Initial thoughts about the season after a single scrimmage.

[87alum87]

Iowa has two legitimate future NBA wings in Keegan and Patrick, and I think Joe T Is going to have a fantastic season. Unfortunely there is not a Big on the team that can compete with the Bigs of the BIG. Rebraca should be a back-up forward. Josh is still not in shape enough to compete. Mulvey may be the best of the three, but he is a couple years away.

Sanfort will be hard to keep off the floor. Jordan played D as hard as I've ever seen him defend, but was not impactful at the 2.

Ulis did not look comfortable at all. Actually, I thought Ash played better.

I would like to see Perkins at TE at Kinnick. Probably the most athletic player on the team, but not really excellent at any one thing.

It was hard to judge Kris because of fouls.

If you put the best five on the floor, based on a single scrimmage:

Joe
Sandfort
Perkins
Keegan
Patrick

JBo, Connor, and Rebraca the next three.

As has been speculated, this looks like a 8-9 place BIG team, maybe on the bubble. But probably not in.

If Fran can snag a true quality 5 via the portal, next years team could be very good. This years team will be fun to watch at times, and will be dominated by teams with quality Bigs.

Maybe we can have a MF NBA ready center via the portal. He can be announced:. (First name), Moon Family, (Last Name).

 

[hooper56]

I don’t really agree with your assessment but I will say this: Patty Mac threw down one of the best tomahawk dunks I have seen in CHA! He is going to have a great year.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

This isn’t a bash Connor post, lord knows we’ve seen enough of those, but I don’t really see a role for him this year. The composition of the team is completely different this year without a dominant post.

Although he needs some minutes, I would like to.see them reduced down to 10-16 minutes/game. I would much rather the younger guys eat some of the minutes for developmental purposes.

 

[MWardT]

Shooting and toughness will be the key when this teams athleticism gets matched in BIG play.

 

[HawkAssassin]

Iowa has two legitimate future NBA wings in Keegan and Patrick, and I think Joe T Is going to have a fantastic season. Unfortunely there is not a Big on the team that can compete with the Bigs of the BIG. Rebraca should be a back-up forward. Josh is still not in shape enough to compete. Mulvey may be the best of the three, but he is a couple years away.

Sanfort will be hard to keep off the floor. Jordan played D as hard as I've ever seen him defend, but was not impactful at the 2.

Ulis did not look comfortable at all. Actually, I thought Ash played better.

I would like to see Perkins at TE at Kinnick. Probably the most athletic player on the team, but not really excellent at any one thing.

It was hard to judge Kris because of fouls.

If you put the best five on the floor, based on a single scrimmage:

Joe
Sandfort
Perkins
Keegan
Patrick

JBo, Connor, and Rebraca the next three.

As has been speculated, this looks like a 8-9 place BIG team, maybe on the bubble. But probably not in.

If Fran can snag a true quality 5 via the portal, next years team could be very good. This years team will be fun to watch at times, and will be dominated by teams with quality Bigs.

Maybe we can have a MF NBA ready center via the portal. He can be announced:. (First name), Moon Family, (Last Name).

At this point, I mostly agree with your assessment about the center spot. The only thing I'd say is we won't really figure out whether Filip can guard B1G centers until the Virginia game and beyond. I do like his mobility, but he's going to have to prove it guarding big guys.

I don't think Patrick will, unfortunately, ever have the physical frame to be in the NBA. Not really his fault, but his shot would have to really take off for him to get there. He'd have to play more on the perimeter there.

The Ulis criticism is a bit of an overreaction. Still got to the rim several times. Showed the handles he flashed last year. Just didn't make layups. If he keeps missing those that'd be a concern, but I wouldn't overreact to that because he has the size to make those shots.

Sandfort is the guy they were looking to score off the bench. Was too tentative after the airball on his first shot and that negatively affected the entire bench. Kept saying during that stretch it didn't look like they knew where they wanted to get the ball without Sandfort. The reason why Ash was so effective in contrast was there was no hesitation. He came in looking to make his mark on the game.

 

[owenhawk]

This isn’t a bash Connor post, lord knows we’ve seen enough of those, but I don’t really see a role for him this year. The composition of the team is completely different this year without a dominant post.

Although he needs some minutes, I would like to.see them reduced down to 10-16 minutes/game. I would much rather the younger guys eat some of the minutes for developmental purposes.

