Few thoughts from tonight.

[Bulldogs1974]

1. I think wagner is a beast. 2 reb 2 steals 1 block and close to a put back. All in a couple minutes.
2 uhl was great, I like the trajectory of his confidence.
3. Good win despite Gesell sitting and uthoff shooting 5/18.
4. Ellingson scares me
5. Williams was solid. Looked liked he belonged. Doesn't sound like a great compliment but considering his pt this season it is.
6. I think the new defensive rules have helped us more than most teams. I think in past seasons we were bullied a bit and wore down/broke down in some of these types of games.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Uhl Wagner and Baer all gave some terrific minutes. I thought Williams looked very comfortable given the situation and his lack of experience. His length is really an asset on defense.

 

[kzoohawk80]

I loved the effort tonight. Effort+talent can equal a special season. This team has the talent. It's about bringing it every game. Wagner is getting valuable experience this year. I'm hoping he starts to emerge this year. Uhl is just getting better and better every game. I'm not worried about Ellingson, I'm seeing more and more things that I like. Defense needs to improve but that's the easiest thing to coach at the college level. His shot will be fine. Williams definitely didn't hurt Iowa tonight. Gave some really good minutes. Had one bad turnover but that's to be expected.

 

[Scott559]

I hope Fran can continue to find spot minutes for Williams, He likely earned a little more trust tonight.

 

[HawkLogic]

Uhl Wagner and Baer all gave some terrific minutes. I thought Williams looked very comfortable given the situation and his lack of experience. His length is really an asset on defense.

Williams 1 steal, 1 rebound, 1 assist...sure had a TO, but then he hung in there and played defense. Really our defense knocked MSU out of their comfort zone.
Wagner block was really nice...everyone was beat and then he came out of no where. That is type of block MSU always makes on Iowa.

 

[Packer54]

Our length, active hands, etc was excellent tonight. Drawing threes was awesome but that with the combined defense was deadly.

 

[ZumaHawk]

Very good points fellas. CW did a great job. We have a great team

 

[LaoHawk]

Spacing and passing were excellent. They seem to trust each other more now that about everyone out there can score. Gessell's slow down game needs some work tonight but he was generally aggressive and effective. Baer had limited time but was effective since teams are noticing him more. IA can bring home a championship this season if the players stay focus and hungry.

 

[RocknRollface]

Williams is the pg of the future there just isn't room for him this year.

I've said a few times recently I think it's time he moves ahead of Ellingson in the rotation.

 

[WORTHYWISH]

1. I think wagner is a beast. 2 reb 2 steals 1 block and close to a put back. All in a couple minutes.
2 uhl was great, I like the trajectory of his confidence.
3. Good win despite Gesell sitting and uthoff shooting 5/18.
4. Ellingson scares me
5. Williams was solid. Looked liked he belonged. Doesn't sound like a great compliment but considering his pt this season it is.
6. I think the new defensive rules have helped us more than most teams. I think in past seasons we were bullied a bit and wore down/broke down in some of these types of games.

Oddly, I think the elimination of the 5 second rule while dribbling has really helped us, as well. I think it helps us be able to get into our offensive set instead of having to pass it prematurely.

 

[johnnashhawk]

1. I think wagner is a beast. 2 reb 2 steals 1 block and close to a put back. All in a couple minutes.
2 uhl was great, I like the trajectory of his confidence.
3. Good win despite Gesell sitting and uthoff shooting 5/18.
4. Ellingson scares me
5. Williams was solid. Looked liked he belonged. Doesn't sound like a great compliment but considering his pt this season it is.
6. I think the new defensive rules have helped us more than most teams. I think in past seasons we were bullied a bit and wore down/broke down in some of these types of games.

I don't disagree with your points..... Just want to point out the charge Ellingson took when our lead was something like 17-13. Forbes basket was waved off, no and1, we come down and hit a three. What could have been a one pt game resulted in a seven pt. lead, and may well have been the play of the game.

 

[kevinsweeny]

I don't disagree with your points..... Just want to point out the charge Ellingson took when our lead was something like 17-13. Forbes basket was waved off, no and1, we come down and hit a three. What could have been a one pt game resulted in a seven pt. lead, and may well have been the play of the game.

