Enjoy Garza and the rest of the season!

[BigOHawk]

I found myself yelling and screaming and frustrated as the rest of you last night, it was almost like a rerun of the Purdue game or a few other Februarys we remember all too well under Fran's tenure.

That said, given the negativity surrounding last night, let's enjoy Garza and the magical season he's having while most likely punching another trip to the Dance!

23.7 ppg/9.8 rpg/55% FGs! Toughness, grit, determination...it's all there! If he isn't national POY, I don't know who is...

When JBo was ready to hang it up, so was I to a certain degree...really had zero expectations mid Nov. when it was obvious a half speed JBo wasn't going to heal up properly to play all year like he's capable of. Then CJ happened and it was suddenly clear why Moss got out of town, then Connor starts playing like an ultimate glue guy, Touissant has his moments all the while Garza dominates games.

Sure teams will say "Give Garza his points, make Iowa beat you," and that formula has worked for Neb/Purdue/Indiana, but hang in there, we'll win a few more or several games, CJ will heal up, Garza will get his and probably be National POY and we'll probably be seeded 6 or 7 in the Dance. Will be interesting at Luka's pro prospects after this year, I believe his Dad said he wants him to stay (yea, and Mel Tucker was staying at Colorado too!

Would be an enjoyable year next year with JBo/CJ/Luka/Weezy all on floor at the same time!

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

Would be an enjoyable year next year with JBo/CJ/Luka/Weezy all on floor at the same time!

Can’t forget Joe T

 

[justinjdry]

I found myself yelling and screaming and frustrated as the rest of you last night, it was almost like a rerun of the Purdue game or a few other Februarys we remember all too well under Fran's tenure.

That said, given the negativity surrounding last night, let's enjoy Garza and the magical season he's having while most likely punching another trip to the Dance!

23.7 ppg/9.8 rpg/55% FGs! Toughness, grit, determination...it's all there! If he isn't national POY, I don't know who is...

When JBo was ready to hang it up, so was I to a certain degree...really had zero expectations mid Nov. when it was obvious a half speed JBo wasn't going to heal up properly to play all year like he's capable of. Then CJ happened and it was suddenly clear why Moss got out of town, then Connor starts playing like an ultimate glue guy, Touissant has his moments all the while Garza dominates games.

Sure teams will say "Give Garza his points, make Iowa beat you," and that formula has worked for Neb/Purdue/Indiana, but hang in there, we'll win a few more or several games, CJ will heal up, Garza will get his and probably be National POY and we'll probably be seeded 6 or 7 in the Dance. Will be interesting at Luka's pro prospects after this year, I believe his Dad said he wants him to stay (yea, and Mel Tucker was staying at Colorado too!

Would be an enjoyable year next year with JBo/CJ/Luka/Weezy all on floor at the same time!

I'm really happy for Garza and I wouldn't blame him if he left early but if he stays, next season is looking to be the best season we've seen under Fran, if not ever.

 

[Mohawkeye]

I like that we showed more fight in the 2nd half than the Purdue game. A lot of adversity with Frederick going down and Pemsl out. This team has more fight than most and I like our chances a lot more on a neutral court with Purdue or Indiana.

 

[dekhawk]

I'm really happy for Garza and I wouldn't blame him if he left early but if he stays, next season is looking to be the best season we've seen under Fran, if not ever.

Enjoy this season , we’ve heard too many next season will be great.

 

[CO_hawk]

Good thread! I've come to accept that this team no longer has the supporting cast around Garza to win the Big10.
It sucks because if we had Bohannon and Nunge healthy all year, we'd be in a different spot.

 

[NI hawk]

I like that we showed more fight in the 2nd half than the Purdue game. A lot of adversity with Frederick going down and Pemsl out. This team has more fight than most and I like our chances a lot more on a neutral court with Purdue or Indiana.

Down by 13 when he went out. Lost by 12. Team did show some fight.

 

[2432Hawk]

Good thread! I've come to accept that this team no longer has the supporting cast around Garza to win the Big10.
It sucks because if we had Bohannon and Nunge healthy all year, we'd be in a different spot.

yeah, did see some fight but what concerns me is that when we do defend and force a missed shot, we didn't seal that with a defensive rebound. Rebounding, defense, and turnovers have to improve... especially on the road if you want to get a win.

Love Joe T. but he made some untimely misqueues (he is a freshman) in turning the ball over, or helping when he shouldn't be. Normally he's able to recover to his guy but he over helped instead of just playing the gaps.

