I felt a sense of pride last night because I didn't throw anything across the room or send rant texts to my friends. I also resisted the temptation to start or add to apocalyptic threads on here, which marked ( I think) another step in my maturation as an Iowa fan. I knew they would lose in the exact fashion they lost and had no delusions of a late game victory.
A loss is a loss, but at least they got two good looks to tie the game and the shots didn't fall. Too little too late I realize, but at least some new wrinkles were put in to use Uthoff as a decoy and to get Jok a clean look on the baseline. Yogi, like Denzel, is on another level as a player and leader and he was going to will his team to victory last night. Clutch players make clutch shots and as we have seen the past few weeks, we don't have that dynamic on this team Fran is not a great late game coach, but who is unless they have a Yogi or Valentine, type player? He put guys in situations to make shots and they didn't. Combine this with missed free throws and you have the recipe for losing close games.
So, what positives does my title refer to? There were a couple of lineup combinations last night that came close to matching Indiana's athleticism (except Yogi). I liked seeing Uhl, Williams, Wagner, Uthoff, and Clemmons / Gesell on the floor. This group was quicker to the glass, able to recover more effectively defensively and sparked Iowa's offense which has become extremely predictable. Guys were driving the ball, but just couldn't finish. Uhl, Wagner, and Williams all missed bunnies, but at least they attacked off the bounce and / or crashed the glass. Baer came in and ignited the crowd with two clutch 3's and some nice work defensively and on the glass.
Nothing but respect for Woodbury, but the team is better when he is on the bench and they go small. I do not buy the defensive stopper and rebounding argument because his game is all below the rim. Again, not taking away from his contributions, just stating that outside of free throws and reverse layups off ball screens, he has no offense. Williams was extremely impressive and I have no clue why Fran opted to waste this kid all year while giving Ellingson PT. Despite no PT, he came in and played with confidence and showed flashes of what the future may hold.
In conclusion, I think Fran did a tremendous job with pretty average talent, but the talent bar has to change or Iowa will never win a big ten title or advance past the second round in the tournament. I struggle to understand why he recruited Fleming and Elingson instead of a 1 or 2 who could contribute OR why he sat Williams all season despite Clemmons and Gesell's erratic play. Uthoff will be missed, but of late, he has shot us out of games and has proven he is not a clutch player. With the addition of Cook, return of Jones and infusion of Hutton and Moss, I 'think' this team will look much different next season and not be so reliant on 2 guys to carry the load.
I am biting my tongue on the Bohannon offer because it does not raise the talent bar and puts another average athlete at a spot on the floor where we desperately need an upgrade. Best case scenario is that one of the guards leaves and opens up a spot for juco or transfer due to coaching change. It would be nice to have one or both of the guys on IU's roster from Missouri, but again,we swung and missed. In conclusion, there is still some basketball to be played and two wins in the tournament for this team is possible IF Fran gets contributions from more than Jok and Uthoff. Iowa has the potential to be tough draw for teams who haven't had 3 months to scout and prepare for them.
A loss is a loss, but at least they got two good looks to tie the game and the shots didn't fall. Too little too late I realize, but at least some new wrinkles were put in to use Uthoff as a decoy and to get Jok a clean look on the baseline. Yogi, like Denzel, is on another level as a player and leader and he was going to will his team to victory last night. Clutch players make clutch shots and as we have seen the past few weeks, we don't have that dynamic on this team Fran is not a great late game coach, but who is unless they have a Yogi or Valentine, type player? He put guys in situations to make shots and they didn't. Combine this with missed free throws and you have the recipe for losing close games.
So, what positives does my title refer to? There were a couple of lineup combinations last night that came close to matching Indiana's athleticism (except Yogi). I liked seeing Uhl, Williams, Wagner, Uthoff, and Clemmons / Gesell on the floor. This group was quicker to the glass, able to recover more effectively defensively and sparked Iowa's offense which has become extremely predictable. Guys were driving the ball, but just couldn't finish. Uhl, Wagner, and Williams all missed bunnies, but at least they attacked off the bounce and / or crashed the glass. Baer came in and ignited the crowd with two clutch 3's and some nice work defensively and on the glass.
Nothing but respect for Woodbury, but the team is better when he is on the bench and they go small. I do not buy the defensive stopper and rebounding argument because his game is all below the rim. Again, not taking away from his contributions, just stating that outside of free throws and reverse layups off ball screens, he has no offense. Williams was extremely impressive and I have no clue why Fran opted to waste this kid all year while giving Ellingson PT. Despite no PT, he came in and played with confidence and showed flashes of what the future may hold.
In conclusion, I think Fran did a tremendous job with pretty average talent, but the talent bar has to change or Iowa will never win a big ten title or advance past the second round in the tournament. I struggle to understand why he recruited Fleming and Elingson instead of a 1 or 2 who could contribute OR why he sat Williams all season despite Clemmons and Gesell's erratic play. Uthoff will be missed, but of late, he has shot us out of games and has proven he is not a clutch player. With the addition of Cook, return of Jones and infusion of Hutton and Moss, I 'think' this team will look much different next season and not be so reliant on 2 guys to carry the load.
I am biting my tongue on the Bohannon offer because it does not raise the talent bar and puts another average athlete at a spot on the floor where we desperately need an upgrade. Best case scenario is that one of the guards leaves and opens up a spot for juco or transfer due to coaching change. It would be nice to have one or both of the guys on IU's roster from Missouri, but again,we swung and missed. In conclusion, there is still some basketball to be played and two wins in the tournament for this team is possible IF Fran gets contributions from more than Jok and Uthoff. Iowa has the potential to be tough draw for teams who haven't had 3 months to scout and prepare for them.
