Interesting Gesell stat

[Auger]

I remember this stat from last year and not sure how to read it properly. Last season we had 12 losses. In 8 of those losses Gesell shot the ball 8 or more times in those games. In all of Iowa's wins Gesell only shot the ball 8 or more times in 3 games. It would be interesting if his assist numbers were down but they were only slightly by only 0.5. For the most part when he had to shoot the ball a lot his % were bad but he had a few games where it was pretty good. This season he has only shot the ball 8 or more times twice. We won the game he shot well and lost the one he didnt (but nobody shot well that night).

I wonder if Iowa does better if Gesell just focuses on running the offense? He is a very good control PG. Even when things are getting a little out of reach if Gesell focuses more on opening things up for his teamates will Iowa win some close games? I do notice he tends to take more shots late in games if we are behind. The UNC game last year he won that game for us. I think he wins more games for us late when he continues to run the O. However last year he had White and Gabe to dish to. This year someone else needs to step up besides Uthoff that can prove to be a consistent scorer Otherwise Gesell might need to shoot more. I do think his shot has slightly improved and would like to see him to have 7-8 attempts per game.

 

[srams21]

That is an interesting stat. However, the problem is someone has to shoot. I am fine with Gesell taking around 10 shots or so a game as long as they are open looks. At this point, Gesell is shooting better than most of the other guards and wings. Only Uthoff and Ellingson are truly shooting better. Mike is shooting 42% which is better than Jok, Clemmons, and Fleming. Who knows if that continues, but if Mike can get to the rim or has open mid-range looks then I am fine with him pulling the trigger.

 

[revkev73]

I think MG wants to win...and he will shoot if he feels there are no other options...he plays his heart out...to his credit.

 

[Mohawkeye]

I think sometimes Mike wants to do too much and play hero ball instead of working the offense. I think that happened against Dayton and it resulted in the late turnover. Of course, part of that may have been missing the first half and then trying to make up for it. For the most part, I think he is doing a great job of running the offense. Team defense is the bigger issue.

 

[PhantomFlyer]

I remember this stat from last year and not sure how to read it properly. Last season we had 12 losses. In 8 of those losses Gesell shot the ball 8 or more times in those games. In all of Iowa's wins Gesell only shot the ball 8 or more times in 3 games. It would be interesting if his assist numbers were down but they were only slightly by only 0.5. For the most part when he had to shoot the ball a lot his % were bad but he had a few games where it was pretty good. This season he has only shot the ball 8 or more times twice. We won the game he shot well and lost the one he didnt (but nobody shot well that night).

I wonder if Iowa does better if Gesell just focuses on running the offense? He is a very good control PG. Even when things are getting a little out of reach if Gesell focuses more on opening things up for his teamates will Iowa win some close games? I do notice he tends to take more shots late in games if we are behind. The UNC game last year he won that game for us. I think he wins more games for us late when he continues to run the O. However last year he had White and Gabe to dish to. This year someone else needs to step up besides Uthoff that can prove to be a consistent scorer Otherwise Gesell might need to shoot more. I do think his shot has slightly improved and would like to see him to have 7-8 attempts per game.

I'd be very happy if MG didn't take another 3 pt shot the rest of the season, unless it was to beat the shot clock. I don't mind him with pull up jumpers, but Iowa is a better team when MG isn't shooting the ball, playing within himself, and running the offense.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I think Mike is sometimes put in a position where he has to take the shot, and it probably makes his shooting percentage a little lower than it would be otherwise. He is a pretty good mid-range jump shooter and better at going to the basket than most people think. If he shoots the three in rhythm, he is a decent three-point shooter, but it seems like he sometimes hesitates, and then it seldom goes in.

Mike is best running the show, and he has done that exceptionally well this year. He is an underrated defender, and our perimeter defense is very good when he and Sapp are both on the court. Glad to see more posters giving Gesell props this year.

 

[hooper56]

I want Mike to pass the ball to Uthoff who should shoot 25+ shots per game.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I want Mike to pass the ball to Uthoff who should shoot 25+ shots per game.

Mostly agree, but I would be happy if Uthoff just took 20-22 shots/game.

 

[thirdandpunting]

one more equation

6 ft > Mike & 3 pt % < .31 = not fun times

 

[DanL53]

I want Mike to pass the ball to Uthoff who should shoot 25+ shots per game.

Yes! It strikes me that when Iowa is at it's best we are keeping it rather simple. Hustle on defense and hit the boards, and let Uthoff shoot.

edit: make, make Uthoff shoot.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think sometimes Mike wants to do too much and play hero ball instead of working the offense. I think that happened against Dayton and it resulted in the late turnover. Of course, part of that may have been missing the first half and then trying to make up for it. For the most part, I think he is doing a great job of running the offense. Team defense is the bigger issue.

