Search
Staiger does more than hit threes
By Courtney Linehan
Date Posted: 2009-01-11
AUSTIN, Texas - Lucca Staiger's three 3-point baskets weren't anything new for an Iowa State squad that has learned to look to the sophomore for outside shots.
His repeated attempts to dribble to the basket, several of them successful, looked new and different, but helped Staiger score 15 points in the Cyclones' 75-67 loss to seventh-ranked Texas Saturday.
"I practice it lately, and I need to do it more," Staiger said. "I had that opportunity today, and I took advantage of it."
Part of Staiger's improved dibble-drive is because his knee is continuing to feel stronger after undergoing surgery during the preseason. Staiger even played without his knee brace Saturday, but only because he'd left it in Ames.
ISU coach Greg McDermott said he's happy with how Staiger is diversifying his game, and would like to see it continue.
"I was pleased with his decision making, for the most part, when he put it on the floor," McDermott said. "He created some opportunities for his teammates this afternoon, and that was encouraging."
MOVING FORWARDS
McDermott had to admit Texas' size advantage long before his team took the court in Austin on Saturday. So rather than worrying about how to match up with players such as the Longhorns' 6-foot-10, 298-pound Dexter Pittman, McDermott looked for ways to find balance.
McDermott decided to give up the midrange jumper, focusing instead on dominating down low. It largely worked, as ISU outrebounded Texas 42-38.
"I really felt our guys did a great job from a technique standpoint of keeping them off the boards," McDermott said. "That was part of our plan, to keep some of our best rebounders around the basket to give ourselves a chance."
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
ISU saw another strong performance from starting center Justin Hamilton. The 6-foot-11 freshman scored 8 points and had 10 rebounds against Texas.
Senior Bryan Petersen said he was impressed with how well all of ISU's newcomers handled playing against the Longhorns, but was particularly proud of Hamilton.
"Justin just keeps getting better and better," Petersen said. "This is by far the toughest test, in a big arena, and he did awesome for us."
HOME COOKING
Defeating ISU helped Texas set a school record, notching its 13th-straight Big 12 Conference home game. The Longhorns also haven't lost any of their last 18 home games stretching into last season. Saturday marked the 100th win in the last 106 games at The Erwin Center.
Texas remains perfect in conference home openers under coach Rick Barnes. The Longhorns have not lost a Big 12 Conference home opener since Barnes became head coach, an 11-0 mark.
By Courtney Linehan
Date Posted: 2009-01-11
AUSTIN, Texas - Lucca Staiger's three 3-point baskets weren't anything new for an Iowa State squad that has learned to look to the sophomore for outside shots.
His repeated attempts to dribble to the basket, several of them successful, looked new and different, but helped Staiger score 15 points in the Cyclones' 75-67 loss to seventh-ranked Texas Saturday.
"I practice it lately, and I need to do it more," Staiger said. "I had that opportunity today, and I took advantage of it."
Part of Staiger's improved dibble-drive is because his knee is continuing to feel stronger after undergoing surgery during the preseason. Staiger even played without his knee brace Saturday, but only because he'd left it in Ames.
ISU coach Greg McDermott said he's happy with how Staiger is diversifying his game, and would like to see it continue.
"I was pleased with his decision making, for the most part, when he put it on the floor," McDermott said. "He created some opportunities for his teammates this afternoon, and that was encouraging."
MOVING FORWARDS
McDermott had to admit Texas' size advantage long before his team took the court in Austin on Saturday. So rather than worrying about how to match up with players such as the Longhorns' 6-foot-10, 298-pound Dexter Pittman, McDermott looked for ways to find balance.
McDermott decided to give up the midrange jumper, focusing instead on dominating down low. It largely worked, as ISU outrebounded Texas 42-38.
"I really felt our guys did a great job from a technique standpoint of keeping them off the boards," McDermott said. "That was part of our plan, to keep some of our best rebounders around the basket to give ourselves a chance."
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
ISU saw another strong performance from starting center Justin Hamilton. The 6-foot-11 freshman scored 8 points and had 10 rebounds against Texas.
Senior Bryan Petersen said he was impressed with how well all of ISU's newcomers handled playing against the Longhorns, but was particularly proud of Hamilton.
"Justin just keeps getting better and better," Petersen said. "This is by far the toughest test, in a big arena, and he did awesome for us."
HOME COOKING
Defeating ISU helped Texas set a school record, notching its 13th-straight Big 12 Conference home game. The Longhorns also haven't lost any of their last 18 home games stretching into last season. Saturday marked the 100th win in the last 106 games at The Erwin Center.
Texas remains perfect in conference home openers under coach Rick Barnes. The Longhorns have not lost a Big 12 Conference home opener since Barnes became head coach, an 11-0 mark.
| Comments |
|
We welcome comments on all sides of all issues. We want our comment forums to be a respectful, comfortable place for people of all opinions to discuss topics of interest. Toward that end, we will not approve comments that contain profanity, obscenity, libel, name-calling, or personal attack. We reserve the right to disapprove any comment for any reason.
|