 

[kevinsweeny]

I think if he (ellingson) starts to feel comfortable and stroke it......there is no ceiling; we're talking about our 9th asset, he's gonna relax.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

I don't disagree with your points..... Just want to point out the charge Ellingson took when our lead was something like 17-13. Forbes basket was waved off, no and1, we come down and hit a three. What could have been a one pt game resulted in a seven pt. lead, and may well have been the play of the game.

No doubt big play. But he just makes me feel like I did virtually every game last season. What makes me feel better is that he leash is shorter.

 

[kellerm]

Thus far Ellingson equals Oglesby. Plays smart basketball but just not hitting the open three yet. Hopefully it will come. Don't mind him getting minutes. Definitely would not call him a liability

Oh, and even when Uthoff shoots 5/18 he looks good. If either he or Jok are on any given night we will be a tough out.

Agree with the upward trajectory on Uhl comments. Love his game.

Sapp is just solid. Gesell forced some things but also made some great drives to the hoop in the second half.

Woodbury was Woodbury. Great post defense most of the game. Costello struggled when he was in which was key.

And I loved the fact Fran gave Baer lots of minutes. Does all the little things well. Great energy.

Very excited to see how this plays out. 11 day layoff, playing in a venue you haven't won in 22 years, and playing a team that you've given the only loss to and Iowa comes out and just shellacks then on ESPN.

Reminds me of a credit card commercial

Jok with 23 points -$100
Iowa hitting 9 threes in the first half-$200
MSU held to 25 points while committing 14 turnovers in the first half-$500
Beating #4 MSU on their floor by 17 - PRICELESS

 

[dawgs_04]

This team is so fun to watch. Efficient on offense, shooting lights out, and playing tough D. What more could you ask for?

 

[Steve Waite]

Coming off of a 9 day layoff and we came out sharp. Valentine hits that 3 is celebrating.
Meanwhile, Gesell is doing a layup at the other end. Lol.
We punched them in the mouth and played lock down defense.
This is a the same team that just scored 92 against PSU.
First time in a long time where I witnessed Iowa dominate MSU from beginning to end of the game.
This team is getting scary good.

 

[mthawkeyes]

Jumped to #4 in Kenpom. Pretty solid.

 

[sloehawk]

It is so refreshing to get to watch a team that actually has the ability to make shots, and multiple players with that ability. So many years went by where we maybe had one shooter on the court, and the rest of the guys standing around waiting for that guy to shoot, a prayer at the end of the shot clock.

We didn't shoot worth a damn in the 2nd half tonight, but man were we lights out early! My God that was fun.................I wanted to rain down 3 balls on them all night, but they took that away pretty much in the 2nd half, and we just burned clock and threw up a bunch of poor shots, but overall not much to bitch about. Darn good defense and boarding tonight as well. Surprised to see that Uthoff had such a bad shooting night, and we still piss-pounded them at home! Wow. Nice job Hawks!

 

[And1Hawk]

Much hand wringing over point guard next year and low & behold in walks Mr Smooth CW Christian Williams on one of the biggest stages in college basketball having not played much at all this season. He did a really nice job making only one mistake. Yes I do expect some PG struggles due to lack of experience next year but dang a 6'5" PG with a smooth style and 7 foot wing span. Dang, this is more proof why Fran is the man!

 

[Herkmeister]

We are good.

 

[Hawkeyeforlife77]

3. Good win despite Gesell sitting and uthoff shooting 5/18.
.

If you had known that before the season, you'd have assumed Iowa gets blown out of the building.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

Also am a fan of the shot distribution tonight. Uthof had an off night shooting at 5/18 but he's still the guy I want shooting.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Williams is the pg of the future there just isn't room for him this year.

I've said a few times recently I think it's time he moves ahead of Ellingson in the rotation.

I was in this same mind frame, but Brady can shoot the ball. The kid is a shooter and this is his "first" real playing time at this level. I think he struggles at times, but the kid if he gets "hot" he is a great addition.

Williams played because of foul trouble and this won't be the last game that he is needed. I thought he handled the ball and didn't make any stupid mistakes. 1TO isn't anything, and he didn't force anything.

I think Iowa's bench is good and as long as fran uses the "blowouts" if there are any to get the younger guys in to gain experience.

 

[mazda1]

Rebounding was key. Pt's off turnovers was a biggie too. Our bench came in and we didn't have a drop off. Uhl gave us energy and another scoring threat. Team win.....Team defense.

