

RJ Sumerall finally got his first TD!  And then he got another one !

I'm continually amazed by our true freshman kicker - Mahoney.  He kicked off from the 15 yard line that land on the 10 !  He did miss his first field goal but he came back with a 48 yard later.  That would have been good from at least 50.

We have a punter !  And he really helped us win field position in the 3rd Quarter.

Note to Gene Chizik, you are allowed to return punts...

Can we beat Iowa ?  Yes.  We will need to improve on these areas:

1) Stop the personal Fouls

2) Tackle.  I repeat... Learn to tackle...I repeat ... Learn to tackle

3) Find a running game somewhere, somehow

4) Get to the QB and SACK HIM

5) Better blitz pickup by our running backs

6) Show more of the playbook.  It appears that we run the same couple of plays continually during the game. 

1) We got .4 inch of rain this morning in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.  From what ?  The remanants of what was once Hurricane Gustav. It was a nice light rain event around daybreak. Gustav came ashore Monday Morning in Central Louisiana !

2) Next Monday night is Sept 8th.  We may have frost !

I might add that this is kinda unusual given that Monday night 4 nights away still.  They usually just gloss over temps that far out...

Here is the mention in the National Weather Service forecast discusion for this evening...

HIGH PRESSURE SETTLES IN FOR MONDAY NIGHT AND THIS REMAINS A CONCERN FOR POSSIBLE FROSTING CONDITIONS WITH THERMAL TROUGH OVERHEAD AND DEWPOINTS IN THE 30S. MEX GUIDANCE HAS COME DOWN NEARLY 10 DEGREES FOR THIS PERIOD BUT STILL NOT LOW ENOUGH ASSUMING CLEARING SKIES. THEREFORE...HAVE MAINTAINED BELOW GUIDANCE READINGS AND HAVE INTRODUCED UPPER 30S OVER THE NORTHWEST THOUGH LIKELY NOT LOW ENOUGH.

I spent a good portion of this Labor Day following the slow motion natural disaster known as Hurrican Gustav.

A big shout out to DirecTV for channel 361 which is the live feed of Channel 6 in New Orleans with its nonstop coverage.  It broke up at times due to the wind and rain but it was a great resource

Some thoughts

• New Orleans (as of 7:30 pm Central time) is probably going to be spared Katrina like disaster but at least one leeve is in big time danger and Lafitte is rapidly being swamped
• Gustav was a mediocre at best Cat 2 hurricane that missed New Orleans (winds have gusted to Hurricane) and the Industrial canal still splashed over and barges/ships broke free.  If this was a Cat 3 (or more) or had tracked 20 or more miles East, we would have a very flooded New Orleans
• This was really the worst possible directional track for New Orleans to have a Southeast to South wind fetch.  This blew water up into New Orleans and forced Lake Ponchitrain into the city outskirts
• The energy markets were greatly relieved that the Cat 5 storm we all feared last week fizzled out.  Oil was down over $4  and natural gas was down over $.40.  Natural gas is down at least 40% in the past month or 2.

Des Moines Area weather

• We finally had a month with below normal precip ! 
• August was yet another colder than normal month.  We only had 2 days with 90 or above temps  (average is 7)
• AUGUST WAS THE SUNNIEST AUGUST ON RECORD WITH 91% SUNSHINE. THIS SMASHED THE OLD RECORD OF 86% SET IN 1983 AND 1955. ALSO, THE 91% TIED THE SECOND SUNNIEST MONTH OF ALL TIME WHICH WAS IN JULY OF 1916. THE SUNNIEST MONTH WAS 94% SET IN JULY 1936.
• FOR THE SUMMER SEASON...TEMPERATURES FELL CLEARLY WITHIN THE NORMAL BAND. RAINFALL FOR DES MOINES CAME IN 3RD WETTEST ON RECORD WITH 23.57 INCHES. 1993 WAS THE WETTEST WITH 29.67. FOR THE YEAR OF 2008...DES MOINES IS 12.22 INCHES ABOVE NORMAL WITH 4 MONTHS TO GO.

1) Todd Blythe was cut by the Saints.  Jon Banks was cut by the Bills.  Tyson Smith (dispite a pick and an almost pick in the final preseason game for the Cowboys)  was also cut. 

'Ace' and 'Tuba' made the Bills and the Browns.

2) We have 2 more 2009 football recruits and they are both from Antelope Valley CC.

• DE Taylor Martin. 6' 3", 250 lbs, and a 4.7 40.
• S Troy Butler. 6' 1" and 200 lbs

3) I hope the Vegas bookies are right, ISU is a 7.5 favorite over Kent State.  This message was for informational purposes only...

