Going To Be A Fun Season

[Auger]

I was pleasantly surprised watching the game last night. Going into the season my expectations were bubble team but lean to NIT. After last night my expectations are the same. However that is exactly why this season will be a fun one to watch. These kids have a lot of talent and watching this team come together and grow that talent into a competitive B1G team will be fun to watch.

Both Keegan and Patrick are going to be well known throughout the B1G by the end of the season. The key for both and the team will be them developing into team leaders and powerful voices on the court. Toussaint yeah he shot the ball well, but the bigger story is he showed he can be a lockdown defender. He also handled the ball really well. If he takes that next step this season and provides consistency in his play this team could go beyond expectations. Bohannon playing off the ball is a dream come true for a lot of fans. He took over ball control and really knew when to interject himself at the point of attack perfectly last night. He can be a major weapon. Well done by Fran and him.

Last night we saw Kris Murray do what Keegan Murray did last season. It looks like Kris is going to slide right in and provide that punch Keegan did for Iowa off the bench. Kris like his brother is very polished inside/out on offense and is a plus rebounder and defender. Kenyon has done a tremendous job raising these two. They have a top notch work ethic.

Ulis will be key this year. He looked solid running the point, played solid D, and picked his shots well. Really hope he can give Iowa 15 solid mpg like that this season. Perkins is a very talented athlete who hopefully learns to calm down when he has the ball in his hands. He rushed his shots last night. He does a lot of the grunt work well. Sandfort is slightly slower and a little less athletic than Weiskamp but his shot looks just as solid as a young Wieskamp. I like the comparison many make to Kyle Korver.

I really like Connor's new role. He is the glue to that 2nd unit right now that really allows those younger players to play within their strengths. When Patrick is playing with them the unit has plenty of offensive fire power to make up for Connor. Connor does a lot of the small things very well.

There is a lot of young talent on this team. There will be growing pains and plenty of things to celebrate. I had the day off yesterday and was able to watch a lot of B1G basketball. The middle of the conference is open. Iowa can definitely compete within it. Not sure if this team comes out 6th or 7th, or 8th or 9th though. Iowa doesn't have a strong non-conference schedule this year so if they make the dance it will because they finished 6th-8th in the B1G and got some big wins in conference. The B1G will be the deepest conference again.

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

It will be fun until we play a team with a legit center. We are going to get dominated in the paint this year.

 

[Auger]

It will be fun until we play a team with a legit center. We are going to get dominated in the paint this year.

They will but this team also has some tall athletes that play at full speed at all times. They won't shut down any of the top 5's in this league but they are very capable at preventing them from dominating a game. Iowa on the flip side can create a lot of mismatches with Keegan and Patrick. Watching this team learn to overcome mismatches while creating their own is going to be key to the development of this team. Even more so going into next season when Iowa likely has a more capable 5. There will be a lot to learn for this team this season that will make them a much more polished well rounded team.

 

[mthawkeyes]

It will be fun until we play a team with a legit center. We are going to get dominated in the paint this year.

Doesn't matter. Just shoot 45% from 3 all season and let it ride.

 

[longliveCS40]

Agree with your assessment on all counts. I was impressed by Connor's form on the 3 he knocked down last night. He didn't look to have that sideways stance. If he can be a threat from outside, that will be extremely helpful.

Sandfort's confidence impresses me. He's not shy about letting shots fly and that's a good thing.

I like this team. It's a real shame Nunge transferred because he's the missing piece to the starting 5.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I don't know how many games this team is going to win, but I expect them to be very competitive all season.

These guys are FAST and LONG - lots of potential scorers. Rebounding today is more about quickness getting to the ball and off the floor rather than raw height, so I think these guys will be fine there. They have the length and athletic ability to play good defense.

If they can shoot well and keep the turnovers down, they should be in most games I think.

 

[BBHawk]

It will be fun until we play a team with a legit center. We are going to get dominated in the paint this year.

And those teams will always be a person short when Iowa runs on them. Their center will have to guard out to 20 feet, and they will have to know to pass out of double teams because Iowa is going to trap and double the heck out of them.

