Bury the past, look to the future and what do you see?

[The Sleeping Dog]

OK, the Woody/Gesell/Uthoff/Clemmons era is over. For better or worse they finished the way they finished and it cannot be undone.

So let's think about the 2016-2017 season.

Starters? How many brand new faces in the starting lineup?

Do Moss and Jok both start? Can Williams step up and be a productive point guard?

If Wagner starts, does Baer also start? What does each returning player, that we've seen play in real games, need to do to at least keep us where we are (a 7 seed in the NCAA)?

Right now, it seems like the starters are Williams, Jok, Baer, Wagner and Uhl. All of those guys have a ton of work to do avoid regressing as a program.

What say you all?

 

[Hayes_30]

Didn't Iowa get a hell of a recruiting class with the 2016 class? That's a good start.

 

[HawkamongstGophers]

OK, the Woody/Gesell/Uthoff/Clemmons era is over. For better or worse they finished the way they finished and it cannot be undone.

So let's think about the 2016-2017 season.

Starters? How many brand new faces in the starting lineup?

Do Moss and Jok both start? Can Williams step up and be a productive point guard?

If Wagner starts, does Baer also start? What does each returning player, that we've seen play in real games, need to do to at least keep us where we are (a 7 seed in the NCAA)?

Right now, it seems like the starters are Williams, Jok, Baer, Wagner and Uhl. All of those guys have a ton of work to do avoid regressing as a program.

What say you all?

There will be growing pains next year, I see a bubble team, but lean towards making tourney. The three years after that I think we see best Fran teams to date.

If players meet expectations, better athleticism, better balance, better overall team talent.

 

[M&Shawk]

There will be growing pains next year, I see a bubble team, but lean towards making tourney. The three years after that I think we see best Fran teams to date.

If players meet expectations, better athleticism, better balance, better overall team talent.

We need a reliable PG to move forward. Lots of unknowns there. I
Like what Williams showed late but not convinced he is a PG

 

[Herkuleez]

Really no excuse for this team to take a big step back next year....not in year seven of a regime.

 

[HawkamongstGophers]

We need a reliable PG to move forward. Lots of unknowns there. I
Like what Williams showed late but not convinced he is a PG

I agree, he looks more like a 2 to me. Thus, Bohannon or a player yet to be named may well be point before season done, or Williams next year and then at 2 after Jok leaves and CM arrives with Bohannon as back-up.

I would though not be surprised it there is not another guard added, between now and then.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

What do I see, I see better athletes gang raping our unicorn...that's what I see. No, just kidding. I see Fran forming a team of athletes that can play multiple positions and all can play defense and run the floor. My hope is that we find guards that are good shooters...period. In today's game you have to be able to knock down threes with your guards. Nova, like many other teams, played smaller guys on Uthoff and Jok to keep them from getting the ball. Gesell could have shot 50 threes in this game pretty much uncontested. You have to be able to hurt a team who plays you like that.

 

[Hayes_30]

Tyler Cook should be a stud for you guys.

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

You can make a good athlete a decent shooter but not the other way around.

 

[slindian]

we are stil going to need a good point guard.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Hopefully an upgrade in toughness defensively and athleticism.

 

[MIHawk]

We know Jok can score. Other than that, mostly unknown. Guys like Jones, Wagner, Baer, Uhl, Williams all showed some flashes, but weren't very consistent. Hutton and Moss are supposed athletic upgrades, but we know very little about them. We have a stud in Cook coming in. But the rest weren't heavily recruited. We certainly have athletic potential, but I worry where points are going to come from.

 

[HawkamongstGophers]

The concern is who is going to have the "give me the darn ball" attitude in crunch time AND have the ability to back it up.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

What do I see, I see better athletes gang raping our unicorn...that's what I see. No, just kidding. I see Fran forming a team of athletes that can play multiple positions and all can play defense and run the floor. My hope is that we find guards that are good shooters...period. In today's game you have to be able to knock down threes with your guards. Nova, like many other teams, played smaller guys on Uthoff and Jok to keep them from getting the ball. Gesell could have shot 50 threes in this game pretty much uncontested. You have to be able to hurt a team who plays you like that.

Jordan B is supposed to be a shooting point guard. That's what we need.

 

[larrygreenwallswildride]

Hawks will be playing for NIT next season. Could miss that as well.
Laugh now, but you'll be wrong.

 

[HawkPT]

Really no excuse for this team to take a big step back next year....not in year seven of a regime.

Unless you're a blue blood (or Wisconsin, I guess), it happens all the time. If we're a bubble team, I'd take it. I'm expecting NIT.

 

[Hayes_30]

Jok and Baer make a pretty good inside outside combo. Maybe Cook can step in as a freshman and make a splash. Iowa will be decent next season still.

 

[Herkuleez]

Unless you're a blue blood (or Wisconsin, I guess), it happens all the time. If we're a bubble team, I'd take it. I'm expecting NIT.

When do your expectations turn to Sweet Sixteen? ...a Final Four?

It seems that so many fans expect mediocrity on a semi-regular basis...but I almost never hear them step up and say they expect something better than 20 wins and an NCAA invite.

