Cook Finally steps up.

[RocknRollface]

As soon as he got the first dunk his effort level totally changed.

All of a sudden hes contesting shots, competing for rebounds and aggressively calling for the ball.

It's just confusing why this isn't the norm.

I believe Iowas confidence as a team mirrors Cook.

 

[StormHawk42]

Early dunk got him going. Something to note for tomorrow I’d say.

 

[owenhawk]

As soon as he got the first dunk his effort level totally changed.

All of a sudden hes contesting shots, competing for rebounds and aggressively calling for the ball.

It's just confusing why this isn't the norm.

I believe Iowas confidence as a team mirrors Cook.

He and Moss both seem to base their effort on if they get going offensively. Not a big fan of that.

 

[Buffalo43]

I think the team is that way to be frank

 

[TJHawkeye]

Tyler still made several bad passes leading to turnovers. He is going to have to improve there.

 

[ChiHawk1985]

For those without the Twitter I’m posting a couple things that fit well into this thread.



And also this

 

[DodgerHawki]

I think the team is that way to be frank

Yeah quite honestly too much of the team bases how hard they play on whether early shots are going in. That is a natural reaction but key is to get good effort and engagement on defense even when the shots don't fall. Kriener is Example A. When his first shot goes in, he's generally going to be very good. He knocked in the 12 footer early and he was real good.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

I think the team is that way to be frank

Who's Frank?

 

[fivecardstud14]

Tyler still made several bad passes leading to turnovers. He is going to have to improve there.

How about his great passes for 6 assists? He did not have several bad passes either. He had two, both which lead to turnovers.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

So where has this monster play been? holy cow...

 

[gojojo]

Get him on the block and keep him on the block.

 

[Jumpshot00]

All Cook has to do is be awesome with lots of dunks every game and the message boards will lay off him. What is so hard about that?

 

[Hawkatheart]

Cook hit Baer with a sweet cross court pass right in the kitchen for an assisted 3. Great sign of Cook not forcing shots as he has the last several games. The only way this team is successful is to get Cook involved early and often. Opens up the outside game. Now to get Garza back on track in the post...

 

[Bearhawk0505]

Cook can dominate the paint if he is in the right mindset. In Fran’s on court interview immediately after the game he commented how Cook likes to be on the perimeter and is good out there, but they need him doing things on the block. I respect that Fran let’s kids play, but tell Cook to get down low and dominate people(he is not very good on perimeter).

 

[owenhawk]

How about his great passes for 6 assists? He did not have several bad passes either. He had two, both which lead to turnovers.

Yes that’s great and he had a good game. What people are wondering is why it takes getting a thunder dunk or having something go good for him to play that way. There has been enough proof that when he has struggles, he can shrink and his effort can disappear. We know he’s a good college player. He seems to want to be the man so fans are asking him to act like it on a more regular basis.

 

[FranklinHawk]

Tyler's effectiveness is greatly enhanced when others are making outside shots and he has space to work on the block. Even teams maybe now having to not totally ignore Connor is big in that regard.
He doesn't have to hit many, but has to be a threat so other teams don't completely ignore him out there.

 

[jellyfish10]

The next game TC struggles or isn’t flawless, there will be countless posts insinuating all kinds of things about him that are false. He played a very good game yesterday and we need him and everyone else to play with passion and energy. I love yelling after dunks. I love JW flexing and MD telling Illini fans to kick rocks after a 3. This team could use a little swagger and I hope they bring it again tonight.

 

[RocknRollface]

All Cook has to do is be awesome with lots of dunks every game and the message boards will lay off him. What is so hard about that?

Or in reality.....try to contest shots and go hard after rebounds.

Theres actually nothing hard about that other than trying.

 

[RocknRollface]

The next game TC struggles or isn’t flawless, there will be countless posts insinuating all kinds of things about him that are false. He played a very good game yesterday and we need him and everyone else to play with passion and energy. I love yelling after dunks. I love JW flexing and MD telling Illini fans to kick rocks after a 3. This team could use a little swagger and I hope they bring it again tonight.

Actually it will be the next mediocre to non existent effort on defense and rebounding.

Just keep trying. That's all I'm asking. Keep jumping for blocks and rebounds rather than staying on the floor.

 

[cleotishaywood]

Who's Frank?

Kaminsky?

 

[HawkRugged17]

Who's Frank?

 

[TampaHawkfan]

Yep. That dunk got him engaged. If it takes that to get him interested then so be it - find a way to get him the ball and get him started. It added an extra dimension to the team down low, that they really needed.