 

[Auger]

I will add that the teams with the leagues best 5's Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue are teams Iowa isn't going to compete with regardless. The teams Iowa needs to beat and compete with that have good post players, Indiana, MSU, Ohio St and Maryland play into Iowa's strengths and weaknesses a little better. All four of those teams also at the moment have weaknesses Iowa can exploit. Then you have Rutgers and Wisconsin that don't really have bigs that can exploit Iowa. Much more straight up matchups with those two. After that Iowa should have a leg up on Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn St and Minnesota. The 5 isn't going to be as big of a hole from the standpoint of who this Iowa team is competing with.

 

[flaiawis]

It will be fun until we play a team with a legit center. We are going to get dominated in the paint this year.

Do you think Oregon fan was saying the same thing before they played Garza and Iowa? Their lack of a true 5 didn't seem to hurt them in boat racing Iowa.

 

[SotaHawk87]

I will add that the teams with the leagues best 5's Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue are teams Iowa isn't going to compete with regardless. The teams Iowa needs to beat and compete with that have good post players, Indiana, MSU, Ohio St and Maryland play into Iowa's strengths and weaknesses a little better. All four of those teams also at the moment have weaknesses Iowa can exploit. Then you have Rutgers and Wisconsin that don't really have bigs that can exploit Iowa. Much more straight up matchups with those two. After that Iowa should have a leg up on Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn St and Minnesota. The 5 isn't going to be as big of a hole from the standpoint of who this Iowa team is competing with.

Agreed if Iowa can win the ones they’re supposed to even with this being a rebuilding year there’s a shot at the dance. That would outpace my expectations at this point!

 

[amahawk]

The starters looked good but the backups need work. I think rebounding will be a concern. I am sure this will be fun team to watch. There will be ups and downs.

 

[Jumpshot00]

The starters looked good but the backups need work. I think rebounding will be a concern. I am sure this will be fun team to watch. There will be ups and downs.

I agree with this. I can see Fran using the 2nd unit as a group during some of the pre-season. Hopefully by January he has a rotation figured out where its not wholesale changes. The second unit will likely have trouble scoring but each of those guys can contribute in some way.
That said, substitution patterns and minute distribution has never been something anyone would call a strength of Frans.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

I'm not worried about playing Big 10 bigs. Get the ball to Keegan at the top of the key and let him cook. Think Hunter Dickinson is keeping up with him? NO!

 

[Auger]

If you were to rank Iowa's B1G schedule by Bad matchups: (Michigan, Purdue & Illini), Ok matchups: (OSU, Mary, MSU & Indiana), Solid/Even matchups (Rutgers, Wisconsin), and Favorable matchups (Nebraska, Northwestern, Minnesota and Penn St) Iowa has a pretty balanced schedule.

Iowa plays 6 games against teams Iowa is likely a major underdog (Bad matchups). Only 5 games against teams slightly favored or Ok matchups. Only 2 matchups against Even matchup teams, and then 7 games against the bottom 4. I could definitely see a 10-10 .500 record in conference play for Iowa. It's too bad this team has to play Purdue, Michigan and Illinois each twice. It's going to be hard for this team to win 1 of those 6 games. Maybe they can take one from Illinois.

 

[Bee93]

I’m in lockstep with your assessments, both team and individually, with one important exception. I really think Patrick needs to play more within himself. Among the core players, he is the one I worry about when he puts the ball on the floor to juke his man and drive. I think he’s more effective moving without the ball and getting into the lane and to the rim through ball movement.

 

[kcgolfer]

Quickest, most athletic team we have had in quite awhile. Agree with OP, it’s going to be fun, if we keep our expectations in check.

 

[Lumas Etima]

Do you think Oregon fan was saying the same thing before they played Garza and Iowa? Their lack of a true 5 didn't seem to hurt them in boat racing Iowa.

