SB Nation User Blog: JustinKendall

Iowa-Iowa State Football Game Time

JustinKendall — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:41:35 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Neibergall - AP

Iowa State running back Alexander Robinson. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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Kickoff for the Iowa State-Iowa football game is set for 11 a.m. on September 12. Tailgating starts at midnight.

If you can't make it to the game, you'll have to watch it on Fox Sport Net.

Staiger will return to ISU

JustinKendall — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:57:25 -0000

Lucca Staiger called Gregg McDermott Thursday and told him that he's coming back for his junior year. TThe Des Moines Register says Staiger will return in September, after playing for the German junior and national team. Whew! Another bit of good news for ISU's men's basketball team. What's going on?

Staiger may leave ISU for Germany

JustinKendall — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:05:13 -0000

A week after Craig Brackins announced that he'll return to Iowa State for his junior season comes news that Lucca Staiger is mulling an offer to play pro basketball in Germany.

“I think he’s on the fence right now,” coach Greg McDermott told The Des Moines Register. “I talked to him (Saturday). We’ll talk (today), and we’ll talk on a daily basis until he comes to grips on his decision.”

Staiger, a sophomore shooting guard from Blaustein, Germany, has an offer to play on Germany's junior national and national basketball teams. Last season, Staiger was the Cyclones best outside threat, hitting 74 three-pointers. Staiger started 27 of 32 games and averaged 8.2 points per game.

The potential loss of Staiger would be a big blow to the Cyclones, who would have finally had a returning guard court in the McDermott era.

Staiger isn't the only one considering leaving Iowa State. Guard Charles Boozer is thinking about transferring. Boozer averaged 2.5 points per game. Also, walk-on Cameron Lee is leaving the program to play in a lower-division.

Boozer provided a spark off the bench last year, and Lee played intense defense in spurts. But the loss of Boozer and Lee wouldn't hurt as much as losing Staiger. Boozer apparently saw the writing ont he wall. Minutes would be scarce in a crowded backcourt with Diante Garrett, Domique Buckley, Chris Colvin, Scott Christopherson and Staiger, if he returns.

Texans sign Dedrick

JustinKendall — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:51:59 -0000

The Houston Texans signed offensive lineman Doug Dedrick to a free-agent contract Monday. The 6-foot-4, 301-pound Dedrick started every game as a Cyclone after transferring from Scottsdale (Arizona) Community College.

Iowa State gets California in Big 12/Pac 10 series

JustinKendall — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:34:18 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Neibergall - AP

Iowa State's Craig Brackins will lead the Cyclones to Berkeley, California, to take on the Golden Bears in the 2009 Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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I really love Berkeley, California. So it's going to be tough to pass on the road trip to see the Cyclones men's basketball team -- with Craig Brackins! -- play the California Golden Bears in the 2009 Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series on Saturday, December 5.

Should be a helluva game with ISU returning four starters and adding juco forwards Marcus Gilstrap and LaRon Dendy and freshman point guard Chris Colvin while only losing one starter (point guard Brian Peterson). Not to overstate the talent coming in. They'll need time to develop and gel with the team. But they should be an upgrade in athleticism (no offense, Petey).

Cal (22-11) made the NCAA Tournament last season, losing in the first round to Maryland. They'll return a strong backcourt with seniors Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher.

Patriots draft former Cyclone McKenzie

JustinKendall — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:27:08 -0000

The New England Patriots drafted former Cyclone linebacker Tyrone McKenzie in the third round of the NFL Draft.

ESPN's draft analysis says:

McKenzie reads his keys, locates the ball quickly and tackles well. He also shows good range and awareness in zone coverage. The biggest concern we have with him is that he doesn't have great top-end speed, so he's going to have a problems matching up with tight ends and backs in man coverage. He also lacks great ball skills.

McKenzie spent the 2006 season at Iowa State before transferring to South Florida. During his short stint at ISU, McKenzie was a second team All-Big 12 selection. He ranked eighth in the nation with 10.75 tackles a game and 129 tackles for the season.