 

[Hawkeyeforlife77]

Also am a fan of the shot distribution tonight. Uthof had an off night shooting at 5/18 but he's still the guy I want shooting.

Yes. I feel like Uthoff is where we want the ball at the end of the shot clocks, at the end of the game. He is the one that can do anything with the ball, and if they collapse, he can find a shooter.

 

[sb23]

My only complaint about tonight's game as well as the last few including ISU where we had a lead is going to a slow down offense and waiting too long to get into the offense. Too many times it has ended up in a forced shot or turnover, basically wasting the possession. There were a few tonight that Gesell had to put up ugly shots to beat the shot clock. I'd rather see them start the offense at about 15 seconds rather than 6.

 

[like-woahh]

My only complaint about tonight's game as well as the last few including ISU where we had a lead is going to a slow down offense and waiting too long to get into the offense. Too many times it has ended up in a forced shot or turnover, basically wasting the possession. There were a few tonight that Gesell had to put up ugly shots to beat the shot clock. I'd rather see them start the offense at about 15 seconds rather than 6.

Agree 100% with the last statement. I understand running clock, but at least start moving the ball with 15'ish so you can get a decent look at it. It's just folly to go 4-5 possessions in a row w/out Uthoff or Jok touching the ball once.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

Much hand wringing over point guard next year and low & behold in walks Mr Smooth CW Christian Williams on one of the biggest stages in college basketball having not played much at all this season. He did a really nice job making only one mistake. Yes I do expect some PG struggles due to lack of experience next year but dang a 6'5" PG with a smooth style and 7 foot wing span. Dang, this is more proof why Fran is the man!

This is a great post....a very smooth 6'5" PG with loads of skills to work with. Man, I did love watching him out there. He's big out front and like you said, low and behold just when MSU thought with Mike hurting with some foul trouble, Clemmons needing a break, in walks this 6'5" PG player who looks the part like he belongs too and this had to have MSU fans saying, "Who's he?"....

 

[DanL53]

This is a great post....a very smooth 6'5" PG with loads of skills to work with. Man, I did love watching him out there. He's big out front and like you said, low and behold just when MSU thought with Mike hurting with some foul trouble, Clemmons needing a break, in walks this 6'5" PG player who looks the part like he belongs too and this had to have MSU fans saying, "Who's he?"....

We're going to love Christian even more when the time comes for him to turn on his complete game. In the meantime, I'm just so pleased to see McCaffery practically nonchalantly insert Williams to spell Clemmons as if, "No biggie, I know what the kid can do." And, I may be wrong but it seems to me Christian is just a shade under 6'7". We're talking little tiny metric system differences between 6'6"+++ and 6'7". And the 7' reach. I know people don't think he can shoot, but he can shoot. He's got everything going for him but experience and his speed is adequate but not blazing.

That's alright though, as a point guard in control these days with the new "don't touch me" rules is probably better than some fast ball flying past his own guys on the way up the court.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Good observations throughout the thread. The only thing that I didn't like tonight was Fran milking the clock so early. I understand that we didn't want to get into a back and forth game with a big lead, but Mike started holding the ball with four guys standing until about 10 sec left in the shot clock with maybe 6 or 7 minutes left. Granted, we were ahead by 15 - 20, but I would prefer that we keep working the offense, at least until there are 3 or 4 minutes left. A few makes by MSU and a few more missed FTs, and this game could have started to look like the ISU game. Great win!!!

 

[DanL53]

I agree with those concerned with Iowa stalling too early in the second half.

 

[RocknRollface]

I was in this same mind frame, but Brady can shoot the ball. The kid is a shooter and this is his "first" real playing time at this level. I think he struggles at times, but the kid if he gets "hot" he is a great addition.

Williams played because of foul trouble and this won't be the last game that he is needed. I thought he handled the ball and didn't make any stupid mistakes. 1TO isn't anything, and he didn't force anything.

I think Iowa's bench is good and as long as fran uses the "blowouts" if there are any to get the younger guys in to gain experience.

Brady is not bringing much of anything right now and is the weakest defender in the rotation.

Neither one is going to be much of a difference maker this year but Williams importance next year is reason to get him some minutes now IMO.

