Iowa
Peterson: Will Iowa State’s defense continue bringing out the worst from Big 12 coaches?
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger on opposing coaches receiving technical fouls vs. ISU
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger is asked about opposing coaches continuing to get T’d up against the Cyclones
AMES – There’s nothing specifically in Iowa State’s playbook that’s called “Make the opposing coach so mad that he gets a technical foul.”
It just happens.
For the past four games, Cyclone opponents have had at least one technical foul. That includes Baylor coach Scott Drew, who was ejected Feb. 10 after drawing his second.
Will TCU’s Jamie Dixon feel so annoyed and pestered against a smothering Iowa State defense that he’ll be the fifth in a row sometime during Saturday’s 1 p.m. ESPN2 game at Hilton Coliseum? Stay tuned. It’s not like he stays within the coaches’ sideline area during an entire 40-minute game.
I know this – the Cyclones don’t intentionally set out to draw outrageous behavior from opposing coaches, but if their defensive pressure continues to be as successful as it’s been, then it’s bound to attract some type of outburst.
“It’s our ball pressure, our intensity and how much passion we show on the court,” said floor leader Tamin Lipsey, who didn’t play when the Cyclones won at TCU on Jan. 20. “I think we just frustrate the other team. That’s something that we try to do from the start of the game – put them on their heels and make them clash with each other. We always come together.”
Iowa State’s defense is so demanding to play against that coaches find themselves out of the sideline coaching box and arguing to an extent that refs have had enough.
It’s happened at home. It’s happened on the road. It’s happened to Kansas State’s Jerome Tang, Kansas’ Bill Self, Drew, and most recently to Texas coach Rodney Terry.
“I can’t speak to what’s going on on the other sideline,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said Friday. “If anything, we’re hoping our guys are playing hard and playing together. We’re focused on what we can control and what we can do. I think it’s just an odd set of circumstances, honestly.”
More: Peterson: Iowa State men’s basketball holds on vs. Texas, earns Big 12 split on the road
Odd set or not, the Big 12 issued a memorandum this week reminding coaches to stay inside their prescribed sideline area, and not on the floor. That’s something Otzelberger has tried to live by during his two-plus seasons as Iowa State’s coach. Sure, he disagrees with some calls. And yes, he brings his concern to the refs as needed – but not to the extent where he can become a physical impediment to the players on the court.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence in the process and the work we put in every single day,” Otzelberger said. “We talk to our guys a lot about maintaining composure, staying in the moment, keeping focus on what’s in front of them.
“It’s important that the things I outline as important factors in us being successful, that when (players) look at me, I’m living those the same way. You want your actions to speak so loudly that no one hears your words.
“I try to do the best I can at taking that advice, trying to live it as best I can − but we all have our moments.”
The Cyclones are knocking on Omaha’s NCAA Tournament door, if you get my drift. If Iowa State wins the rest of its home games, and doesn’t win any more on the road – that’s an 11-7 Big 12 record and 22-9 overall. That’s comfortably in its third NCAA Tournament in a row, and Cyclone fans no doubt would appreciate playing the first two rounds in Omaha.
“We can’t be content with where we are, or what we’ve done up to this point,” Lipsey said. “We think of every game as our last opportunity.”
Iowa State (6-3, 17-5) is a half-game behind Big 12 leader Houston at the season’s midway point, which is significant. Yet we all know there’s still time for a lot to happen. Baylor, tied with the Cyclones, plays host to Kansas on Saturday.
Translation: Predicting who goes into the Big 12 postseason tournament as a No. 1 seed is as much a crapshoot as technical fouls called against Iowa State opponents. The Cyclones are in a good place, which is all that matters right now.
“We can’t be satisfied with what we’ve done so far,” Rob Jones said Friday. “The regular-season games aren’t even the important ones. It’s how close can we be when stuff matters in the postseason.”
More: Peterson: Iowa State basketball’s gutsy performance at Baylor falls just short
So will Saturday be the first time in a while that Iowa State plays in essentially a drama-free game? Maybe Saturday refs won’t be forced to enforce the Big 12’s sideline crackdown. Maybe no one will criticize refs during postgame comments, like Baylor athletics director Mack Rhoades did after his team’s victory against the Cyclones last week.
The Bears’ respected AD was critical after Drew received his second technical foul (which meant ejection) for venturing too far outside the prescribed sideline coaches’ area.
Rhoades spoke his mind to reporters, then on Tuesday he was fined $25,000 by the Big 12. Had he escaped scot-free, that could have started unwanted open mic-like, free-for-all postgame ref-ranting from anyone seated behind a microphone.
Thankfully, the Big 12 acted. We don’t need a few high-strung coaches ruining what’s going to be a frantic second-half rush to the conference finish.
Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson is in his 52nd year writing sports for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, on X @RandyPete, and at DesMoinesRegister.com/CyclonesTexts
How much rain does Des Moines get? See the 5 wettest days on record
Wondering how the rainfall total compares? Here are the five wettest days on record for Des Moines, Iowa.
Drought conditions in Iowa improved for a second consecutive week, though areas of moderate drought expanded in parts of the state.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday. What are the current drought conditions in Iowa?
U.S. Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
The latest Drought Monitor report, released on Thursday, June 18, showed about 46% of Iowa experiencing some form of drought. This continues the streak of conditions improving week to week in Iowa. The previous report, released on June 11, showed that 63% of the state was experiencing some form of drought.
