How do we compete this season?

[RocknRollface]

Joe T has more potential to be a good defender too. He along with C.J. can actually play man D. When Connor and others in we are in zone for sure because they can’t move their feet quick enough. So I disagree about the ‘committing’ to D. We have some guys who can’t at this level. Give me some mistakes with 30 minutes of juice.

Not accurate.

We play zone because of Garza. He can't defend screens.

When RK is in we can play man.

Connor has been fine in man defense.

Yes Joe T is better and obviously should be the pg over Connor but Connors defense has been more than adequate. It's his offense that lacks.

 

[Hawk-Fran1]

Who are our best defenders?

 

[Bee93]

The Hawks should be able to beat most of the teams in the NAIA.

Perhaps not the imposing fellas from Santa Clara?

Lol at the brick wall that the basket is hanging on. Ouch

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Connor is our best guard at drawing fouls. Was last year too. Sometimes I don’t know what games people are watching.

 

[RocknRollface]

Who are our best defenders?

CJ and Joe T are strong on ball defenders who both also seem to understand team defense. I've seen Joe directing traffic on the defensive end which is fantastic.

Kriener is pretty good for a big, he can move laterally and is usually pretty good at cutting off drives.

Joe W, Connor and Evelyn are pretty decent.

Haven't seen enough of Pat.

Garza tries but is poor overall because of his lack of mobility.

Nunge appears clueless and plays without effort.

JBO looks like he isn't interested at this point.

 

[Rifler]

Definitely need to give Toussaint playing time at point,... the sooner we can take his training wheels off the better...

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Evelyn is playing out of position. I don't know how good he is, but when you go from having the ball in your hands to playing off the ball, it's a big adjustment. He is at least physically capable of staying in the same zip code as the guy he is guarding and can go north-south with the ball. I could care less if he can shoot the 3 (not his game and not needed) if he can defend, drive and create for others.

No way to mask how slow Iowa is, so my vote would be for the most athletic 5 to start. Right now I think CJ is better than what appears to be a 75% JBo. I would like to see Connor move off the ball to see what he can do. Nunge isn't the answer currently. JBo for CJ, Evelyn for Touissant, Kriener for Garza, Pemsl / Nunge for Connor, Patrick for JW. Sprinkle these guys in vs. going to a line change. Sub earlier so starters can see what is going on and get back vs. the 10 minute mark.

PG-Touissant
SG-CJ
F: JW
F: Connor
C: Garza

 

[Call me rocket]

Four corners and the bounce pass.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Too early to tell much. I hope the DePaul game was not a good indicator.

We know JoeW is our best overall player and Luka is good offensively. Kriener is solid, and ideally would be the back up at 4 and/or 5. Nunge has been incredibly disappointing and we need to see if Pemsl has evolved from the limited player of 2 years ago. One of those two need to step up. Based on 2 games, CJF should get significant minutes at 2. He and JoeW are both contributors on both ends. I would like to see JoeT and Evelyn more in the early games to see where they fit and what they can do. How much those two play might depend on whether JBo ready. I think many are more down on Connor than I am. He has limited speed and I still don't think he is an outside threat, but he does know how to run an offense and he plays with a toughness. Ideally, he plays more like 15-20 min/game. I am good with PMac playing when JoeW is sitting, but that should only be about 10 min/game.

 

[go-hawks37]

Saw in Frans presser yesterday that he needs to get Garza and Kriener some more time together in practice as they have primarily been going against each other in practice.

Fran mentioned Nunges slow start and then once again stated that Jack has been the most consistent player all fall. Something he has mentioned several times when discussing Nunge. One would then wonder why he has looked so poor the first two games when he should have been the most likely to be a strong contributor. When thinking about the fall, who was missing from the team, Pemsl. If Garza and Kriener we’re battling each other, who was Nunge competing against? It’s and interesting question and might explain his soft play.

 

[hawkeyemark56]

I think Fran has some decisions to make about Connor's role which comes with the territory bringing your son in the program. I don't hate playing Connor either but don't want to see him taking minutes from others who may help us more. Smart and tough kid and heady player who has that baseball arm that facilitates distributing the ball. The future at that position clearly seems Toussaint and maybe Evelyn could help there too which seems his more natural position as he doesn't seem to bring much to the table at that other guard spot.

