I know it's waayyy to early to read into anything, but man this team can throw a lot of things at you. It's almost the opposite of the football team - if the defense can be average, this team will make some noise in the B1G.
I think we have a dangerous team on our hands
- Thread starter General Tso
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Will be the top offensive team in the league for sure. Just a question if we can play enough defense, especially on the road. Fran certainly has figured out the offense.
Rebounding is my major concern, but checking other B10 box scores WI beat Stanford by 10 even though they got out rebounded. The Hawks play some much better teams the next two weeks so we'll see.
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This.
it always comes down to the D and rebounding with Fran’s teams. If they are doing that they can beat anyone. It’s way too early but right now they look like a 5-6 seed to me.
Not sure about this.
The early lead last night was given away by the bench. Fran had to put the starters back in to get things going in the right direction again.
And, have you been watching Indiana? Or Illinois? Or MSU? Those will be tough. We only get Illinois once this year, probably good.
The early lead last night was given away by the bench. Fran had to put the starters back in to get things going in the right direction again.
And, have you been watching Indiana? Or Illinois? Or MSU? Those will be tough. We only get Illinois once this year, probably good.
Seton Hall should give everyone a more accurate view of Iowa's defense and rebounding, always the keys under Fran. Iowa was outrebounded by the smaller NC A&T last night at halftime, 25-20. That should NEVER happen no matter who Iowa has on the floor. So far, I still don't see the team-wide effort on defense or on the boards that will determine whether this is a great team or just an entertaining one. The potential is there to be both. But right now, I'm still mystified by the lack of general intensity on defense and rebounding when everyone knows those are the difference makers, even against teams like last night.
Here's hoping Iowa puts the clamps on Seton Hall and dominates the boards. The Hawkeyes can, but will they?
Here's hoping Iowa puts the clamps on Seton Hall and dominates the boards. The Hawkeyes can, but will they?
Agreed defense, rebounding, and ball handling in the starting lineup will determine this teams ceiling. It looks like Fran's deepest scoring team with 4/5 starters capable of putting up 20 points. With Sandfort at 2G and Perkins at point, they have to show they can advance/take care of the ball against very good athletic defenses.
Iowa has a nice team with good upside potential. If the key players (Murray, Perkins, Sandfordt, Patrick McC) stay healthy, they will be good. How good? We are going to find out.
Iowa played 8 guys in the first half last night, so it's not like Fran went full platoon. Against good teams, you will probably see just 8 guys play most of the minutes barring foul trouble. Which is find. 8-man rotation is plenty big for a college team. But even with that just 8, yes they are going to be prone to droughts with Ulis, Connor McC and Bowen on the floor at the same time. The drop-off in scoring punch from the starters to those 3 is large.
Yes to your point on other Big 10 teams. Big 10 maybe doesn't have any great teams, but they do have a lot of good ones. MSU really outplayed Gonzaga, just couldn't finish. Wow, Sissoko is a load near the basket.
Yeah, if we can rebound our fast break is the best in the B10 because we have some downhill played plus corner and trailing 3 point shooters so it’s pick your poison.
After two games the bench production is lacking. As the season moves on they'll need better bench production. Starters pick up quick fouls and you need guys off the bench to produce. Still plenty of time for these guys to step up and it's very early. I don't want to say anything to definitive yet because we haven't played anybody and it's a very small sample size.
We’re a finesse team, we’re not going to beat up many teams on the boards, which is fine. Fran is playing to his strengths which is uptempo and force the other teams to score with us. It won’t always work, and there will be some nights when we get pounded on the boards, but we’re going to be a solid team.
Would prefer individual substitutions rather than the mass substitutions that Fran seems to favor.
Obviously offense is no concern. Our D should be improved, especially against teams that have quick guards that we have struggled with in the past. Rebounding is my only concern as we are not super physical. Rebraca and Perk look strong and Kris can get a lot of boards with his quickness but the rest will need to step up against the better B1G teams.
