Having more fun watching this team than I have any team in a long long time.

[hansenhawk]

Just thought I would pass that along.

Not that a few past NCAA teams haven't been that good, but something about these kids now is much MUCH different.

Hope is a good thing, Red.

 

[vincebrookins]

It's nice to have bigs that can finish around the basket.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

I agree, enjoy watching them and oddly enough this might be our worst team in the last four years. Weird.

 

[HerkysDad]

1. They play as a team
2. There are many interchangable parts so they can stay fresh
3. They seem to be in sync with each other
4. Shooters are not hesitant, if open. This was an issue a couple of years ago.
5. They don't get hung up on mistakes, but learn from them
6. They understand their roles and that theybare only one injury away from next man in.
7. They hustle.


Feel free to add more!

 

[kcgolfer]

1. They play as a team
2. There are many interchangable parts so they can stay fresh
3. They seem to be in sync with each other
4. Shooters are not hesitant, if open. This was an issue a couple of years ago.
5. They don't get hung up on mistakes, but learn from them
6. They understand their roles and that theybare only one injury away from next man in.
7. They hustle.

They seem to really pull for each other. Very nice to see. Good chemistry is a great thing to have.
Feel free to add more!

 

[iowalawhawk]

The lack of expectations really helps me. It's a team that can win every game but isn't expected to make the NCAA, so the lows after a loss aren't so low.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

There were too lofty of expectations placed on Gesell and Woodbury. I think that was a lot of it. Uthoff also had an insipid demeanor that led people to believe he didn't care.

These kids are young, athletic, and play with passion and pride. They're fun to watch. As fans, that's all you can ask.

 

[MAXIMUSHAWKEYE]

I can't remember that last time a team had not 1 but 2 bigs that can finish the way they do. A pure shooter..Roy Marble is the closest to Jok I recall. Friggin Kreiner contributed..Depth galore..

 

[SDHawkDoc]

If you're enamored of defense and wish for a return to those fun days of first to 50 wins, then you may not be enjoying it as much.
Me, I'm enjoying it quite a bit.
The nebby, scUM, and now pu are the kind of games that keep me glued to the screen.

 

[amahawk]

Just thought I would pass that along.

Not that a few past NCAA teams haven't been that good, but something about these kids now is much MUCH different.

Hope is a good thing, Red.

I love this seasons teams guts and toughness. This has been lacking during the last few seasons.

 

[kceasthawk]

There were too lofty of expectations placed on Gesell and Woodbury. I think that was a lot of it. Uthoff also had an insipid demeanor that led people to believe he didn't care.

These kids are young, athletic, and play with passion and pride. They're fun to watch. As fans, that's all you can ask.

Well said!

 

[HawkLogic]

I loved watching last year's team bury MSU twice and bury Purdue twice. The problem was seeing them slump and become a mediocre team was not enjoyable.

Uthoff has to be one of the most skilled Bigs I have ever seen. I liked his attitude and fact that he returned to Iowa to play. There was not a lot that team could do once everyone figured out they only had to guard 2 guys.

This year's team has a lot more weapons. They are fun to watch, and Fran ball is fun when they are outscoring opponents.

 

[ICWestfan]

I think the team everyone expected to see was there right out of the gate. But they haven't given up and are showing improvement which we all can appreciate. I don't have any expectations other than for Iowa to compete as best they can. That's what is fun for me.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

Best thread in years. This team is fun. They have the demeanor of winners.

 

[twindman]

1. They play as a team
2. There are many interchangable parts so they can stay fresh
3. They seem to be in sync with each other
4. Shooters are not hesitant, if open. This was an issue a couple of years ago.
5. They don't get hung up on mistakes, but learn from them
6. They understand their roles and that theybare only one injury away from next man in.
7. They hustle.

8. At least 2 guys that I don't cringe when shooting free throws late in the game. Actually about 4 - add in Baer and Ellingson to JoBo and Jok.[/QUOTE]

 

[VicHawkeye]

This team is my favorite since the 1980s and it reminds me of Iowa teams from that era. Isaiah Moss' future is just dreamy. Picture making the NCAA tourney, being able to count on Jok for 25 and a guy like Moss drops 15 in a half, then does it again 2 days later. I haven't fooled myself into thinking we had a real chance since being an actual naive young fan in the 1980s.

 

[Jumpshot00]

If there was a way to figure out how to get a few thousand more students to go to the games it could really create a good atmosphere. This team has aspects a crowd can feed of off - then in return the players can feed off the crowds energy. The aspects that come to mind off the top of my head and in no particular order 1) Cooks explosive dunks 2) Baers play based on intense hustle 3) Bohannons cold blooded play at pg 4) Joks offensive skills that maybe come along once a decade 5) Toughness and not gonna be intimidated play of Pemsl 6) Moss in transition making plays and finishing.
These are just the things off the top off my head that make this version of Iowa bb entertaining and crowd pleasing. If we could get people there and into it there may be a home court advantage like we haven't seen in a long time.

 

[hawkcub]

The near nothing expecrations and the excitement for the future makes this team exciting. Best way to describe them is they are going to take 2 steps forward one step back all year.

