Deep run in NIT / Overseas trip effect

[Underscore2]

When Iowa made that run to the NIT final, the next year was when that mystery season ending bad stretch happened.

I'm not suggesting these are related, but remember hearing about the kids hitting a wall. And in general how kids have a lot of basketball going on these days through the year without breaks, and how that may be effecting the end of seasons.

If there is any truth to that, I wouldn't care if they drop a NIT game early on this year because of that overseas trip, and all the "not as many breaks during a year" thing.

Will they have enough time for the offseason with a deep NIT run / overseas trip, and could that harm them come tournament time in 2018? Or is that logic based on a myth and / or was an excuse.

 

[33hawkfan]

Look at George Washington, won the NIT last year, their coach was fired for emotionally abusing players before the next season.

 

[kceasthawk]

When Iowa made that run to the NIT final, the next year was when that mystery season ending bad stretch happened.

I'm not suggesting these are related, but remember hearing about the kids hitting a wall. And in general how kids have a lot of basketball going on these days through the year without breaks, and how that may be effecting the end of seasons.

If there is any truth to that, I wouldn't care if they drop a NIT game early on this year because of that overseas trip, and all the "not as many breaks during a year" thing.

Will they have enough time for the offseason with a deep NIT run / overseas trip, and could that harm them come tournament time in 2018? Or is that logic based on a myth and / or was an excuse.

I'm going with the excuse scenario. These are 18 to 20 yr olds. Have a hard time believing that some extra work in March would have an impact on them the following Dec to Feb? They have plenty of off time built in during the year. Besides, what might they be doing in their off time this time of year anyway. Hopefully working hard on their games?

 

[dmoore27]

These kids are different, hang a banner please!

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I think it wasn't so much the extra basketball that sent the team from 4 years ago in a downward spiral. What happened to that was, teams figured out how to guard them and when they forced Iowa do so some different things, our guys couldn't do it. Then our seniors became very one dimensional and it hurt. Plus you could see it that the team was playing loose the first half of the season and then really tightened up down the stretch. It was like they were scared to make a pass or take a jump shot. For whatever reason that team lacked a TRUE leader and it showed.

The following year Aaron White took the team and put them on his back. They went something like 6-0 down the stretch and got into the NCAA's. Ran into a buzzsaw (gonzaga) who knocked them out.

Every team needs leadership and the "glue" guy. Aaron white was that guy who would step up and want the ball. Last year Gessell wanted it, but was just limited. This year I don't know who that guy is (JOK??).

Next year I wonder who will be the leader, we will be young again so maybe one of the younger guys takes on the leadership role?

 

[Mohawkeye]

I think the kids are going to play ball year around anyway, it doesn't much matter. And they have been doing that since probably 8-9th grade. This team is going to have a lot of depth and I don't see burnout as a problem. Besides, I think the European trip is much more about vacation than practice.

 

[kceasthawk]

I think it wasn't so much the extra basketball that sent the team from 4 years ago in a downward spiral. What happened to that was, teams figured out how to guard them and when they forced Iowa do so some different things, our guys couldn't do it. Then our seniors became very one dimensional and it hurt. Plus you could see it that the team was playing loose the first half of the season and then really tightened up down the stretch. It was like they were scared to make a pass or take a jump shot. For whatever reason that team lacked a TRUE leader and it showed.

The following year Aaron White took the team and put them on his back. They went something like 6-0 down the stretch and got into the NCAA's. Ran into a buzzsaw (gonzaga) who knocked them out.

Every team needs leadership and the "glue" guy. Aaron white was that guy who would step up and want the ball. Last year Gessell wanted it, but was just limited. This year I don't know who that guy is (JOK??).

Next year I wonder who will be the leader, we will be young again so maybe one of the younger guys takes on the leadership role?

Baer seems to want to take on that leadership role. If not him I'd see Jbo or Pemsl.

 

[thewop]

You play, to win, the game!

 

[C/Seahawk]

I'm going with the excuse scenario. These are 18 to 20 yr olds. Have a hard time believing that some extra work in March would have an impact on them the following Dec to Feb? They have plenty of off time built in during the year. Besides, what might they be doing in their off time this time of year anyway. Hopefully working hard on their games?

+1 I see no reason a deep run in the NIT and/or the Europe trip would negatively impact the team in Feb/March 2018. There is plenty of recovery time built in. Fact is, a deep run this year in the NIT paired with the Europe trip should only benefit the team in 2018. If the team performs poorly it is the result of something beyond these two events. With a young team hoping to grow yet this year, NYC is the ultimate goal and I hope everyone comes out firing.

My main complaint with this team is the appearance that the coaches have not demanded all out effort on defense, as multiple players, especially Jok, are allowed to play at their own pace, which more often than not isn't good enough. We have plenty of depth to demand maximum effort on defense and transition, and inexplicably that was missing in our game against Indiana in the BTT and regular season. That is the primary thing I will be watching tonight...how hard are the players working on D and in transition, anything short of their best effort of the season would be a real disappointment.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

You play, to win, the game!

+1

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Didn't make the tourney, so it would be nice to see them make it to MSG. Only way they'll get a taste of real postseason play.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

It would be hard for a teammate to give less than maximum effort when they see what happens when The Baer breaks out of his cage.