Frans subbing

[Kurt Warner]

Is it me or has frans substituting improved drastically over the years? In the past his subbing sometimes made you scratch your head, but now he seems to be doing everything almost perfectly subbing wise. I know he's not trying to go as deep in his bench which seems to be helping. Come to think of it, everything fran has been doing lately has been golden.

 

[Grizzly Adam]

I was just telling the old lady that earlier today-- no more line changes, much less head scratching. I like it!

 

[mazda1]

When your subs play much better you look a lot brighter when you put them in.

 

[Grizzly Adam]

When your subs play much better you look a lot brighter when you put them in.

I don't think that's it. It's worth something that he is having the subs play with the starters and not basically playing two different teams on two different shifts.

 

[Kurt Warner]

I don't think that's it. It's worth something that he is having the subs play with the starters and not basically playing two different teams on two different shifts.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

 

[hawkeyemike23]

Fran has a lot better two way players now. The 2014 team that he had the most issues with the rotation had a lot of flawed players he was trying to rotate through. Having more complete players, makes it much easier.

 

[And1Hawk]

That's another positive of not turning coaches over unless you absolutely have to like Lick. There's learning on the job that takes place for all coaches that are new to a league like the B1G. What works, what does not. Fran has said he has tweaked his over all philosophy and system based on what he has learned in this league. We are reaping benefits in so many ways of being patient. Not only the type of player he wants but how to sub effectively.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

In Frans defense he is finally getting players that fit his style and personality more so than before. Tough to get top priority recruits unless you have something to sell and get some exposure. To his credit both of these have increased steadily each year

 

[revkev73]

In the past he seemed to be more of a hockey coach...line changes, leading to confusion and lulls in point production...now he seems to be more artful, deliberate in working out effective combinations...of course, with 4 seniors you can mix some experience with talented but less experienced players.

Whatever he is doing...do more of it....

 

[Packer54]

We have the best bench in the Big Ten. That is all about Fran and the coaches

 

[revkev73]

Fran really seems to have extreme confidence in his bench...and lauds them often in the post game comments..."outstanding, amazing, unbelievable." Looking at the game yesterday, a game that was competitive most of the game...he trusted giving lots of minutes to Uhl, Baer, etc. Lots of coaches would have burned out the starters with this very difficult 5 game start to the conference, Fran seems to have avoided that. Keeping MG and others healthy all year is a big key... I think that long break has helped this team recharge physically and emotionally. That said...keep your foot on the throttle...finish...

 

[backinblack23]

Fran finally has his type of players in place. He has guys that are inter-changable with each other. He's got Baer who can play the 3 or 4 and stretch a defense, Uhl can play 3-5 spots and is good at all three. With Clemmons and Gessel he has two guys that can run the offense and handle the ball really well so he always has one of them on the floor. Wagner is going to be solid inside guy. Plus when the the bench guys come in they are not making mistakes and costing the team.

 

[4th & 9 inches]

There is a brief time in the first half of every game (y'day was no exception) when he has a lineup out there that has very limited scoring ability. Other than that I have no problem with his sub patterns.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

Fran finally has his type of players in place. He has guys that are inter-changable with each other. He's got Baer who can play the 3 or 4 and stretch a defense, Uhl can play 3-5 spots and is good at all three. With Clemmons and Gessel he has two guys that can run the offense and handle the ball really well so he always has one of them on the floor. Wagner is going to be solid inside guy. Plus when the the bench guys come in they are not making mistakes and costing the team.

I think like this ^^^^....it's the perfect storm of bench players subbing in. And agree with subbing with the starters.

Of course it helps when one of those subs is Dom Uhl who is 9-of-11 (.818) from 3-point range in five Big Ten games this season. With this kind of outside shooting and Dom's handles some could argue this team is even better with Dom maybe starting with his skills and length?

PS.....this team is NOT turning the ball over.....HUGE.

 

[hawkfan37]

Fran has done well. Helps to get lucky on a guy like Baer. And seems to have a read on the new guys at this point. I think he said he wish he played Wagner in the 2nd half against ISU. Just growing pains of college basketball.

 

[IronFist1776]

After the ISU game, Fran admitted that he should have played his bench more and I think we're starting to reap the benefits of that realization. And I think the young guys are fitting in nicely and not trying to do too much. Uhl picks his threes very carefully... and hits them. Baer is a sparkplug who could probably stand to tone it down a little bit but that may reduce his effectiveness. Wagner has been steady, rebounding, defending, and blocking shots. Hopefully against Rutgers we get up so big that Christian can get out there and play his game. So proud of this team.