Anyone think its a mistake not to give CW more time w/ Gesell struggling?

[IronFist1776]

I know some posters will lose their mind and think I'm attacking Mike. For those people, I'd like to say, find another thread to comment on and stop manufacturing reasons to fight. For the others, do you think it would've benefitted both MG and the team to sit him until his hamstring issue was healed up? After all, Iowa just played the two worst teams in the B1G. It would've been great to get CW some PT. Never know when MG or Sapp may go down or for how long.

 

[StormHawk42]

No and not because Mike is struggling. You're certainly right. But Williams has been less than impressive and just doesn't look ready at this point. Instead, if mike is still hurting, I'd say you bring Wagner in for longer periods while Sapp, Jok, and Uthoff all move to 1, 2, and 3

 

[SotaHawk87]

agreed with Storm.. CW was good tonight but has been absolutely abysmal in the past. Part of that is growing paints but thats why he is getting the minutes he is when he is.. I think he has a good upside thought!

 

[mazda1]

No.

 

[RocknRollface]

CW will likely have no benefite to the team this year.

Any playing time he gets this year is for next year.

I really wish we had another option to go to but his playing time is irrelevant to the success of this team.

 

[kzoohawk80]

No is my answer. Fran has his rotation set. No reason to change the rotation of a team that is playing this well. Mike played great tonight. Just distribute the basketball and play good D. Not unhappy with one shot he took today. So he missed some shots that happens in basketball. He took the open shots that where there. If he's looking to distribute then this team is going to be fine on offense. Jok and Uthoff are going to carry the scoring. Need our pg to try and get those guys the ball. Mike does that and plays within himself then that makes this a very tough team to beat. Plus by distributing the ball that will open up the driving lanes for Gesell.

 

[kzoohawk80]

CW will likely have no benefite to the team this year.

Any playing time he gets this year is for next year.

I really wish we had another option to go to but his playing time is irrelevant to the success of this team.

Completely agree. Why is this so hard to understand on here? This rotation as it is, is playing for a Big Ten title right now. Worry about next year when it gets here.

 

[RocknRollface]

No is my answer. Fran has his rotation set. No reason to change the rotation of a team that is playing this well. Mike played great tonight. Just distribute the basketball and play good D. Not unhappy with one shot he took today. So he missed some shots that happens in basketball. He took the open shots that where there. If he's looking to distribute then this team is going to be fine on offense. Jok and Uthoff are going to carry the scoring. Need our pg to try and get those guys the ball. Mike does that and plays within himself then that makes this a very tough team to beat. Plus by distributing the ball that will open up the driving lanes for Gesell.

This is a pretty good point.

To go off of what both of them have shown it would be insane to play Williams over Gessel.

Mikes in a slump, so is Uthoff to an extent. They will get through it.

Luckily AC is starting to really step up his game and we don't seem to be missing much.

 

[Vbeachawk]

Besides not scoring, MG is also not doing much of anything assist wise.....2 tonite, if I remember correctly. In the last 3 games, he has had more turnovers than assists. In a blow out game, like tonite, Williams should have played a lot more than 4 minutes and not just with the scrubs as that helps him very little, imo. If Sapp gets injured, then what is Fran going to do. Ellingson and Fleming are doing very little positive at the present time.

 

[Garys Dolphin]

Mike has been straight up hot garbage the last few games. Hopefully he can get things figured out, but Clemmons needs to run more point. Williams is not an option right now.

 

[Ronman]

The thought of replacing Gesell, or even limiting his minutes is, in my opinion, a horrible one. I think what most people fail to realize is that Mike is an essential piece of the chemistry of this team. It's not his assists, or points or steals that constructs his value, it's his personality and basketball attitude that is part of the package that makes the team so good this year. He is a part of the whole that has won a ton of games the past four years and they haven't done it in spite of him. Leave well enough alone.

 

[LuteHawk]

This is why, Coach Fran gets the big bucks. He believes
that both Gesell and Clemmons are his point guards this
year. Williams can wait his turn until next season. This
is currently a team of destiny.......Think Big Ten Title and
deep run in the NCAA tournament.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

The thought of replacing Gesell, or even limiting his minutes is, in my opinion, a horrible one. I think what most people fail to realize is that Mike is an essential piece of the chemistry of this team. It's not his assists, or points or steals that constructs his value, it's his personality and basketball attitude that is part of the package that makes the team so good this year. He is a part of the whole that has won a ton of games the past four years and they haven't done it in spite of him. Leave well enough alone.

+1 But if Mike does have a hamstring problem, it would be good to limit his minutes some.