I agree about his minutes being reduced but I do think there is a role still for him. His calmness and leadership will be valuable off the bench. He still had a couple of real nice feeds. There are going to be games when he is needed more and some less but I think 15 minutes or so is right amount of minutes.

 

[BVHawkeye]

I'm thinking Big Ten champs this year and national champs next year (based on a scrimmage of course)!

 

[owenhawk]

Iowa has two legitimate future NBA wings in Keegan and Patrick, and I think Joe T Is going to have a fantastic season. Unfortunely there is not a Big on the team that can compete with the Bigs of the BIG. Rebraca should be a back-up forward. Josh is still not in shape enough to compete. Mulvey may be the best of the three, but he is a couple years away.

Sanfort will be hard to keep off the floor. Jordan played D as hard as I've ever seen him defend, but was not impactful at the 2.

Ulis did not look comfortable at all. Actually, I thought Ash played better.

I would like to see Perkins at TE at Kinnick. Probably the most athletic player on the team, but not really excellent at any one thing.

It was hard to judge Kris because of fouls.

If you put the best five on the floor, based on a single scrimmage:

Joe
Sandfort
Perkins
Keegan
Patrick

JBo, Connor, and Rebraca the next three.

As has been speculated, this looks like a 8-9 place BIG team, maybe on the bubble. But probably not in.

If Fran can snag a true quality 5 via the portal, next years team could be very good. This years team will be fun to watch at times, and will be dominated by teams with quality Bigs.

Maybe we can have a MF NBA ready center via the portal. He can be announced:. (First name), Moon Family, (Last Name).

I don’t disagree with everything you said but I can’t agree with you thoughts on Rebraca. He’s already proven in multiple games at North Dakota that he can compete - and play well - against Big Ten and high-major talent. That doesn’t mean he will win every battle or have some struggles against certain players and teams - he’s not an All-American.

But he’s mobile, he can extend floor, I think he will be good compliment on pick-and-roll, but not sure if he can post and work around the rim like a Garza. He’s probably more like a Kreiner.

I think his game compliments Keegan and Patrick nicely. Those two will need room to operate and attach the rim. Big O and Mulvey would probably clog up the middle and get in the way. Rebraca with his ability to move and shoot will clear way for them.

Also, like the starting line-up as is. JBO needs to be with this group because they need his shooting, the other players are all strong defensively, and if he played with wins unit, would be pretty small of Sandfort started.

 

[Hawkstrat]

This isn’t a bash Connor post, lord knows we’ve seen enough of those, but I don’t really see a role for him this year. The composition of the team is completely different this year without a dominant post.

Although he needs some minutes, I would like to.see them reduced down to 10-16 minutes/game. I would much rather the younger guys eat some of the minutes for developmental purposes.

There's been a great deal of criticism of Connor that hasn't been fair, but this pretty much spot on.

Being the guy that slows it down and feeds the post makes a lot of sense when you have Garza.

 

[owenhawk]

There's been a great deal of criticism of Connor that hasn't been fair, but this pretty much spot on.

Being the guy that slows it down and feeds the post makes a lot of sense when you have Garza.

I agree his skill-set was perfect for last years team that had Garza and more shooters.

He will still be needed to calm the team down at certain points this year but would like to see his minutes more limited. His intangibles made more sense last year.

 

[Fran-Con-2]

This isn’t a bash Connor post, lord knows we’ve seen enough of those, but I don’t really see a role for him this year. The composition of the team is completely different this year without a dominant post.

Although he needs some minutes, I would like to.see them reduced down to 10-16 minutes/game. I would much rather the younger guys eat some of the minutes for developmental purposes.

Call me crazy, but I think Connor will be the most important player off the bench.

In the first half tonight, when Fran did his first hockey line change, the second teamers seemed out of sorts, sloppy, and things spiraled a bit. Fran started the second teamers in the second half, and Connor opened things up with a great dime to Kris Murray. He then helped push things in transition for those guys and they had a WAY better second half.

(I don't think we're as deep as Fran claimed over the summer) But if Fran insists on playing 11 guys, Connor will be incredibly important to lead the second unit, calm things down when the gameplan blows up, and maybe work an assist or two in for an easy bucket to help get guys going. That veteran leadership and ball control is something that Iowa teams of old haven't necessarily had in groves coming off the bench.