 

[2432Hawk]

Just thought I would pass that along.

Not that a few past NCAA teams haven't been that good, but something about these kids now is much MUCH different.

Hope is a good thing, Red.

Yeah, probably my favorite team to watch till this years didn't make the NCAA's either. The 94-95 Iowa Team I really enjoyed and their NIT Run almost got them to NYC.

Kenyon Murray
Jess Settles
Ryan Bowen
Chris Kingsbury
Andre Woolridge
Jim Bartles
Russ Millard
Mon'ter Glasper

 

[goodbyebobby]

I thought Jok should have been the man last year. JU always seemed to like being Robin.

Yes, this team is fun to watch. Cook and Pemsl are going to be a load for the league, the rest of this season, as Cook seemed to get real comfortable in the second half.

 

[hooper56]

This is the TOUGHEST team Fran has had at Iowa. With all due respect I can't see Uthoff or White taking Ivan Drago to the ground to secure the jump ball. Even Jok who some have said is a crybaby, gets beat up on a nightly basis and just keeps firing. He doesn't ever quit. Bohannon is money on his freethrows down the stretch, he doesn't feel the pressure.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Excellent topic, OP, and excellent contributions throughout the thread. This team IS fun to watch for tons of reasons, but the two that separate this bunch for me are (1) so many native Iowa kids are playing key roles and (2) the fearless toughness with which they play. A competitive spirit, like speed, is almost impossible to teach. I LOVE the way these Hawkeyes are now going after rebounds. I LOVE the way they FIGHT cleanly for the ball against fellas much bigger than they. The song says "Fight! Fight! Fight! for Iowa until the game is won." Well, I'm not sure any Hawkeye team has lived up to those lyrics any better than this basketball team. That, more than anything, makes this team FUN to watch. They will not quit.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

I love this team, but we have to be patient as they will have their ups and downs, especially on the road. Fran is on the verge of something special, with the wealth of talent coming in next year and beyond. . And Fran has to be tough with his schollys once he's loaded up.

 

[sober_teacher]

Excellent topic, OP, and excellent contributions throughout the thread. This team IS fun to watch for tons of reasons, but the two that separate this bunch for me are (1) so many native Iowa kids are playing key roles and (2) the fearless toughness with which they play. A competitive spirit, like speed, is almost impossible to teach. I LOVE the way these Hawkeyes are now going after rebounds. I LOVE the way they FIGHT cleanly for the ball against fellas much bigger than they. The song says "Fight! Fight! Fight! for Iowa until the game is won." Well, I'm not sure any Hawkeye team has lived up to those lyrics any better than this basketball team. That, more than anything, makes this team FUN to watch. They will not quit.

Your last bit is the most important to me. Last year, and to a lesser extent 2 years ago, it didn't feel like the team had a counter if they got pushed. The fight this team has is something that is very difficult if not impossible to coach.

 

[hansenhawk]

I agree, enjoy watching them and oddly enough this might be our worst team in the last four years. Weird.

Yep.

 

[mazda1]

I love this team when they play with all out effort and we are seeing that on a much more regular basis.

I like that Fran is ahead of the curve with recruiting with Weiskamp and P.M. on board.
This team could discourage some recruits looking for playing time.

I could see J Bo playing more minutes at the two next year as we will need spacing once Jok leaves. If Conner can handle the point we've got options.

This team will be fun to watch for a lot of years to come. We are still a work in progress, but it's easy to get behind kids who will bust their butts.

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

Great thread and good replies! One thing I noticed in the Purdue game, during a break when the players were getting ready to get into position it looked to me like Cook was asking Pemsl what to do. Pemsl told him what to do and Cook shook his head and got ready to play. I loved seeing that, it showed that Pemsl is further along than Cook in understanding the x's & o's and Cook was ok asking for help, which to me is great! With Cook's athletic abilities and Pemsl's old man skills and knowledge along with the rest of the freshmen and obviously Jok, this will definitely be a fun season the rest of the way. The future is very bright!

 

[IamHawkeye]

I love this seasons teams guts and toughness. This has been lacking during the last few seasons.

I really wish fans could like and praise this team without knocking past teams.

 

[regibson1]

1. They play as a team
2. There are many interchangable parts so they can stay fresh
3. They seem to be in sync with each other
4. Shooters are not hesitant, if open. This was an issue a couple of years ago.
5. They don't get hung up on mistakes, but learn from them
6. They understand their roles and that theybare only one injury away from next man in.
7. They hustle.

8. At least 2 guys that I don't cringe when shooting free throws late in the game. Actually about 4 - add in Baer and Ellingson to JoBo and Jok.

[/QUOTE]

9. This team finishes games. We have been behind by 7 points or more with less than 10 minutes left in the game several times this year. I have had full confidence in Iowa's ability to score and get back into the game.

I wasn't even that upset when Iowa lost to Nebraska although I felt that we deserved to win that game. It was so much fun to watch them play in the overtime periods.

I was able to see the great 1969-70 team play every home game as a college student at Iowa in the old fieldhouse. This team for me has been as enjoyable to watch this season even though we won't be undefeated in the B10. We are so young and talented and play so well together already as a team. It's only going to get better and better!