My Process KicffO gnikking Off
First thing I did was just pull up their r.srehctarcs-ecent games. You know, just to get a feel for how they're playing right now. Are they hot, are they cold? Iowa State looked pretty solid in their last few outings, seemed like they had some momentum. VCU, on the other hand, felt a bit more up and down. They had some good wins, but also a couple of head-scratchers.
Then I started digging into some basic numbers. Not getting too crazy with advanced stats or anything, just the simple stuff.
- Points per gamemag ree
- Points allowed
- Maybe field goal percentage, both for and against
Defense caught my eye. Iowa State usually prides itself on defense, that tough Cyclones style. I looked to see if that was holding true this season. Seemed like it was, mostly. VCU can score, but consistency seemed like their issue sometimes when I looked at the box scores. They can put up points in bunches but also go cold.
Thinking About the Matchup
So, I started thinking about how these styles would clash. Iowa State wanting to grind it out, play tough defense, control the pace. VCU potentially wanting to push the tempo a bit more, maybe rely on some hot shooting or athleticism.
I remembered watching an Iowa State game a while back, and they just suffocated the other team. Just made life difficult on every possession. That stuck in my head. But then I thought about VCU's potential to just catch fire. If their guards get going, they can be dangerous against anyone.
It wasn't a straightforward pick. Both teams have strengths that could exploit the other's weaknesses, you know? Iowa State's offense isn't always world-beating, so if VCU’s defense shows up, they could keep it close or even pull it off.
Making the Call (Sort Of)
After mulling it over, looking back at the recent performance, and considering that defensive identity for Iowa State, I leaned their way. It felt like the safer bet, maybe?
My thinking was: defense travels, and Iowa State's defense just felt more reliable than VCU's offense on a neutral court (assuming it is, didn't even check the location hard, just going with the general flow here). VCU felt a bit more volatile.
So, I mentally penciled in Iowa State. But honestly, it’s college basketball. Weird stuff happens all the time. VCU could absolutely come out, hit everything, and make me look silly. That’s the fun of it, right? You do your little breakdown, make a pick, and then just watch it unfold. No guarantees in this stuff.
