Did anybody notice Cook on the bench, towel over his head at the end?

[Daisy Mae]

Cook knows he's not NBA ready. He knows he plays like crap 50% of the time. He'll be back. He has nowhere else to go at this point in time.

That towel over his head? He's thinking, damn......I have lots of work to do in the classroom. Skipping all those classes with the intent of not coming back, didn't work out so well.

I hope though he's been going to class.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Agree. This year I think he really tried to address what the NBA people highlighted as weaknesses. He probably never going to develop a good jumper. He's not a great ball handler....but he should go seek feedback again this year and come back next year and focus on where he can demonstrate the ability to find an NBA niche. Further develop his post game. Continue to work on D. Hit the boards.

Let's shift the heat from Tyler...he's still a college student relying on adults for direction and mentoring...probably doing the best with the coaching he's been given. So...

1. Who advised him to do the NBA eval last year and why?
2. Was there a development plan based on what was learned there?
3. Were the IOWA coaches anywhere...in that equation?

A young man chooses a school and program for a variety of reasons. One with exceptional talent wants a coaching staff that will help him develop and get to the next level.

Has Tyler gotten that?

 

[PersianHawk]

I can’t believe so many people are so tough on Cook. He’s the leading scorer and rebounder on the team, the only 2nd team all B1G out of Iowa, he’s obviously passionate about the team or he wouldn’t have been as emotional at the end.

He’s a 21 year old kid, guys, give him a break.

I read somewhere that he had knee issues, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that slowed him down near the end of the season. I hope he returns - this team can be very good next year. Go Hawks!

 

[comet5]

First off...

Secondly, thanks for agreeing with me that respect is earned.

You're absolutely right. Respect is earned. So let's see if you practice what you preach...

Earlier you mentioned how most players respect talent more than effort. How do you know this? Which players would say respect talent more than effort? Speaking from coaching experience, the talented often see the effort players as key components to the success of their teams. Not only that but talented players often see how the effort players work...making them work harder.

Do you have any players in mind that value talent more than effort?

 

[Ladell-hawk]

It looks like Cook will really leave and not play out his Senior year, I didn't think he showed enough this year to go pro so its kinda surprising that he acted like this was his last game in College.

Shoutout to Nicholas Baer, his last game and Garza went to him for comfort after the loss.

Not sure your interpretation is correct. It was a painful loss, that may be all it was. Hope Tyler comes back.

 

[comet5]

Good lord you are a garbage human being. The guy willed the Hawks back in the game at the start of the 2nd half and you bash him. You should find another team to follow because you are obviously not one of this team.

Nah...hes not a garbage human being. I get people like this are frustrating, but what are you going to do? It isnt worth calling people names...but we should call people out if they make claims and statements without backing it up. That he does do. Hopefully he will respectfully answer my above question.

 

[Daisy Mae]

Not sure your interpretation is correct. It was a painful loss, that may be all it was. Hope Tyler comes back.

I hope he comes back too. Iowa will be better with him than without him. He will be better a year from now as well. It will help his professional aspirations, in my opinion.

 

[hawkifann]

Let's shift the heat from Tyler...he's still a college student relying on adults for direction and mentoring...probably doing the best with the coaching he's been given. So...

1. Who advised him to do the NBA eval last year and why?
2. Was there a development plan based on what was learned there?
3. Were the IOWA coaches anywhere...in that equation?

A young man chooses a school and program for a variety of reasons. One with exceptional talent wants a coaching staff that will help him develop and get to the next level.

Has Tyler gotten that?

The NBA eval is available to anyone. I have no issue with anyone going through it.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

Cook knows he's not NBA ready. He knows he plays like crap 50% of the time. He'll be back. He has nowhere else to go at this point in time.

That towel over his head? He's thinking, damn......I have lots of work to do in the classroom. Skipping all those classes with the intent of not coming back, didn't work out so well.

I hope though he's been going to class.

Why do you think TC has been skipping classes based on an NBA future? TC's never been an academic problem. Plus, he probably knows he's not on any draft list anywhere. Unless he's burning to play in a mid level Euro league TC will be back at Iowa to finish out his career with the guys with whom he started his college career.

