Bohannon Question

[unoHawkeye]

Disclaimer: obviously I want all players healthy and able to play ASAP

That said, do you think Iowa’s basketball team’s potential is maximized with Bohannon coming back this year or next year? (Assume fully healthy in both scenarios)

On one hand: Kriener is a senior this year, and JB along with Evelyn could comprise a very solid, experienced back court. Additionally, getting JB back this year allows CJF to ease into his role, and takes pressure off Wieskamp (who is awesome, but still only a sophomore). Other players returning to action (Nunge/Pemsl) don’t have as much required of them, and all the bigs benefit as a result of increased floor spacing. Additionally, the Pat McC redshirt becomes a discussion again. Hawks don’t experience much (if any) drop off this year, and are in good shape next year.

On the other hand: next year, Garza is a senior, along with Pemsl. JW is possibly in his last year in college. Cordell and Nunge are fully reacclimated to D1, and Fredrick has a full year of experience under their belt. Connor will have had possibly a full year of starting at PG under his belt, and Toussaint will have experience. Pat likely sees more action with Wieskamp spelling at the 2 this year. This team has high experience and upside, and with JB returning, a ton of scoring options. They could make a run next year, but the realistic outlook for this year is a bubble team, with a lot of early struggles. In this scenario, this coming year’s basketball season will be a tough time to be an optimistic poster on the Iowa basketball board

Which scenario is more appealing to you?

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

Disclaimer: obviously I want all players healthy and able to play ASAP

That said, do you think Iowa’s basketball team’s potential is maximized with Bohannon coming back this year or next year? (Assume fully healthy in both scenarios)

On one hand: Kriener is a senior this year, and JB along with Evelyn could comprise a very solid, experienced back court. Additionally, getting JB back this year allows CJF to ease into his role, and takes pressure off Wieskamp (who is awesome, but still only a sophomore). Other players returning to action (Nunge/Pemsl) don’t have as much required of them, and all the bigs benefit as a result of increased floor spacing. Additionally, the Pat McC redshirt becomes a discussion again. Hawks don’t experience much (if any) drop off this year, and are in good shape next year.

On the other hand: next year, Garza is a senior, along with Pemsl. JW is possibly in his last year in college. Cordell and Nunge are fully reacclimated to D1, and Fredrick has a full year of experience under their belt. Connor will have had possibly a full year of starting at PG under his belt, and Toussaint will have experience. Pat likely sees more action with Wieskamp spelling at the 2 this year. This team has high experience and upside, and with JB returning, a ton of scoring options. They could make a run next year, but the realistic outlook for this year is a bubble team, with a lot of early struggles. In this scenario, this coming year’s basketball season will be a tough time to be an optimistic poster on the Iowa basketball board

Which scenario is more appealing to you?

The one where we win a bunch of games.

 

[K OKeefe]

The one where we win a bunch of games.

And make it to, at least, the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

 

[Ballhawk1221]

I want to win now. If Bohannon is 100% healthy either way, I'll take this year hands down.

 

[unoHawkeye]

My rationale is that “special” seasons happening at Iowa are few and far between in any sport, and typically require a perfect storm of circumstances to occur. Mediocre, average, or slightly above average seasons are all too common.

I would gladly take a year of mediocrity (with a chance to be substantially better if some things work out in our favor) in exchange for a better chance at that one special season... especially with as many new players as we have and as different a roster dynamic as it’ll be. Even with Bohannon, there could be a decent sized adjustment period

No right or wrong answer, just preferences/values. I think being a TWolves NBA fan has also helped me get over mediocre seasons

 

[Ballhawk1221]

My rationale is that “special” seasons happening at Iowa are few and far between in any sport, and typically require a perfect storm of circumstances to occur. Mediocre, average, or slightly above average seasons are all too common.

