I Think Frans Postgame Signaled something else

[kwik44]

The desperation of teams on the bubble is hard to overcome at their place especially. I think there are things happening on the court that he can't comment on. He's frustrated with the way games were called early in the season verses now... the same things don't get a whistle, Holding on cuts and body checking into the players "space" is being commented on by the coaches. These aren't strong aggressive kids and they are commenting about getting pushed off their spots in the offense. Uthoff got flattened on the high ball screen and Gesell most times than not would have drawn the foul on his dunk attempt. There is a frustration and Fran's past with calls is getting him to the boiling point and he is holding his tongue.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Yeah I agree. While I realize that officiating has changed since the beginning of the year, Iowa has to adapt to it. They allowed Purdue/Wisky/Maryland/IU and others to grab and hold Jok all year. They have started to adapt to that and Jok is becoming more physical. I just once want to see an Iowa player get physical and start pushing people around.

The whole thing I didn't get today is they called some ticky tack crap, and then called Jok for posting up in the lane? Then allow Utoff to get mowed over on the screen. But they call Wagner for going over the back?

 

[Mich_hawk]

Right, the reason we've lost all these games to inferior teams is officiating. Get a grip. You guys will think up and hold on to any excuse to to explain away a loss. Blaming the officiating is the oldest excuse in the book. How about you blame poor play by the team and poor coaching? Sorry, I know that's not tolerated here. Yep, it's the officials for sure.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Right, the reason we've lost all these games to inferior teams is officiating. Get a grip. You guys will think up and hold on to any excuse to to explain away a loss. Blaming the officiating is the oldest excuse in the book. How about you blame poor play by the team and poor coaching? Sorry, I know that's not tolerated here. Yep, it's the officials for sure.

I was complaining more about the Inconsistency of the officiating. They were bad both ways. No way did they cost Iowa the game, Iowa costed themselves the game. They were hands down the better team, but played down to OSU's level and allowed them to hang around. Iowa had multiple chances to extend the lead and put OSU away and didn't do it. Instead they had shot clock violations and just poor offense. It was Iowa who lost that game not refs.

All I am asking is could they please get some consistent officials in there. I mean these guys are getting 1,000-1,300 a game and they pull that garbage today. Just poor execution and they miss a 3pt call. How do you over turn that, it was clear as day a 3 pt shot and they give it a 2?

 

[RocknRollface]

Right, the reason we've lost all these games to inferior teams is officiating. Get a grip. You guys will think up and hold on to any excuse to to explain away a loss. Blaming the officiating is the oldest excuse in the book. How about you blame poor play by the team and poor coaching? Sorry, I know that's not tolerated here. Yep, it's the officials for sure.

Well, in reality the biggest variable in most games is the officiating whether you want to be honest about it or not.

Really officials decide more games than not no matter which side youre on.

 

[MrIowa94]

Crying and bitching about the refs is the only thing that Fran does consistently well.

I'm amazed that other teams are able to adjust and have success, Wisconsin being one example. Apparently this is a foreign concept to the Iowa staff.

 

[Rifler]

Actually that's the problem. Teams like Wisconsin & Michigan State haven't adjusted their game. The changed officiating that we are seeing now late in the season simply better accommodates their grab & hold type of play. Happens every year, we shouldn't be surprised.....

 

[Merle_Dixon]

We are the weakest team, physical wise, in the B10 ! Need to get some bulk and muscle on these guys !!

 

[OC_Hawk]

Well, in reality the biggest variable in most games is the officiating whether you want to be honest about it or not.

Really officials decide more games than not no matter which side youre on.

The biggest variable is officiating? That's your assessment?
I'd say the biggest variable is the ability for the ball to go into the basket.

In Iowa's two games against MSU they shot 46.2% and 45.5% from three. In their losses to teams like Maryland & Notre Dame they shot 20.8% and 25.0% respectively.

