I have been critical of Gesell's play at times, but have to give credit where credit is due. In the past, it seemed he was content to facilitate and if top scorers were off, he could not be counted on to step up offensively. This season, definitely since the ISU game, he seems to recognize moments when the offense is faltering and takes the initiative to get a hoop by driving or knocking down a jumper. His effort and hustle have always been there, but his confidence seems to be peaking at the right time. Nebraska has some pesky, quick guards and he handled their ball pressure with ease. Also nice to see Uhl knock down some shots. Getting him going could really help offset cold shooting nights from Uthoff and / or Jok.
Gesell stepping up
- Thread starter Ihawkhoops
- Start date
He's certainly done the job well since B1G play started.
Fewer turnovers.
Only once last night can I recall one of those too deep drives where he got himself in trouble. That has been more of a problem previously.
He deserves a lot of credit for their great start in conference play. Kudos.
Fewer turnovers.
Only once last night can I recall one of those too deep drives where he got himself in trouble. That has been more of a problem previously.
He deserves a lot of credit for their great start in conference play. Kudos.
still can't believe those who have ridden him his whole career. He may very well be in the top 10-15 pg's in the nation
If Iowa can end up in the top 3 or 4 in the B1G then he definitely has a shot for making an all conference team. His scoring numbers will stay higher when we're winning because the ball will be in his hands at end of games when other teams are fouling. His defense has been solid too - moves his feet well to stop penetration and he leads the team in steals.
That tweet from Rothstein is funny. Elite? We all know Mike Gesell can't be elite, no matter how well he plays. 
Gesell has definitely stepped up this year. I was surprised to see that he's averaging 6.9 assists per game.
That tweet from Rothstein is funny. Elite? We all know Mike Gesell can't be elite, no matter how well he plays.
Once again, the absence of posts from the usual suspects is laughable....
If you have the time to call out an Iowa player time after time after time, at least have the decency to applaud said player when he does well.
The guy is clearly the 2nd best player on the team and having a wonderful senior year. He has improved a lot of areas of his game. His improvement at beating people off the dribble and getting to the lane has taken a gigantic step forward this year.
No matter what you've said about him in the past, it's clear the team is sooooo much better when he's in the game. Huge fan
No matter what you've said about him in the past, it's clear the team is sooooo much better when he's in the game. Huge fan
I am in MG's corner and commend (and have) him for his improvement. Well done. He is playing smarter, and has better shooters to make him look good with the assists. Poor shooting on the team, from past years, hurt this stat for him.
I have said this before...he seems to be a great kid, great teammate, etc.
He has really done well this year, hopefully a signature season for him. He did struggle a bit in the pre-season but the first three games...well, one couldn't expect much more from him.
I am not a big fan of the "taunting and baiting" posts..."there now what do you have to say?" "why don't we hear from them?" "see I told you so"...sad lives to sit about and wait for such things, it seems.
MG is not an elite talent...he had his first double-double last night...mid way in his senior season after starting almost every game for four years. He can have elite games, of course, and has had them recently. It is great to see him do well. I really feel sorry for the guy when he is struggling on those wild drives and missed free throws... He is talented...and has some talent about him. This is good for all Iowa fans.
I have said this before...he seems to be a great kid, great teammate, etc.
He has really done well this year, hopefully a signature season for him. He did struggle a bit in the pre-season but the first three games...well, one couldn't expect much more from him.
I am not a big fan of the "taunting and baiting" posts..."there now what do you have to say?" "why don't we hear from them?" "see I told you so"...sad lives to sit about and wait for such things, it seems.
MG is not an elite talent...he had his first double-double last night...mid way in his senior season after starting almost every game for four years. He can have elite games, of course, and has had them recently. It is great to see him do well. I really feel sorry for the guy when he is struggling on those wild drives and missed free throws... He is talented...and has some talent about him. This is good for all Iowa fans.
Still struggling to admit that you just are not that good of a talent evaluator, rev. Why am I not the least bit surprised?
A short thesaurus meant as a "Break Glass in Case of Emergency" kind of thing for folks who may need it:
Smarmy: ingratiating and wheedling in a way that is perceived as insincere or excessive.
synonyms: unctuous, ingratiating, slick, oily, greasy, obsequious, sycophantic, fawning, slimy, sucky.
Smarmy: ingratiating and wheedling in a way that is perceived as insincere or excessive.
synonyms: unctuous, ingratiating, slick, oily, greasy, obsequious, sycophantic, fawning, slimy, sucky.