In the 3 games played, overall, the defense has been better than in the past. We've seen crap teams in the past have a lot of success driving the ball on us with quick guards and I haven't seen much of that to start the season. That's a big positive along with how we've been handling the switches on the screens. Patrick is still incredibly lazy on defense, so he's been the lone starter that stands out that really needs to improve. Rebounding will kill us in some games this year. Just not enough beef and Fran doesn't teach his guys to go box out, he seems to teach more attacking the basket when a shot goes up instead. The team will be really fun to watch though and I'm looking forward to seeing how the mature over this year.
Riley showed some glimpses of hope and Big Jelly had a nice run. Both played hard. Ulis is really good, just wish he could bang a 3. As Dasonte comes along....what a talent he is going to turn out to be. Liked what I saw last night.
Not taking anything away from Jbo's accomplishments but his lack of a dribble drive game bogged the offense down. This team has multiple guys who can attack gaps and get to the rim or draw help defenders and kick it out to open shooters. They will still be heavily reliant on the 3-point shot but I see the potential for better quality shots at all 3 levels based on having more dribble drive options. We will see Wednesday night how this plays out against better competition.
Ulis had some impressive drives last night but his shooting does not appear to be improved. I am good with him foregoing the 3-pointer and looking for opportunities to drive as he is a great FT shooter and there are other/better options.
Bowen looks to be the real deal. I have been impressed with his composure and patience. I expected him to look to drive into traffic and force shots but he has run the offense and looked for his teammates. He is an active defender and seems to have a good grasp on what he needs to do on both ends.
Josh seems to be setting into his role. Difficult to discern what he can do against bigger bodies but IMO, if he can spell Rebraca, play solid D, and hit the boards, any points he scores are a plus. His FT shooting is bad and that is being kind.
Anything Mulvey and Dix provide will be icing on the cake assuming they don't red shirt.
Who were the two dudes in street clothes? Eldridge and Nimmers?
Ulis had some impressive drives last night but his shooting does not appear to be improved. I am good with him foregoing the 3-pointer and looking for opportunities to drive as he is a great FT shooter and there are other/better options.
Bowen looks to be the real deal. I have been impressed with his composure and patience. I expected him to look to drive into traffic and force shots but he has run the offense and looked for his teammates. He is an active defender and seems to have a good grasp on what he needs to do on both ends.
Josh seems to be setting into his role. Difficult to discern what he can do against bigger bodies but IMO, if he can spell Rebraca, play solid D, and hit the boards, any points he scores are a plus. His FT shooting is bad and that is being kind.
Anything Mulvey and Dix provide will be icing on the cake assuming they don't red shirt.
Who were the two dudes in street clothes? Eldridge and Nimmers?
I'm worried about injuries to the starters. It's a pretty steep drop-off talent wise once we get to the bench. We don't have a Kris/Keegan Murray sitting on our bench this year. We need to stay healthy.
This is why I'd rather see PS or Pmac come off the bench. Think about it. Tony, Kris and PS were all coming off the bench last year. We'll need someone to step up this year, or he'll have to just sub in a couple at a time....
I would press and trap the shit out of Iowa. Once the ball gets advanced into the scoring area Iowa has too many volume scorers available to defend without fouling.
Now, those fouls getting called in the Big 10 is an entirely different proposition.
Now, those fouls getting called in the Big 10 is an entirely different proposition.
I like your observation, but I’m drunk, currently.
Agree that it is way to early to tell much, and Seton Hall will be a much better indicator. The lack of proven depth at the two inside positions makes the Hawks very vulnerable.
Offensively, this is the best starting 5 I can think of going back to maybe Horton/Marble/Armstrong senior year? Every guy can score without being set up. Every guy has some dribble drive to their game. Every guy can create.
Always one of your more important statistics.
Now I'll sit back and wait for someone to challenge me on that.
The Iowa Football offense might take you up on that debate.
