I am just wanting to hear everyone's opinion on the best/worst case scenario for the Hawks the next 5 or so years. I think it is clear that our freshman have been scouted and adjustments have been made. The good ones find a way to overcome this and are better for it. So, with the current roster and incoming recruits what is the realistic ceiling/floor?
Personally, I think after a few transfers clear up playing time for recruits and the core matures a bit we could be looking at a very dangerous team. I think the ceiling would be multiple Big Ten regular season championships and an elite 8/final 4 run. For this to happen we will need to learn to close out games, of course, which remains to be seen. We NEED a go to guy who can hit a big shot. Iowa has been desperate for a cold blooded finisher.
Floor wise, this young team never develops and incoming recruits have a hard time creating shots and with athleticism in general. The athleticism issues also hurt us defensively and we make a couple tournament appearances with early exits like the last group of young talent to leave the program (Gessell, Woody, etc.).
Realistic scenario, in my opinion: The hawks have two years where they contend for a Big Ten championship but never quite get it done. Probably will end up with a 3-5 seed in the NCAA tourney a couple times and sneak in once more. I do think we finally see a sweet 16 again and make an appearance in a BTT title game but I won't go too optimistic until I see signs of us being able to finish games.
Would love to hear other opinions on floor/ceiling and the general state of the program. We all knew this year was going to be extremely volatile with ups and downs so I am trying to not focus on the negatives and look forward to how they could develop in to positives.
Personally, I think after a few transfers clear up playing time for recruits and the core matures a bit we could be looking at a very dangerous team. I think the ceiling would be multiple Big Ten regular season championships and an elite 8/final 4 run. For this to happen we will need to learn to close out games, of course, which remains to be seen. We NEED a go to guy who can hit a big shot. Iowa has been desperate for a cold blooded finisher.
Floor wise, this young team never develops and incoming recruits have a hard time creating shots and with athleticism in general. The athleticism issues also hurt us defensively and we make a couple tournament appearances with early exits like the last group of young talent to leave the program (Gessell, Woody, etc.).
Realistic scenario, in my opinion: The hawks have two years where they contend for a Big Ten championship but never quite get it done. Probably will end up with a 3-5 seed in the NCAA tourney a couple times and sneak in once more. I do think we finally see a sweet 16 again and make an appearance in a BTT title game but I won't go too optimistic until I see signs of us being able to finish games.
Would love to hear other opinions on floor/ceiling and the general state of the program. We all knew this year was going to be extremely volatile with ups and downs so I am trying to not focus on the negatives and look forward to how they could develop in to positives.