I agree with an earlier comment that we should try working Connor off the ball more where he can still help us with his passing. He can really help the team as a role player here and there as long as he still wants to play basketball. Dad doesn't help him nor the team trying to force something more than that.

 

[amahawk]

It is time for the coaches to earn their salaries.

 

[Call me rocket]

If we could play 8 or 9 players versus the other teams five, I really think we’d have a decent chance.

 

[owenhawk]

You're going to bench our best or second best talent, CJ??? He is solid on offense and defense. Overall, he's a better and more complete player than Bohannon and Evelyn.

Agreed completely. It’s only been 3 games but CJF has easily been the best all-around player in the floor (I’m talking Offense, Defense, decision-making, etc) so far. Mind you I’m not saying he is a better player then Wieskamp or Garza but so far he looks like the most complete player in all phases. I want him playing 30+ minutes every game until he proves that isn’t the case (and of it it for real long-term, plays all the time).

 

[RocknRollface]

Agreed completely. It’s only been 3 games but CJF has easily been the best all-around player in the floor (I’m talking Offense, Defense, decision-making, etc) so far. Mind you I’m not saying he is a better player then Wieskamp or Garza but so far he looks like the most complete player in all phases. I want him playing 30+ minutes every game until he proves that isn’t the case (and of it it for real long-term, plays all the time).

Yes, the combination of the two Joe's and CJ will make for an upper middle guard court in this conference.

We have two decent but unathletic bigs right now. Hopefully Pemsl can round into shape and or Nunge 7ft balls finally drop.

 

[Hawktucson]

The problem is we have no good option at the 4. And I don’t think we can win with Toussiant in the short-term. He’s going to the turn the ball over a lot and take bad shots.

If the goal is to win this year, the only way is playing low mistake players, limiting turn-overs, and committing to defense.

If JBO redshirts then I’m fine with a full rebuild I guess this year. Just play the freshman a lot.

What are you saying? Did you watch Joe in the last few minutes of the game? He scored 13 points in 13 minutes. Had a couple steals, disrupted DePaul. Joe also helped bring us back to fininh 15 down. Watch the game...I did twice. He needs to get at least 25 minutes now. CJF and Joe were good. Good defensive players. Sure they both may turn the ball over...but they are up and coming studs!

 

[drew_hawk]

Thoughts and prayers.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Evelyn was 0-2, 3 assists, 1 rebound and no turnovers.

Connor was 1-3, 3 assists, 0 rebounds and 2 turnovers.

From your perspective, Evelyn showed nothing but Connor did not play that bad?

Connor was way better

 

[BirdistheWord]

No way Luka can average 30 minutes a game, He gets gassed pretty easily.

25+ though, and Kreiner needs to be in the same neighborhood as Nunge/Pemsl is not the answer

 

[Eternal Return]

I think at this point if you gave our guys handguns, we’d still lose most games by double digits.

They'd need automatic weapons with customized clips just to stop average players from dunking on them every possession. This team would be bad even if they were playing in the 1950s.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Connor was way better

You realize the joe T mostly played against the depaul scrubs while down 20 right?

Holy crap people are overreacting. Connor was one of the two people who actually tried to make something happen before the game was decided.

 

[papabeef]

Evelyn showed almost nothing tonight. Nunge disappeared. Pemsl was tentative and rusty. Toussant looked awfully snarky at times, and out of control. Wieskamp did little. PMac is a reserve. It was a good game for Fredrick, Garza, and I don't think Connor played that bad. Kreiner looked very good when he didn't handle the ball. I mean, DePaul made us look like a JV team. They are picked 10th in the Big East, but I think they are a Top 20 team if they keep playing like this. We are not very good unless we play weak teams, it appears at this point..

connor didnt play that bad ? wow

 

[papabeef]

You realize the joe T mostly played against the depaul scrubs while down 20 right?

Holy crap people are overreacting. Connor was one of the two people who actually tried to make something happen before the game was decided.

connor was horrible .

 

[Ihawkhoops]

]

Connor is our best guard at drawing fouls. Was last year too. Sometimes I don’t know what games people are watching.

Connor after 2 games is averaging 23 minutes, 8 points, 3 assists, 1.4 turnovers, .5 steals, 43% from the field, 30% from 3, 100% from the line.

Touissant after 2 games is averaging 14 minutes, 11 points, 1.5 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 58% from the field and 50% from 3, 67% from the line.