Similar to when Oregon played Iowa, it wouldn't shock me if we have games in which we give up 30+ points to a big man in the middle, but successfully mitigate the other 4 guys on the floor and end up in a competitive game.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

The biggest thing is that Fran needs to not do the line changes this year. There is a definite weakness in scoring with the 2nd unit. He needs to ensure there are at least two or three starters on the floor at all times during the games against legit competition. Last night when the 2nd unit went in we started to struggle to score, comparatively to the rest of the game, towards the end of the first half. That would go a long ways in keeping us in games. That and getting our guys to box out, which is still mind-blowing that we struggle at doing.

 

[kceasthawk]

They will but this team also has some tall athletes that play at full speed at all times. They won't shut down any of the top 5's in this league but they are very capable at preventing them from dominating a game. Iowa on the flip side can create a lot of mismatches with Keegan and Patrick. Watching this team learn to overcome mismatches while creating their own is going to be key to the development of this team. Even more so going into next season when Iowa likely has a more capable 5. There will be a lot to learn for this team this season that will make them a much more polished well rounded team.

True, but I wonder how long Cofi will want to be chasing Keegan or Rebraca around the floor. He seems to get winded very easily.....

 

[2432Hawk]

Do you think Oregon fan was saying the same thing before they played Garza and Iowa? Their lack of a true 5 didn't seem to hurt them in boat racing Iowa.

It really is going to come down to turnover margin and limiting offensive rebounds.... thus far my main concern has been the defensive glass.... too many 2nd chance opportunities.... but so far it really hasn't hurt because our defensive FG% is so good.

 

[BBHawk]

True, but I wonder how long Cofi will want to be chasing Keegan or Rebraca around the floor. He seems to get winded very easily.....

Cofi, or Dickinson, or any of the usual centers.

The defensive end will be where the challenge lies but I am hoping Iowa can remedy that with help defense.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

They will almost surely have struggles at times, but it's a team that is very watchable. Plenty of interesting individual player development storylines to follow.

I've always been frustrated with Fran's hockey line substitutions. Hopefully this preseason will see a gradual change in that as some guys rise, and some fall, in their minutes.

 

[kceasthawk]

Cofi, or Dickinson, or any of the usual centers.

The defensive end will be where the challenge lies but I am hoping Iowa can remedy that with help defense.

Those two and the 7'4" guy from Purdue. Anyone else I think we can straight match up against athletically and not just be overpowered. Cofi still seems to struggle with extended minutes, so hopefully Josh can just bang him around for a few minutes in each half, and then we can wear him out chasing...

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I like this team! Very fun to watch!

 

[AlvySinger]

I was pleasantly surprised watching the game last night. Going into the season my expectations were bubble team but lean to NIT. After last night my expectations are the same. However that is exactly why this season will be a fun one to watch. These kids have a lot of talent and watching this team come together and grow that talent into a competitive B1G team will be fun to watch.

Both Keegan and Patrick are going to be well known throughout the B1G by the end of the season. The key for both and the team will be them developing into team leaders and powerful voices on the court. Toussaint yeah he shot the ball well, but the bigger story is he showed he can be a lockdown defender. He also handled the ball really well. If he takes that next step this season and provides consistency in his play this team could go beyond expectations. Bohannon playing off the ball is a dream come true for a lot of fans. He took over ball control and really knew when to interject himself at the point of attack perfectly last night. He can be a major weapon. Well done by Fran and him.

Last night we saw Kris Murray do what Keegan Murray did last season. It looks like Kris is going to slide right in and provide that punch Keegan did for Iowa off the bench. Kris like his brother is very polished inside/out on offense and is a plus rebounder and defender. Kenyon has done a tremendous job raising these two. They have a top notch work ethic.

Ulis will be key this year. He looked solid running the point, played solid D, and picked his shots well. Really hope he can give Iowa 15 solid mpg like that this season. Perkins is a very talented athlete who hopefully learns to calm down when he has the ball in his hands. He rushed his shots last night. He does a lot of the grunt work well. Sandfort is slightly slower and a little less athletic than Weiskamp but his shot looks just as solid as a young Wieskamp. I like the comparison many make to Kyle Korver.

