I hope you are correct. He did look very confident and improved last night. He has time to keep improving.
Initial thoughts about the season after a single scrimmage.
- Thread starter 87alum87
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Lots of interesting scenarios to speculate on. I think the 5-spot is going to be 3 guys and 15 fouls to give, which could turn out OK. 3 guys with very different games/bodies + Josh being a lefty will give opponents some different looks. It would not surprise me to see Mulvey's PT increase dramatically in the non-conference to the point of earning a larger role by B1G time. His ability to run the floor, block/alter shots could play a big factor on D and in the transition game.
Disagree with your assessment of Rebraca. As already noted, he’s shown himself to be capable of competing well with true post-players. His offensive skills and experience against D 1 opponents makes him the best option at center at this point, even if that is a position in name only.
For people worrying about interior defense, when was the last time it was good? Maybe more mobile and athletic is needed.
And...making predictions or worrying about specifics based on an exhibition against a D2 team when they won by 52? That's like worrying about what you saw from someone in PTL. Really, the only take away from the other night should be, did anyone look not healthy?
And...making predictions or worrying about specifics based on an exhibition against a D2 team when they won by 52? That's like worrying about what you saw from someone in PTL. Really, the only take away from the other night should be, did anyone look not healthy?
It seems we might be in the same boat as last year where we don't really have anything who can drive to the basket on a consistent basis. PMac and KeM did a couple of times and that was great, but we need someone who can drive anytime. That's the only way we're going to get JBo open for a shot. We need him to be making 4 3's a game. Without Garza down low, I'm not sure where all the points will come from when we start playing better teams.
I know it’s definitely not a strength of Toussaint, but I would like to see him attempt at least a couple 3’s each game. If he made them at say a 33% clip it would force the defense to at least give it some thought when he’s open behind the arc.
Bohannon was definitely looking to just get comfortable at the 2-spot, and finding his place in the sets. He’ll be fine, in my opinion.
Rebraca is simply getting comfortable, period, playing with these guys. He has a good skill set and I’m sure he’ll be a fine addition. I just hope the fans aren’t expecting him to be like Garza. Those critters are few and far between.
Agree with SSG here and said something similar at the end of the game thread..........I disagree with the above post. Too early yet but I don't think we will be in the same place as we've been with getting to the rim skills... It's never easy to in the B1G but JT, the Murrays, PMac, Perkins, Ulis, CMac, Rebraca did it the other night are all players who try doing it... even JBo has a floater shot. Long, speedy, hops, athletic and tough. Skilled talent.
My thoughts from the exhibition....
"look, no sense to worry about what's going to happen with this team down the road. Especially after an exhibition game.....when there is no clue to substitution patterns?? Waaayy to early.
The league is friggin tough and some teams longer on experience, size and talent but not all the teams are like PU, Illini, Big Blue but all B1G teams have talented rosters to match up with. And we will have opposing teams scouted very well too and none of these teams will get a clear path playing in this league on any given day or night playing....
What I saw is a talented roster, lean on experience but long on length, size and talent. Some speed that could kill and that length and size has great skills that is very mobile and athletic and can shoot the ball. That skill sure did get to the rim a lot Friday night too...we'll see if that can continue?
It's been awhile since I've seen a roster like this with an Iowa team, maybe ever....collectively, pretty darn good. I liked what I saw.....they need a lot or rope and PT which is why Fran has the schedule set-up the way it is.....
I am very OK with this....and can't wait for Tuesday night."
I agree Toussaint needs to take those shots if he's open. That's the only way to force the defender to play tight. He needs to shoot because if he doesn't we can't have two guards on the court that aren't shooting (JBo won't get a shot off if there aren't double teams or switching).
We have a whole team of slashers and drivers, starting with our point guard. Not sure what you are seeing.
I'm becoming more and more convinced that people think every wing should be able to attack of the bounce effectively AND shoot lights out from 3.
I've said before and I'll say again, I don't care if Joe T ever shoots a 3. He's still quick enough to beat his man of the bounce. He needs to play under control, don't force passes, turn the 2 shot fouls into and1s and play tough D. Shooting 3s is pretty far down on the list of things he needs to do. It might be lower on the list for him than any other player on the team.
