Dormant to Dominant
- Thread starter hawk-i bob
- Start date
I wouldn't call us a dominant program just yet although we have moved the needle forward and will surprisingly contend for the conference title this season. Playing as poorly as we did at Maryland reflected the fact that we still have some growing to do. I feel happy with the progress we have made but let's leave it at that for the moment.
I think what needs to follow is consistent recruiting of elite talent, which is hard to do at iowa. In a way, Fran as built this program similar to KF by getting the most out of under the radar guys. Sure, we landed Woody and MG right away, but the difference makers have been guys that North Carolina wasn't also after. Getting the raw talent up a notch will help them overcome games like Maryland
The Northwestern game will tell us a lot about this team, imo. Top tier teams do not lose to NW this year, only wob's.
Lol, you have some high expectations. You seem to think we were god awful against Maryland but reality was Iowa was in it to the final minutes. If Iowa is having one of their worst games of the season and they have a chance to win in the final minutes against a top ten team on the road I'm ectatic. I guess that's the difference between me and you. If you don't expect perfection the season is alot more enjoyable.
Iowa will have a hard time beating teams that have long and athletic big men. After watching basketball this past week, I think they are a little bit over ranked, probably 9-10 is more appropriate. Indiana and Ohio St. will be big tests for them the next 9 games. Ohio St. is very long and rangy and play tough defense. Turning the ball over has been their problem, since they are still a young team. I think 3 losses will win the conference, so if they can handle Indiana they should be in good shape.
I didn't think we played particularly well against Maryland but that has nothing to do with high expectations. We've exceeded my expectations for the season so I could not enjoy this season more. I simply meant that going into a tough road game against another Top Ten opponent we didn't take advantage of the opportunity which puts us not yet in the category of programs you would call dominant. And that's ok by me.
I think Dormant was kind to describe Lick. Door Mat would have been a better description.
Most years I would agree that this team was ranked too high... but there just don't seem to be any great teams this year. All of the teams in the top 10 seem to be flawed including IOWA. They either have great talent but poor teamwork or good teamwork but shorter on talent. Im not sure if this is a transition year or the new normal due to one and dones.
On the otherside, as you said we didn't play well and yet were still leading or within one possession the entire game. That is an indication of a good team, even when they do not play well they still have opportunity to pull out a win. Even though they didn't win, the opportunity was there
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