Defense has been an issue for Fran’s teams throughout his tenure. One thing I have noticed this year is the guys seem to be working harder on D this season. They may not have the best footwork or lateral quickness to stay in front of every offensive player but, unlike previous years, it seems like the energy and effort is higher and more effective. On floor communication seems to be better on D also. Perimeter D is better. We will need that effort when the Big Ten schedule hits.
Defense
- Thread starter Terrykohawk
- Start date
I agree that the effort has obviously improved…in addition though, I do think they have the lateral quickness to stay in front of people.
Tonight might be the best the defense has looked so far this year.
Tonight might be the best the defense has looked so far this year.
Let's see how we play against Virginia, Purdue, and Illinois.
They are NOT playing that terrible zone and also, they are switching on Defense more than I have ever seen. It's really helping.
He very well could end up BTPOY.
I speculated a week ago whether he could win both awards?
I think he's the favorite as of right now.
I get it’s very early and we really haven’t played anybody yet but he showed flashes last year….is he possibly the best talent(as far as NBA prospects go) we’ve had at Iowa in 40+ years?
Since Ricky Davis at least.
Id say Keegan is Frans best player which is crazy considering we had last years player of the year.
I can’t speak for Keegan but I can say I was witness that Ricky had other things on his mind than playing ball. 😉
I look forward to seeing our defensive stats toward the end of Brockuary.
Isn't every month named after the greatest quarterback in clown history?
Isn't every month named after the greatest quarterback in clown history?
Agreed OP. We seem to be more focused and more willing on that end. No surprise that it has coincided with Pekins and Ulis being on the floor more out top.
Keegan seems to be Fran's best player who has the potential to become a regular NBA contributor, like a 6th or 7th man. Even possibly a starter in the right situation.
All credit to Luka for what he accomplished. I'm frankly amazed to see him even on a regular roster. And it would be like him to break through a ceiling that someone else wants to set for him.
Luka is an amazing offensive talent.
Keegan is an excellent all around talent but his defense is the biggest thing the NBA wants.
He might be/could be the best NBA prospect in the Big 10. I don't follow NBA draft boards very close, but would think Ivey from Purdue will be very highly thought of. In terms of POY, very rare for a guy to win it if his team doesn't finish near the top. If Iowa is 6th or below in the standings, not likely that Murray wins. He would have to put up super-human numbers. And if he does that against real competition, Iowa could be better than 10th or whatever the pundits put them at.
How about we wait to play a Big Ten opponent....
Why wait? I didn’t say give it to him. I said he might. Do we only get to talk about things in real time on these here message boards?
JBo (and JoeT) led the team in steals Monday night with 3.
I can see JBo making the B1G All Defensive Team based on what I saw.
J/k, of course.
I think we just need to tap the brakes a bit; our first 5 opponents have been bad and Western Michigan is REALLY bad.
I can see JBo making the B1G All Defensive Team based on what I saw.
J/k, of course.
I think we just need to tap the brakes a bit; our first 5 opponents have been bad and Western Michigan is REALLY bad.
A. I agree we should tap the brakes on POY until we play B1G talent.
B. B1G coaches will game plan to stop Keegan,
C. How will Coach Fran adjust?
D. Who on IOWA will make them pay for double-triple teams?
I had a thought about point B and D. I actually think it could pay dividends having a weak non-conf to get some of our guys going scoring wise, going into B1G competition if teams try to focus on Keegan and game-plan defensively around him. Guys like PMac, Sanfort, Perkins, Kris, who can shoot the 3, start seeing their shots fall, they gain confidence and rhythm going into these bigger games. Then when opponents focus on KJ, or even Jbo who they expect to get buckets, we can count on guys like them who have already gotten the visual confidence and experience to knock down big shots to gain momentum and to get keep us in games, effectively taking pressure off of KJ and maybe Jbo.
100% agree…
this years easy non-con has allowed Keegan to establish his game, but also allows other suspects like Kris, Perk, Sanfort, Ulis to play with out worry of losing
I do wish Ogundele would get more meaningful minutes, as well as Ulis, as these 2 may well be thrown into big games
The offense is playing lights out again but I'm not sold on the defense yet. The Hawks certainly have the pieces to play good defense this year but I don't know if defense is a super high priority for this coaching staff. There were already a few games this year where the defense looked pretty lackluster. Pmac in particular s/b a good defender athletically, and maybe his health has been a factor, but he's looked somewhat disinterested on the defensive end. Can't have him and Jbo out there together if that's going to be the case. The next several games will be a good barometer for whether the Hawks will be dramatically improved on the defensive end. Fingers crossed.
Is McCaffery supposed to play Ogundele with he flu? Frankly I have seen nothing from Josh this season that says we need to play him more. He has to earn PT just like all the others and, so far, he just hasn't. Right now, he looks like Iowa's 13th player off the bench.
Ogundele leads the team in % of rebounding grabbed when he is in, 21.5%…
2nd on team in blocks / minute..
the advanced metrics show he’s rebounding very well, defending rim well.
Why is it that you think he looks like the 13th player?
I don't think he's played enough minutes for those metrics to be meaningful. He's definitely behind the curve right now. I don't know that he's 13th but he's definitely not top 10.
totally agree, small sample,
totally agree not predictive
totally disagree with those that have run him down in 2021, with out realizing he’s done very well when given the chance
is he the answer? Not 100% of it.
might he contribute with defense and rebounding, probably
would the D be better with him in their? Sometimes yes
do we really think 220 lb, Rebraca can play B1G level D against the premier Centers? Umm, no.
granted he’s a project, but give me a project that keeps Keegan and Kris on the floor 30+ min a game and I’m interested
totally agree not predictive
totally disagree with those that have run him down in 2021, with out realizing he’s done very well when given the chance
is he the answer? Not 100% of it.
might he contribute with defense and rebounding, probably
would the D be better with him in their? Sometimes yes
do we really think 220 lb, Rebraca can play B1G level D against the premier Centers? Umm, no.
granted he’s a project, but give me a project that keeps Keegan and Kris on the floor 30+ min a game and I’m interested
Ogundele without question. Ever played a pick up game, passing is really not the issue. Put the big guy on the block and NOBODY, stops him in a pick up game. Picking Connor, that's really funny
BirdistheWord
HB Legend
I do worry about shot blocking. Keegan is our clear leader, but we cannot afford for him to get in ANY foul trouble this season, so who is going to protect the rim if he needs to tap the brakes?
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