In the Iowa win over Penn State, PSU shot 5.0% from three. In the Iowa loss to Penn State, PSU shot 35.7% from three.

I think those variances are far more telling than any inconsistency with officiating.

 

[UndercoverHawk]

We are the weakest team, physical wise, in the B10 ! Need to get some bulk and muscle on these guys !!

This! I really miss Olaseni. He was physical and always ran the court well.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

This! I really miss Olaseni. He was physical and always ran the court well.

Woody is gassed at end of games, cannot get to balls he normally would and had the careless not able to grasp a rebound off his foot that was a killer under a minute to go yesterday.

 

[bravehawks1]

There are these things called timeouts that Fran could use to help with the fatigue. Or make a substitution at 4:30 or 8:30 to get the extra minute or two around a TV timeout. Or if he would have used his bench more earlier in the year so he knows he can go to Wagner for help ( I can recall Fran stating several times that he should have played player A or player B more off the bench and at least twice it was Wagner.

Now, Fran doesn't have confidence in Wagner and Ellingson is out of the picture, so Fran has effectively reduced his bench to 7 players. Given that Uhl has forgotten that defense is part of the game (yesterday was slightly better but Wiscy was awful), we have nothing. Hell, Minnesota played last night with several guys who only had a couple minutes all year and they made it through the first 20 minutes pretty good before totally running out of gas.

 

[TankHawk]

Woody is gassed at end of games, cannot get to balls he normally would and had the careless not able to grasp a rebound off his foot that was a killer under a minute to go yesterday.

Agree. Woody gets almost no help inside. This team really needs a strong 4 to do some banging inside. It's on Fran for not having anyone on his roster this year who can do that.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

We are the weakest team, physical wise, in the B10 ! Need to get some bulk and muscle on these guys !!

So true. Iowa can compete in a non-physical game, but they simply aren't strong enough to bang with teams for 40 minutes.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Agree. Woody gets almost no help inside. This team really needs a strong 4 to do some banging inside. It's on Fran for not having anyone on his roster this year who can do that.

Wagner. He needs more minutes.

 

[Dauminator]

So true. Iowa can compete in a non-physical game, but they simply aren't strong enough to bang with teams for 40 minutes.

Does this give us hope we can find a spark in the tournament? If we can get matched up against another soft team?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Does this give us hope we can find a spark in the tournament? If we can get matched up against another soft team?

Look at the players that Iowa gets, or expects to get, offensive production. They are pretty frail. Now, Woody and Wags can bang on the inside, but they aren't part of the offense. So, guys like JU and PJ are gassed when they get an open shot. Look at some of the shots JU tries so he won't have to bang with his opponent. The stupid one-footed fade away is pretty good for HORSE, but won't get it done in B1G play.

We need a team that will let the players move to try to get some rhythm back.

 

[Vbeachawk]

Jones getting injured has really hurt, both scoring wise and rebounding. And Fran finally gave Williams some minutes, which he should have been doing all along, so that he could get more from next year's starting pg this year.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Look at the players that Iowa gets, or expects to get, offensive production. They are pretty frail. Now, Woody and Wags can bang on the inside, but they aren't part of the offense. So, guys like JU and PJ are gassed when they get an open shot. Look at some of the shots JU tries so he won't have to bang with his opponent. The stupid one-footed fade away is pretty good for HORSE, but won't get it done in B1G play.

We need a team that will let the players move to try to get some rhythm back.

Case in point in the first half yesterday. Uthoff drives left hard from the top of the key, has the defender on his hip. Chances are good if he keeps going hard to the basket he's either gonna make the lay in or take contact and head to the line. Instead he stops, lets the defender catch up and ends up shooting a 7 foot fade away brick. I just dont get it with him at times.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

The refs make way more than $1300 per game. I think it's around $3300 per game.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

The refs make way more than $1300 per game. I think it's around $3300 per game.

With all expenses paid. Not a bad gig

 

[Hawked]

So, you think we cannot hang with teams that play physical? What do you call that....

