It's a bad thread title and maybe not a fair comparison/debate? We have not seen enough of Nunge OR P McAffery to really know what we can expect from them. I am looking for a perimeter shot blocker as well as someone "smart" to challenge those off the dribble drives that have burned us for too many yrs. One thing for sure is that having Bohannon back will inject this team with a bit more arrogence and cockiness, not the worst traits in the world and hopefully we will be intimidated by "no one".
Can Nunge be a better Kriener?
- Thread starter Wango Z Tango
- Start date
This team will not be intimidated. The main question will be defense and rebounding, which is a product of defense. Bohannon's return won't help on that end of the court. They will need to play quite a bit of zone when he is in the game, and zone typically doesn't help rebounding.
Nunge can block some shots on his man but isn't really a rim-protector. Pat could have a similar skill there. Don't expect Nunge to be great at leveling off penetration from perimeter players. Same with Pat at this stage in his career, although he is quicker than Nunge. The 4 guard lineups that don't include Bohannon will be the best at containing penetration.
As for Jack replacing Kriener. The way I look at it, Nunge, Pat, and whichever Murray is earning minutes will more than make up for Kriener and Pemsl. Similarly, I think Bohannon and Ulis will more than make up for Evelyn.
Should be an exciting season!
Nunge can block some shots on his man but isn't really a rim-protector. Pat could have a similar skill there. Don't expect Nunge to be great at leveling off penetration from perimeter players. Same with Pat at this stage in his career, although he is quicker than Nunge. The 4 guard lineups that don't include Bohannon will be the best at containing penetration.
As for Jack replacing Kriener. The way I look at it, Nunge, Pat, and whichever Murray is earning minutes will more than make up for Kriener and Pemsl. Similarly, I think Bohannon and Ulis will more than make up for Evelyn.
Should be an exciting season!
I think Nunge has more talent than Kriener but can he be as competitive and play as hard is the question.
Needs to be physical. He has the frame. Haven't seen it on the floor yet.
Kreiner turned himself into a damn fine reserve big man by the end of his career and brought some needed toughness to the team.
To answer your question, yes Nunge could. But I wouldn't put money down on it. He's never shown a willingness or toughness to really play with the big boys down low. Part of that was because Cook, Garza, and Pemsl took up the big man minutes and forced him to play outside where he was too lanky to really play tough. He's also spent too much time hurt to really have any idea about growth in his game and it hasn't even been 12 months since his ACL tear. Some times those heal "quick" and other times they nag players for much longer or cause other injuries. Hopefully Nunge is in the former group, not the latter group. Nunge has some skills that Kreiner never had, but the last we saw he has some holes in his game that Kreiner was decent at. At the end of the day if Nunge can give us 10-15 quality minutes per game backing up and sometimes playing alongside Garza, which is basically what Kreiner did, we'll be in good shape down low.
To answer your question, yes Nunge could. But I wouldn't put money down on it. He's never shown a willingness or toughness to really play with the big boys down low. Part of that was because Cook, Garza, and Pemsl took up the big man minutes and forced him to play outside where he was too lanky to really play tough. He's also spent too much time hurt to really have any idea about growth in his game and it hasn't even been 12 months since his ACL tear. Some times those heal "quick" and other times they nag players for much longer or cause other injuries. Hopefully Nunge is in the former group, not the latter group. Nunge has some skills that Kreiner never had, but the last we saw he has some holes in his game that Kreiner was decent at. At the end of the day if Nunge can give us 10-15 quality minutes per game backing up and sometimes playing alongside Garza, which is basically what Kreiner did, we'll be in good shape down low.
For as long as he's been in the program at this point, he remains a big unknown given the very limited court time to date.
Kreiner was a big surprise to me in what he was able to bring. I don't know if Jack is going to have that toughness. We shall see.
Kreiner was a big surprise to me in what he was able to bring. I don't know if Jack is going to have that toughness. We shall see.