 

[fivecardstud14]

I don’t disagree with everything you said but I can’t agree with you thoughts on Rebraca. He’s already proven in multiple games at North Dakota that he can compete - and play well - against Big Ten and high-major talent. That doesn’t mean he will win every battle or have some struggles against certain players and teams - he’s not an All-American.

But he’s mobile, he can extend floor, I think he will be good compliment on pick-and-roll, but not sure if he can post and work around the rim like a Garza. He’s probably more like a Kreiner.

I think his game compliments Keegan and Patrick nicely. Those two will need room to operate and attach the rim. Big O and Mulvey would probably clog up the middle and get in the way. Rebraca with his ability to move and shoot will clear way for them.

Also, like the starting line-up as is. JBO needs to be with this group because they need his shooting, the other players are all strong defensively, and if he played with wins unit, would be pretty small of Sandfort started.

Rebraca got pushed around on the glass way too often.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Call me crazy, but I think Connor will be the most important player off the bench.

In the first half tonight, when Fran did his first hockey line change, the second teamers seemed out of sorts, sloppy, and things spiraled a bit. Fran started the second teamers in the second half, and Connor opened things up with a great dime to Kris Murray. He then helped push things in transition for those guys and they had a WAY better second half.

(I don't think we're as deep as Fran claimed over the summer) But if Fran insists on playing 11 guys, Connor will be incredibly important to lead the second unit, calm things down when the gameplan blows up, and maybe work an assist or two in for an easy bucket to help get guys going. That veteran leadership and ball control is something that Iowa teams of old haven't necessarily had in groves coming off the bench.

You’re crazy lol

 

[owenhawk]

Rebraca got pushed around on the glass way too often.

I mean, if you are making that distinction off one games there are even more games last year that proves he can hold his own. He won’t be Garza and I imagine will be up and down somewhat but there is some proof that he can be effective at this level.

 

[fivecardstud14]

I mean, if you are making that distinction off one games there are even more games last year that proves he can hold his own. He won’t be Garza and I imagine will be up and down somewhat but there is some proof that he can be effective at this level.

I know it's only one game but I didn't like what I saw from him on the boards. I fear there will be a lot of possessions where the Hawks play great D for 28 seconds but don't get the rebound & will give up second chance points. I don't trust the bigs on this team, but love the roster everywhere else.

 

[Franisdaman]

10,789 was the announced attendance. I believe that # is tickets distributed and not scanned tickets.

As a team, we shot 17-20 from the FT line (85%).

I have said this a while now but i think 3 point shooting is one of our biggest concerns. Coming into this season, JBo was our only known commodity. Ash is not going to get a lot of minutes so now it looks like a true freshmen might be our 2nd best 3 point shooter (Payton was 2-4 from 3).

Joe had some wide open looks at 3 and passed them up; the two 3's he attempted he missed.

Overall the team shot 6-21 (29%) from 3.

From 3:

Starters (2 for 9, 22%)
Joe 0-2.
JBo 1-4;
PMac 1-2;
Keegan was 0-1;
Filip 0-0

Bench (4 for 12, 33%)
Connor 0-2;
Kris 0-1;
Carter 0-2;
Payton 2-4;
Ash 2-3;

Filip, playing the 5, did not attempt a 3. Last year, of course, we had a major threat from 3 from the 5 position.

Perkins was 2-6 from the field and did not attempt a 3 point shot.

During the 20 game B1G season, opposing teams will have us very well scouted. Remember last season how defenses sagged every time Connor had the ball, begging him to shoot? Right now, I think that happens with Perkins until he can prove he is a threat from outside.

I think opposing teams are gonna try to force Iowa into a game of half court jump shots. Can we hit jump shots on a consistent basis will be the question that we soon will find an answer.

In his Oct 27 podcast, Tom Kakert said the big men had struggled. He said that

* Filip was still adjusting.

* Josh O was still developing & getting his wind.

* Riley was adjusting to physical basketball at this level against grown men.

Michigan, Purdue, & Illinois all have really good big men. How will our bigs perform against those really good teams?

We open B1G play Dec 3 at Purdue and Dec 6 vs Illinois. Yikes.

Tom said this Iowa team will miss Jack Nunge; Jack would have started at the 5 this year for Iowa.

Most have Iowa finishing 9th or 10th in the B1G and a NCAA Tournament bubble team (hope they are right!).

I think that really good defensive teams are gonna get back on D and force Iowa into a half court offense. I think they will attempt to clog up the lanes and force Iowa into jump shots.