I think we are fine physically and it's more mental.

 

[MTHawkeyes43]

Blaming officials for losses is the actions of the excuse minded people. Fans, players, and coaches have no control over how the officials call a game (I know some of you are going to point to Tom Izzo and claim that he controls the officials). Too many of the players and coaches focus on the officials missed calls. Just go out and play and let the officiating take care of itself. When coaches and players focus on the calls made or not made by the officials, they are trapped in the past. I have watched Fran argue about a call and continue to argue for 2 or 3 minutes after play has resumed. This keeps him from focusing on the game in the present.

Opposing coaches know that Iowa is a finesse team and that they do not like physical defensive teams; therefore, Iowa need to learn how to play against more physical defenses.

 

[SunPrairieBucky94]

This thread is hilarious. You do realize that woodbury pushes on the back on every offensive rebound . . . That you commit more moving screens than any team in the league . . .the problem is not the refs letting more go, it is simply the Hawks are not finding the hot hand in the second half. They really need one player to step up and light it up in the 2nd the same way jok lit up wisconsin in the first. I think it happens vs Indiana and I am going to guess it comes from baer.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

We are the weakest team, physical wise, in the B10 ! Need to get some bulk and muscle on these guys !!

Yeah that worked so well in the lick era

 

[MrIowa94]

Actually that's the problem. Teams like Wisconsin & Michigan State haven't adjusted their game. The changed officiating that we are seeing now late in the season simply better accommodates their grab & hold type of play. Happens every year, we shouldn't be surprised.....

Wisconsin is like dead last in the country in the number of fouls called against them.

You're an idiot.

 

[SotaHawk87]

Does this give us hope we can find a spark in the tournament? If we can get matched up against another soft team?

Sure helped against a soft Davidson team last year. Also officials call the NCAA games much tighter but I don't think that means Iowa will take advantage

 

[ih8iast8]

The desperation of teams on the bubble is hard to overcome at their place especially. I think there are things happening on the court that he can't comment on. He's frustrated with the way games were called early in the season verses now... the same things don't get a whistle, Holding on cuts and body checking into the players "space" is being commented on by the coaches. These aren't strong aggressive kids and they are commenting about getting pushed off their spots in the offense. Uthoff got flattened on the high ball screen and Gesell most times than not would have drawn the foul on his dunk attempt. There is a frustration and Fran's past with calls is getting him to the boiling point and he is holding his tongue.

Frustrated by calls?!? More like frustrated that his team can't make a bucket.

 

[kwik44]

Izzo adjusting?

Izzo, for the first time in his career, had to try and adjust to the officials enforcing the new set of rules at the beginning of the season. He said it himself that his team was having a difficult time reversing the culture & style he created.

Guess what? They struggled in several games and lost games that they were heavily favored in.

Look, I'm all for a physical game. I'm all for a finesse game. As long as the referees stick to one set of rules throughout a whole season, I will never complain. This switching mid season crap has to stop though, and I'm not the only one who strongly feels that way - it's being talked about everywhere in college basketball.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

There isn't a guy on this team outside of Gesell who would last 5 minutes in an Izzo practice. Fran appears to value introverted, quiet, stoic players who need to gain 30 pounds. So we bet our depth on a guy with a history of knee injuries and sit Williams while Ellingson does 0 in conference play? Hutton was one of the most athletic players in the PTL, but he couldn't help us. Fran continues to miss the boat on filling gaping holes like a backup guard and a banger down low. 5 minute mark and we cave....that is the MO of this team.

 

[DarkThunder#61]

This thread is hilarious. You do realize that woodbury pushes on the back on every offensive rebound . . . That you commit more moving screens than any team in the league

Wisconsin does all of this more frequently and is much worse at it. True story, if you're gonna parade around what you just posted. Deal with it.