The one where the replay clearly showed him getting fouled but since a foul call is not reviewable we lost the ball?

Some of you guys are just way to nit picky. Its basketball. The guy with the ball in his hands the most is going to have to shoot and take it to the hole somewhat regularly.

 

[Mohawkeye]

The one where the replay clearly showed him getting fouled but since a foul call is not reviewable we lost the ball?

Some of you guys are just way to nit picky. Its basketball. The guy with the ball in his hands the most is going to have to shoot and take it to the hole somewhat regularly.

I think the foul call was debateable, at best. It was a crucial possession with a late lead and we didn't need the shot, he was forcing it. Nit picky, maybe, but I expect more from my senior point.

 

[BBHawk]

I think the foul call was debatable, at best. It was a crucial possession with a late lead and we didn't need the shot, he was forcing it. Nit picky, maybe, but I expect more from my senior point.

Given that the identical foul was called on the other end of the floor against Iowa, it is ridiculous to even say that it is debatable. Gesell was fouled and the ref did not call it. Plain and simple. Would it have affected the outcome? Who knows? But it was definitely a foul.

 

[MogueHawk]

That was a clear reach in foul which the refs had made similar calls all night on both Mike and Sapp. Typically, if a foul isn't called on a play like that, the ball is retained by the offense due to the act of reaching in. In this case, the ref was motioning as if the ball had deflected off Mike's chest, which in the replay it clearly did not and only in slow motion could you see that it barely went off Mike's finger tips last. It was not long after that play that Sapp was called for a reach foul on a shot that the replay showed was all ball.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think the foul call was debateable, at best. It was a crucial possession with a late lead and we didn't need the shot, he was forcing it. Nit picky, maybe, but I expect more from my senior point.

I don't. Certainly not with a replay that made it obvious.

The reff missed the call in real time , which happens, but it's not Mikes fault.

 

[Ronman]

I think MG wants to win...and he will shoot if he feels there are no other options...he plays his heart out...to his credit.

revkev, you feeling OK?

 

[tedboy78]

I think the foul call was debateable, at best. It was a crucial possession with a late lead and we didn't need the shot, he was forcing it. Nit picky, maybe, but I expect more from my senior point.

No debate, all wrist. Should have been at the line. Forcing it?

 

[Mohawkeye]

No debate, all wrist. Should have been at the line. Forcing it?

Gessel playing hero ball again with FSU.

 

[bouma1415]

WTF stat of the game: PG's Gesell and Clemmons shoot 3-7 at the free throw line. Need better numbers than that.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Not a good game for Mike on the offensive end tonight, although the entire team seemed to have their feet in cement on offense. Pretty good defensive effort, except too many offensive boards for FSU.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Not a good game for Mike on the offensive end tonight, although the entire team seemed to have their feet in cement on offense. Pretty good defensive effort, except too many offensive boards for FSU.

Mike had more turnovers than normal for him. I think the athleticism of FSU had the whole team on their heels at the start of the game. But he also scored 10 pts on 4/8 from the field and 1/2 from 3.

 

[RocknRollface]

I won't defend Mike tonight. He flat out needs to eliminate allot of those mistakes he made tonight.

That being said. Fran not calling TO on the last play of regulation when FSU was already back and set on D was the wrong move.

Get a to, draw up a play to get Uthoff or Jok the last shot. Period.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I won't defend Mike tonight. He flat out needs to eliminate allot of those mistakes he made tonight.

That being said. Fran not calling TO on the last play of regulation when FSU was already back and set on D was the wrong move.

Get a to, draw up a play to get Uthoff or Jok the last shot. Period.

Either FSU had some great defenders guarding Uthoff, or he just wasn't moving without the ball tonight. Never got into the flow of the offense.

 

[Mohawkeye]

I won't defend Mike tonight. He flat out needs to eliminate allot of those mistakes he made tonight.

That being said. Fran not calling TO on the last play of regulation when FSU was already back and set on D was the wrong move.

Get a to, draw up a play to get Uthoff or Jok the last shot. Period.

My guess is the ball was supposed to go to Utoff of Jok, Gessel just didn't execute the call. Fran is right to expect more of his senior point.

 

[DanL53]

FSU was out of timeouts. We went for a last shot with time running out which I think was the right call.

 

[PhantomFlyer]

I won't defend Mike tonight. He flat out needs to eliminate allot of those mistakes he made tonight.

That being said. Fran not calling TO on the last play of regulation when FSU was already back and set on D was the wrong move.