 

[HawkPT]

When do your expectations turn to Sweet Sixteen? ...a Final Four?

It seems that so many fans expect mediocrity on a semi-regular basis...but I almost never hear them step up and say they expect something better than 20 wins and an NCAA invite.

I'm simply telling you that ups and downs happen to nearly every program; that's the nature of college sports. Very few are shielded from that reality. It wasn't too long ago that Kentucky lost in the NIT to Robert Morris.

I was also telling you (and everyone else) what I expect for next year based upon what we're losing, retaining, and gaining.

I could also tell you what I want, but that's typically wrought with emotion after a loss like today.

I'm extremely happy with our progress and hope it continues, but the process isn't linear. Go Hawks!

 

[Herkuleez]

Wisconsin doesn't seem to need a rebuilding year, not even with an interim first year head coach. Iowa State hasn't taken any steps back with their first year coach. I guess we're ONLY Iowa, we can't be like those blue bloods. In year seven of our current regime a step back should be expected. Maybe if we didn't have such a lame arena to play in things would be different, huh?

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I think you will see Fran change some things up for next year. I think you will see Fran adapt the 4 around 1 offense Similar to what Nova runs. I think he will finally have his players who can attack the rim. I think he will have 3 good shooters on the floor and a solid Post in Cook down low. I think he will also have some better defenders, so you will see some more in your jock defense.

Personally this might be Frans' most athletic team he has had here, but there are going to be learning curves with this group. The players will lose some games and maybe win some games. I expect turnovers to be high next year.

NIT is my guess. If we get to the NCAA I will call it a great year. But in order to do that, Fran HAS to find a legit PG for next year.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Wisconsin doesn't seem to need a rebuilding year, not even with an interim first year head coach. Iowa State hasn't taken any steps back with their first year coach. I guess we're ONLY Iowa, we can't be like those blue bloods. In year seven of our current regime a step back should be expected. Maybe if we didn't have such a lame arena to play in things would be different, huh?

You do realize that both of those coaches were playing with a Loaded Deck? Pohrm walked into the best situation a coach could ask for! Entire starting 5 returning from a Big 12 champ squad. You can't compare Iowa to them right now. Wisky they have gotten the good recruits. They had back to back Final 4 appearances. We are not on their level and their "program" is better than ours. They develop the players they get and Hayes is better than any Iowa player we have had here since TD days. So to compare us to those two teams is not fair. Did you think Fran was just going to crap out 4-5 star recruits and we were going to magically be better? Doesn't work that way.

 

[HawkPT]

Herkuleez, the fact that those examples are the exception to the rule proves my point. And those are cherry picked examples, not apples-to-apples comparisons. I'll repeat, progress isn't linear, and our trend line is solidly moving in the positive direction.

 

[Herkuleez]

What would you consider an apples-to-apples comparison if not programs like Iowa State and Wisconsin?

Are we now relegated to comparing ourselves to Northern Illinois and Missouri State?

 

[Herkuleez]

NIT is my guess. If we get to the NCAA I will call it a great year. But in order to do that, Fran HAS to find a legit PG for next year.

A legit PG will obviously solve all our problems.

The whole not using our timeouts effectively and lack of in-game defensive adjustments aren't worth addressing. Just get us a legit PG and we'll run the table to the NIT championship.

 

[RocknRollface]

Wisconsin doesn't seem to need a rebuilding year, not even with an interim first year head coach. Iowa State hasn't taken any steps back with their first year coach. I guess we're ONLY Iowa, we can't be like those blue bloods. In year seven of our current regime a step back should be expected. Maybe if we didn't have such a lame arena to play in things would be different, huh?

Its coming.

 

[Herkuleez]

Its coming.

After two Sweet Sixteens and two conference tournament championships...in the past six years.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

A legit PG will obviously solve all our problems.

The whole not using our timeouts effectively and lack of in-game defensive adjustments aren't worth addressing. Just get us a legit PG and we'll run the table to the NIT championship.

The time-out thing you will see almost 75% of coaches don't use them in crunch situations. Several coaches believe that its better to just go with it, otherwise you give the opposing team a chance to set their defense and set something up. I can't fault Fran for that one, as I have witnessed several games these past 2 days where coaches did not call TO's. Now having the ball in the same players hands is disturbing, but did you ever think, "that's all he has"?? I mean who else could handle the ball vs tight pressure?

The defensive adjustments is on the players. Fran can call any defense he wants, when your guards and wings are that "SLOW" your not stopping the guards Nova has. Those guys were a step quicker than Iowa and they were able to attack. So we go zone and leave their shooters wide open. What defense would of you called? 1-3-1 zone? Triangle and 2? Nova was on a different level than our players, but its not out of the realm that Fran can't get that type of talent to Iowa city.

If you are so bitter about Fran, maybe you should leave the Iowa basketball page. Fran has turned our program around and it will keep getting better. I don't care what anyone thinks, if Fran is our coach, we will get to the sweet 16 or farther within the next 5 years.