 

[IronFist1776]

Its not that I'm saying that Gesell should be benched but he seems out of sorts somehow. Maybe some time to heal up would be in order. He's just not playing the best right now. His shot is a hot mess and more often than not, so is his decision making. How many times have we seen him try to throw it down over the defense's bigs only to get hammered to the floor? He seems to be gripping somehow. It hasn't come back to bite Iowa yet but if left unchecked, it could.

 

[Eternal Return]

+1 But if Mike does have a hamstring problem, it would be good to limit his minutes some.

Well, in the last two games he hasn't played that many minutes so I think that's good for his health. But my answer on Williams getting more time is NO. MG, even when not at his best, is much better than Williams. Like previous posters said, this team is playing for a B10 championship, a number one seed, and deep run in the tourney -- with a realistic chance to win it all. Next season is next season. Williams will get plenty of opportunities in practice and summer leagues to improve his play. With this group of Hawkeyes, with the opportunities in front of them, no way would I be "playing for next year." That's what teams do when the season is a wash. If there was ever a time to put next year out of mind, this is the year.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Fran has said himself that he feels he needs 10 players to make a championship run. He's trying to get CW to be #10. This game he wasn't too bad. We'll see going forward.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Well, in the last two games he hasn't played that many minutes so I think that's good for his health. But my answer on Williams getting more time is NO. MG, even when not at his best, is much better than Williams. Like previous posters said, this team is playing for a B10 championship, a number one seed, and deep run in the tourney -- with a realistic chance to win it all. Next season is next season. Williams will get plenty of opportunities in practice and summer leagues to improve his play. With this group of Hawkeyes, with the opportunities in front of them, no way would I be "playing for next year." That's what teams do when the season is a wash. If there was ever a time to put next year out of mind, this is the year.

Not sure why you replied to me with your post. My +1 was to Ronman's post, not the OP. Williams is definitely not ready for primetime minutes. Hawks could steal a few minutes for Mike by moving Sapp to PG and playing the top subs more minutes, if his hammy is not right.

 

[IronFist1776]

This is why, Coach Fran gets the big bucks. He believes
that both Gesell and Clemmons are his point guards this
year. Williams can wait his turn until next season. This
is currently a team of destiny.......Think Big Ten Title and
deep run in the NCAA tournament.

As far as I know, no one has said that Fran should completely bench MG and if you think that that's what I said, you are mistaken. But MG has not been playing even up to his own standards. Maybe its related to his hamstring. Who knows? But if he does aggravate an injury and Sapp gets his minutes, who's going to spell Sapp? Sapp's our best on ball defender and if he gets worn down, we will feel it. Hoping everything works out for the best bit you never know and as someone else pointed out, we are getting very little production from Ellingson or even Fleming, in limited minutes.

 

[RocknRollface]

Its not that I'm saying that Gesell should be benched but he seems out of sorts somehow. Maybe some time to heal up would be in order. He's just not playing the best right now. His shot is a hot mess and more often than not, so is his decision making. How many times have we seen him try to throw it down over the defense's bigs only to get hammered to the floor? He seems to be gripping somehow. It hasn't come back to bite Iowa yet but if left unchecked, it could.

Once?

 

[IronFist1776]

Well, in the last two games he hasn't played that many minutes so I think that's good for his health. But my answer on Williams getting more time is NO. MG, even when not at his best, is much better than Williams. Like previous posters said, this team is playing for a B10 championship, a number one seed, and deep run in the tourney -- with a realistic chance to win it all. Next season is next season. Williams will get plenty of opportunities in practice and summer leagues to improve his play. With this group of Hawkeyes, with the opportunities in front of them, no way would I be "playing for next year." That's what teams do when the season is a wash. If there was ever a time to put next year out of mind, this is the year.

OK, let's say I titled this thread, Gesell is injured, so now what? People need to get it out of their head that I'm taking about playing Williams for next year. What if Gesell or Sapp gets hurt? Then what? Would you still be against Williams getting PT? Would you wish then that Williams had gotten more PT to prepare him? I've watched him and yes, at times, he has looked brutal. But all the same, barring injury, we may need him. That's all I'm saying.

 

[IronFist1776]

Once?

LOL congrats on watching one Iowa game all season.

 

[Eternal Return]

Not sure why you replied to me with your post. My +1 was to Ronman's post, not the OP. Williams is definitely not ready for primetime minutes. Hawks could steal a few minutes for Mike by moving Sapp to PG and playing the top subs more minutes, if his hammy is not right.

Sorry about that--I clicked the wrong link. I agree about moving Sapp to PG to get Mike healthier against teams like PSU.

