Close games.......

[perryhawk]

Fran has taken a lot of heat for his teams not being able to finish close games. This year they are 2-2 in overtime games and should be 3-1 if not for horrible missed calls at Minnesota.....that said, this group of guys has that competitive edge and it bodes well for the future.

This was a big complaint that seems to have faded a bit.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Fran has taken a lot of heat for his teams not being able to finish close games. This year they are 2-2 in overtime games and should be 3-1 if not for horrible missed calls at Minnesota.....that said, this group of guys has that competitive edge and it bodes well for the future.

This was a big complaint that seems to have faded a bit.

And the irony is this is with a very young team.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Youth normally does not do well in close games. I remember Gessel/Woody/Clemmons struggling as a Fresh/Soph in tight games and Iowa always seemed to miss the open look or turn it over. It was a learning curve and they sometimes failed. It happens when you main players are young (unless your Kentucky/Kansas/UCLA).

Low and behold this years group has been able to be pretty good. I am sorry but the Minny game was not lost, it was "taken" from them. The only two games I have a real gripe about were the @Nebbie game (jok has to hold onto the ball and be stronger). Poor use of Time-outs in the Nebbie game as well. Then the other game was Maryland game. Another time where Iowa's youth showed in crunch time.

This group is getting better and I am surprised at their development. Its not earth shattering but look at each players development and they are getting better. It might not be showing up in W/Ls but they will get there. This group of underclassmen are going to be fun to watch in the coming years.

 

[RSCookie222]

I don't care what anyone says: winning close games is about the players, not coaches. And it's not about talent, it's an attitude. It's a mindset, a toughness, a belief. I love them and they were great Hawkeyes, but Marble, Gesell, Woody, Uthoff, White, did not have this. Marble had the desire to be this, but could never pull it off. This group just has a different feel to it than those before it. Bohannon is never afraid, never hesitant and believes every time the ball leaves his hand, it is going nowhere but the bottom of the net. Moss on the break, attacks the rim...nothing is stopping him. How many "and 1s" has he had? Tyler Cook...look no further than his staredown of Thomas Bryant after he dunked in his face. These guys are just nails tough and that's what it takes to perform in clutch situations.

 

[Ree4]

Fran has taken a lot of heat for his teams not being able to finish close games. This year they are 2-2 in overtime games and should be 3-1 if not for horrible missed calls at Minnesota.....that said, this group of guys has that competitive edge and it bodes well for the future.

This was a big complaint that seems to have faded a bit.

Technically would have been 2-1 since the win was taken from us in regulation time at Minnesota and that game should have never gone to OT. For a group of young guys they really battle until the final whistle. Fun to watch!

 

[War Hawkeye]

I've been trying not to play the woulda coulda game, but man it's hard not to. Those 2 road 2OT losses hurt. I realize that we won a couple tight games at home that could have gone the other way, but we had shots to win the game in regulation and OT1 in both games (not to even mention the BS that happened at Minn..).

9-6, 17-11, tied for 4th place right now would have us in a really good place to make the tournament.

Anyway... we have 3 more opportunities. Win them all and who knows what could happen in DC. Love this team and their future.

 

[Hawkatheart]

Gessel struggled his entire career in end of game situations. Too many missed free throws during crunch time, and failure to develop a consistent outside shot really limited his success in those situations.

 

[FairfIowafan1984]

I like these guys a lot better than past teams in close games, i feel like they have no fear and just go at you.

Past teams looked scared at the end of games or had the expression on their face like they knew they were going to lose. Only guy that didn't look afraid was Aaron white.

I have a feeling we will win more close games than lose them as one poster already said it's the players not the coaches that win close games.

 

[perryhawk]

I don't care what anyone says: winning close games is about the players, not coaches. And it's not about talent, it's an attitude. It's a mindset, a toughness, a belief. I love them and they were great Hawkeyes, but Marble, Gesell, Woody, Uthoff, White, did not have this. Marble had the desire to be this, but could never pull it off. This group just has a different feel to it than those before it. Bohannon is never afraid, never hesitant and believes every time the ball leaves his hand, it is going nowhere but the bottom of the net. Moss on the break, attacks the rim...nothing is stopping him. How many "and 1s" has he had? Tyler Cook...look no further than his staredown of Thomas Bryant after he dunked in his face. These guys are just nails tough and that's what it takes to perform in clutch situations.

Agreed, and I would add Pemsl has the same attitude....love this young group.