 

[CanadaHawk]

We're going to love Christian even more when the time comes for him to turn on his complete game. In the meantime, I'm just so pleased to see McCaffery practically nonchalantly insert Williams to spell Clemmons as if, "No biggie, I know what the kid can do." And, I may be wrong but it seems to me Christian is just a shade under 6'7". We're talking little tiny metric system differences between 6'6"+++ and 6'7". And the 7' reach. I know people don't think he can shoot, but he can shoot. He's got everything going for him but experience and his speed is adequate but not blazing.

That's alright though, as a point guard in control these days with the new "don't touch me" rules is probably better than some fast ball flying past his own guys on the way up the court.

I remember Sherman Dillard saying in an interview this summer that he was surprised to discover that Williams is actually 6'7", while admitting that Wagner is only 6'6". Williams has a long way to go but I'm encouraged by the little flashes he's showing on the court.

 

[PhantomFlyer]

Good observations throughout the thread. The only thing that I didn't like tonight was Fran milking the clock so early. I understand that we didn't want to get into a back and forth game with a big lead, but Mike started holding the ball with four guys standing until about 10 sec left in the shot clock with maybe 6 or 7 minutes left. Granted, we were ahead by 15 - 20, but I would prefer that we keep working the offense, at least until there are 3 or 4 minutes left. A few makes by MSU and a few more missed FTs, and this game could have started to look like the ISU game. Great win!!!

Good points.
This was the first time this year where I thought the offense ran better when Gesell wasn't in the game. The ball movement was excellent when Gesell wasn't in the game. There was too much dribbling and standing around when he came in the game in the 2nd half. Part of this was probably due to MG not being in the flow of the game since he sat out so much of the first half, and then Fran went stall ball way too early. Keep running the offense, don't go against what got you a 20 pt lead. It's like a football defense that's been stuffing an offense the entire game and then playing a soft prevent D.

Great win by the Hawks. Loved the effort of the boys. I'm loving the way Uhl is playing. Talk about a kid who's confidence has done a 180 from the start of the season. Early in the season he looked hesitant, not sure of himself, but lately he looks like a guy who's just oozing confidence. He and Baer are giving them great minutes off the bench.

I'm getting dejuva of the football season. Has there ever been a season where Iowa finishes with the best record in the conference in both football and basketball (same year)? I'm not trying to jinx the basketball team but if they keep playing at this level they are strong contenders to finish the year with the best conference record.

 

[MNHawk]

Much hand wringing over point guard next year and low & behold in walks Mr Smooth CW Christian Williams on one of the biggest stages in college basketball having not played much at all this season. He did a really nice job making only one mistake. Yes I do expect some PG struggles due to lack of experience next year but dang a 6'5" PG with a smooth style and 7 foot wing span. Dang, this is more proof why Fran is the man!

One of the smartest things he did in all those important, early game minutes against a top-5 team on their home court, was not shoot. He was 0-0 from the field, Hawk fans. How hard, as a basketball player, would it be to bring the ball up the court, look for open men, get as many touches as he did, and not take a single shot? That is a testament of a player that knows his role, and recognizes he just needed to get the rock to the guys that were shooting lights out. Nice job, CW.

 

[luvmyhawks]

Good points.
This was the first time this year where I thought the offense ran better when Gesell wasn't in the game. The ball movement was excellent when Gesell wasn't in the game. There was too much dribbling and standing around when he came in the game in the 2nd half. Part of this was probably due to MG not being in the flow of the game since he sat out so much of the first half, and then Fran went stall ball way too early. Keep running the offense, don't go against what got you a 20 pt lead. It's like a football defense that's been stuffing an offense the entire game and then playing a soft prevent D.

Great win by the Hawks. Loved the effort of the boys. I'm loving the way Uhl is playing. Talk about a kid who's confidence has done a 180 from the start of the season. Early in the season he looked hesitant, not sure of himself, but lately he looks like a guy who's just oozing confidence. He and Baer are giving them great minutes off the bench.

I'm getting dejuva of the football season. Has there ever been a season where Iowa finishes with the best record in the conference in both football and basketball (same year)? I'm not trying to jinx the basketball team but if they keep playing at this level they are strong contenders to finish the year with the best conference record.

Good post. Agree with everything you said here. Especially the MG comments. Not ripping on mike as he has been terrific. I am extremely impressed with how well the offense ran with him on the bench. Bodes very well for next season. I also thought Wagner looked the part. Excited about the athletic ability this team has coming up.

Only complaint I have was Iowa slow balling it so early as well. Had visions of isu dancing in my head.