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ISU trying to get Brackins back on track
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2010-01-26
Iowa State forward Craig Brackins knows there’s a problem.
He knows his shots aren’t falling. He knows his stats have dropped. And he’s more upset about it than anyone else.
“I don’t like to let my teammates down, and that’s what I feel like I’ve been doing,” said Brackins after Saturday’s 84-61 loss to then-No. 3 Kansas.
What will it take for Brackins to get back on track?
That’s the question the Cyclones have been trying to answer in anticipation of tonight’s game at Oklahoma (8 p.m. WOI).
“He has to maintain his aggressive play, and some of those shots that aren’t falling for him right now, I think they’ll begin to fall,” ISU coach Greg McDermott said.
No one in the program expected Brackins to replicate his 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds from a year ago. Not with more talent around him this year.
But no one expected his numbers to drop to 12.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in Big 12 games. Or for him to shoot 37.3 percent during that span.
Brackins said Saturday that he may be pressing and trying to do too much. McDermott doesn’t think that’s necessarily the case.
He doesn’t want Brackins to get so frustrated with the constant double teams that he becomes passive.
“As soon as that becomes the case, then he’s really going to be an ineffective player,” McDermott said.
The Cyclones (12-7, 1-3 Big 12) plan to move Brackins off the low block more against the Sooners (11-8, 2-3) to get in positions where he can neutralize the double team better.
“Sometimes we move him to the high post to try and let him operate from there and try to occupy the defense on the weak side as best you can so they can’t get there as quick.”
McDermott’s preaching patience with his frustrated forward. He told Brackins he probably won’t face a tougher double team this year than the Jayhawks and that his shots will start connecting.
He’s also told the rest of the team that they need to do a better job helping Brackins when he’s doubled.
ISU center Justin Hamilton agrees with McDermott, saying the Cyclones must hit shots when Brackins kicks it out to open teammates, something they didn’t do enough of Saturday.
“Sometimes you need to help as a whole team,” Hamilton said. “We all need to be a little bit more aggressive.”
Brackins has come to grips that he’ll see a steady diet of double teams every night. He’ll feel a lot better once he figures out how to overcome them.
“It’s hard, I’m getting doubled and they are trying to play me physical, make me uncomfortable,” Brackins said. “I’m trying to do the best I can.”
How to watch tonight’s game
President Obama’s State of the Union address has caused WOI to move the ISU-Oklahoma game to its subcarrier digital channel 5.2. Obama’s speech will be carried on WOI’s primary signal, 5.1.
The game is also available on ESPN360 (subject to blackout in certain areas) and ESPN Full Court.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929 or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2010-01-26
Iowa State forward Craig Brackins looks to get back on track at Oklahoma on Wednesday.
Tribune File photo
Tribune File photo
Iowa State forward Craig Brackins knows there’s a problem.
He knows his shots aren’t falling. He knows his stats have dropped. And he’s more upset about it than anyone else.
“I don’t like to let my teammates down, and that’s what I feel like I’ve been doing,” said Brackins after Saturday’s 84-61 loss to then-No. 3 Kansas.
What will it take for Brackins to get back on track?
That’s the question the Cyclones have been trying to answer in anticipation of tonight’s game at Oklahoma (8 p.m. WOI).
“He has to maintain his aggressive play, and some of those shots that aren’t falling for him right now, I think they’ll begin to fall,” ISU coach Greg McDermott said.
No one in the program expected Brackins to replicate his 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds from a year ago. Not with more talent around him this year.
But no one expected his numbers to drop to 12.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in Big 12 games. Or for him to shoot 37.3 percent during that span.
Brackins said Saturday that he may be pressing and trying to do too much. McDermott doesn’t think that’s necessarily the case.
He doesn’t want Brackins to get so frustrated with the constant double teams that he becomes passive.
“As soon as that becomes the case, then he’s really going to be an ineffective player,” McDermott said.
The Cyclones (12-7, 1-3 Big 12) plan to move Brackins off the low block more against the Sooners (11-8, 2-3) to get in positions where he can neutralize the double team better.
“Sometimes we move him to the high post to try and let him operate from there and try to occupy the defense on the weak side as best you can so they can’t get there as quick.”
McDermott’s preaching patience with his frustrated forward. He told Brackins he probably won’t face a tougher double team this year than the Jayhawks and that his shots will start connecting.
He’s also told the rest of the team that they need to do a better job helping Brackins when he’s doubled.
ISU center Justin Hamilton agrees with McDermott, saying the Cyclones must hit shots when Brackins kicks it out to open teammates, something they didn’t do enough of Saturday.
“Sometimes you need to help as a whole team,” Hamilton said. “We all need to be a little bit more aggressive.”
Brackins has come to grips that he’ll see a steady diet of double teams every night. He’ll feel a lot better once he figures out how to overcome them.
“It’s hard, I’m getting doubled and they are trying to play me physical, make me uncomfortable,” Brackins said. “I’m trying to do the best I can.”
How to watch tonight’s game
President Obama’s State of the Union address has caused WOI to move the ISU-Oklahoma game to its subcarrier digital channel 5.2. Obama’s speech will be carried on WOI’s primary signal, 5.1.
The game is also available on ESPN360 (subject to blackout in certain areas) and ESPN Full Court.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929 or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
| Comments |
| Da What the coaches and team needs to do is find ways to get Brackins more touches in the paint. He has been forcing and taking way too many shots from 15 ft and out. He is good enough to play against double teams down low, not at the 'high post'. McD thinks he should continue to take those shots out there. I respectfully disagree with coach on that point. His struggles will continue, if that adjustment is not made, sooner, rather then later!! GO CLONES! 1/27/10 |
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