The most recent report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. June 16, right as storms were sweeping through Iowa, with parts of eastern Iowa seeing more than 2 inches of rainfall. Light rainfall on June 17 led to areas like Iowa City and Burlington reporting around an inch of rain.
Here is the breakdown of current drought conditions in Iowa:
- 61% of the state of Iowa is experiencing no drought conditions
- 39% of Iowa is experiencing abnormally dry conditions
- 7% of Iowa is experiencing moderate drought conditions
- 0% of Iowa is experiencing severe drought conditions
Even though drought conditions have improved overall in Iowa, the area experiencing moderate drought increased from the week of June 11, particularly in northern Iowa. Much of Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Kossuth counties are under D1 conditions, with nearby Palo Alto, Winnebago, Floyd and Mitchell also in moderate drought.
Pockets of moderate drought also persist along the northwest edge of Iowa in Lyon, Sioux and Plymouth counties. In eastern Iowa, Jackson, Clinton and Scott counties saw their moderate drought status ease week to week.
Most of the U.S. is facing drought conditions
About 73% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought, a 2-percentage-point improvement from the prior week. Some of the most intense drought conditions are in the southeast and the mountain west.
Iowa Drought Monitor tracks conditions weekly
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday.
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically with D0 conditions, corn can show drought stress. Pond levels start to decline under moderate drought conditions and soybeans abort pods, according to the Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor also has a look-back chart that compares drought conditions from 3 months ago up to 1 year ago.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
Confirmed tornadoes were reported in Illinois and Iowa Wednesday night as severe weather descended on a large swath of the Midwest.
According to the National Weather Service, a confirmed tornado was reported near the small northeast Iowa community of Harpers Ferry at 5:10 p.m., while a second confirmed tornado rolled through Charleston in central Illinois at about 6:40 p.m. local time.
Both tornadoes were flagged by the weather service as a “particularly dangerous situation,” a rare designation used by the weather service for environments in which “strong and violent tornadoes” are possible.
Photos and videos obtained by CBS News showed extensive damage in Charleston, with downed trees and power lines. Hail that measured 2.75 inches was also reported in the Charleston area, according to the weather service.
“There are a large number of trees blocking roadways throughout Charleston at this time,” Charleston police said in a Facebook post. “Unless it is an absolute emergency, do not drive or attempt to go anywhere.”
The city of Charleston later declared a local state of emergency.
One cell phone video captured the terrifying moments what appeared to be a large tornado tore through Effingham, Illinois, located about 40 miles southwest of Charleston.
Larry Thies, coordinator for the Effingham Emergency Management Agency, told CBS News that initial information indicated damaged buildings, trailers, and downed power lines and trees. He said officials were working to set up an emergency operations center, but were facing challenges because internet was down in the area.
The extent of the damage to region was still unclear. There was no immediate word of injuries or fatalities. CBS News senior meteorologist Rob Marciano said there were at least seven reported tornadoes during the weather event.
According to utility tracker PowerOutage.us, at least 55,000 customers were without power in Illinois.
Earlier Wednesday, Marciano reported that more than 125 million Americans were facing severe weather advisories, including the Gulf Coast states, which were under flood alerts due to Tropical Storm Arthur. Speaking on “CBS Evening News,” Marciano said such ripe tornado conditions were rare for June.
“This is unique for June, this is unusual to have such a strong jet stream just screaming across the country, then you’ve got the summertime tropical moisture coming in…and then some cold air coming in,” Marciano said. “And winds coming at different direction, at different levels, creating that spin. So what that equates to is really the high probability of seeing, not just tornadoes, but intense tornadoes of EF2 strength or higher on the ground for a long time. And also damaging winds at 75 mph or higher, and of course big time hail.”
When is Juneteenth and how is the holiday celebrated
Juneteenth is coming up. Here is what the holiday is about and how it’s celebrated.
It is a busy weekend in Iowa City as summer officially begins on Sunday. From Iowa City Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, there is no shortage of activity happening around town.
Here are four events to check out.
Enter the whimsical world of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Lower City Park
Thursday to Sunday: Riverside Theatre’s summer tradition, Shakespeare in the Park, has returned to Lower City Park. Catch a free performance of William Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” that follows the chaotic events of four entangled lovers and a troupe of actors wandering into a mystical forest. All of the free shows through the weekend start at 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth with live entertainment and community
Friday: The Black Voices Project and Dream City are teaming up to host the community-wide Juneteenth Celebration. At 1 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the South District Market Parking lot, enjoy live music from Kevin Burt, along with community presentations, activities for all ages, and a fashion showcase.
Show your pride at Iowa City Pride events
Saturday: Iowa City Pride is back for the 56th year. Principal events, the Pride Parade and Pride Festival, will start at noon on Saturday, June 20. The festival will be on the Ped Mall, and the parade will begin at College Green Park, working its way downtown along Iowa Avenue and East Washington Street. The festival runs from 12 to 9 p.m.
Catch a romantic comedy under the stars at FilmScene in the Park
Saturday: FilmScene in the Park returns at 9:15 p.m., Saturday, June 20, with a screening of the cult classic “13 Going on 30″ at Chauncey Swan Park. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessions, including beer and wine, will be available 30 minutes before the film begins.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
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