Iowa and ISU predictions, Book-reading, Show Choir

By Chris Hassel

I know Iowa can look hideous at times, but that comes with being a really young team. Two steps forward, one step back, is to be expected. Baring some kind of crazy circumstances (transfers, injuries, etc...), this team will be in the tournament in two years, and probably ranked. I feel strongly about that. Call me crazy but I also think Devyn Marble and Aaron White will both play in the NBA. My argument doesn't have much to stand on right now, but I'll let time do the talking. These two are extremely talented. 

Aaron White has game.

Iowa State will be 20-8 overall and 10-5 in the Big 12 before we know it. Outside of a really tough road game at #6 Baylor, the Cyclones have it extremely easy over the next two weeks. ISU hosts A&M, OU, and TTU --- the 3 worst teams in the Big 12. Three teams that Iowa State has already beaten on the road. The question will be how the Cyclones finish. They're at K-State, at #4 Missouri, and home vs. Baylor to close the season. Even with 20 wins, ISU can't afford to lose its final 3 games, and go one-and-done in the Big 12 tourney. This team is clearly in the field as of now (ESPN.com has them as a 9-seed). They'll likely move to a 7 or an 8 over the next two weeks. But the selection committee really stresses finishing strong. The Cyclones probably need to win one more game against a good team (K-State, Baylor, or Missouri). That being said, I think ISU gets in the tourney as an 8 or a 9.

I watched the second episode of 'Luck' on HBO, last night. I hear it's not getting great reviews but I'm starting to get hooked. It's not as good as 'Boardwalk Empire' or 'Game of Thrones', but it has potential. I just don't understand how they film those horse-racing scenes. That has to be extremely challenging.

Speaking of 'Game of Thrones', I'm finally reading the book that goes along with the show. It's probably not a surprise to many that I'm not much of a reader. I've read one book since I was in middle school (no I didn't read any books in high school even when I was supposed to). I finally have motivation to read now that 3 of my friends are reading it as well. One has already read the first 3 books. Another just finished the first book. Another is about where I am, on page 77. The 3 I'm talking about are Andy Fales, Andrew Downs, and photographer Brandon McCauley. I'll let you guess which one has already read 3 of the 5 books.

I went home to visit my family, in Muscatine, Thursday night. My Mom took me to a show choir event that my high school sister was performing in. Has anyone else seen this thing??? It's nuts. I thought it was just going to be singing, but they were ripping heads off of dolls and painting their faces. My sister (Alli) had a pair of solo's that she sang in front of about 200 people. I have no idea how she does it. I'd crumble under the presser. I barley made it through my wedding speech.

Alli is the one with the mic on the bed at the top.

Since I was at the choir event, I had my Dad DVR the Iowa-NW game. This day-in-age it's extremely hard to avoid spoilers. Last night, I thought I had it all figured out. I texted (or is it text'd? or just text?) my wife and told her that if she needed me to get a hold of my Mom or Dad because I was going to turn my phone off to avoid updates. I avoided Twitter, texting, calls...everything --- except an old friend I saw at the event who immediately started talking about how Iowa was playing like garbage. It never fails.