DanL puts on his deerstalker hat...

[DanL53]

...gets out the magnifying glass.

"It's elementary."

McCaffery is pursuing bigs with his last 2017 scholarship. He wouldn't do that if we had a glaring need at point guard. Not with a host of bigs already in the stable.

Therefore, despite not knowing exactly who, we can be relatively secure knowing that between Christian Williams, Jordan Bohannon, and Conner McCaffery in 2017, that Fran is satisfied with our potential at point guard.

"I deduce!"

There is some consideration being given to being able to play big, with a guy like Pemsl or Uhl moving to the three, as well as being able to play small with guys like Hutton or Moss at the three.

"The killer is in this room!"

If point guard is this secure, if we are looking for guys mostly at the four and five, with some down to the wings but not a priority? It tells me we are about to take another step up in this progression. That the 2015 class has indeed exhibited the kind of talent that McCaffery knows he needs. So to conclude!

"It was the Iowa State Fan! Take him away!"

Get pumped. Have no doubts. Fran's pulled off something with these recruits...Cook is just the surface of it.

 

[RefinedBean]

Oh Holmes, you're reaching conclusions based on correlation, not cause. We certainly don't know why Fran McCaffrey isn't pursuing a point guard in 2017 - not conclusively. You're deductions are nothing more than optimistic whimpers of an aging man more in love with opium than evidence.

 

[DanL53]

Well, Watson, removing any suspicion of insanity, I think that there is little doubt that Fran is not only comfortable with the point guards he has and will have, but is quite delighted with the entire team! Hence the idea of adding one more big so we can either play small, or quite large. Remembering off course that Fran likes length and what he considers small may well be 6'6" and 6'5" point guards!

The proof will be in a year or two of course. Meanwhile, the search goes on to explain Tom Crean. He, I think, might require your particular help with medicines.

 

[hooper56]

I have heard conflicting reports on this. One view is similar to yours but others are saying we are in trouble if we don't find a legit pg. Guess we will see.

 

[perryhawk]

In a recent podcast Conner ' s AAU coach made it very clear that he is a high level point guard. ...if Barnstormer could address that here I'm guessing you would have your answer.

 

[LaoHawk]

DanL, I got an extra pair of tin-foil viking helmet for you, just in case the real extra-terrestrial overlords drop by in midseason to ruin IA's magical season in late January . I still like the Christian Williams idea becoming the next Dev. How about all five IA players just attack relentlessly since the shot clock will be 30 sec instead of 35?

 

[DanL53]

The aliens can have a look inside my head all they want. Can any of them play basketball?

By my count Iowa has offered eleven uncommitted guys in 2017 and none are point guards. The closest is one that might be a combo guard.

Now, that tells me that McCaffery isn't worried about the point guards we have, or will have when Conner arrives. perryhawk is right, in the podcast with the Barnstormers coaches they compared Conner to Jason Kidd. They said is passing is so good he may be better in college when he gets around guys up to his level. They said a lot of good stuff, but did express concern about his defense. I know this, he should know the offense.

As to Christian Williams. I've been saying he's gonna be a good one, and I think he will.

Can't say much about Bohannon as haven't seen as much of him.

But all in all, I have to say if McCaffery isn't scouring the land for a point guard in 2017...he's got be happy with what he has. To me, that's huge.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

But all in all, I have to say if McCaffery isn't scouring the land for a point guard in 2017...he's got be happy with what he has. To me, that's huge.

This is it. It is very telling. Especially when you consider neither of the 3 (or more in McCaffery's eyes?) has played a minute of college ball. That is HUGE.

Although he has seen Williams play, and practice, all summer long. That is telling. We must be good with what we have... Lots of guys that can handle the ball.

Very excited for some Fran ball. 33 days and counting.

 

[icwesthawk]

I hope I'm wrong but we may need another big because Pemsl may not be what he once was. My hope is that he is as good as he used to be and even better. I think I'd also like to see him to grow into a 4/5 not a 3.