First 3 Big Ten Games:
18 points (64%)
6.7 assists/1.7 TO
4.6 reb
80% FT
18 points (64%)
6.7 assists/1.7 TO
4.6 reb
80% FT
I can do lots of tricks. I can post weird links to characters who remind me of posters.
Here is a suggestion.... don't attempt to evaluate talent when you now admit to not being capable of doing so.
Yes, everyone is well aware of your 'other' vocation as a not so good gambler. Congrats on being consistently bad.
5...thanks for your unsolicited advice.
I like to evaluate talent as a fan...most fans do that. Not sure why this bothers you so. I don't recall saying I was unable to evaluate talent as a fan...I stated several times last year that Uhl was a player I really thought would have high upside. You might want to check on that. Did I say somewhere that I was incapable of evaluating talent? Perhaps you fabricated that one... I would suggest you not do that.
I have several vocations. I am not an avid gambler. But, I am probably up $800 total on sports betting over the last few years. I think is pretty good... I know enough about it to not do it that often...
I like to evaluate talent as a fan...most fans do that. Not sure why this bothers you so. I don't recall saying I was unable to evaluate talent as a fan...I stated several times last year that Uhl was a player I really thought would have high upside. You might want to check on that. Did I say somewhere that I was incapable of evaluating talent? Perhaps you fabricated that one... I would suggest you not do that.
I have several vocations. I am not an avid gambler. But, I am probably up $800 total on sports betting over the last few years. I think is pretty good... I know enough about it to not do it that often...
Perhaps you can point to all of these 'fans' of Iowa basketball that have been as critical as you toward one specific player. Would you care to produce evidence showing yourself as just another typical fan in that regard or are you now willing to admit that you were wrong? You do not have to say you are unable to evaluate talent; that was a given from nearly the very start of your personal vendetta toward certain Iowa players.
Several vocations? Again, I am not at all surprised you have trouble with doing something so well that you do not seek elsewhere for satisfaction. As for your gambling 'stories'... I could not care any less. I find it humorous that anyone feels so insecure that they have to come to a message board to discuss such matters. Who exactly do you think you have impressed here with your tales?
Just be sure to keep very good records and to report the activity as income/loss. Big brother is always interested in such things you know.
(Yeah... '(you) I think is good' sums you up very well.)
Coach McCaffery had a lot of nice things to say about Mike last night in his postgame with Dolph. The most salient was that Mike was "engineering victories" for the team this year. Pretty high praise.
I'll admit to being down on Mike's play after the ISU game, but he is certainly playing his best BB at Iowa at the right time. His play this past week has been incredible and I think he can keep it up. I hope he continues to take the open looks he has been getting as it seems he has been content to pass up so many open 3's in the past. The kid has a nice stroke but I have always wondered if he just beats himself up too much over misses in the past. As he goes, so goes Iowa.
5...you don't seem to comment on the games much...that is odd?
I didn't say I couldn't evaluate talent...I said I wasn't a professional "talent evaluator." I am sure you aware of this, but for some reason, want to post fabricated "facts."...that is odd?
You want me to provide "evidence"...really...is this a court of law. Evidence to compare me to other posters? I don't read all posters, just a small sampling. Your demand of "evidence" is odd...
If you don't care about gambling stories...why would you read them? That is odd...
I noted that I had commented on the potential of Uhl last year...you seem to have ignored that? That is odd?
All of these things are odd, or, perhaps you are just odd...
Tuna...go take some Geritol and go lay down for a while.
I didn't say I couldn't evaluate talent...I said I wasn't a professional "talent evaluator." I am sure you aware of this, but for some reason, want to post fabricated "facts."...that is odd?
You want me to provide "evidence"...really...is this a court of law. Evidence to compare me to other posters? I don't read all posters, just a small sampling. Your demand of "evidence" is odd...
If you don't care about gambling stories...why would you read them? That is odd...
I noted that I had commented on the potential of Uhl last year...you seem to have ignored that? That is odd?
All of these things are odd, or, perhaps you are just odd...
Tuna...go take some Geritol and go lay down for a while.
Hate to be redundant, but you do not have to say that YOU are unable to evaluate talent... it is abundantly obvious from YOU.
Carry on with the lame attempt to dodge and divert attention from your own misgivings, Jimmy the Greek!