I really like Connor's new role. He is the glue to that 2nd unit right now that really allows those younger players to play within their strengths. When Patrick is playing with them the unit has plenty of offensive fire power to make up for Connor. Connor does a lot of the small things very well.

There is a lot of young talent on this team. There will be growing pains and plenty of things to celebrate. I had the day off yesterday and was able to watch a lot of B1G basketball. The middle of the conference is open. Iowa can definitely compete within it. Not sure if this team comes out 6th or 7th, or 8th or 9th though. Iowa doesn't have a strong non-conference schedule this year so if they make the dance it will because they finished 6th-8th in the B1G and got some big wins in conference. The B1G will be the deepest conference again.

Great post - appreciate and agree with your insights - excited for the season…!

 

[AlvySinger]

And those teams will always be a person short when Iowa runs on them. Their center will have to guard out to 20 feet, and they will have to know to pass out of double teams because Iowa is going to trap and double the heck out of them.

…hmmm…shades of…Dr. Tom Davis…!

 

[wilson reborn]

Typical Iowa season. Fighting to get into the bubble. Will be fun to watch. We got some players.

 

[combes]

True, but I wonder how long Cofi will want to be chasing Keegan or Rebraca around the floor. He seems to get winded very easily.....

Not sure where you get that. Kofi is an amazingly conditioned athlete. He is at the front of practice sprints. Not an ounce of fat on his body.

I see every game and the idea that Kofi gets winded easily is nuts.

Lace em up. Illinois will be happy to run with you.

 

[hexumhawk]

Agree with the OP.

Should be a fun season as we have some really good pieces to this team. I think we will run in to some problems against teams with solid bigs. Also will still struggle some with perimeter defense but JT being on the floor most of the game should help with that.

We do have the ability to stretch teams and take of the dribble better than in some years past - as a whole.

 

[perryhawk]

The starters looked good but the backups need work. I think rebounding will be a concern. I am sure this will be fun team to watch. There will be ups and downs.

As much as I hate playing these low ranked teams......your post tells exactly why they need to play this schedule. The backups, second tier, needs a lot of floor time to get comfort, confidence, and continuity. This schedule also gives the entire team a chance to stress areas that need work, like rebounding.

I think of guys like Tony.....lots of ability/talent.....he just needs time on the floor to get that comfort level. Ulis is another vital part of this team and his time playing against other teams while he regains his skills after his (wrist?) surgery is a big deal.

 

[BiPolarHawkeyeFan]

All the teams (specifically not B1G teams) that had success in the ncaa tournament last year played small or didn’t need a kofi or garza. Baylor played 4 guards. The idea you need a 7 foot center to be successful is stupid.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

They will but this team also has some tall athletes that play at full speed at all times. They won't shut down any of the top 5's in this league but they are very capable at preventing them from dominating a game. Iowa on the flip side can create a lot of mismatches with Keegan and Patrick. Watching this team learn to overcome mismatches while creating their own is going to be key to the development of this team. Even more so going into next season when Iowa likely has a more capable 5. There will be a lot to learn for this team this season that will make them a much more polished well rounded team.

Great post OP and agree with this post Auger. Combes.....it is going to be a tough match-up for us against your beloved Illini. I get that for sure and really not worried about our games with the Illini. I've been posting that this team has will be pretty damn good if not very good, give them some rope and sure enough - 106 points on Tuesday......

That is ALOT OF POINTS IN ANY GAME OF BB. Just look at the games with other B!G teams against no nothing opponents. LOL. And we set our starters going into the 4th quarter.....seriously? Keegan could have scored a lot more points. I watched the Michigan game last night, hell those starters and 7 foot plus Dickenson was playing the whole damn game....maybe a better team they played against but again......seriously?

I have been telling folks this team is talented with a ton of upside and after the first game....well.... I am feeling ...👍...