If CJ is out for any length of time I think we need to get more from Ryan Kriener. This is your time RK, stay out of foul trouble and rebound! Need to see that senior stretch run where he can be productive and contribute more to help get W's

 

[IllQChawk]

Iowa will be lucky to not get blown out, in it's remaining games with only 2 offensive productive players out of the 7 that is left to play.
Iowa got as much out of it's players up to now as one could ever expect with all the injuries that they have had to endure.
It was a very good year up to now but things are going to go down hill very fast from here on out. Just not enough quality players left to keep things together. I can only hope that Garza and Weeze don't come down with any long term injuries that would or could impact next years team....those 2 are worth the price of admission, the remaining players not so much.
Playing hard and being tough is overrated, being able to play defense and score when given the opportunity is much more important in this game. Injuries have left Iowa with too many players that can't play defense or look to score and that is a recipe for an Iowa team that can't stop the bleeding....

 

[2432Hawk]

Iowa will be lucky to not get blown out, in it's remaining games with only 2 offensive productive players out of the 7 that is left to play.
Iowa got as much out of it's players up to now as one could ever expect with all the injuries that they have had to endure.
It was a very good year up to now but things are going to go down hill very fast from here on out. Just not enough quality players left to keep things together. I can only hope that Garza and Weeze don't come down with any long term injuries that would or could impact next years team....those 2 are worth the price of admission, the remaining players not so much.
Playing hard and being tough is overrated, being able to play defense and score when given the opportunity is much more important in this game. Injuries have left Iowa with too many players that can't play defense or look to score and that is a recipe for an Iowa team that can't stop the bleeding....

Perhaps, but we did also beat Maryland w/o CJ

Will it be harder? sure, but BE, JT, RK, and CP all will get more chances to contribute.... they need to step up and be productive given their chances with CJ out

 

[DewHawk]

It is very hard to be optimistic at this point given the lack of depth and only two viable offensive players remaining healthy. The only way I see this team being competitive the rest of the year (without CJ) is if CM and/or RK start being consistent on offense and defense improves. Probably not going to happen.

 

[SoonerBeAHawk]

With just a couple minutes left the ONLY thing I was rooting for was for Luka to get another hoop and 40 points.

Not a small deal, really. Two 40+ games in a season is quite a task, of course, and could only help his POY chances. Still time, though.

 

[trippnschmidt]

I'm really happy for Garza and I wouldn't blame him if he left early but if he stays, next season is looking to be the best season we've seen under Fran, if not ever.

Where's he going to go?

 

[Hawksfor3]

I always enjoy watching Luka play and receiving the recognitions he deserves in the BIG and nationally. Luka, Joe W, and Connor will get points. If we can get more point production from Joe T, Bakari, and Ryan, we should be in a decent place. Any contribution from Cordell, Riley, and Austin will be a big plus. There's still some hope.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Luka should be the B1G POY, if he continues to produce at his current level through the remaining games. But, will the ones making the decision give it to him if Iowa goes 1-5 and slips to 7th or 8th in the league?

I think he would still deserve it.

 

[1inamillion]

Iowa will be lucky to not get blown out, in it's remaining games with only 2 offensive productive players out of the 7 that is left to play.
Iowa got as much out of it's players up to now as one could ever expect with all the injuries that they have had to endure.
It was a very good year up to now but things are going to go down hill very fast from here on out. Just not enough quality players left to keep things together. I can only hope that Garza and Weeze don't come down with any long term injuries that would or could impact next years team....those 2 are worth the price of admission, the remaining players not so much.
Playing hard and being tough is overrated, being able to play defense and score when given the opportunity is much more important in this game. Injuries have left Iowa with too many players that can't play defense or look to score and that is a recipe for an Iowa team that can't stop the bleeding....

Sadly, I'm afraid you are right . Probably will not win again this year. No defense. Opponents just over play weiskamp and help on garza and offense and s limited.

 

[HawkRugged17]

Iowa will be lucky to not get blown out, in it's remaining games with only 2 offensive productive players out of the 7 that is left to play.
Iowa got as much out of it's players up to now as one could ever expect with all the injuries that they have had to endure.
It was a very good year up to now but things are going to go down hill very fast from here on out. Just not enough quality players left to keep things together. I can only hope that Garza and Weeze don't come down with any long term injuries that would or could impact next years team....those 2 are worth the price of admission, the remaining players not so much.
Playing hard and being tough is overrated, being able to play defense and score when given the opportunity is much more important in this game. Injuries have left Iowa with too many players that can't play defense or look to score and that is a recipe for an Iowa team that can't stop the bleeding....

Guess Iowa got lucky ...