I would gladly take a year of mediocrity (with a chance to be substantially better if some things work out in our favor) in exchange for a better chance at that one special season... especially with as many new players as we have and as different a roster dynamic as it’ll be. Even with Bohannon, there could be a decent sized adjustment period

No right or wrong answer, just preferences/values. I think being a TWolves NBA fan has also helped me get over mediocre seasons

Fair. However, in college sports you have to take into account the consequences of an unsuccessful season – if we have an NIT-level season, maybe we miss out on Xavier Foster. A real disaster of a season and Fran might be out the door, along with who knows how many players.

You might not get the chance for that "something special" next year.

IMO, in college sports, win now. Always win now.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Fair. However, in college sports you have to take into account the consequences of an unsuccessful season – if we have an NIT-level season, maybe we miss out on Xavier Foster. A real disaster of a season and Fran might be out the door, along with who knows how many players.

You might not get the chance for that "something special" next year.

IMO, in college sports, win now. Always win now.

I don’t think a disaster of a season is very likely, and with the core of this team being loyal Iowans (McCafferys, Kriener, Pemsl, Wieskamp, Bohannon, can probably just throw in Fredrick who was willing to walk on), mass transfers seem especially unlikely.

Conversely to your scenario of missing out on Foster, what if, after a NIT this year, next year the Hawkeyes make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, and the nation sees the run n’ gun style Fran has at Iowa, and major recruits want to be a part of it? Foster is just one player, and if NIT vs NCAA tourney is the difference between landing him and not, then oh well. Based solely on my own observations of his recruitment, he seems like the type that will be an average college player early on and then enter the NBA draft after a year or two on potential, not dissimilar to Justin Patton at Creighton. I hope the Hawks land him, but in terms of him being a big difference maker at Iowa, I’m skeptical. Seems more like an opportunity to get a Hawkeye in the NBA (which is still a great opportunity)

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I want him back this season - it's not even close for me.

Senior leadership with Joe, CJ and PM coming in is a big reason. And, the last thing I want is an all-1st year back court.

Plus, sitting out a year - who knows what he might be like when he comes back?

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

If DJ Carton had a brain in his head, this wouldn't even be a point of discussion.

I hope Ohio State crashes and burns while he's there.

 

[anon_wic6m41528ao4]

It's like the time value of money. $100 today is worth way more to you than $100 a year from today.

I'd rather have my best players play right now. Win as many games now and reap the recruiting benefits now. Waiting for some "dream season" faces too many variables.

 

[Pepperman]

Want him back as soon as he's available and ready to go.

You can never have enough guards at the college level. Fran should have learned this by now, and maybe he has.

One other thing - it is possible we'll have Bohannon for a few games this year and we'll have him back after a medical hardship year.

 

[unoHawkeye]

It's like the time value of money. $100 today is worth way more to you than $100 a year from today.

I'd rather have my best players play right now. Win as many games now and reap the recruiting benefits now. Waiting for some "dream season" faces too many variables.

Except that it’s not “waiting for a dream season.” If you look at Fran’s past recruiting strategy, for better or worse, it’s loading up on players in unbalanced classes and developing them so that their senior year is when Iowa peaks, then they rebuild. It was what happened in 2015-16 when Uthoff, Woodbury, Gesell, and Clemmons were seniors, and was supposed to happen again this coming year when Cook, Bohannon, Moss, Pemsl, Dailey, and Kriener were seniors.

Obviously, three of these players are no longer at Iowa, and Pemsl is now in next year’s class. If Bohannon plays this year, he, Kriener, and Evelyn are the only 3 seniors. Kriener is a borderline starter and Evelyn is an unknown. Then there are a lot of underclassmen and a lot of question marks in general. Could the Hawks be good? Absolutely. But with the way the classes are playing out, it’s looking like next year will be the better team, so I’d try to stack it.

Also your time value analogy doesn’t make sense because it assumes that JB’s value to the team next year is zero. He will still be there to coach up, lead, and practice with the team. Just not on the court in games. If he plays now, his value the following year is zero, plus whatever benefit him playing leads to in recruiting (I don’t think the difference will be substantial). Jordan’s a guy who I’d keep in the program as long as possible. He’s an all timer

 

[unoHawkeye]

Want him back as soon as he's available and ready to go.