 

[Herkuleez]

If you are so bitter about Fran, maybe you should leave the Iowa basketball page. Fran has turned our program around and it will keep getting better. I don't care what anyone thinks, if Fran is our coach, we will get to the sweet 16 or farther within the next 5 years.

No, I'm not going any where...and I will continue to criticize them as I see them, deal with it.

Fran doesn't get a pass in year seven of his regime. He better up his game on the recruiting trail and with his in-game coaching. I'm not a "pro-participation trophy" guy like you.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

No, I'm not going any where...and I will continue to criticize them as I see them, deal with it.

Fran doesn't get a pass in year seven of his regime. He better up his game on the recruiting trail and with his in-game coaching. I'm not a "pro-participation trophy" guy like you.

Okay the, I found the ignore button and I will choose to ignore idiots like you who bash the players and coaches. You expect Iowa to beat Villanova, #2 seeded Villanova an hour away from their home campus? I don't even know what to say to that. Fran is a great guy who has built our program up. I suppose you are for hiring the guy from SFA or Temple or somewhere. So we can set back the program another 3 years. Yeah lets get rid of the guy who took us BACK TO THE NCAA.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

I see cubs baseball starting soon and football season starting not soon enough

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Cubbies!! I hope they don't crap the bed like Washington did last year!

 

[HawkPT]

Herkuleez, look up how many times ISU has been to the Sweet 16.

 

[Herkuleez]

Okay the, I found the ignore button and I will choose to ignore idiots like you who bash the players and coaches. You expect Iowa to beat Villanova, #2 seeded Villanova... Fran is a great guy who has built our program up. .... Yeah lets get rid of the guy who took us BACK TO THE NCAA.

Good for you, when losing a debate always click the ignore button....it will bail you out every time!

I actually didn't expect Iowa to beat Nova. I did expect us to give them a good game and not fold like a pair of wet sox 12 min into the game.

Fran is a great guy, but great guys get fired all the time when its deserved. He's not quite there yet but the seat is now officially warm as far as I'm concerned.

Let's be honest, everyone of us expected the next guy after Lick to get us back to the NCAA eventually. At a program with Iowa's history that is not a legit accomplishment.

Good night.

 

[rsigmundi]

I think you will see Fran change some things up for next year. I think you will see Fran adapt the 4 around 1 offense Similar to what Nova runs. I think he will finally have his players who can attack the rim. I think he will have 3 good shooters on the floor and a solid Post in Cook down low. I think he will also have some better defenders, so you will see some more in your jock defense.

Personally this might be Frans' most athletic team he has had here, but there are going to be learning curves with this group. The players will lose some games and maybe win some games. I expect turnovers to be high next year.

NIT is my guess. If we get to the NCAA I will call it a great year. But in order to do that, Fran HAS to find a legit PG for next year.

Who do we have that can play space cadet next year, besides what's his name?

 

[Myvue]

You do realize that both of those coaches were playing with a Loaded Deck? Pohrm walked into the best situation a coach could ask for! Entire starting 5 returning from a Big 12 champ squad. You can't compare Iowa to them right now. Wisky they have gotten the good recruits. They had back to back Final 4 appearances. We are not on their level and their "program" is better than ours. They develop the players they get and Hayes is better than any Iowa player we have had here since TD days. So to compare us to those two teams is not fair. Did you think Fran was just going to crap out 4-5 star recruits and we were going to magically be better? Doesn't work that way.

Prohm did walk into a great situation but ISU did not have five returning starters this year. They lost two year starter Dustin Hogue to graduation and Naz Long to injury. Also DeJean Jones who was a graduate student started until some time in the second semester after McKay set out the first semester due to transferring.

From my point of view you can't have 7 freshmen on your team unless you are Kentucky.

 

[spbc7]

Okay the, I found the ignore button and I will choose to ignore idiots like you who bash the players and coaches. You expect Iowa to beat Villanova, #2 seeded Villanova an hour away from their home campus? I don't even know what to say to that. Fran is a great guy who has built our program up. I suppose you are for hiring the guy from SFA or Temple or somewhere. So we can set back the program another 3 years. Yeah lets get rid of the guy who took us BACK TO THE NCAA.

Do you not think that Fran played a role in the team having to play Villanova in the second round? The team slid all the way down to a 7 seed and having to play a 2 seed in the second round from being a projected 1 or 2 seed less than a month and a half ago.

 

[spbc7]

From my point of view you can't have 7 freshmen on your team unless you are Kentucky.

Ohio State had 7. Wisconsin had 6. Both won double digit games in the B1G.

 

[Myvue]

Ohio State had 7. Wisconsin had 6. Both won double digit games in the B1G.

But were any of those players good enough to play a significant role on those teams? If the answer is yes then that is the difference between their 6 or 7 and Iowa's 7 who didn't get much playing experience to build on for next year when they will have to be major contributors.

 

[Suterman]

No, I'm not going any where...and I will continue to criticize them as I see them, deal with it.

Fran doesn't get a pass in year seven of his regime. He better up his game on the recruiting trail and with his in-game coaching. I'm not a "pro-participation trophy" guy like you.

No Herkuleez I don't have to deal with you at all. Good bye.