If TC goes then he should go with everyone's good wishes. He certainly was a big part of getting back to the tourney and back in the second round.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

The NBA eval is available to anyone. I have no issue with anyone going through it.

missed the point.

 

[Nohawknamesleft]

missed the point.

 

[IamHawkeye]

I just thought it was being emotional about losing.

I've seen lots of shots of losing players with towels over their heads.

 

[hawkifann]

I've lots of shots of losing players with towels over their heads.

They're all going pro, clearly.

 

[hawkifann]

missed the point.

What's the point? That coaches should have stopped him from getting an eval? I thought his usage clearly built in things that would have likely been considered weaknesses a year ago.

I'm not sure that the complaint is.

 

[Hans81]

Kinda reminds me of Kirk Ferentz for football

Izzo doesn't have the class of Kirk F.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

It looks like Cook will really leave and not play out his Senior year, I didn't think he showed enough this year to go pro so its kinda surprising that he acted like this was his last game in College.

Shoutout to Nicholas Baer, his last game and Garza went to him for comfort after the loss.

Second half today was what I have been waiting on with Tyler. If he would play with 90% of that determination every game, he could be huge at Iowa next year (if he returns, which is probably a coin flip).

I think Baer is going to be difficult to replace. Weesy does a lot of the little things too, but there aren't a lot of others.

 

[owenhawk]

What do you mean he showed what he is? Moss has a great tournament, and was even one of the only players in the first half who was able to score today (believe he broke the long scoring drought). It’s a simple matter of trying to do too much. He will learn and have a great senior year

Saying he had a great tournament is a huge stretch. He had a good game today until OT until I’m not sure what he was doing. As is the case 2/3rds of the time (I’m being generous), he was pretty much non-existant in the Cincy game. He scored the first 5 points and did nothing the remaining 35 minutes. And that’s the problem. Your starting SG can’t disappear for games at a time.

What I don’t understand about this board is there are so many people mad at Fran, mad at Connor, talking about how horrible of coach that Fran is, how terrible the talent is that’s recruited and everyone wants Iowa to get to that next level but people defend Moss even though he is invisible so often. I want Moss to be good! But he’s not. He’s a below average SG in the Big Ten and if people really want Iowa to be next level (competing for conference titles and Sweet Sixteens), then Moss can’t be the starting SG.

Assuming he is back, he will be a 5th year Senior. I’d love to believe that next year he will take that step where how he played today is normal and not an anomaly. But nothing he has done leads me to believe that will happen. Iowa has the SF and C to be big-time. They will have the bench, depth, and experience. They have a PG who isn’t a conventional great PG but who has balls of steel and has a lot of positive attributes. They even have a PF who while is flawed, can be dynamic and if motivated, can be semi-dominating. The one major flaw is SG and behind Moss there is no one else either. That’s the gaping hole for this team going into next year.

 

[owenhawk]

JBo will be that upgrade next year.

Maybe. I hope Toussaint is that good he can take the reigns at PG.

 

[owenhawk]

Hell no. Izzo would keep his ass on the bench after a second turnover.

That’s the thing. I despise Izzo as a person because he seems like a complete fake but as a coach, he would turn Cook into what we have all been clamoring for from him - a dynamic garbage man, crashing the boards and wreaking havoc - and wouldn’t put up with the bullshit passing and decision-making and weak finishing and lack of effort that has defined the second half of his year. He would sit him in the bench and have him be the 9th man if Cook wasn’t doing what he demanded.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Saying he had a great tournament is a huge stretch. He had a good game today until OT until I’m not sure what he was doing. As is the case 2/3rds of the time (I’m being generous), he was pretty much non-existant in the Cincy game. He scored the first 5 points and did nothing the remaining 35 minutes. And that’s the problem. Your starting SG can’t disappear for games at a time.

What I don’t understand about this board is there are so many people mad at Fran, mad at Connor, talking about how horrible of coach that Fran is, how terrible the talent is that’s recruited and everyone wants Iowa to get to that next level but people defend Moss even though he is invisible so often. I want Moss to be good! But he’s not. He’s a below average SG in the Big Ten and if people really want Iowa to be next level (competing for conference titles and Sweet Sixteens), then Moss can’t be the starting SG.