 

[Stanley75]

No

 

[RocknRollface]

I don't think there's anything wrong with Mikes hamstring.

Did you see that double clutch put back dunk?

It didn't count but that's not the look of someone with a tight hamstring.

He's just in a funk, there's no need or benefit to overreacting to it.

 

[Eternal Return]

OK, let's say I titled this thread, Gesell is injured, so now what? People need to get it out of their head that I'm taking about playing Williams for next year. What if Gesell or Sapp gets hurt? Then what? Would you still be against Williams getting PT? Would you wish then that Williams had gotten more PT to prepare him? I've watched him and yes, at times, he has looked brutal. But all the same, barring injury, we may need him. That's all I'm saying.

I think the poster who suggested more minutes for Clemmons is the better option. But, yeah, when Iowa is up by 20+ that's a decent time to get Williams minutes. He looked better in garbage time today than he did against NW so maybe he can play his way into getting more second half minutes this Sunday against Illinois. Against the better teams? No. Mike's D has still been good during his "bad" stretch.

 

[RocknRollface]

LOL congrats on watching one Iowa game all season.

All games , most twice.

I don't think you worded the question well.

 

[kzoohawk80]

OK, let's say I titled this thread, Gesell is injured, so now what? People need to get it out of their head that I'm taking about playing Williams for next year. What if Gesell or Sapp gets hurt? Then what? Would you still be against Williams getting PT? Would you wish then that Williams had gotten more PT to prepare him? I've watched him and yes, at times, he has looked brutal. But all the same, barring injury, we may need him. That's all I'm saying.

No he's a true freshman pg. He's learning plenty just by practicing. Especially with who he's practicing with and against. If Fran has to play him then yes he has to play him but until that happens fans just need to trust Fran's current rotation. It's gotten Iowa to this point. Fran's rotation right now if you ask me the results speak for themselves. Absolutely no reason to change until there's an injury or something else unexpected happens. Isn't this what if scenario why coaches have the expression "next man in"?

If Gesell or Clemmons get hurt you'd probably see Gessell or Clemmons play a lot more minutes. Williams probably gets spot minutes at pg. Baer, Uhl and Wagner minutes would probably go up. I could easily see Fran play Gesell or Clemmons 30+ minutes if one gets injured.

 

[And1Hawk]

I thought MG was playing at a high level earlier in the season but the last handful of games I really do not like his floor game. Way too many wasted possessions trying to force the action at the rim (often majorly contested) and very few finishes. He's also inexplicably shooting it when it's not really in the flow of the ball movement or that great of a look. It's almost like he's saying it's my time to shoot or maybe he is just pressing to get himself out of a funk?

Hope he can get back to how he was playing earlier in the season because we are going to lose some games if not.

 

[ICWestfan]

I thought MG was playing at a high level earlier in the season but the last handful of games I really do not like his floor game. Way too many wasted possessions trying to force the action at the rim (often majorly contested) and very few finishes. He's also inexplicably shooting it when it's not really in the flow of the ball movement or that great of a look. It's almost like he's saying it's my time to shoot or maybe he is just pressing to get himself out of a funk?

Hope he can get back to how he was playing earlier in the season because we are going to lose some games if not.

I think you pretty much nailed it. Mikey G is now 8-33 from the floor his last 5 games, and that includes the 6-10 FG performance vs Maryland (2-23 FG). So, if it isn't hammy, his confidence must be shot which is affecting his overall game. He also has a 21-16 A/TO margin those last 5 games which is by far a more telling and concerning statistic.

I hope Mike gets his mojo back which may be just playing through whatever is going on.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

CW has looked tentative--IMO--the last two outings. I'm sure in part he's afraid of screwing up and losing what time he is getting, but last night seemed like it should have been a "wide open" opportunity.
I think as long as Mike was left in last night it was like the coaches were telling him to go figure out what's wrong and work through it.

 

[Curt Furence]

I don't remember no if it was Robinson or Amin that called out Mike for his late game free throws when he was at the line last night. Mentioned how he has struggled making free throws down the stretch. I am a Gesell fan, but for those who say that he doesn't struggle in crunch time, the guys doing their research to call the games have noticed.

 

[HawkLogic]

I think you pretty much nailed it. Mikey G is now 8-33 from the floor his last 5 games, and that includes the 6-10 FG performance vs Maryland (2-23 FG). So, if it isn't hammy, his confidence must be shot which is affecting his overall game. He also has a 21-16 A/TO margin those last 5 games which is by far a more telling and concerning statistic.

I hope Mike gets his mojo back which may be just playing through whatever is going on.

