Sunday, November 20th, 2016

This afternoon we were able to take our whole family to watch the Iowa State men's basketball game against The Citadel.  This was special because it was Maxwell's first time going to a basketball game, and I believe that this was Nolan's seventh men's basketball game.  Let's see if I can list the games Nolan has attended:

• 2013-14 ISU 110, UMKC 51.
• 2013-14 ISU 84, TCU 69.
• 2014-15 ISU 73, UMKC 56.  
• 2015-16 ISU 106, Grand Valley State, 60 (exhibition).
• 2015-16 ISU 106, Chicago State 64.
• 2015-16 ISU 80, Kansas State 61.  
• 2016-17 ISU 130, The Citadel 63.  

Brian Gleason was in town for the game, and he had some extra tickets in section 132, so naturally we upgraded seats for the game.  We sat in the 9th and 10th rows, so the view was spectacular.  Eben and cousin David drove down for the game and used my normal tickets up in section 216.  

The game was record-breaking in that the 130 points were the most ever scored by Iowa State in a single game.  It was also special in that Monte Morris recorded a triple double for just the 5th time in school history (he finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and zero turnovers).  Because of that, he was an easy pick for player of the game.  Although, he was one of EIGHT players in double figures scoring for the Cyclones.  Morris was joined by Naz Long (26), Matt Thomas (18), Merrill Holden (13), Darrell Bowie (13), Solomon Young (12), Nick Weiler-Babb (10), and Donovan Jackson (10).  That's a crazy amount of players to score in double figures.  Coming into the game, The Citadel had the fastest pace of any team in the country.  Being completely out-matched by Iowa State, and trying to run at a fast pace was a recipe for disaster and led to the gaudy high scoring.  

Maxwell and myself at the game.

Here is the view from our seats during warm-ups.

Here Donovan Jackson is pulling up and about to hit a jumper in the lane.

Iowa State 130, The Citadel 63.

Monday, November 14th, 2016

Another blog post, another Cyclone sporting event... Tonight's game featured the Iowa State Cyclones (ranked #20 in the AP poll) vs. Mount St. Mary's.  It was not exactly a flashy win for Iowa State, but they did manage to cruise to an 18-point victory, 73-55.  I suppose I will go with Monte Morris as the player of the game for Iowa State as he led the team with 18 points.  He was joined in double figures scoring for the Cyclones by Matt Thomas (13), Deonte Burton (10), and Nick Weiler-Babb (10).

What I will remember most about this game is that the Mountaineers featured Naz Long's brother, Elijah. He led Mount St. Mary's with 19 points.  In case you were wondering, Naz had a bit of an off night as he shot 2-10 from the floor and scored 8 points.

Eben made the trip down to watch the game with me.  The last game he watched with me in Hilton was Iowa State's win over Texas Tech last season.

Iowa State wins, 73-55.

GO STATE!

Saturday, November 12th, 2016

Last night I enjoyed watching the Iowa State men's basketball home-opening victory over the Savannah State Tigers, 113-71.  My cousin David came along to the game with me, and then we went out and had a little fun at the bars afterwards :)  Elizabeth and the boys traveled up to Mason City for the weekend to visit Becky.  It was kind of nice to have a "night off" from childcare duties once in a while.

As for the game, the Cyclones dominated and led by as many as 43 points in the second half.  Monte Morris led Iowa State with 21 points, and he chipped in 11 assists without committing a turnover.  Other Cyclones that scored in double-figures were Naz Long (18), Matt Thomas (14), Merrill Holden (12), and Solomon Young (11).  It was strange watching a game without Georges Niang, and there were quite a few new faces on the team that I will have to get used to.  Anyways, it was nice to finally have basketball season return, and it was nice to watch a Cyclone victory!

I believe the 113 points were the most that I have seen Iowa State score in a game!