I think Nunge will be a more consistent offensive threat, but if he is the same player as Kriener we will be very well off. The Mccafferys will man the 4 for the predominant portion of games. With Nunge as a back up 5 they could play a lot of 5 out offense and open driving lanes for Joe T, Joe W, CJ, and Uhlis. If Connor and Joe T can shoot around 32-33% from 3, the spacing on the floor will be absurd for a college team. I think averaging 81 or 82 a game isn’t out of the question.
This team is going to score so easily, defense and rebounding will be the gate keepers to a big ten title.
This team is going to score so easily, defense and rebounding will be the gate keepers to a big ten title.
I don’t think he can. Not physical enough. I think he’s gonna have to show a lot to stay in the rotation down the stretch.
I'll expand on my "Yes" post. Nunge was a top 3 finalist for Indiana Mr. Basketball his senior year of HS. He has great reaction time for shot blocking and long arms to help. He has a soft shooting touch. He has added the necessary weight in muscle since leaving hs such that he shouldn't get pushed around as much, especially after going up against Cook and Garza in practice every day that he's been healthy. He has to have improved in toughness just from that. I am hoping to see the new Jack this season🙂
Can he be better than a player that I read over and over again on here that he was MAC talent and not power 5 or B1G talent? Yes.
Nunge has 3 years left to play. He needs to overcome 2 bad injuries, a year off (his choosing) and stay healthy. I don't expect a whole lot from him this season. Back up Garza, block some shots and rebound like there is no tomorrow. His final 2 years will determine whether or not he was a better player than Kriener. A healthy Nunge is better than a healthy Kriener, IMHO.
Agree with your first thought, it’s not really a fair comparison. Two totally different players. Kriener made himself into a suitable backup B1g player, even if only marginally. What he did have was a toughness and willingness to stick his nose where it might get bloodied. Nunge has not even remotely showed that to this point. I’m not implying he can’t or won’t, but his game so far has been anything but tough. I think we all want to see him take this role, but not sure he sees himself as that kind of a player. I just don’t think this leopard will change his spots regardless of how big he gets.
In my Joe fan assessment, Ryan had some physical tools and played with confidence and within his abilities.
Jack on the other hand, has more physical tools. He is taller, slightly faster running the court and before injury a better leaper. His shot mechanics are better and more consistent and repeatable.
So I think Jack has more ability but has not yet shown the mindset or the attitude to let him take advantage of them.
I’m hoping that Jack backs up Luka and therefore doesn’t feel much pressure. I also hope that his added strength, maturity, and having dealt with the injury gives him a different mindset that allows him to take a more aggressive approach by understanding this game can be taken away at any time....so just get after it and make the most of what time you get.
Jack on the other hand, has more physical tools. He is taller, slightly faster running the court and before injury a better leaper. His shot mechanics are better and more consistent and repeatable.
So I think Jack has more ability but has not yet shown the mindset or the attitude to let him take advantage of them.
I’m hoping that Jack backs up Luka and therefore doesn’t feel much pressure. I also hope that his added strength, maturity, and having dealt with the injury gives him a different mindset that allows him to take a more aggressive approach by understanding this game can be taken away at any time....so just get after it and make the most of what time you get.
Ryan Kreiner, being an Iowa grown big man, really relished his role playing for the IOWA HAWKEYES. Especially games at Carver Hawkeye, Ryan always brought it. A very cool guy imho and will miss seeing him come in and tear it up.
Jack needs to get some of Ryan's mental toughness and grit. Ryan was the ultimate warrior, teammate..........think
Jack, who is a smart guy can learn to be that kind of player.............and probably bettter, because he's bit bigger.
#goHawks
#LetsGoHawks
Jack needs to get some of Ryan's mental toughness and grit. Ryan was the ultimate warrior, teammate..........think
Jack, who is a smart guy can learn to be that kind of player.............and probably bettter, because he's bit bigger.
#goHawks
#LetsGoHawks
Kreiner won us the 2020 Big 10 and national championship by calling dibs.
