How long does it take to change our defense?

[hawksense]

I'm not trying to hijack any other threads on the subject.

Those with experience in the field or even casual observers, how long would it take to turn around what we saw the other night? One tough practice? (hardly) One week? 2 weeks? The rest of the season?

And I'm talking about real differences. I know we won't be a polished item the next game. But, will we be better the next game? Will we be better by the conference season?

I also know that none of us truly knows what will transpire. But, those with more knowledge than me will have a better answer.

 

[DanL53]

I would not claim to have more knowledge than anyone. But my way of thinking has been past teams and how even experienced ones could have bogus games now and then.

Not just Iowa, either.

So I'm balancing the idea that this could have been the worst we could be, with the notion that our inexperience in game time situations means this is the norm.

 

[hawk-i bob]

I'm not trying to hijack any other threads on the subject.

Those with experience in the field or even casual observers, how long would it take to turn around what we saw the other night? One tough practice? (hardly) One week? 2 weeks? The rest of the season?

And I'm talking about real differences. I know we won't be a polished item the next game. But, will we be better the next game? Will we be better by the conference season?

I also know that none of us truly knows what will transpire. But, those with more knowledge than me will have a better answer.

That's OK ... the hijacking part. I don't think Fran could answer your question right now. Yes we will get better ... but it also has a little something to do with the opponent. There are a lot of really good teams out there. In watching a lot of games this week (oh retirement is so wonderful & my wife is out of town)....anyway I'm thinking there are some coaches across the country asking the same question about their teams.

At least it appears we can score. Just need to get a few guys hitting their FT's at a much better rate.

 

[CanadaHawk]

I think you start with the things that are currently motivating the kids. The things that stood out and made them them look bad were the lack of switching leading to no contest penetrations and backdoors and the turnovers by the PGs not taking care of the ball. Because those things stood out, they're likely to motivate the kids to change them.

 

[hawk-i bob]

I think you start with the things that are currently motivating the kids. The things that stood out and made them them look bad were the lack of switching leading to no contest penetrations and backdoors and the turnovers by the PGs not taking care of the ball. Because those things stood out, they're likely to motivate the kids to change them.

I have a feeling there has been plenty of motivation in practice since the SH game...I understand what you are saying...a lot easier when they all knew (and said so after the game) where they fell short.

 

[non-poster]

To the OP--At the very least give them the rest of the non-conference schedule.

The problem is multi-fold. You can only simulate so much with the practice squad during the regular week. Then there is the challenge of matchups when facing specific teams (small and quick vs. big and bruising). While he took way too much criticism from many in the fan base, most of the time Woody did a nice job of protecting the rim. This roster doesn't have that this year. Both Clemmons and Gessel (another favorite punching bag of some fans) could really get into the jersey of some of the best ball handlers and passers in the conference.

As a coach, the challenge for a roster like the one Coach McCaffery has this year is likely going to be week to week, game by game. What you should expect to see is constant improvement.

The guards need to do a better job of picking up the ball early in transition defense. Even in the half court they need to do a better job with footwork and cutting off driving lanes. The wings could do a better job with help and recover and disrupting passing lanes. The posts will be challenged this season, but you should still see identifying who they need to box out, getting position and hedge an recover. If nothing else--get more physical (regardless of the new rules we all know the whistle gets swallowed come the Big Ten Tournament).

By the end of December Iowa will have played enough of a mix of teams they should be better than, equal with and an underdog to that both the coaches and fans should see improvement by the Christmas break. At least enough to give an idea of what to expect for the rest of the season.

 

[Mohawkeye]

I think we should see improvement in intensity immediately. In terms of overall team defense, I don't think you'll notice much difference for 3-5 games, and even that will be incremental. However, if Fran gets through to these guys the improvement should be steady and by the second half of the Big we could be solid. But much of it is just going to take time and experience. That's my 2 cents.

 

[nu2u]

Where is Peckerboy when you need him?

schemes
technique
level of intensity

Agree with Mohawk, I will be surprised if defensive intensity does not immediately increase. Make Baer a poster boy for expectations. This is where a spectator will notice a difference first, I think. You can live with the possible downside of increase in the number of fouls IMO, at least in the short term, if the effort is there.

A few have mentioned that some of the youngest players might benefit from additional coaching on technique. I wonder, though, how much of the deficiency is just an adjustment to college level basketball. Playing a talented and veteran Big East team may have just more visibly exposed Iowa's relative inexperience. Again with Mohawk, it will take time and experience. How will they look at the end of January?

Coaches may experiment with certain defensive schemes and different personnel depending upon the opponent. As an armchair coach, I would like to see more press and trap defenses to (hopefully) generate more turnovers.

 

[hawksense]

Let's start by holding today's opponent to 65 or less. And hold them to 40%ish shooting.