Can we hit the 3 and those mid range shots against those good teams? Can't wait to find out.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Drilling a completely overmatched opponent in one game doesn't really allow for many conclusions to be drawn.

 

[Franisdaman]

Drilling a completely overmatched opponent in one game doesn't really allow for many conclusions to be drawn.

Agreed.

But our starters shooting 22% from 3 is worrisome.

Depending on Filip playing the 5 position vs Illinois, Michigan, Purdue, etc is worrisome.

 

[Cresthawk]

can this team defend anyone at the B1G level at any of the 5 spots? Joe T=yes; Keegan M=yes; Tony P=???; anyone else? This may be where Conner gets his minutes on top of the fact that he will be a steady hand when they are getting boat-raced (which will happen in conference). This team will need Conner before its over...even with his perceived and/or actual shortcomings. Post play is a real concern and the impression that Josh O is not ready to go from a physical standpoint is concerning but he is only a sophomore and we've know that it takes bigs a couple of years to get their bearings. It would be nice to see the "light come on" for him this season. This team will need to be able to take it to the rack and get fouls on opposing big men. Gonna be a fun and interesting season.

 

[crHawkeye92]

Keegan is definitely an NBA wing but Patrick? I don't know about that. I think he'll be a good player but his shot is kind of slow and funky. I don't see him being a consistent enough shooter at the next level to really get on the floor. It'll be interesting to see how he develops this year!

 

[jonesy5960]

can this team defend anyone at the B1G level at any of the 5 spots? Joe T=yes; Keegan M=yes; Tony P=???; anyone else? This may be where Conner gets his minutes on top of the fact that he will be a steady hand when they are getting boat-raced (which will happen in conference). This team will need Conner before its over...even with his perceived and/or actual shortcomings. Post play is a real concern and the impression that Josh O is not ready to go from a physical standpoint is concerning but he is only a sophomore and we've know that it takes bigs a couple of years to get their bearings. It would be nice to see the "light come on" for him this season. This team will need to be able to take it to the rack and get fouls on opposing big men. Gonna be a fun and interesting season.

This team will be MUCH better defensively than last year's team. People seem to be forgetting that although Garza was an offensive machine he was not a great asset on defense. Weiskamp was also an offensive machine but a very average defender along with Fredrick and Connor and we all know what JBo is.. There actually wasn't a really good defender on the court when the starting unit was out there last year. We were out-quicked at every position in a lot of games. Iowa was ranked in the 80's in defensive efficiency most of the year before finishing at 75th. Not so this year with Keegan, JoeT, PMac and Rebraca. Losing Nunge hurts but Ogundele moves well and is very athletic for a big man. If he can can get his conditioning right he can definitely be a factor this year along with Mulvey who looked bigger and stronger than I thought he would.

 

[CleteyColgate]

Rebraca should be a back-up forward.

Whoa

 

[owenhawk]

Whoa

Yeah, I disagree with that. There is proof that he can play. He had 23 & 6 against Minnesota last year and was close to a double-double guy in conf last year.

He might still be adjusting to the every day step-up and I think he will have struggles against Cockburn and those types of guys but the nice thing is the overall team defense with Keegan and Patrick at the wings is a step-up defensively over Wieskamp and Connor helping out an average defender like Garza.

 

[owenhawk]

Keegan is definitely an NBA wing but Patrick? I don't know about that. I think he'll be a good player but his shot is kind of slow and funky. I don't see him being a consistent enough shooter at the next level to really get on the floor. It'll be interesting to see how he develops this year!

I think Patrick might end up being a really good Big Ten wing who lacks the shooting ability to play in the league. He is a force on the top of the press though and he did look confident and strong all-around last night.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

"Ulis did not look comfortable at all. Actually, I thought Ash played better."

This is troubling on a few different levels....

 

[CleteyColgate]

"Ulis did not look comfortable at all. Actually, I thought Ash played better."

This is troubling on a few different levels....

Ulis and Connor missed most of the off season due to surgeries

 

[JEDN]

I love Conners intangibles but he is zero threat as a scorer.

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

Yeah, I disagree with that. There is proof that he can play. He had 23 & 6 against Minnesota last year and was close to a double-double guy in conf last year.

He might still be adjusting to the every day step-up and I think he will have struggles against Cockburn and those types of guys but the nice thing is the overall team defense with Keegan and Patrick at the wings is a step-up defensively over Wieskamp and Connor helping out an average defender like Garza.