Tough shoes to fill.
That's true and I'd forgotten about it. The law of dibs is contractually binding.
I was really critical of Kriener in his early years, but he ended up being a solid player. They say Nunge is crazy talented and tears up practices. If he can stay healthy and gain some confidence who knows.
I agree that the key for Nunge is staying healthy. If he can do that, he’ll build on his confidence and be a key piece for the Hawks.
I agree with those who say Nunge definitely has the tools to replace Kriener. He needs to stay healthy and find his proper role, so he can develop the confidence to be a top of the rotation player. This year, I just want Nunge to stay healthy a primarily play when Luka isn't, at least to start the season. I expect to see him start to play loose and free, if he can do that for a handful of games. Maybe then, Fran will use some occasional twin tower minutes, when match ups are favorable. If Nunge plays as well as I think he can, the Hawks are going to be the best Iowa team in a very long time. Maybe even if he doesn't.
Beyond this year, I think Jack is a critical piece to the lineup going forward. If he remains a question after this year, the Hawks will need to land a big man recruit. Getting a big in this class would be great anyhow. Unfortunately, Fran missed on the first two likely candidates, and I don't know what other big men Fran is pursuing. The Big O is an interesting project, but I will be surprised if he contributes at all this year (barring injuries), and seems to be a likely redshirt candidate.
Beyond this year, I think Jack is a critical piece to the lineup going forward. If he remains a question after this year, the Hawks will need to land a big man recruit. Getting a big in this class would be great anyhow. Unfortunately, Fran missed on the first two likely candidates, and I don't know what other big men Fran is pursuing. The Big O is an interesting project, but I will be surprised if he contributes at all this year (barring injuries), and seems to be a likely redshirt candidate.
I hope Nunge can stay healthy enough for us to find out. Kid has been snakebit
If I remember correctly - didn't Fran say that last year Jack was the 2nd best player on the team prior to his injury? If so and assuming that he's healthy - we might get more than we anticipate!
I hope the answer is it isn't even close. I think Nunge played at a higher level in HS, and Fran started him as a true freshman. Anyone that has followed Iowa bball, for an extended period, knows that pure talent isn't what decides how successful a player is. Using HS teammates Oglesby and Washpun, IMO Oglesby was clearly the better prospect going by talent. Who turned out better? I think it was Washpun.
Like Ellingson, Nunge has to play with confidence to shine. Ellingson never really found a way to do that at the P-5 level. I hope Nunge does because his skill level seems high.
Like Ellingson, Nunge has to play with confidence to shine. Ellingson never really found a way to do that at the P-5 level. I hope Nunge does because his skill level seems high.
****Play with confidence....exactly. This is far more about Jack's mental approach to the game than it is his physical abilities.....
After reading all of your comments, the bottom line is
Jack is physically more athletic then Ryan
But can Jack developed the tough attitude that Ryan had?
All about attitude. ( I think Connor and Luka bring a tough attitude to the team)
Jack will get on board the attitude train once he has some success on the floor.
Jack is physically more athletic then Ryan
But can Jack developed the tough attitude that Ryan had?
All about attitude. ( I think Connor and Luka bring a tough attitude to the team)
Jack will get on board the attitude train once he has some success on the floor.
We'll see. Needs to develop some confidence and play a helluva lot stronger
More athletic? I have yet to see that. Nunge moves like his shoes are filled with cement. Thats not more athletic.
It won’t matter unless he can develop Ryan’s mean mugging abilities
Let me guess.....ISU fan tired of getting spanked by our Hawks?
Your blind if u cant see that Nunge is more athletic than Kreiner. Alot of Americans do have trouble being objective though.
Jack's already got an overall better game than Ryan, he just needs some fire and a full season without injury....
We need to keep him off the perimeter so much. It's great that he can step out and hit that shot, but I think he would be more nimble and effective with his back to the basket.
How many games have you watched Jack play outside of his Freshman year when he was clearly over matched and playing out of position?