 

[Auger]

Great post OP and agree with this post Auger. Combes.....it is going to be a tough match-up for us against your beloved Illini. I get that for sure and really not worried about our games with the Illini. I've been posting that this team has will be pretty damn good if not very good, give them some rope and sure enough - 106 points on Tuesday......

That is ALOT OF POINTS IN ANY GAME OF BB. Just look at the games with other B!G teams against no nothing opponents. LOL. And we set our starters going into the 4th quarter.....seriously? Keegan could have scored a lot more points. I watched the Michigan game last night, hell those starters and 7 foot plus Dickenson was playing the whole damn game....maybe a better team they played against but again......seriously?

I have been telling folks this team is talented with a ton of upside and after the first game....well.... I am feeling ...👍...

Yeah after watching Michigan last night I would agree the top of the conference isn't as far ahead as many believed they would be. Iowa gets both the Illini and Purdue in early December as their two early conference games. Not a bad thing to play these teams early before they figure out some of their issues.

 

[RocknRollface]

It will be fun until we play a team with a legit center. We are going to get dominated in the paint this year.

Only if we let them consistently make entry passes.

You don't have to let them do that.

Play extremely agressive on the ball and if they drive so be it.

Theres a reason the center position is going extinct. Most can't guard on the perimeter.

If you're going to play small you have to be very deliberate about making them play defense on the perimeter every single time down court.

 

[RocknRollface]

And those teams will always be a person short when Iowa runs on them. Their center will have to guard out to 20 feet, and they will have to know to pass out of double teams because Iowa is going to trap and double the heck out of them.

Let's hope they double the post when it gets in there.

Thats what this team is built for.

Combining long quick guys that can get deflections and blocks and a super aggressive pest in Toussaint is perfect for that type of scheme.

 

[RocknRollface]

I will add that the teams with the leagues best 5's Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue are teams Iowa isn't going to compete with regardless. The teams Iowa needs to beat and compete with that have good post players, Indiana, MSU, Ohio St and Maryland play into Iowa's strengths and weaknesses a little better. All four of those teams also at the moment have weaknesses Iowa can exploit. Then you have Rutgers and Wisconsin that don't really have bigs that can exploit Iowa. Much more straight up matchups with those two. After that Iowa should have a leg up on Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn St and Minnesota. The 5 isn't going to be as big of a hole from the standpoint of who this Iowa team is competing with.

I think Iowa will be competitive in some of those games depending on how well they shoot.

Overall record I would agree. Those teams will probably finish 1-3.

 

[RocknRollface]

I'm not worried about playing Big 10 bigs. Get the ball to Keegan at the top of the key and let him cook. Think Hunter Dickinson is keeping up with him? NO!

Thats the thing. How deliberate are we going to be about attacking that matchup?

Will Fran be willing to adjust to a simpler yet less efficient style of offense in order to put pressure on the oppositions center?

 

[RocknRollface]

It really is going to come down to turnover margin and limiting offensive rebounds.... thus far my main concern has been the defensive glass.... too many 2nd chance opportunities.... but so far it really hasn't hurt because our defensive FG% is so good.

Thats why we need both Murrays in the game most of the time.

Keegan was the best rebounder in the conference last year.

 

[RocknRollface]

Not sure where you get that. Kofi is an amazingly conditioned athlete. He is at the front of practice sprints. Not an ounce of fat on his body.

I see every game and the idea that Kofi gets winded easily is nuts.

Lace em up. Illinois will be happy to run with you.

If he was not a defensive liability on the perimeter he'd be on an NBA team now.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

I also think folks are undermining the impact of our bigs, Mulvey and Josh O matching up against the bigs of the Illini, Dickenson, and PU and any others. Give them these initial games as a learning curve. I think Josh O will back tomorrow and I like him and Mulvey if for nothing else .......big match-ups....they are big bodies. Body to body, along with Rebreca and the Murrays. Dang, I like the quickness defensively of Rebreca and Keegan and the team. They are so quick and move their feet very well to stay in front of their defenders. Just make em feel uncomfortable when they are shooting the ball.....trust me.... that works.