You can never have enough guards at the college level. Fran should have learned this by now, and maybe he has.

One other thing - it is possible we'll have Bohannon for a few games this year and we'll have him back after a medical hardship year.

The medical hardship seems unlikely, but is an interesting possibility. Hadn’t thought of that

 

[hawkjt]

Want him back now.
We need to make the tournament this year,all hands on deck will be needed with our brutal schedule.
Nothing is a given two years from now. JW and Garza could leave early.
Win now.

 

[perryhawk]

Good discussion topic by the OP......

Ballhawk1221 makes a good point on the recruiting front...and OP had a good counter.

I think the main point that I am concerned about for this next years team is what UNO mentioned about Fran's teams being developmental....having a number of seniors. The way this next year should have been if all had gone as planned. I think that is a big big deal......it is going to hurt us this coming season.....BUT things points to JBO sitting out this next season and then coming back to a team that only lost Ryan K & Bakari while giving Joe T, Patrick....well EVERYONE else another year of experience and physical maturity. That's where I think we sit...my guess is that JBO does sit this next season and then I hope we don't lose Joe W....if Joe W returns along with everyone else we should have a team that could compete for a B10 Championship in the 20/21 season.

So, for the 19/20 season I think the amount of success we have rests primarily on the shoulders of these four guards: Connor, Joe T, CJ, and Bakari. We have studs in Joe W, Luka, and possibly Nunge/Pemsl on the front line.....if that guard court can be a middle of the pack group I think we will have a decent season.

I am hoping that CJ, Joe T, and Bakari are everything we have heard or hoped they will be and that Connor takes a solid step forward in his development for this next season.

 

[HawkAlum2002]

I'm not predicting an NCAA bid this year even if he does come back. But I also expect Weiskamp to leave after another year if he's already testing the waters, which sets back that team two years from now. So given the options I'd rather take my chances with him on next year's team instead of redshirting. Get him healthy and see how close it is to the season tipping off.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Want him back now.
We need to make the tournament this year,all hands on deck will be needed with our brutal schedule.
Nothing is a given two years from now. JW and Garza could leave early.
Win now.

Wieskamp maybe, Garza very unlikely barring a dramatic athleticism increase between last year and this year.

Good point though, Bohannon being out this year would likely result in better stats for Joe, and possibly make it more likely he leaves after 2 instead of 3. Bohannon being back might make it less likely

 

[Hawksfor3]

I am hoping that CJ, Joe T, and Bakari are everything we have heard or hoped they will be and that Connor takes a solid step forward in his development for this next season.

Right there with you on this.

 

[Pepperman]

Want him back now.
We need to make the tournament this year,all hands on deck will be needed with our brutal schedule.
Nothing is a given two years from now. JW and Garza could leave early.
Win now.

I agree with everything but the part in red. I definitely do not see Garza being in any sort of position to leave early, and I also don't really see Joe doing it either - especially not after his soph year, although if he keeps on this same trajectory MAYBE he could think about it after his junior year.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Right there with you on this.

Yep, and the answer to the poll mostly depends on how good the new guys are and whether JBo is 100% by early in the season.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Yep, and the answer to the poll mostly depends on how good the new guys are and whether JBo is 100% by early in the season.

If JB isn’t 100% by the season, then my guess is that the results of this poll look entirely different

Wanted to assume he’s at full health for this though because I was curious what other people thought about the benefits/drawbacks of him playing vs waiting

 

[BBHawk]

JB and Evelyn would be Iowa's only seniors next year. I want him to play.

 

[Hawk-Fran1]

Joe W could be player of the year in conference and leave for good next year. He’s that good. I think he could be all American this year.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

If JB isn’t 100% by the season, then my guess is that the results of this poll look entirely different

Wanted to assume he’s at full health for this though because I was curious what other people thought about the benefits/drawbacks of him playing vs waiting

There is 100% with time to get back into your top basketball shape/rhythm, and there is close to 100% healed, but not really back to peak form. Unless JBo wants otherwise, I think he should wait an extra year if it isn't the former.