Assuming he is back, he will be a 5th year Senior. I’d love to believe that next year he will take that step where how he played today is normal and not an anomaly. But nothing he has done leads me to believe that will happen. Iowa has the SF and C to be big-time. They will have the bench, depth, and experience. They have a PG who isn’t a conventional great PG but who has balls of steel and has a lot of positive attributes. They even have a PF who while is flawed, can be dynamic and if motivated, can be semi-dominating. The one major flaw is SG and behind Moss there is no one else either. That’s the gaping hole for this team going into next year.

Fine he had a mediocre game then redeemed himself in this one against a top 5 team, even though the narrative is that he never shows up for big games. What happened in overtime is too bad, but it is a great learning experience for IM. And I’d prefer the players have the confidence to take the shots that he took - just need to know when to take them. Better that he give the team a chance by putting up a shot while hot than “disappearing.”

Honestly, overtime’s gotta be on the coaches. They had multiple timeouts and should have used them to tell the offense to work the ball inside. That’s where the Hawks were doing work during the comeback and it shouldn’t have changed once OT hit.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

What's the point? That coaches should have stopped him from getting an eval? I thought his usage clearly built in things that would have likely been considered weaknesses a year ago.

I'm not sure that the complaint is.

It's not a "complaint", it's a series of questions. Try reading again and note the words "advising", "developing", "coaching".

If he has that kind of talent, why did he not develop and improve this year? Was anybody helping him...thus the mention of Iowa coaches in the end. Why does he "play like crap 50% of the time" to quote another poster if he's got his eye on this kind of development and growth. Where's the coaching in this whole process? Something is missing.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Does he have his degree? Is there really a chance he leaves to go to Europe? That is definitely where he belongs on the pro level but leaving early to go play in Lithuania?

There's some pretty good money to be made overseas for a guy like Tyler. Low 6 figures....not a bad gig if you can get it.

 

[jellyfish10]

Cook knows he's not NBA ready. He knows he plays like crap 50% of the time. He'll be back. He has nowhere else to go at this point in time.

That towel over his head? He's thinking, damn......I have lots of work to do in the classroom. Skipping all those classes with the intent of not coming back, didn't work out so well.

I hope though he's been going to class.

Hmmmmm

 

[Rifler]

Cook knows he's not NBA ready. He knows he plays like crap 50% of the time. He'll be back. He has nowhere else to go at this point in time.

That towel over his head? He's thinking, damn......I have lots of work to do in the classroom. Skipping all those classes with the intent of not coming back, didn't work out so well.

I hope though he's been going to class.

So you suggest that Cook hasn't been attending class, but you hope he's been attending class,.... wtf?

 

[NCHawk24]

Rumor -
Cook Grad transfer to Michigan Stats

While a Grad Transfer to Michigan State, or anywhere else, is possible...I don't think it's probable.

TC wants to play in the NBA. He's clearly not ready. So IMO he has 3 option;

1. Stay at Iowa and this summer work on a mid-range jumper and his post passing skills. Then return for his senior year and demonstrate those skills in conference play.

2. Transfer to another school and work on the skills outlined above.

3. Go to Europe and work on the skills outlined above while getting paid.

I think #1 is the best option for 4 reasons;

1. TC wants to play in the NBA!

2. Very few players, not none but very few, who leave college to play in Europe, come back to play in the NBA.

3. It's easier for players to develop in environments in which they are comfortable. Tyler seems comfortable with his teammates and his coaches. Transferring carries a lot of unknowns. Will my new teammates accept me? Will I really be comfortable with my new coaches? Will my new teammates trust me and get me the ball? If I play poorly in the beginning, will they stick with me? etc...

4. The option to play in Europe will still be there at the end of next season.

Today I would put the odds at 60/40 that Tyler leaves for the NBA/Europe and 70/30 against a Grad Transfer. I believe the longer he thinks about it, the better the chances are he stays.

But in the end, only Tyler knows. He may have already made up his mind. I hope he stays. Both for his long term interest and for the team. Either way I wish that young man fair winds.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Saying he had a great tournament is a huge stretch. He had a good game today until OT until I’m not sure what he was doing. As is the case 2/3rds of the time (I’m being generous), he was pretty much non-existant in the Cincy game. He scored the first 5 points and did nothing the remaining 35 minutes. And that’s the problem. Your starting SG can’t disappear for games at a time.