Ellis Hobbs traded to Eagles

JustinKendall — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:14:52 -0000

The New England Patriots swapped Ellis Hobbs for a couple of fifth-round draft picks Sunday. Hobbs will join former teammate Asante Samuel in the Eagles' secondary.

ESPN says:

A four-year veteran, Hobbs started all 16 games in each of the past two seasons. In 2008, he had 47 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 passes defensed. The former Iowa State standout has played in 63 games, with 49 starts, and has 198 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine interceptions and 36 passes defensed.

Paul Rhoads knows how to use a stat sheet

JustinKendall — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:10:30 -0000

This is why I love Paul Rhoads. After getting handed the stat sheet post spring game, Rhoads said:

"I can take those down to the spare bathroom at the house and put those to good use."

Might be a little scratchy.

Brackins stories lack substance

JustinKendall — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:38:19 -0000

We're seeing more and more stories on Craig Brackins. No one knows whether he'll declare for the NBA Draft or return for his junior year at Iowa State. The Des Moines Register looks at the risks and rewards of going pro.

The main factors: the weak economy limiting the number of players brought in for workouts, the new combine and rules that say if a player withdraws from the draft and declares for the next year's draft, the player forgoes his college eligibility.

Ryan Blake, assistant director of scouting for the NBA, told the Register:

"It's really going to be difficult for a player this year to gauge where he's going,'' Blake said. "If that player leaves, he must get the highest assurance he's going in the first round because that's guaranteed money. In the second round, there are really not that many spots open. You're fighting against other free-agent second-round guys, international free-agent guys. So your percentages really go down.

"The other decision is you've got 50 or 60 guys declare (early). Only 30 are first-round picks. We've had many instances where guys leave early, don't get drafted and are not seen again.''

Over at Cyclone Fanatic, someone posted this tidbit from NBA Insider Chad Ford:

Craig Brackins, F, Iowa State
"In workouts people are going to say he's Danny Granger. He's a really long 3 who, when he gets a credible jumper like Granger, could end up being a big-time scorer in our league."

Ford's latest mock draft has Brackins going at No. 13, most likely to the Indiana Pacers.

Brackins has a lot to consider since players a couple of Big 12 players considered as lottery picks -- Kansas' Cole Aldrich and Oklahoma's Willie Warren -- decided to stay in school.

Brackins isn't at Danny Granger's level yet, but if he even comes close, he'll be Iowa State's greatest pro basketball player.

Spring game postgame thoughts

JustinKendall — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:22:10 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Neibergall - AP

8 months ago: Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud, left, breaks from defender Roosevelt Maggitt, right, during Iowa State's annual spring football game, Saturday, April 18, 2009, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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The Cyclones have a long way to go. I'm hopeful but tempering expectations (last spring was rough, too). I didn't take notes, but here are my quick thoughts.

First team offense got off to a really slow start. Too many dropped balls. Some open, easy catches were dropped. But Sedrick Johnson had a good day - nine catches for 100 yards.
Jesse Smith and Kennard Banks both intercepted the ball. Smith returned his pick for a touchdown.
Backup quarterback Jerome Tiller looked really good, breaking a long run for a TD.
Despite a hamstring injury, receiver Darius Darks played.
Jeremiah Schwartz lived up to his billing as a bruising back. Bo Williams busted a nice run.
Grant Mahoney hit all three field goal attempts. Zach Guyer had a rough day.
The PA announcer kept calling defensive end Roosevelt Maggitt and linebacker Josh Raven's names. Raven seemed to be in on a lot of tackles.
A little worried about how easily the defense was getting to Arnaud, who had a less than spectacular day.

Update: Arnaud quietly completed 22-of-35 and ended the game with 250 yards and touchdown. Maybe I hung too much on the early pair of interceptions.

Check out the AP's recap here.