1) What am I allowed to do this Labor Day now that the end of the world is heading dangerously close to New Orleans.  The end of the world is the media darling, major hurricane Gustav which is projected to be near New Orleans by early Monday ?

The media is already running stories about the impact on the first day of a political convention (think of this as a week long infomercial).  Heck, if you ask me we should cancel all days of ALL the political conventions.  Did you know the federal government shelled out $100,000,000 for security at these conventions ?  How much food could that have bought for the hungry ?  How much health insurance for poor kids could that have bought ?  But I digress...

Am I allowed to go golfing given the tragedy that is about to unfold ?

Am I allowed to travel anywhere ?

I don't want to appear insensitive to the plight of these poor souls that live a foot below sea level in a hurricane prone area.  Since 'sensitivity' has never appeared on my list of strengths, I wanted outside help on this topic.

Where is the media concern for the poor people that have been flooded out of their trailers twice this year by flooding on the Four mile creek in Des Moines ?

2) What did I learn after week #1 of the College football season ?

• ISU's team colors are no longer CARDINAL and gold.  It is more like Burgundy and gold
• Jake Christensen still can't throw the ball for the Iowa Hawkeyes
• 108,000+ fans in Michigan cant guarantee a win
• Jim Tressel is a moron for having his stud running back still playing in the 3rd quarter of an absolute blowout.  He got hurt...
• Missouri may have an offense that is all world but their secondary is horrendous !  They made Juice Williams look like Joe Montana in the second half
• Maybe Nick Saban is worth every penny Alabama is paying him

3) Isn't America great - reason #112233

Lowe's has a $1698 tool box on sale this week.  I repeat..  a $1698 toolbox !

It is a 16 drawer stainless steel Kobalt tool cabinet and chest combo.  You get a minifridge and a stereo in it ! It almost 6 feet tall !

My previous car wasn't worth that much !

4) One of the popular interview questions these days is 'What is your bucket list'.  Since no one interviews me, I thought I would ask myself that question

• See a tornado in person ( I have seen what I suspected were several rain wrapped ones but that doesn't count in my eyes)
• Get a hole-in-one (I have come reasonably close a couple of times)
• Visit the North Slope of the Brooks Range (Northern Alaska, but ONLY During their brief summer)

1) Former Cyclone Jackson Vroman, formerly in the NBA, is currently with BC Lietuvos Rytas of Lithuania

2) Tyson Smith, a former ISU and West Des Moines Valley defensive standout, made the first Dallas interception of the preseason Thursday night.

Tyson Smith - who now plays LB for the Cowboys - picked off a first quarter pass from Minnesota (preseason game #4) that setup a Dallas TD to make it 10-0 Cowboys

3) ISU Announces Men's Basketball Schedule

Courtesy: cyclones.com

Release: 08/26/2008

AMES, Iowa – A home-and-away Big 12 series with defending national champion Kansas, 10 matchups with teams in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, and a trip to Hawaii help make up the 2008-09 Iowa State men’s basketball schedule, released today.

“Our non-conference schedule will be very competitive and extremely beneficial in helping our young team prepare for Big 12 competition,” ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. “There is a great opportunity for our team to get a taste of life on the road against four quality opponents in Hawaii, Northern Iowa, Iowa and Houston. Dates against Pac-10 member Oregon State and NCAA qualifier Drake will be two outstanding pre-conference games in Hilton Coliseum.”

ISU will open the regular season by hosting the World Vision Classic in Ames, playing host to UC-Davis, Loyola-Marymount, and UW-Milwaukee Nov, 14, 15 and 16, respectively.

After the tournament, the Cyclones will travel to Honolulu for a single game against the University of Hawaii on Nov. 24. ISU will return home to play host to Mississippi Valley State in Ames on Nov. 29. The Delta Devils won the SWAC tournament last season to advance to the NCAA Tournament, before falling to UCLA in the first round.

A road trip to Northern Iowa on Dec. 3, will tip off the in-state matchups for ISU. Before playing host to 2008 Missouri Valley Conference champion Drake on Dec. 9, the Cyclones will compete in the Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series, facing Oregon State in a return trip to Hilton Coliseum for the Beavers.

The Cyclones will face Iowa in the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series at Carver Hawkeye Arena on Friday, Dec. 12. ISU will travel to Houston on Dec. 28, and will play home games against Jacksonville State, South Dakota State, Mercer, SIU-Edwardsville and Houston Baptist to wrap up the non-conference portion of the schedule.