So with 9 minutes less PT per game and a lot of PT with the second unit, Touissant ins't being blown away statistically by Connor.

 

[hawkeyemark56]

]


Connor after 2 games is averaging 23 minutes, 8 points, 3 assists, 1.4 turnovers, .5 steals, 43% from the field, 30% from 3, 100% from the line.

Touissant after 2 games is averaging 14 minutes, 11 points, 1.5 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 58% from the field and 50% from 3, 67% from the line.

So with 9 minutes less PT per game and a lot of PT with the second unit, Touissant ins't being blown away statistically by Connor.

Good post. This gets to why things get distorted with Fran's sons on the team in so many ways. People IMO correctly see that Fran wants his boys playing a prominent role on the team. For example I don't think it serves Patrick well not redshirting this season and trying to bulk up. Fans see what Touissant brings to the table and overreact as he obviously seems the future. Connor doesn't seem the answer at the point but as you say he doesn't look that bad comparatively between the two.

We have a messy situation at point guard which Fran has created. It very much impacts the direction of the program.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Good post. This gets to why things get distorted with Fran's sons on the team in so many ways. People IMO correctly see that Fran wants his boys playing a prominent role on the team. For example I don't think it serves Patrick well not redshirting this season and trying to bulk up. Fans see what Touissant brings to the table and overreact as he obviously seems the future. Connor doesn't seem the answer at the point but as you say he doesn't look that bad comparatively between the two.

We have a messy situation at point guard which Fran has created. It very much impacts the direction of the program.

Are you crazy? CONNOR IS THE BACKUP PG WHO IS STARTING DUE TO INJURY.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

You realize the joe T mostly played against the depaul scrubs while down 20 right?

Holy crap people are overreacting. Connor was one of the two people who actually tried to make something happen before the game was decided.

Joe T. played mostly against the scrubs because Fran didn't play him sooner. What do you have to lose down 19-2 with the team totally stagnant? Did you watch Penn State last night? Their guards attacked the rim, broke the defense down, made plays or created good looks for others off of penetration. That is what PG's should do (just not at Iowa).

How hard is it to look back at the better Iowa teams and connect the dots--they had more dynamic PG's than JBo or Connor? Do you see any other P5 teams going with two white PG's who can't take anybody off the bounce? I am not claiming JT is the savior of Iowa hoops and that Connor is to blame for all the issues, but it's pretty clear (at least to everyone but you) that JT brings a different skill set the court.

When you have MSU-level talent you can throw a kid like Foster Loyer out there to facilitate the offense. Iowa is not MSU. Connor has made improvements and credit him for that, but IMO he is a better fit off the ball at the 3 or 4.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

]


Connor after 2 games is averaging 23 minutes, 8 points, 3 assists, 1.4 turnovers, .5 steals, 43% from the field, 30% from 3, 100% from the line.

Touissant after 2 games is averaging 14 minutes, 11 points, 1.5 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 58% from the field and 50% from 3, 67% from the line.

So with 9 minutes less PT per game and a lot of PT with the second unit, Touissant ins't being blown away statistically by Connor.

i have no idea where you are getting your stats. Per KenPom, Connor is currently LEADING the entire team in ORtg and has a 57% eFg%. He’s 2-4 from 3pt. Assist rate of nearly 25%. Drawing over 5 fouls per 40 min.

I assumed that people would know this by watching the games, but evidently we are choosing to ignore reality and make him a target because god forbid he step in as the starter when Jordan is hurt.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Joe T. played mostly against the scrubs because Fran didn't play him sooner. What do you have to lose down 19-2 with the team totally stagnant? Did you watch Penn State last night? Their guards attacked the rim, broke the defense down, made plays or created good looks for others off of penetration. That is what PG's should do (just not at Iowa).

How hard is it to look back at the better Iowa teams and connect the dots--they had more dynamic PG's than JBo or Connor? Do you see any other P5 teams going with two white PG's who can't take anybody off the bounce? I am not claiming JT is the savior of Iowa hoops and that Connor is to blame for all the issues, but it's pretty clear (at least to everyone but you) that JT brings a different skill set the court.

When you have MSU-level talent you can throw a kid like Foster Loyer out there to facilitate the offense. Iowa is not MSU. Connor has made improvements and credit him for that, but IMO he is a better fit off the ball at the 3 or 4.

