Tuesday, February 25th, 2020

Tonight I was able to take Eben with me to watch the Cyclones defeat the TCU Horned Frogs, 65-59. 
Tonight's game was much more stressful than it needed to be.  Iowa State started the game well and led at halftime 41-25.  The Cyclones would lead by 18 points early in the second half, only to squander the large lead they had built.  TCU actually led the game 55-53 with just over 5 minutes left to play.  It was frustrating to watch the Cyclones almost let the game slip away from them.  Thankfully, Iowa State was able to make some plays down the stretch to seal the victory.  Solomon Young was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 20 points.  He also made a big basket down the stretch.  He was joined in double figures scoring for the Cyclones by Tre Jackson (18) and Rasir Bolton (11).  Both Bolton and Jackson hit some key free throws with less than a minute left to help ice the game. 

Tonight is the 6th time that I have been to a basketball game between TCU and Iowa State.  The Cyclones have won five of those games (tonight, 2017, 2015, 2014, and 2013).  TCU's only win came in 2019. 

Go State!

Saturday, February 15th, 2020

Today has been a good day so far.  For starters, the temperature got into the low 40s, so there has been lots of melting snow.  That always makes me happy.  Another thing that made me happy was taking Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the Iowa State Cyclones dominate the Texas Longhorns, 81-52.  I was not expecting such a dominant performance from Iowa State, especially since their star player, Tyrese Haliburton, is now out for the rest of the season due to a wrist fracture.

Michael Jacobson was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team in scoring (21) and rebounding (13).  He was joined in double figures by Solomon Young (17), Prentiss Nixon (17), and Rasir Bolton (10).  The Cyclones got out to an early lead in this game, led by 11 at halftime, scored the first 9 points of the second half, and cruised to an easy victory. 

I believe that this is the 20th ISU men's basketball game that Nolan has attended with me, and it was his 7th conference game.  Like I mentioned in my previous post, one of my goals is to take both Nolan and Maxwell to victories over each of Iowa State's conference opponents.  As of today, Nolan has now seen wins vs Texas, Baylor (2018), Texas Tech (2017), Kansas State (2016), and TCU (2014). 

As for myself, today was the 8th time that I have attended a game between ISU and Texas.  The Cyclones are 7-1 in those games, including wins today, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and back in 2004.  Texas's lone win came in 2018. 

The Cyclones won the opening tip-off.

GO CYCLONES!!

Saturday, February 8th, 2020

Maxwell and I just got back from Hilton Coliseum, where we witnessed Iowa State's victory over the Kansas State Wildcats, 73-63.  Coming into tonight's game, the Cyclones and the Wildcats were tied for 8th place in the conference with 2-7 records.  The only conference team with a worse record is Oklahoma State.  Despite this not exactly being a battle of heavyweights, it was nice to see the Cyclones come out on top.  Especially considering that Iowa State's best player Tyrese Haliburton had to leave the game late in the first half after re-aggravating a left wrist injury.

Prior to Haliburton's injury, the Cyclones opened up a 21 point lead in the first half.  Kansas State was able to get within 4 points in the second half before Iowa State managed to get some separation with timely shooting by Terrence Lewis and Prentiss Nixon.  The player of the game today had to be Solomon Young, who scored 20 points.  He was joined in double figures for the Cyclones by Rasir Bolton (13) and Lewis (12).

I believe that tonight marks Maxwell's 14th ISU men's basketball game, and it is his 7th conference game.  One of my goals is to eventually take both Nolan and Maxwell to wins over every team in the Big 12.  After tonight, Maxwell has now seen wins vs Kansas State, West Virginia (2018), TCU (2017), and Baylor (2017). 

Tonight was the seventh time that I have been to an ISU/KSU basketball game.  I'm happy to say that the Cyclones are 6-1 in those games, which includes victories in 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2003, and today.  Kansas State's only win came in 2019. 

Maxwell was pretty tired by the end of the game.  Since it was a 7:00 tip-off, the game did not get over until around 9:00.