The competitive Big 12 slate will get underway on Jan.10, when the Cyclones travel to Texas to take on the 2008 regular-season co-champion Longhorns. Games vs. Kansas (Jan. 24), Oklahoma (Jan. 31) and Baylor (Feb. 24) highlight ISU’s home Big 12 schedule.

“The Big 12 Conference, as always, will be one of the nation’s best,” McDermott added. “Kansas, Oklahoma and Baylor will likely be three of the best teams in the league and we will get a chance to play them in Hilton Coliseum.”

The Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will be held in Oklahoma City in the Ford Center, March 11-14.

An updated version of the schedule will be released once more times and television contracts are finalized.

 4) Cyber CY'd with Coach Fennelly

Courtesy: cyclones.com

Release: 08/26/2008

Another school year has begun and the Cyclone women’s basketball team is already back hard at work, preparing for the upcoming season. In order to give Cyclone fans an inside look at the Iowa State women’s basketball team, head coach Bill Fennelly and members of the ISU team will be posting a weekly blog at Cyclones.com on Tuesday of each week throughout the school year.

Fans will have a chance to hear directly from Coach Fennelly throughout the year about how practice is going, how the team is doing during the season, and what he sees as the staples of the ISU women’s basketball program. Players will talk to you each week about their perspective of school life, practices, games, and the daily hurdles of being a Division I student-athlete.

Coach Fennelly and the 2008-09 Cyclones are excited to talk with the loyal Iowa State fans each week. Read below to hear what Coach Fennelly is focusing on as the new school year gets underway. Next week check back to hear from freshman Alexis Yackley, as she tells you how the summer went in Ames and what her first week of college life was like.

Cyber CY'd with Coach Fennelly

It is so exciting to begin another year here at Iowa State.  I can not believe that this will be my 14th season as head coach. The time has gone fast, but the enthusiasm and energy that is on campus every fall really motivates all of us to continue to work to have a program that has brought great pride to Iowa State University. I think I am as excited as ever to start after watching all the great stories that transpired in the Olympics. I love to watch all of the events, and I so much appreciate the tremendous effort that the athletes put in and how proud they were to represent the USA!!!! I want to especially congratulate the USA Basketball teams on reclaiming the gold in "OUR SPORT."  Also to Iowa's own Shawn Johnson on her a tremendous effort-----she will have some stories to tell her high school buddies at Valley on what she did for her summer vacation.

All of players filtered in late last week in preparation for the start of classes on August 25th.  There is always a very high level of anticipation as the players look to the school year and season that is ahead. Not to mention how wide eyed our new players are as they start the next phase of their lives. Our staff is looking forward to working with four freshmen this season; Whitney Williams (Texas), Alexis Yackley (South Dakota), Ashley Arlen (Cascade, Iowa) and Claire Rockall (Ireland--yes the country). I think these young people will add to our program and help the outstanding returning players we have build the 2008-09 edition of Cyclone WBB.

Upon returning to campus our players are busy with many organizational activities. They had a welcome picnic on Friday, Aug. 22, and then took part in the very popular Cyclone Fan Fest on Sunday, Aug. 24. This event has become a great success as all of our players and coaches can interact with our fans. Our players got to shoot some hoops with the kids, take pictures, and sign autographs. I think it motivates our players as we begin our preseason work to see the tremendous fan support we have at Iowa State. There is NO question we have the best fans in the nation. Sunday ended with a series of meeting for our players where we got all the different areas covered that allow our players to have a chance to be successful. I am very pleased with the support staff that is in place at Iowa State. They all work so hard to provide a quality of life for our student-athletes that allows them to work towards their individual and team goals.

Most importantly, Monday we started classes. Our focus always starts with the academic performance of our team. I have been very proud of how well are kids have done in the classroom. It is a commitment that is a daily thing for us and I firmly believe it translates on the court as well.

I hope you enjoy the blogs that we will post throughout the year. It is our goal to continue to engage our great fans in what is happening with Cyclone Women's Basketball.

We will see you August 28th as we open the football season vs. South Dakota State.  Also good luck to all the fall sports that are beginning their seasons and I hope you will come out to watch all those teams wear the Cyclone uniform proudly!!!!

GO CYCLONES  

5) Yet to play a game, ISU guard Lucca Staiger's play this summer has put him in position to make a run at Germany's Olympic basketball team in 2012.

Staiger played on Germany's U20 national team that won the FIBA European Division B Championship this summer. The 6-foot-5 guard from Baulstein, Germany, averaged 10.3 points in 20 minutes and led the team in 3-pointers (16 of 38).

Staiger was then promoted to the A-2 national team in Germany.  A-2 national team is the step below their Olympic team.