 

[DanL53]

"You have absolutely NO business telling me or anybody else how to be Hawk Fan. You don't get to define what constitutes a "true" Hawk..."
"Right, the reason we've lost all these games to inferior teams is officiating. Get a grip. You guys will think up and hold on to any..."
"Everybody please remember the unwritten rule of this board: "We must never speak negatively of the team and especially of Saint Franny"...."
"I agree, no one should ever dare criticize a coach for the performance of his team, especially when the coach has track record of..."
"Your comment proves my point, Franny can do no wrong. All he has to do is be better than Lickliter. That's really saying a lot...."
"This is the first post I've seen where someone actually implicates the coach in what is going on with the team. It's about time. For..."
"Another loss. For those who think we play better on the road, this has not been true since mid January. Rutgers, Maryland, Indiana and..."

Start of the last seven posts from Mich_hawk.

I don't mean to single you out but last season and this season, so far, 23-11 in the Big Ten. Good Lord but what if we were Illinois, or Minnesota, or Nebraska.........or many teams in the last two years?!?!??

 

[FranklinHawk]

There isn't a guy on this team outside of Gesell who would last 5 minutes in an Izzo practice. Fran appears to value introverted, quiet, stoic players who need to gain 30 pounds. So we bet our depth on a guy with a history of knee injuries and sit Williams while Ellingson does 0 in conference play? Hutton was one of the most athletic players in the PTL, but he couldn't help us. Fran continues to miss the boat on filling gaping holes like a backup guard and a banger down low. 5 minute mark and we cave....that is the MO of this team.

Who is this guy with a history of knee injuries?

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Who is this guy with a history of knee injuries?

Dale Jones

 

[FranklinHawk]

Dale Jones

Ah, ok. I keep forgetting about him for some reason.

 

[GnarlyBoy]

Seems like we have nobody but Woody in position for boards. Hard to say what is going on with Uthoff right now. Cold shooting is one thing, but I don't see him working that hard to get open looks. And when he gets the ball he needs to either catch and shoot, drive immediately, or move the dang ball. He holds it way too long. If he'd occasionally do some quick drives to the lane his defender would tend to give him a little more space to shoot on the perimeter. Instead he just holds it giving his defender the opportunity to get in his face, knowing his backup help in the paint has had time to get in position. Our inside-out offense is non-existent.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Seems like we have nobody but Woody in position for boards. Hard to say what is going on with Uthoff right now. Cold shooting is one thing, but I don't see him working that hard to get open looks. And when he gets the ball he needs to either catch and shoot, drive immediately, or move the dang ball. He holds it way too long. If he'd occasionally do some quick drives to the lane his defender would tend to give him a little more space to shoot on the perimeter. Instead he just holds it giving his defender the opportunity to get in his face, knowing his backup help in the paint has had time to get in position. Our inside-out offense is non-existent.

Good points. I think you can apply this to the whole team of late. The other 3 starters need to establish themselves as capable scorers to guard against Jok and Uthoff being smothered. I know these guys are our best scoring options, but man, you can't get a sheet of paper between these guys and their defenders of late. I liked MG's aggressiveness against OSU, but we need Clemmons and Woodbury to contribute to have a shot at righting the ship.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Actually that's the problem. Teams like Wisconsin & Michigan State haven't adjusted their game. The changed officiating that we are seeing now late in the season simply better accommodates their grab & hold type of play. Happens every year, we shouldn't be surprised.....

This, and this isn't complaining, it is smart to identify, understand and adapt to.

 

[Chewback]

Actually that's the problem. Teams like Wisconsin & Michigan State haven't adjusted their game. The changed officiating that we are seeing now late in the season simply better accommodates their grab & hold type of play. Happens every year, we shouldn't be surprised.....

Well that's my feeling and so what if it sounds like sour grapes. I'm inclined to think that Izzo didn't adjust to the officiating so much as the officiating has re-adjusted to Izzo as the season has gone along. Izzo wins again. Wisconsin also benefits from this adjustment.