No, point guards should get the ball to the scorers on the team and score when needed. Fran has clearly made Joe and Garza the offensive focus with CJ also getting a lot of shots so I have no idea why you think the PG should be taking shots away from them.

 

[RocknRollface]

Connor doesn't deserve the hate but Joe does deserve to be the primary pg.

 

[hawkeyemark56]

Connor doesn't deserve the hate but Joe does deserve to be the primary pg.

Spot on. Which makes this like most things in life a complex situation. Fran has Connor not helping the team as much as he could playing him as the lead guard which seems his dream scenario. It has impacted recruiting too IMO which winds up in a situation where we have him and a freshman manning the position. Bohannon when healthy should never have had as much put on his plate as we gave him expecting him to run the point which he can also do ably in spot situations.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

I wonder why there are 20 posts about the backup point guard that’s being pressed into starting duty for every one post about the star starting shooting guard that scored four points the other night?

 

[unoHawkeye]

I think that Jack Nunge or Ryan Kriener should slide over to start at PG to create a point forward scenario. Let Cordell start at the 4 in what would be an absolutely lethal starting lineup

 

[Hawk-Fran1]

Can CJ run the point at all?

 

[Ihawkhoops]

No, point guards should get the ball to the scorers on the team and score when needed. Fran has clearly made Joe and Garza the offensive focus with CJ also getting a lot of shots so I have no idea why you think the PG should be taking shots away from them.

Have you ever played basketball (non video game)? I suspect not. If you think Iowa has enough talent for a PG, any PG, to be strictly a facilitator to 2-3 guys and not impact the game more prominently, then you are clearly seeing a different product than I am. You have heard of Cassius Winston right? Does he just facilitate to the focal points on offense? No P5 or even D 3 team tells a PG "You are here to facilitate for others. Do not look to score or create." Maybe 50 years ago when teams started 5 white guys, oh wait, that is 2019 for Iowa.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Have you ever played basketball (non video game)? I suspect not. If you think Iowa has enough talent for a PG, any PG, to be strictly a facilitator to 2-3 guys and not impact the game more prominently, then you are clearly seeing a different product than I am. You have heard of Cassius Winston right? Does he just facilitate to the focal points on offense? No P5 or even D 3 team tells a PG "You are here to facilitate for others. Do not look to score or create." Maybe 50 years ago when teams started 5 white guys, oh wait, that is 2019 for Iowa.

If you think fran wants Joe T to come in and take shots away from Garza and Wiesman you have not listening to one thing he has said to this point. Even so, at 8ppg and drawing fouls and getting to the line Connor is basically already doing what people think Joe magically do better.

I’m not saying Joe T won’t be good, but the hate for Connor is bordering on absurd. Perfect example of ignoring reality to support your own narrative, which of course everyone could see coming as soon as we lost a game.

 

[hawkeyemark56]

I would have to go back and re-read this thread but I don't have much of a vibe that people hate Connor. Most I think just see his dad as not putting him in the best position to help the team. Connor and Patrick have fulfilled their dream playing for their dad. That doesn't make for an easy situation for them and I suspect creates pressures that other athletes don't have. Connor pulls this off playing baseball and from what I read maintaining a 4.0 or something close to it in the classroom. Most rational fans I think get it and want the best for both boys within the framework of what works best for the team.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

I would have to go back and re-read this thread but I don't have much of a vibe that people hate Connor. Most I think just see his dad as not putting him in the best position to help the team. Connor and Patrick have fulfilled their dream playing for their dad. That doesn't make for an easy situation for them and I suspect creates pressures that other athletes don't have. Connor pulls this off playing baseball and from what I read maintaining a 4.0 or something close to it in the classroom. Most rational fans I think get it and want the best for both boys within the framework of what works best for the team.

I’m just more than a little baffled at why Connor is the chosen whipping boy from last week when he was least of our problems.

 

[CRHawk85]

Evelyn was 0-2, 3 assists, 1 rebound and no turnovers.

Connor was 1-3, 3 assists, 0 rebounds and 2 turnovers.

From your perspective, Evelyn showed nothing but Connor did not play that bad?

Connor was also 6-6 from the line or did you just want to leave out that he was aggressive getting to the hoop

 

[Rifler]

I’m just more than a little baffled at why Connor is the chosen whipping boy from last week when he was least of our problems.

Connor and Patrick will always be the whipping boys for some just because of their surname...