Fran must be playing Gesell through this slump. That probably makes sense, but then you have a vocal set of groupies that can't even admit his play is subpar. The slump hasn't been a difference maker to our record because we are winning by 10 plus points most games in B1G.

 

[youflog1hawk]

Is this a joke? Fran just discussed this in last nights post game interview. Worry about things that are worth worrying about.

 

[BioHawk]

Gesell still plays good defense and brings the ball up the court. There's a lot more to his game than shooting.

 

[bravehawks1]

While I definitely think that Fran is doing a poor job of using Williams (doesn't matter if you are talking this year or next year since the reasons are different), Mike is the glue of this team, especially on the offensive end. Sapp does a good job, but the flow is not quite the same when he is at point. Williams needs to be experiencing this, but the end game situations play out differently in a blowout.

As far as Mike's shot, it seems like he has not regained the form from his freshman year and the elbow injury in his sophomore year seems to have changed his shot form. His shot seems to be more of a push effort, especially his free throws. I know it seems pretty technical but if you watch his free throw it just does not seem to come off his hand with a smooth flow.

 

[Steve Waite]

Well OP it looks like I'm the only one that is going to agree with you.
MG has been brutal the last few games. His stats were listed above. If you posters think that is good PG play, then
you are clueless about basketball.
There was no reason why MG was playing when all the other starters where out with 8 minutes left in the game.
CW has length, a jumpshot and can handle the rock. He scored 4 points in about a minute. Double the output of MG who played most of the game. He needs experience when your up 28 why is MG in the game?
MG has had 1 good game and that was against MSU. 1/10 isn't a good ratio!

Sapp has better assist/to ratio and has been making his free throws. Sapp should have the ball
In crunch time. I have watched MG drive to the basket, get packed, throw it out of bounds or hit the other side of the backboard. That has all happened this year at the end of game situations.
He isn't a clutch PG. his form on his shot is brutal. His free throw percentage is horrendous for a PG. Inexcusable
for a starting PG in the Big!

 

[kzoohawk80]

Well OP it looks like I'm the only one that is going to agree with you.
MG has been brutal the last few games. His stats were listed above. If you posters think that is good PG play, then
you are clueless about basketball.
There was no reason why MG was playing when all the other starters where out with 8 minutes left in the game.
CW has length, a jumpshot and can handle the rock. He scored 4 points in about a minute. Double the output of MG who played most of the game. He needs experience when your up 28 why is MG in the game?
MG has had 1 good game and that was against MSU. 1/10 isn't a good ratio!

Sapp has better assist/to ratio and has been making his free throws. Sapp should have the ball
In crunch time. I have watched MG drive to the basket, get packed, throw it out of bounds or hit the other side of the backboard. That has all happened this year at the end of game situations.
He isn't a clutch PG. his form on his shot is brutal. His free throw percentage is horrendous for a PG. Inexcusable
for a starting PG in the Big!

You think maybe Mike was out there because fran didn't like how the northwestern game was handled at the end. So he put out the guy who he trusts most and the guy who runs our offense best. Mike runs our offense better then anybody on this team. He plays great defense and if you can't see those two things you don't know anything about basketball. Mike played a great game last night. It's what I've been asking for out of him. No wild and crazy drives. No horrible decisions. Yeah he didn't shoot well again. That happens but this team doesn't need him to score. When Mike plays knowing that, this is a tough team to beat.

 

[thewop]

I know some posters will lose their mind and think I'm attacking Mike. For those people, I'd like to say, find another thread to comment on and stop manufacturing reasons to fight. For the others, do you think it would've benefitted both MG and the team to sit him until his hamstring issue was healed up? After all, Iowa just played the two worst teams in the B1G. It would've been great to get CW some PT. Never know when MG or Sapp may go down or for how long.

while sitting mike more to let him heal may have been wise, I'm not sure getting CW a lot more PT would have been in the cards. He did get in both games, right? I wouldn't be comfortable with him in for relevant minutes, and it doesn't seem fran is either. Fran said in his presser last night that MG was fine, but I'm not so sure. he sure hasn't looked as clean since the injury. Hopefully the week off coming up will get him back to 100%, but we've got to play Indiana before that.

 

[MNHawk]

+1 But if Mike does have a hamstring problem, it would be good to limit his minutes some.

With a bad hamstring, do you think he could have had a 2-handed rebound dunk like he did last night?

 

[CanadaHawk]

Fran would like to use CW more. Judging from Fran's comments, he seems to feel Christian is progressing a little slower than he'd like, which may be why he's not getting the minutes you'd expect. But it doesn't appear that Fran is displeased with CW. The potential is still there. He's feeling easy enough to hit shots now, something I'm a little worried about with BE.