 

[CanadaHawk]

I hope I'm wrong but we may need another big because Pemsl may not be what he once was. My hope is that he is as good as he used to be and even better. I think I'd also like to see him to grow into a 4/5 not a 3.

Pemsl is probably not a 3, although he might play it sometimes at Iowa. With Cook, Kriener, Uhl, and Jones available at the 4-5 in 2016, I'm wondering if a RS might be good for Pemsl so he can mature into his new legs.

 

[HellaHawk]

I think it would be kind of strange if he were recruiting a PG in the same class as as Connor. And probably difficult to convince anyone to come in the same class as the Coach's son. We already have three people signed that could play PG with different skill sets. Williams is the longest and the best at driving to the hoop. Bohannon is an elite shooter. Connor is the best passer and also has excellent length.

It's true that we didn't land a super quick point guard, but Fran's offense has been fine the last three years without one. My only worry is on defense if our PGs run into such a player. However, length will help on that front.

I used to think Williams would redshirt, but now I think we really need him to play to get a PG ready for next season.

 

[CanadaHawk]

I used to think Williams would redshirt, but now I think we really need him to play to get a PG ready for next season.

I see where you're coming from, but I don't see how to break it down legitimately, knowing the seniors, along with Uhl and Jok, are going to get the bulk of the minutes, without some guys, including Wlliams, getting next to zero PT. In that case, he's not really getting floor experience by 'playing' this year.

 

[DanL53]

Williams will get plenty of experience in practice. I don't know if he will redshirt or not but Gesell and Clemmons came in as pure freshmen in 2012/13 and we won 25 games.

The way I figure it, a year to pick up the point guard duties will give Williams an edge whether or not he plays a single minute. I felt good about Williams this summer after watching video of high school games (wish I could find them again) and what he could do at the PTL. But seeing McCaffery go after anything but another point guard really tells me the three we've got are going to work out.

It's all conjecture until it's fact of course, but the fact is we don't seem to be desperately seeking a pg.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Agree with the point about PGs. Just don't think whether or not Williams RSs can be decided by the idea of him getting experience on the court this year. Most likely, he won't get much PT at all. The numbers just won't allow it. Maybe some decent minutes in a couple of pre-season games. That's it.

 

[lovedwatchingLester]

In a recent podcast Conner ' s AAU coach made it very clear that he is a high level point guard. ...if Barnstormer could address that here I'm guessing you would have your answer.

 

[lovedwatchingLester]

We will see but Fran may just go back to playing a lot of players and different combinations, running and pressing from start to finish, especially early in non conference to see what this year's team is all about. I am very curious but do know he has more options than any previous team he has coached here at Iowa.

 

[hooper56]

Mac McCausland just tweeted that Moss, Williams and Fleming look terrific in skins/shirts game.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Mac McCausland just tweeted that Moss, Williams and Fleming look terrific in skins/shirts game.

That's great. Would love 1st hand accounts.

 

[TheHawkeyeDudeAbides]

The great respect to DanL53, I like what you commented. I really believe Fran wants a faster uptempo team that can make quick accurate passes to score many transition baskets and set opponents back on their heels as they try to slow down the pace to catch a breath. Having multifaceted athletes that can play in mixed combinations should drive coaching matchups stir crazy. If Iowa can develop a better 3 point shooting team while still imposing its will at the basketball will generate a higher scoring game (and recruits like higher scoring team play). Fran seems to enjoy having a deep bench (9-10 player rotation) as he get the most quality minutes out of his starters but develops the younger troops and has fresh legs to wear down Iowa's opponents. Maybe Fran will never get a superstar one and done recruit at Iowa but the one and done kids often lack discipline and leadership skills when they move quickly into the pro game. Fran's doing the right thing and I enjoy Iowa basketball a lot more now than a couple of years ago under SA and TL.

 

[freemanbrenner]

Moss and williams are going to be realy, really good.