Get a to, draw up a play to get Uthoff or Jok the last shot. Period.

This is one of my gripes with Fran. Too many times we get MG (and it was Marble before that) going one on one for the last shot. We've seen several time at the end of a close game where MG turns the ball over. Get the ball in the hands of your best player, your best scorer, and that would be Uthoff. Get him the ball and if he can't get a shot off then get it to Jok.

As I mentioned in other posts, MG should not be firing up shots from beyond the arc, especially in the final 2 minutes of the game, unless Iowa is behind. Those possessions are critical and you don't want one of your worst outside shooters taking a low percentage shot unless there's no better option.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Movement by Iowa on offense was really bad most of the game.

 

[like-woahh]

FSU was out of timeouts. We went for a last shot with time running out which I think was the right call.

That's fine, as long as you actually get a shot off. I don't understand the "clear it out for Gesell" strategy when you have a 6'9" guy in Uthoff who can shoot the ball over everyone, not touching the rock. We've seen this hero ball strategy before, and I can't recall it ever working.

 

[mtown66]

Mike had more turnovers than normal for him. I think the athleticism of FSU had the whole team on their heels at the start of the game. But he also scored 10 pts on 4/8 from the field and 1/2 from 3.

It is not just the turnovers that become problematic, it is, also, the out of control drives that result in wild shots and a lost possession as a result that exacerbates the problem. That is the thing that I want to see Mike clean up. Make better decisions when to or when not to take it to the hoop. He needs to finish or get to the line most every time.

 

[DanL53]

That's fine, as long as you actually get a shot off. I don't understand the "clear it out for Gesell" strategy when you have a 6'9" guy in Uthoff who can shoot the ball over everyone, not touching the rock. We've seen this hero ball strategy before, and I can't recall it ever working.

We'd run that same set numerous times and FSU hadn't stopped it. Both Clemmons and Gesell would drive from the right, go under the basket, and then pass to the corner. The difference this time was Gesell was cut off (I'll give the defender credit, the ref didn't call it a foul so it must not have been.) and as he had to jump to avoid being out of bounds he tried the pass. And hit the backboard.

That was, at least my view of the play and the replays. It's fair to have a difference of opinion here. My take is with FSU having no timeouts left, it would have been a gift to them to call one.

 

[like-woahh]

We'd run that same set numerous times and FSU hadn't stopped it. Both Clemmons and Gesell would drive from the right, go under the basket, and then pass to the corner. The difference this time was Gesell was cut off (I'll give the defender credit, the ref didn't call it a foul so it must not have been.) and as he had to jump to avoid being out of bounds he tried the pass. And hit the backboard.

That was, at least my view of the play and the replays. It's fair to have a difference of opinion here. My take is with FSU having no timeouts left, it would have been a gift to them to call one.

We never ran that set, that wasn't a set. There were 4 people standing around on the left arch watching Gesell dribble for 12 seconds and then bulldoze in. That wasn't ran one time the entire game.

 

[kzoohawk80]

My guess is the ball was supposed to go to Utoff of Jok, Gessel just didn't execute the call. Fran is right to expect more of his senior point.

And fans have the right to expect more out of Fran. That's where coaches make their money. Calling sets at the end of the game. Fran is one of the few coaches in the country to not call timeouts in that situation. At least call timeout and tell Gessell if he gets stuck under the basket to call a time out. With three timeouts is that too much to ask of Fran? To be honest Fran has been very underwhelming in his time at Iowa when it comes to offensive coaching at the end of games. There's no excuse for that play call coming from him. It was awful in almost every perspective. I find very little reason as to why Uthoff doesn't have the ball in that situation.

 

[DanL53]

We never ran that set, that wasn't a set. There were 4 people standing around on the left arch watching Gesell dribble for 12 seconds and then bulldoze in. That wasn't ran one time the entire game.

I beg to differ. A bunch.

 

[starbrown]

Given that the identical foul was called on the other end of the floor against Iowa, it is ridiculous to even say that it is debatable. Gesell was fouled and the ref did not call it. Plain and simple. Would it have affected the outcome? Who knows? But it was definitely a foul.

And Iowa got some no-calls as well. Why do people act like there is a conspiracy against Iowa??

Woody and Gesell will be remembered fondly. But they both have ceilings as B1G players. No one will try harder than them. But I don't know that either can be labeled "clutch". Clemmons has actually upped his game which bodes well.

Tonight Jok stepped up and delivered. Jok and Uthoff will determine how far this team will go.

