Wednesday, January 5th, 2022

 Woof.  I guess they say a win is a win, but tonight's game between #11 Iowa State and #25 Texas Tech sure did not look like a battle of top-25 teams.  At least not on offense.  The Cyclones managed to claw out a 51-47 win over the Red Raiders, mostly with defense.  The Cyclones shot only 15 percent from the field in the second half, but Izaiah Brockington made a huge four point play with just a couple of minutes remaining to regain the lead for ISU.  The Cyclones then managed to make their free throws to eek out the win.  The second half tonight is one of the ugliest halves of basketball that I have seen at Hilton.

Brockington (14) and Aljaz Kunc (13) were the only Cyclones that scored in double figures today.  I would say that Brockington was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team in scoring, rebounds (9), and he made the big shot at the end.  

Tonight was the seventh time that I have seen Iowa State play Texas Tech in basketball, and I am happy to say that Iowa State has won all seven of those meetings.  The previous games were in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, and 2012.  

Saturday, January 1st, 2022

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today I took Nolan with me to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the #8 ranked Cyclones fight hard but eventually fall to the #1 ranked Baylor Bears, 77-72.  The Cyclones held their own and kept the game close, in spite of the fact that Iowa State shot only 1-14 from three point land.  Tristan Enaruna was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 23 points and collected 8 rebounds.  He was joined in double figures scoring by Izaiah Brockington (18) and Tyrese Hunter (12).  Despite their loss, I still feel good about the prospects of this team for the rest of the season.

The crowd today was roudy, and it was fun to be back in that type of atmosphere in Hilton, since the past couple of years that has been lacking.  The last time I attended a game against the #1 ranked team in the country, the Cyclones defeated Oklahoma in 2016.  

Today's game was the 24th that Nolan has been to.  The last game I took him to was against Jackson State.  This was also the second time that Nolan has seen Iowa State play Baylor (2018 was the first).

As for myself, this was the sixth time that I have watched ISU play Baylor in basketball.  The previous times were losses in 2019 and 2015, and victories in 2018, 2017, and 2013.

Sunday, December 19th, 2021

 This weekend Amy & Brandon brought Logan & Emma over to visit, and to attend today's ISU men's basketball game against Southeastern Louisiana.  The Cyclones cruised to an easy win against the Lions, 77-54.  Along with the the Shostak family, I also brought Maxwell to the game, and we were all able to sit together in section 215.  Emma was such a cutie, and she wanted to sit on my lap for basically the whole game.  Today was the 16th time that I have taken Maxwell to a game.  The previous time was against Grambling State earlier this year.  

Caleb Grill was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 20 points (including 6 three pointers).  Grill was joined in double figures scoring by Izaiah Brockington (17) and Aljaz Kunc (13).  It is worth noting that Iowa State came into the game ranked as the number 11 team in the country, and they are still undefeated on the season at 11-0!  

Iowa State 77, Southeastern Louisiana 54.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

 Today I took Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum for a noon tipoff between Iowa State and Jackson State.  The Cyclones won a defensive battle over the Tigers, 47-37.  Jackson State is a member of the SWAC conference, and their university is located in Jackson, Mississippi.  

The game itself was fairly boring to watch.  The 47 points that the Cyclones scored was definitely the lowest total that I have ever seen them score in a win.  Aljaz Kunc was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 12 points.  He was joined in double figures scoring by Gabe Kalscheur (11).  Nolan did help me keep track of the stats on the back of a program today, which he seemed to enjoy.

Today marks the 23rd basketball game that I have taken Nolan to.  The previous game was against Alabama State.  

Go Cyclones!

Thursday, December 9th, 2021

 YEAH BABY!!  Tonight it is a CYCLONE STATE once again!!

This evening I took my cousin David with me over to Hilton, where we witnessed Iowa State's dominant win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, 73-53.  What really stood out to me about this game was the great defensive energy, hustle, and physicality that Iowa State played with.  Iowa State worked extremely hard on the defensive end, and they out rebounded the Hawkeyes 50-32.  The Hawks used a full court press for literaly the entire game, even with under a minute when they were down 20.  What a jackass move by their coach.  Classless all the way.

Izaiah Brockington was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led all scorers with 29 points, and he collected 10 rebounds.  He was joined in double figures scoring by Tyrese Hunter (11).

Tonight was my fifth time watching Iowa State play Iowa in basketball (and fourth win).  The previous times included a loss in 2019, and victories in 2017, 2015, and 2013.  

GO CYCLONES!

Sunday, November 28th 2021

 This year we hosted Thanksgiving for the Salton side of the family in Ames.  Amy & Brandon brought over their kids from Omaha, and Eben came down from the farm on Thusday.  We had our big Thanksgiving meal that night.  I ordered a smoked turkey breast from Whatcha Smokin, Amy made stuffing, cranberry sause, broccoli / rice / cheese casserole, pumpkin pie, and apple pie.  I also made some scalloped cord.  The smoked turkey was very good, and it was nice not to have to prepare the turkey myself.  Dad left yesterday, while the Shostaks stayed until today.  The cousins had plenty of time to play together, which was nice.

On Friday, I took Amy over to the ISU football game vs TCU.  The Cyclones ended up dominating the game, winning 48-14.  I will miss this year's group of seniors, including Brock Purdy, Mike Rose, Chase Allen, Charlie Kolar, Greg Eisworth, and others.  But the player who really stole the show (and propably played his last game at Jack Trice) was Breece Hall.  Hall had 242 rushing yards, three rushing TDs, and another receiving TD.  He even scored on an 80-yard run in the fourth quarter.  

This marked the fifth time that I had attended a football game between Iowa State and TCU.  The Cyclones also won in 2019 and 2017, while TCU was victorious in 2015 and in 2005.  It had also been 10 years since Amy had gone to a football game with me, the last time being the UNI game in 2011.  She really needs to make it to games more often!

Our seats for the game were in section 25 row 31.

Sunday, November 21st, 2021

 Maxwell and I just got back from Hilton Coliseum, where we saw the Cyclones dominate the Grambling State Tigers, 82-47.  Grambling State is a member of the SWAC conference, the same conference as last game's opponent, Alabama State.  

The Cyclones played well overall today.  They shot 13-25 from three point land, and they out-rebounded the Tigers, 46-22.  Aljaz "Jaz" Kunc was the player of the game for Iowa State.  He scored 21 points on a perfect 7-7 field goals, including 5-5 from three.  Kunc was joined in double figures scoring by teammates Tristan Enaruna (15), Tyrese Hunter (12), Tre Jackson (12), and Caleb Grill (10).  

Tonight was the 15th men's basketball game that I have taken Maxwell to.  The previous time was against Kansas State in 2020.  

"Maxwell, smile nice..."