What I don’t understand about this board is there are so many people mad at Fran, mad at Connor, talking about how horrible of coach that Fran is, how terrible the talent is that’s recruited and everyone wants Iowa to get to that next level but people defend Moss even though he is invisible so often. I want Moss to be good! But he’s not. He’s a below average SG in the Big Ten and if people really want Iowa to be next level (competing for conference titles and Sweet Sixteens), then Moss can’t be the starting SG.

Assuming he is back, he will be a 5th year Senior. I’d love to believe that next year he will take that step where how he played today is normal and not an anomaly. But nothing he has done leads me to believe that will happen. Iowa has the SF and C to be big-time. They will have the bench, depth, and experience. They have a PG who isn’t a conventional great PG but who has balls of steel and has a lot of positive attributes. They even have a PF who while is flawed, can be dynamic and if motivated, can be semi-dominating. The one major flaw is SG and behind Moss there is no one else either. That’s the gaping hole for this team going into next year.

Don't disagree much, although we should at least see Frederick on the court before we conclude that he cannot contribute. I also hope JoeT gets some time next year, which would allow JBo to play more 2.

 

[Curt Furence]

I don’t care if you’re emotional about the loss or not. Get your a$$ up off the bench and shake hands with the other team just like everyone else does

He did. There is a video of him hugging and talking to the Tennessee players afterwards.

 

[Pepperman]

I hope Dailey comes back and wins 6th man of the year.

That made me laugh.

 

[owenhawk]

Don't disagree much, although we should at least see Frederick on the court before we conclude that he cannot contribute. I also hope JoeT gets some time next year, which would allow JBo to play more 2.

Agreed and just to be clear I wasn’t including Frederick in that SG grouping, I was just referring to this years team.

That would be great if CJ is that good he could step in and be a solid starting SG but I definitely don’t want to put unrealistic expectations on him nor have I seen him play enough to have any conclusions on his ability.
I just don’t believe that the two current options are good enough for a team that I’m assuming will have goals if competing for the Big Ten title and making it to a Sweet Sixteen and beyond (unless one of them makes huge strides in the offseason).

Like you said would also be great I’d Toussaint is good enough to handle a lot of time at PG, though I do worry about how Bohannon and Toussaint would be ablecto defend together against bigger, physical Guards.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

Or maybe he just took the loss hard? Missed two big free throws and had a big turnover he probably wasn’t super happy with the outcome

This. It's the NCAA tournament. Emotions are raw in the heat of the moment when your season is coming to an end. I've seen lots of players do this.

Maybe Cook will or will not be back, but I wouldn't read anything into this particular thing.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

That made me laugh.

 

[herkhatescy]

I saw the main guys from Tennessee go over to Cook and Garza after the game and showed some mad respect. I believe had Iowa continued to go inside they would have won this game. The Vols big men could not handle the inside presence of Cook and Garza. Inside out was the potential winning formula, as even C. Web commented on this. C. Web said that Iowa does not have anyone who can take you off the dribble; therefore, they need to play inside out. In addition, he said that Iowa guards were spot up shooters. (paraphrased and true.)

Why didn't we keep trying to go inside ? Just curious if anybody knows why.

 

[K OKeefe]

Why didn't we keep trying to go inside ? Just curious if anybody knows why.

I would suggest every team suffers from "hero ball" to some degree or another. The goal is to win and find the mismatch and exploit it.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Why didn't we keep trying to go inside ? Just curious if anybody knows why.

I don't think very many players have posterized Admiral before. The entire team played a great second half, even if they made some mistakes. That was by far the best half of basketball Cook has played at Iowa.

 

[herkhatescy]

I don't think very many players have posterized Admiral before. The entire team played a great second half, even if they made some mistakes. That was by far the best half of basketball Cook has played at Iowa.

Yeah it was and i think he single handily got the team going at the start of the second half.

 

[cleotishaywood]

He did. There is a video of him hugging and talking to the Tennessee players afterwards.

Hopefully the Tennessee players weren't trying to coax him to transfer there like Tyler Smith did.