Why should anyone give a shitt?
a) you were wrong about Gesell;
b) you already admitted that you are a poor talent evaluator;
c) you believe being ahead $800, after several years of gambling, is worth bragging about; and
d) you still do not know how to use the QUOTE function
I have stated in other posts that MG in the PTL and MG in the regular season are very different. Yes, I understand the PTL is a glorified recreational league, but when MG has dialed it up, he has been unstoppable in the PTL. Unfortunately he has waited until his team has been almost hopelessly behind. The PG mentality is difficult to shift in and out of, but I like the fact that this year he is being more aggressive and picking his spots. Years past I cringed when MG took a perimeter shot. This year I look forward to him taking a leadership role at critical junctures vs. deferring.
Making ft's at 80% and at critical times is the MG of his freshman year. MG has always been solid otherwise and has shot well at times, when completely healthy. I'm sure being able to focus primarily on bball, as a graduate, has also got to help. Hope he can keep performing at a very high level.
Also wish the pissing matches would stop, guys.
Also wish the pissing matches would stop, guys.
NU...I think you are confused...you are responding to a post I wrote in reference to someone else. Perhaps you have your functions confused.
Wrong about MG in what way? He is an average talent who has really improved in his last year, at least in the conference. One would expect that for a four year starter. And...I think he is pretty healthy right now. And...if and when he has his next awful game...I will not rejoice. I want him to do well.
Where did I admit that I am a bad talent evaluator? I think I am fairly average at that, like most fans. I don't do it for a living.
Bragging about $800...I don't recall doing that. It is a pittance for as many years as I have dabbled in it. I certainly don't claim to know what I am doing, do it for fun.
Quote function...you might want to work on that a bit yourself...note above.
And if you really don't care...why would you read it and comment on it? That is odd...
Wrong about MG in what way? He is an average talent who has really improved in his last year, at least in the conference. One would expect that for a four year starter. And...I think he is pretty healthy right now. And...if and when he has his next awful game...I will not rejoice. I want him to do well.
Where did I admit that I am a bad talent evaluator? I think I am fairly average at that, like most fans. I don't do it for a living.
Bragging about $800...I don't recall doing that. It is a pittance for as many years as I have dabbled in it. I certainly don't claim to know what I am doing, do it for fun.
Quote function...you might want to work on that a bit yourself...note above.
And if you really don't care...why would you read it and comment on it? That is odd...
Less than 3 hours later you wrote:
Not only are you frequently wrong but, sadly, you can't remember what the hell you said to begin with.
....... and so the cycle continues.
It also helps that he now is surrounded by shooters to keep things spaced.
RevKev has at least faced his critics, which is better than many of the others who like to bitch about the players after a loss.
As the PG, Mike has taken a lot of the blame for the failure of his teammates over the past couple of years. There have been times where he was stuck with the ball and had to try to make something out of nothing, because his teammates didn't execute or were afraid to be the shooter. That didn't work out some of the time. Fortunately, this year, Pete and Jarrod both are volume shooters, who now want to shoot and are good at it. Sapp also can create some shots. As a result, Mike gets to pick and choose when to be a scorer, which makes him look a lot better. We will miss Mike when he is gone.
As the PG, Mike has taken a lot of the blame for the failure of his teammates over the past couple of years. There have been times where he was stuck with the ball and had to try to make something out of nothing, because his teammates didn't execute or were afraid to be the shooter. That didn't work out some of the time. Fortunately, this year, Pete and Jarrod both are volume shooters, who now want to shoot and are good at it. Sapp also can create some shots. As a result, Mike gets to pick and choose when to be a scorer, which makes him look a lot better. We will miss Mike when he is gone.
Concur Redhawk...MG has been hung out to dry a lot over the years, as Iowa has lacked players who can get open and score. Now, Uthoff, Jok, Uhl, Baer can get open, get their shots off, and make a lot of them.
MG always has struck me as a player who plays with a lot of "worry" about him... Now, he seems to have settled into a nice spot for him and for the other players. A supporting cast makes everyone look better, even the coaches.
I have been a critic...but sincerely do enjoy seeing him have a standout senior year. I hope it keeps up. Need more salve after that Rose Bowl.
MG always has struck me as a player who plays with a lot of "worry" about him... Now, he seems to have settled into a nice spot for him and for the other players. A supporting cast makes everyone look better, even the coaches.
I have been a critic...but sincerely do enjoy seeing him have a standout senior year. I hope it keeps up. Need more salve after that Rose Bowl.