 

[Hawk-Fran1]

Does P MaC red shirt this year or not? I think he can help right away and do what Baer did as a Sr. Agree?

 

[unoHawkeye]

There is 100% with time to get back into your top basketball shape/rhythm, and there is close to 100% healed, but not really back to peak form. Unless JBo wants otherwise, I think he should wait an extra year if it isn't the former.

Agreed, especially since he played hurt last year

 

[unoHawkeye]

Does P MaC red shirt this year or not? I think he can help right away and do what Baer did as a Sr. Agree?

I think there’s only a chance if Bohannon plays this year. If he doesn’t, it would mean that Evelyn would be forced to spend more time at the 1, and Wieskamp at the 2. Hawks would need minutes from somebody else at the 3 and PM might be the best bet.

It JB plays, either he or Evelyn can spend more time at the 2 with CJ, and Wieskamp could almost exclusively play the 3, to where it MAY not be worth burning Pat’s first year of eligibility.

You’re being too optimistic expecting him to replace Baer in year one though. Nicholas was arguably team MVP last year. Pat can fill a similar role, but no way he does what NB did off the bat

 

[TDJ7]

I just want him to be healthy and pain free whenever he plays.

 

[hooper56]

If Jordan sits out this year then I think the team belongs to Joe Weiscamp. He might score 30 per game.

 

[Hawk-Fran1]

If not more........

 

[Hawksfor3]

I agree with everything but the part in red. I definitely do not see Garza being in any sort of position to leave early, and I also don't really see Joe doing it either - especially not after his soph year, although if he keeps on this same trajectory MAYBE he could think about it after his junior year.

I agree. At this point I don't see them going early either. On the other hand, if Weezy develops "Maravich-Like" skills in the passing game to compliment his shooting prowess, well......

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I love JoeW, but it is his overall game that makes him a great player, not his scoring. I expect Joe's shots and scoring to go up, but I think there is a good chance that Luka leads the team in scoring.

 

[ElkGroveHawk]

Jordan moving ok, walking around, on the boat ... from what I've seen at Okoboji this weekend.

 

[Hawk-Fran1]

Kid lives the dream.....

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I agree with everything but the part in red. I definitely do not see Garza being in any sort of position to leave early, and I also don't really see Joe doing it either - especially not after his soph year, although if he keeps on this same trajectory MAYBE he could think about it after his junior year.

JW has the tools that could allow him to make a big leap and possibly get on to some first round draft boards. I don't think it's likely, but it's possible.

Garza's speed, quickness and leaping limitations virtually eliminate him from being able to play D at the NBA level. He's a well below average defender at the college level. His offensive game, while solid at the college level, simply isn't enough to make up for the defensive liability he would be in the NBA.

 

[owenhawk]

If Bohannon is back and healthy, I predict a better season then last year. So that’s why I want him back next year.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

As for Bohannon, I fall more in the camp that if he's good to go he plays now.

Not sure what the definition for special season is for the Hawks. For the sake of argument let's say elite 8. If that's the case I don't see much chance of that in 20-21.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

Win now. Of course that assumes Jordan recovers in time to play at close to full strength.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Jordan moving ok, walking around, on the boat ... from what I've seen at Okoboji this weekend.

Great news and thanks for the update!

Like I said, good health for all players is always optimal

 

[unoHawkeye]

As for Bohannon, I fall more in the camp that if he's good to go he plays now.

Not sure what the definition for special season is for the Hawks. For the sake of argument let's say elite 8. If that's the case I don't see much chance of that in 20-21.

I don’t see much chance of it almost any year - that’s why it would be a special season... although the way the roster is shaping up, it looks like ‘20-‘21 Iowa could have a substantially more experienced (and hopefully better) team than ‘19-‘20. JMO

There is a valid argument to be made both ways. Admittedly, my vote (Option B) is subject to a lot more risk in terms of people going pro or transferring - and having a completely different looking roster than what it looks like it’ll be right now - than Option A, which is a big drawback