It’s just an exhibition lol. I think poster who said Filip should be a back up should wait at least 5 games before he judges too harshly. Same with Ulis, Perkins and Kris. It’s going to take a little bit for the young/ new players to fit in.

 

[twindman]

I thought Joe made a couple of passes to bigs near the basket as he drove. The bigs were not expecting it and fumbled it away. One hit Mulvey or Rebracca in the HANDS and he fumbled it. I would certainly hope after playing together a few months they would start being ready for this. However if it was Mulvey, he doesn't run with first team so maybe doesn't play with Joe too much.
I thought Joe played pretty well under control and had some good drives and passes.

 

[unoHawkeye]

I think Patrick might end up being a really good Big Ten wing who lacks the shooting ability to play in the league. He is a force on the top of the press though and he did look confident and strong all-around last night.

While Pat shot 30% from three last year, he shot 36% in conference play and got really hot down the stretch. He definitely would need to quicken his release, but his shooting is on an upwards trajectory at least

Pat could be the best player on this team for the next three years, sharing the title with Keegan this year

 

[BBHawk]

"Ulis did not look comfortable at all. Actually, I thought Ash played better."

This is troubling on a few different levels....

Nor is it true.

This was one game with a small sample. Not his best shooting night but he pulled down 6 boards and played good defense.

 

[BBHawk]

I think Patrick might end up being a really good Big Ten wing who lacks the shooting ability to play in the league. He is a force on the top of the press though and he did look confident and strong all-around last night.

PMac was 7-9 with 8 boards last night. He has a very quick release. He was a decent 3-pt shooter in HS. I think he'll surprise you this year.

 

[nbanflfactory]

Drilling a completely overmatched opponent in one game doesn't really allow for many conclusions to be drawn.

i guess we'll just shut this forum down til the end of the month!

 

[Buffalo43]

I watched the highlights and the BIG O looked good and a nice touch from foul line

 

[Hawksfor3]

That veteran leadership and ball control is something that Iowa teams of old haven't necessarily had in groves coming off the bench.

The veteran experience will help the youngsters for sure. Whether Connor or JBo are starters or not, throw in the "Ice Man" Ash also.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Overall the team shot 6-21 (29%) from 3.

 

[owenhawk]

It’s just an exhibition lol. I think poster who said Filip should be a back up should wait at least 5 games before he judges too harshly. Same with Ulis, Perkins and Kris. It’s going to take a little bit for the young/ new players to fit in.

Oh yeah, I totally agree. I said with my assessment based on small sample size.

 

[HawkLogic]

I agree about his minutes being reduced but I do think there is a role still for him. His calmness and leadership will be valuable off the bench. He still had a couple of real nice feeds. There are going to be games when he is needed more and some less but I think 15 minutes or so is right amount of minutes.

If CMAC shoots 35% from 3pt line, then yeah, he can play spot minutes. His toughness and post feeds didn't matter much last year because no one guarded him. CMAC would not get even a few minutes at any other school in B1G. He plays because his father is coach and Fran himself has some personal favorable view towards non scoring poor shooting PGs because that was the type of player he was.

PMAC and Keegan may be the stars of this years team. Keegan has NBA size/athleticism....PMAC doesn't guard well enough and has funky shot and I doubt he has nba potential. There is long history of posters saying Iowa guys have NBA potential and majority of the Iowa guys have been washouts at NBA level.

 

[owenhawk]

If CMAC shoots 35% from 3pt line, then yeah, he can play spot minutes. His toughness and post feeds didn't matter much last year because no one guarded him. CMAC would not get even a few minutes at any other school in B1G. He plays because his father is coach and Fran himself has some personal favorable view towards non scoring poor shooting PGs because that was the type of player he was.

PMAC and Keegan may be the stars of this years team. Keegan has NBA size/athleticism....PMAC doesn't guard well enough and has funky shot and I doubt he has nba potential. There is long history of posters saying Iowa guys have NBA potential and majority of the Iowa guys have been washouts at NBA level.

Huh?

 

[owenhawk]

PMac was 7-9 with 8 boards last night. He has a very quick release. He was a decent 3-pt shooter in HS. I think he'll surprise you this year.

I know, I talked very highly of PMac in my previous posts? I think he will do very well. We all know how hard it is to make the NBA. I simply said I don’t think he is an elite enough shooter to be an NBA SF at this point.