Each year Fran.s teams are better than the year before. So far 6 years later and each year has shown progress from previous year. Amazing.
I remember the Sienna fan that said..........
- Thread starter InsHAWK
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If you look at players 1-12 this year, compared to previous years...the talent sitting and redshirting is light years above previous years. He's finally getting to the point where he can expect no drop off year when we lose seniors. Certainly, there could/will be some serious growing pains next year at the guard position, but with Baer, Uhl, Cook (expecting him to challenge for a start), Hutton, etc...we will still be long and athletic. Throw in Williams and Moss, with a another year in the weight room and gym, and well, we will be very athletic. He's going to need Williams to run the team though...that's a big challenge for next year. He's got a huge upside though. Fran's built a program boys.
Next year will really be interesting, hard to believe there won't be a drop off for the first time in the Fran era. Let's just hope the drop is from a 4 seed in the big dance to an 8 and not a drop out altogether. With the amount of inexperienced players playing big roles next year, especially at PG we should probably brace for some challenging times. With that being said, too much to be excited about this year to look beyond, they have the entire off season and fall to figure these things out
One game at a time brothers. The talent level has certainly exponentially improved. Expect the Ute to be 1st team ABT, which would make three in a row for Iowa under McC.
Next season will see a lot of new faces in key roles. The point guard and center positions in new hands after 2 four year starters graduate is usually a big fill for almost every school. Christian Williams, kind of like DomU last season, has thus far really shown nothing. Its not surprising, he's converting to a new position and playing behind not one but two good senior PGs. Also, like DomU last season, who would you sit to play CW? We're certainly not winning without both Mikey G and AC pretty much playing all 40 minutes at PG.
But that is a worrisome bridge to be crossed next season.
Next season will see a lot of new faces in key roles. The point guard and center positions in new hands after 2 four year starters graduate is usually a big fill for almost every school. Christian Williams, kind of like DomU last season, has thus far really shown nothing. Its not surprising, he's converting to a new position and playing behind not one but two good senior PGs. Also, like DomU last season, who would you sit to play CW? We're certainly not winning without both Mikey G and AC pretty much playing all 40 minutes at PG.
But that is a worrisome bridge to be crossed next season.
That same Siena fan also mentioned the, at times, maddening substitution patterns and his lack of calling TOs at the end of halves and games. That's a big part of the reason I don't understand the complaint ts I see on here at times. We were told his MO and it seems many people forgot or ignored it.
When I get worried about point guard next year I think back to BJ Armstrong who had a very unremarkable freshman season. In fact coming into his sophomore year I don't think BJ was even looked at to start but the guy in front of him got hurt and the rest is history. I am hoping for some good growth in Christian Williams. I imagine they are really working to get him ready even though he is not getting minutes. If Sappy can't go on tuesday I bet we see some CW on the court.
What I saw from Williams that caught my eye in his few appearences is how smooth he is as a player. He reminds me of Dev Marble who I enjoyed watching so much and was very effective for us. He's 6'5" with a wing span close to 7 feet. What a great advantage when he learns how to play within our defensive concept when we stick him on a smaller guard. I see him reaking havoc in the passing lanes. He might even block or alter a shot or two from behind on a guard with that length. Think of his ability to close out with that length. Then offensively he could be a nightmare if we post him up on a smaller player from time-to-time. As time elapses he will probably play the 2 some like Marble so we could have a combo guard also. Lots of possibilities.
Now there will be growing pains next year with his ball handling and running an offense. Nothing beats experience as we lose 2 four year players at the point. We just need to be patient and let him develop. Excited about the future of our program.
Yeah, he became a pretty big Hawk fan because of Fran's time spent coaching at Siena. He used to post quite a bit on the game thread, but left because of all the bickering. Come on back, Siena Jay, we're much better fans now.
Great memory. Michael Reeves was going to start but got hurt. By the time he mended Armstrong wasn't going anywhere.
Williams is indeed just learning the position. And when he does get it it's mostly about not screwing up.