You can’t beat someone when the defender plays 4 feet back. Joe needs a 3pt shot
Who besides JoBo isn't capable of driving to the bucket? Joe? PMac? Keegan? Rebraca? And among the backups, Tony, Kris, Ahron? Granted CMac isn't known as a slasher but he has decent handles. It's not a group of stand-still shooters by any means.
Joe T gets to the rim whenever he wants to. Not sure what you are seeing.
If he is at least willing to take a couple 3s each game, I think it will help open up passing lanes, particularly. I believe it will make him a more effective player overall.
You really think everyone but JBo can consistently beat people. Just because someone can dribble that doesn't make them a "slasher". They actually have to be able to get by the defender and make the shot. I think what you call a slasher, I call dribbling into a hole. Patrick and Keegan might be the closed thing we have to a slasher (someone who can finish at the rim).
If he can do it whenever he wants, then we need him to "want" it more. It's hard to beat people in a 20 foot race when they get a 2 step lead.
BirdistheWord
HB Legend
I know his box score was less than impressive, but the team just seems to run more smoothly with Ulis. He has a very calm and efficient style. There were a number of plays where he executed the set up, though did not earn an actual assist. Generally does not turn the ball over. If he can start converting some of those bunnies. Watch out.
The Joe & AU situation at PG is a very interesting one....my perspective is that AU does run the team well. He operates in a very smooth way on the floor....is (or has been) not a mistake guy v a very dynamic Joe T who has been mistake prone. Both of these guys bring some real strengths and neither of them are anywhere near as good as they will be.
AU appears to have a really good, repeatable form on his shot. He shoots free throws at a high rate (I realize he missed in the exhibition game). He shot well last year, had the off season wrist(?) surgery, and is well on the road to recovery but might not hit peak form for a while...my guess. He is bigger than Joe and appears to be reasonably quick, just not as quick as Joe.
Joe has a speed and quickness advantage on almost every guard in the conference......there are a few that might be close enough to play decent defense on him. I think he has a decent shot, but he doesn't consistently get his body in alignment to get the shot up....I am guessing that with his strength and quickness he is so used to getting a step on people and elevating quickly.....then getting a shot off when he sometimes is not in balance. IF (big IF) he gets his body under control and develops smart shot selection combined with his strength and quickness he could be a real difference maker......AU (in my opinion) is capable of being that consummate QB who isn't spectacular but is very efficient and truly makes a team better.
The bottom line...how fast, and how well, and how much can these guys grow and develop?
A big reason for the "unimpressive" stat sheet for Ulis was the fact he was working with the 2nd teamers, who as we know just aren't as solid as the 1st stringers (this could be a topic for the journal "Duh!"). Ulis is quite smooth in his presentation on the court. I think having both he and Toussaint on the court at the same time could be an interesting lineup.
I think shooting a little bit more will give him confidence. Last year he was only 27% and as a freshman he was 30%. He also struggled from the line last year, but as a freshman hit ~83% of his free throws.
Another thing about his shooting last year, I think it hurt that he played quite a bit less than he did his 1st year. He'll be getting 25+ minutes a game this season (barring something unforeseen), so I think that'll help get him more opportunities both at the line and some more attempts behind the arc.
JBO, Connor, Joe, and AU.......PS...how does Fran get these guys the minutes and develop the younger guys. I worry about a talent like AU and getting the minutes he should get to develop.
IF Connor plays a kind of point forward (like last year) and doesn't play much as a PG.....that frees up minutes. IF PS plays at forward and not the 2G...that makes more minutes available. If JBO plays fewer minutes against the weak teams....that gives AU the opportunity to play more and develop so that he is effective later in the season against better competition. That's just some of what I will find interesting about the early part of this season.
IF Connor plays a kind of point forward (like last year) and doesn't play much as a PG.....that frees up minutes. IF PS plays at forward and not the 2G...that makes more minutes available. If JBO plays fewer minutes against the weak teams....that gives AU the opportunity to play more and develop so that he is effective later in the season against better competition. That's just some of what I will find interesting about the early part of this season.
