Iowa 2015-16

[tony0051]

I think this could be the best team since Tom Davis got to Iowa.
Woody, uthoff, Gessel and clemmons give Iowa 4 very good seniors. Uthoff and woody could be 1st or 2nd team all B1G. Gessel 3rd team or better.
Flemming will be all B1G freshman team.
Jok and Uhl will be excellent role players. If Wagner and Hutton are the defensive studs we think they can be Iowa has no real weakness.
I don't know if Iowa can win 30 like 86-87 but I think they get close.

 

[perryhawk]

I think they will be very good as well. ..I think they are getting over looked on the national stage and that's ok...

 

[hawksense]

Like the optimism. I used to be that way before age and sensibility (pessimism) set in.

I do hold a special attraction to the makeup of teams like this. Senior strong with a ton of freshmen unknowns. I love watching things develop.

I can't say I hold your "best team since Tom Davis got to Iowa" sentiment because there are so many unanswered questions that lie in the depth. Answer those questions with positives and yes, this team could be scary good.

Or underwhelming. One of the two.

 

[Myvue]

Do the Big 10 coaches vote on a Big 10 Conference preseason team? If they do that might give some perspective as to how the Big 10 coaches perceive who the best players are in the league.

 

[jerbob36]

Also love the optimism. I am hoping for 20 wins regular season. Despite what we have, which is exciting, most of the teams in the B1G have as much if not more talent. 9-9 is going to be pretty solid with our league schedule. Going from high school to the B1G is a huge jump. We have 6 guys with experience. After that, we're pretty green. Hoping we stay healthy.

 

[DanL53]

Love the optimism! More importantly I love the reason for the optimism.

Potential!

Isn't it nice to know that we've reached a point where we could beat anybody!?!? And that we wouldn't have to get all that lucky to do it! The thing is, this is happening at the same time the Big Ten enjoys the best talent (top to bottom) that I can recall in forty years of watching basketball. There are eight teams, and Iowa is one, that I wouldn't be surprised to see in the Sweet Sixteen. Now, that doesn't mean I'm saying the Big Ten has eight top 16 teams. But eight that could get hot at the right time.

And Iowa has to fight through that mess. Not to mention teams like Northwestern or Illinois who if in another league could be considered locks for an NCAA invite. Good enough to be dark horse hopefuls in the Big Ten.

While I applaud all views of success higher than mine, my ultimate hope for the season is finish with 23 wins and see Gesell, Clemmons and Woody depart with 90 wins in their career!

 

[EastIowaHawk]

If we stay healthy, I think we get 20+ wins. A lot of talent down through the roster. Problem is, with this many good players after the starters, we could eventually lose one or two to transfer if they don't get their minutes.

 

[yerpHAWK]

I think they will be very good as well. ..I think they are getting over looked on the national stage and that's ok...

2 Iowa teams are incredibly overlooked, and 1 is overrated. I let you figure out who's who, but I don't understand how a team that improves every year coming off a 2nd round appearance, has 4 starting seniors, an elite player (yes elite), but isn't even projected to make the field.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

Because we're the Beloved Iowa Hawks. Beloved only by our alums and small body of loyal Iowans we get aren't supposed to be good in basketball. We're like the Washington Generals. Hawks are not supposed to win B1G games and no one outside our little legion want to see it happen.

Can you imagine how many TV sets are turned to a different channel when Iowa plays in the BTT?

So I say let them come. No dog is as lovable as a perennial underdog. If Iowa is not that such a creature does not exist.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Iowa was a bully under Bucky O'Connor.

Iowa was a bully under Ralph Miller.

Iowa was a bully under Lute Olsen.

Iowa was a bully under George Raveling.

Iowa is a big time job and can be a big time program. Wisconsin was nothing before Dick Bennett showed up and they went to the Championship last year.

This woe is us crap from our pessimistic part of the fan base needs to stop.

Iowa has been before and can be again a big time program. Fran has it rolling again. I expect another fine season this winter.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

heck with the lovable underdog. i prefer predictable winning overdog. Prefer guys like Tyler Cook picking Iowa because Iowa "always gets the studs.". Like kids picking Kansas on prestige alone. That's more fun.