 

[PhantomFlyer]

And fans have the right to expect more out of Fran. That's where coaches make their money. Calling sets at the end of the game. Fran is one of the few coaches in the country to not call timeouts in that situation. At least call timeout and tell Gessell if he gets stuck under the basket to call a time out. With three timeouts is that too much to ask of Fran? To be honest Fran has been very underwhelming in his time at Iowa when it comes to offensive coaching at the end of games. There's no excuse for that play call coming from him. It was awful in almost every perspective. I find very little reason as to why Uthoff doesn't have the ball in that situation.

Great point. This is why I would rank Fran mid to bottom tier among B1G coaches. Iowa loses too many close games, or games where they are ahead at half. When is the last time Iowa one the game on a "last second shot"? We've seen that Gesell clear out play a bunch of times at the end of a half and end of games, and it rarely ever works, and more often it ends up in a Gesell turnover. Set a play to get the ball in the hands of your best player, or at least your 2nd best offensive player.

 

[RocknRollface]

We never ran that set, that wasn't a set. There were 4 people standing around on the left arch watching Gesell dribble for 12 seconds and then bulldoze in. That wasn't ran one time the entire game.

Agreed, that was not a "set". A set is a set play call from the coach. Theres never a "set" in that situation. You just count on your guys to make it happen.

Usually in those situations there is a chance of the offense having an advantage and you have at least a chance to catch the defense out of position but this was not that time and I can't understand what Fran was thinking.

Their defense was totally back, they stood to gain nothing by Iowa calling a TO.

 

[DanL53]

And I say we ran the same set several times and it was working all night. I'm not trying to be a teacher here but a set play is a play practiced such as something as simple as a pick and roll. It does not have to be called from the bench, but it could be. And it certainly doesn't require a timeout. Several times during the course of the game Gesell or Clemmons drove into the lane on the right side, continued under the basket and then passed out to an open player on the left wing. I do not recall a single time that the play didn't work, including some passes from the wing back out to the front. But nothing had gone wrong until the final drive by Gesell at the end of regulation, when his defender beat him to the line and Gesell had to try to pass while going out of bounds.

To those that think that wasn't a set play, or couldn't recognize that we ran it several times, I will simply point out that you MUST remember Dr. Tom's old set play at the end of a shot clock? With ten seconds to go it was a double screen and the point guard would chose which screen to use on his way to driving to the hoop. Worked great for a guy like Woolridge. Was embarrassing when we had Skinner. But certainly anyone who paid a bit of attention can recall that play. And we didn't use a timeout every time to run it.

And finally, the point that calling a time out wouldn't be beneficial to FSU completely disregards the fact that without it they could not discuss what to do if we made a shot, nor did they get a chance to defend our inbounds pass after a timeout. Would that they had a time out left, I'd have been all for calling one of our own.

 

[revkev73]

I only saw the last 6 minutes...

MG defaults to the fake left, drive like crazy to the right...chuck up the melon...(or hit the backboard)...for a lost possession.

He is very limited by quick defenders...

Just the way it it...

 

[Mohawkeye]

Great point. This is why I would rank Fran mid to bottom tier among B1G coaches. Iowa loses too many close games, or games where they are ahead at half. When is the last time Iowa one the game on a "last second shot"? We've seen that Gesell clear out play a bunch of times at the end of a half and end of games, and it rarely ever works, and more often it ends up in a Gesell turnover. Set a play to get the ball in the hands of your best player, or at least your 2nd best offensive player.

Did you bother to watch the overtime? Fran is in the bottom tier of Big coaches? Wow. Guess we will just have to disagree.

 

[Troh]

I remember this stat from last year and not sure how to read it properly. Last season we had 12 losses. In 8 of those losses Gesell shot the ball 8 or more times in those games. In all of Iowa's wins Gesell only shot the ball 8 or more times in 3 games. It would be interesting if his assist numbers were down but they were only slightly by only 0.5. For the most part when he had to shoot the ball a lot his % were bad but he had a few games where it was pretty good. This season he has only shot the ball 8 or more times twice. We won the game he shot well and lost the one he didnt (but nobody shot well that night).

I wonder if Iowa does better if Gesell just focuses on running the offense? He is a very good control PG. Even when things are getting a little out of reach if Gesell focuses more on opening things up for his teamates will Iowa win some close games? I do notice he tends to take more shots late in games if we are behind. The UNC game last year he won that game for us. I think he wins more games for us late when he continues to run the O. However last year he had White and Gabe to dish to. This year someone else needs to step up besides Uthoff that can prove to be a consistent scorer Otherwise Gesell might need to shoot more. I do think his shot has slightly improved and would like to see him to have 7-8 attempts per game.

Gesell still passes when he leaves his feet and picks up his dibble a lot, wish he could break those habits.