 

[HawkLogic]

Historically, Fran's teams seem to have defensive problems. Too aggressive and they get extended and give up easy looks.

Baer is a good guy for steals, but doesn't have foot speed to match up to 3 guard offenses when paired with Jok. Jok is not a good defender vs quick perimeter guys. Cook so far hasn't been interested in defense..though he has spectacular athleticism. Uhl has 3 year track record of not playing good defense. Bohannon is undersized/athletically challenged. Wagner and CW have the potential to be great defenders based on their athleticism--not there yet.

 

[bigfridaynite]

I have know clue but IMO it starts with Jok he has to improve big time on D if wants a sniff at the next level he can score 30 but gives up 20 and that's on Fran to develop that, can't pull young guys for not guarding and let Jok run around not guarding anyone

 

[AZmess]

It's a maturity/intensity/urgency thing. They don't really do anything "well" on defense right now.

Getting through screens, knowing when and how hard to hedge, rotations. All of that will just slowly get better as the season progresses. Can't point to a certain time frame because it's not like it was just one team that exploited a specific weakness.

It's an overall commitment to knowing what it takes to defend at this level that just needs to get better. It will.

 

[HawksRMe]

One thing that will help a lot is having game film to watch and coach with. It's one thing to try and tell players what they're doing wrong but when they can actually watch it live. Big difference.

 

[5StarHawk]

Two points. One you have to improve your D faster than all the teams you are going to play will be improving their offense. You might improve your D, but the other teams are working damn hard to get better on Off. You must improve faster than theyd do.
Second, Iowa has a long way to go on D. They have many young players and experienced guys like Baer and Jok and Uhl have limitations on D. ALL of the kids have to improve their knowledge and technique. It is made harder by Fran liking to play multiple defenses. More to lern and perfect. Having no big inside like Woody to block the paint or Uthoff to block the rim, will hurt Iowa all year. Woody and Uthoff covered up a lot of errors last year. This year there is no one you can assign to guard their best palyer. No one stands out on D. Maybe we will see more zone this year, just because we have no studs who can lock down M2M.

 

[RocknRollface]

It depends. Certain guys never become good defenders, like Jok.

Theres no way to know how long if ever it will take this team to become adequate on defense.

I wouldn't expect much untill the second half of the conference season.

Hopefully once they experience how teams like MSU and Wisconsin play D it will help to sink in the level it takes.

 

[RocknRollface]

Two points. One you have to improve your D faster than all the teams you are going to play will be improving their offense. You might improve your D, but the other teams are working damn hard to get better on Off. You must improve faster than theyd do.
Second, Iowa has a long way to go on D. They have many young players and experienced guys like Baer and Jok and Uhl have limitations on D. ALL of the kids have to improve their knowledge and technique. It is made harder by Fran liking to play multiple defenses. More to lern and perfect. Having no big inside like Woody to block the paint or Uthoff to block the rim, will hurt Iowa all year. Woody and Uthoff covered up a lot of errors last year. This year there is no one you can assign to guard their best palyer. No one stands out on D. Maybe we will see more zone this year, just because we have no studs who can lock down M2M.

Wagner Williams and Moss all have the physical tools to be great defenders. Daily too but I dont expect to see him much this year.

Baer is already a pretty good team defender.
They are the ones I expect to see the most improvement from.

It would be nice if Fran could find a guy like Jameal McKay. Someone with good mobility and length to patrol the lane and get Cook off the other teams better post player.

 

[tsawv]

defense is something players aspire to play, right now it seems no one is ready to take that step. Frans teams seems always to be lacking in this area. We need an asst. who can teach this principle. The talent is certainly there.

 

[AZmess]

Wagner Williams and Moss all have the physical tools to be great defenders. Daily too but I dont expect to see him much this year.

Baer is already a pretty good team defender.
They are the ones I expect to see the most improvement from.

It would be nice if Fran could find a guy like Jameal McKay. Someone with good mobility and length to patrol the lane and get Cook off the other teams better post player.

Not going to happen this year. Next year, adding Garza and Kreiner hopefully playing more, he'll be able to guard the 4 and MAYBE the 3.

 

[Jan Itor]

I would not claim to have more knowledge than anyone. But my way of thinking has been past teams and how even experienced ones could have bogus games now and then.

Not just Iowa, either.

So I'm balancing the idea that this could have been the worst we could be, with the notion that our inexperience in game time situations means this is the norm.

Disagree. If/when Iowa plays quick slashers, they are going to continue to get beat off the dribble like the other night, unless they simply get better.

 

[DanL53]

I see what you did there, Jan itor. Unless the guys simply get better they will continue to get beat off the dribble. Not the other way around.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

The next game should be a pretty good test of how much motivation from the coaches will improve the defense. I am pretty sure the players know that Fran is expecting a lot more.