I did reread it and my response would be the same. Please define a slasher. Please define "drive to the basket". Anyone can dribble to the basket but if you can't put up a good shot (and make it) then you really aren't productive.
We need Joe to shoot more because we've seen what happens when the point guard is one dimensional, there's no pressure on the defense. Everyone just plays their man. Just last game I remember Joe driving to the basket but the defender had good position so there was no help needed, Joe had no shot and when he tried to pass, the guy he was passing to was covered. More than ever we need a complete point guard, hopefully Joe and/or Ulis can become one.
Toussaint just has to be able to step in and make that midrange jumper that he made in the exhibition. Even with guys sagging off him, he gets going quick enough that they still have to be moving backwards to avoid getting beat
Truth....he can stop and elevate so quickly, that the defender can't react in time.....it takes a defender like last year's Gonzaga PG who is not only an elite athlete but tall and long for a guard....and Joe even did well against those guys.
Joe was our third best player that game, behind Garza and Weezy. There was a stretch where he basically single handedly kept us in the game. The guy is a heck of a player, especially when he’s looking for his shot
against good defenses in a half court set he won't get to the rim whenever he wants.
if Iowa is on a fast break and the opponent does not get back? now that's a different story.
Opposing coaches are going to do what they did last year; they are going to sag OFF of Connor & JoeT and dare them to shoot.
This I would agree with. If he can continue to develop that pull up, it would be huge.
But yeah, he doesn't need to be able to shoot threes.
I did NOT say everyone. I see Joe, Tony, Keegan, PMac, and Ahron as drivers and slashers who can finish. Rebraca will be able to against other interior players. It is clear that we disagree on this. Let's leave it at that.
BirdistheWord
HB Legend
Great point. He and Joe T do compliment each other. I am banking on Ulis greatly improving his shooting.
100% - this team will be a lot better and more aggressive getting to the room. Totally different team offensively than last year most likely. The bigger concern is who is going to hit those open jumpers.
Correct. Iowa has no choice but to play Rebraca and let him settle in. Ogundele and Mulvey are nowhere near to being able to count on them for minutes against real team. No knock on them, they have a chance in time. But it has to be Rebraca.
Iowa needs Ulis, Perkins and Kr. Murray to be good. The only way they can be good is by playing. Ulis I think will be, he was calm in his minutes last year. He's been hurt in the off-season. Perkins is a great athlete, something really needed on the floor for Iowa.
There will be a lot of ups and downs for this team. Some games they will look not very good at all. It doesn't mean they aren't getting better or that they aren't worth watching.
I guess I don't understand all the consternation about Rebraca from some of the fans. No, he will not be another Luka Garza. No, he's not as strong and talented as Cockburn or Dickinson. But, he had a successful 3 years at North Dakota and competed quite well in games against Minnesota and Gonzaga, so it's not like he hasn't faced tough competition.
Now, tough competition game in, game out? That's a different question. However, I'm confident he won't be intimidated, nor will he be rolled over by everyone in the Big Ten.
I wonder what you are basing this on? The exhibition? Perhaps you have been a guest at Hawkeye practices? Because I heard something different directly from the head coach. You sound like you have more info than the rest of us.
I was pretty impressed with Rebraca in the first exhibition game. He didn't score a lot but he understands how to move and get position. Plus he can guard. Hard to tell against such short competition but he plays hard and is good around the basket. He has a lot of moves. By the way, on the ride home I noticed Dolphin pronounced Rebraca's name differently than the public address announcer. One of those guys is not doing his basic homework. My guess is Dolphin is wrong, which is inexcuseable.
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I'm going by what I see with my own two eyes. Ogundele has made progress with his body, but he would be really bad with big minutes against a Big 10 team. Same with Mulvey. He played a few minutes against Longwood and he is nowhere near ready to play against a good team. He should still be in high school if he hadn't reclassified. This will be a good year for him, gets to build strength and practice against good players. Has some nice skill and a chance to be good down the road.