Mac McCausland just tweeted that Moss, Williams and Fleming look terrific in skins/shirts game.

 

[lovedwatchingLester]

So will Fleming and Hutton, ain't this great.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

So will Fleming and Hutton, ain't this great.

We have the perfect setup, IMHO. Upperclassmen starters across the board. Great senior leadership. Experienced guards.

We will be able to break-in the newbies at our own pace. By the time we are at the beginning of the B1G season, the stretch run lineup will be set.

The one problem is Fran deciding on who those newbies will be. It will be tough, as more than one will be on the bench. And most likely by just a hair.

Keeping the newbies content will be difficult. But as long as Fran & Co can keep the players heads up, and let them know there will be a lot of minutes once the seniors are gone, we should be sitting quite well for the future. There will be well over a 100 minutes to divide up for 2016... That's a lot of playing time.

 

[IronFist1776]

We have the perfect setup, IMHO. Upperclassmen starters across the board. Great senior leadership. Experienced guards.

We will be able to break-in the newbies at our own pace. By the time we are at the beginning of the B1G season, the stretch run lineup will be set.

The one problem is Fran deciding on who those newbies will be. It will be tough, as more than one will be on the bench. And most likely by just a hair.

Keeping the newbies content will be difficult. But as long as Fran & Co can keep the players heads up, and let them know there will be a lot of minutes once the seniors are gone, we should be sitting quite well for the future. There will be well over a 100 minutes to divide up for 2016... That's a lot of playing time.

You said it. Keeping everyone happy in regards to PT will be tough. I hope our younger guys can be patient enough. If they stay I can see arguably the most athletic team Iowa's ever had ready to go to work in the B1G.

 

[2432Hawk]

Also remember the kids Fran brings in. Moss was 3rd or 4th option on his HS Team, as was Wagner. Hutton was 2nd fiddle, and even Cook a 4 star wasn't the featured player on his team.

Fran wants kids that are willing to work to help the team. He's recruiting kids that have been team guys.

 

[mazda1]

One of the biggest things to look forward to is that Woody is probably the only one who may have to play minutes when he's gassed.

At every other position we can bring in guys that should be able hold they're own when somebody needs a blow.

Against big body posts the back-up 5's may struggle defensively. We should have plenty of options at the 2 & 3. Sapp & Mike can give plenty of point minutes. Uhl, JU, and Jones will be solid at the 4.

This maybe the first version since Tom Davis where we could press the entire game, but I don't know if we can control super quick points. It could be a nightmare for others tho.

 

[DanL53]

Just guessing, but there might not be a transfer situation after the 2015/16 season. As has been wisely pointed out already, the four seniors are going to be taking quite a few minutes and future playing time will not be determined until the start of the 2016/17 season. None of the freshmen are coming from situations where they weren't used to sharing the ball (or even minutes in the case of Hutton and Moss).

And, if someone were to transfer after 2016, or 2017, it will still fall at the right time for a 2017 offer.

To me, it's a great situation. A year to learn under mentors in the senior class, and then one has time to decide if being a part of a winning Big Ten program is enough. Anyone who does leave will likely do so because of playing time. Which means we've lost a bench player, for the opportunity to actually improve with the next commit.

My hope is none of the guys decide to leave. We can't play 13 players. But there are still plenty of ways to contribute to a program. And who knows, injuries happen, having a junior or senior down the road that can step in would be an asset.

 

[RocknRollface]

No one is going to leave over Pt after this year. It wouldn't make any sense since obviously a ton of minutes graduate.

After next season you might see something.

 

[freemanbrenner]

Moss was Simeon's best player the second half of their season. I see a lot of LeVert in Moss.

Also remember the kids Fran brings in. Moss was 3rd or 4th option on his HS Team, as was Wagner. Hutton was 2nd fiddle, and even Cook a 4 star wasn't the featured player on his team.

Fran wants kids that are willing to work to help the team. He's recruiting kids that have been team guys.