In or around 1987 Iowa had an all time winning record against every Big Ten program with the exception of two.

A top 3 program in the far and away best league in college basketball. Iowa was Elite then.

 

[twindman]

If my memory is correct, Iowa underachieved with Raveling. He recruited well, but coached not so well. Davis' best teams were with Raveling recruits.

Iowa was a bully under Bucky O'Connor.

Iowa was a bully under Ralph Miller.

Iowa was a bully under Lute Olsen.

Iowa was a bully under George Raveling.

Iowa is a big time job and can be a big time program. Wisconsin was nothing before Dick Bennett showed up and they went to the Championship last year.

This woe is us crap from our pessimistic part of the fan base needs to stop.

Iowa has been before and can be again a big time program. Fran has it rolling again. I expect another fine season this winter.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I think they can be good, but Im not seeing the 25+ wins. I realize we are experienced and have 4 good seniors. The only thing I worry about is the young guys. How long will it take for them to adjust to the college game. Because we can't expect our 4 seniors to play 40min a night. It ain't happening and also we need to find someone who can explode off of the bench for us. Iowa will have good nights and bad nights through out the season. I just want us to be more consistent on the defensive end. It seemed like last year we have a great defensive game and then the next game we wouldn't know how to defend the pick n roll??

I think this is a good team, If we get to 20 wins in the regular season I will be happy. The Big 10 is going to be a gauntlet again this year, with tons of talent returning. Should be a battle every night.

 

[jpphawk]

Iowa was a bully under Bucky O'Connor.

Iowa was a bully under Ralph Miller.

Iowa was a bully under Lute Olsen.

Iowa was a bully under George Raveling.

Iowa is a big time job and can be a big time program. Wisconsin was nothing before Dick Bennett showed up and they went to the Championship last year.

This woe is us crap from our pessimistic part of the fan base needs to stop.

Iowa has been before and can be again a big time program. Fran has it rolling again. I expect another fine season this winter.

Yeah! What he said!

 

[jpphawk]

I think they can be good, but Im not seeing the 25+ wins. I realize we are experienced and have 4 good seniors. The only thing I worry about is the young guys. How long will it take for them to adjust to the college game. Because we can't expect our 4 seniors to play 40min a night. It ain't happening and also we need to find someone who can explode off of the bench for us. Iowa will have good nights and bad nights through out the season. I just want us to be more consistent on the defensive end. It seemed like last year we have a great defensive game and then the next game we wouldn't know how to defend the pick n roll??

I think this is a good team, If we get to 20 wins in the regular season I will be happy. The Big 10 is going to be a gauntlet again this year, with tons of talent returning. Should be a battle every night.

Fran will not be able to rotate players like he has the past couple years. He is going to expect more from his upper classmen and he should. They will be playing more minutes and they will adjust and do very well. He will slowly integrate the freshmen into the rotation unless they are clearly ready. I hope one or two of the Freshmen take redshirts and they are ok with it (don't transfer).

 

[ryno99]

2 Iowa teams are incredibly overlooked, and 1 is overrated. I let you figure out who's who, but I don't understand how a team that improves every year coming off a 2nd round appearance, has 4 starting seniors, an elite player (yes elite), but isn't even projected to make the field.

Pure talent of impact freshmen. Iowa doesn't have any guys that made noise on national radar that look to make a big impact. Nor do they have a team of collection of top 100 guys like others do. Iowa is a team full of potential and development though, however, that doesn't feed the hype train as much as stars and rankings.

 

[freemanbrenner]

heck with the lovable underdog. i prefer predictable winning overdog. Prefer guys like Tyler Cook picking Iowa because Iowa "always gets the studs.". Like kids picking Kansas on prestige alone. That's more fun.

In or around 1987 Iowa had an all time winning record against every Big Ten program with the exception of two.

A top 3 program in the far and away best league in college basketball. Iowa was Elite then.

The acc is the best conference in the country, then the big ten.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

The acc is the best conference in the country, then the big ten.

1) I was referring to the 80s.
2) B10 & ACC play this little thing called the B10/ACC challenge. The B10 has won the last two years I'm pretty sure.

 

[freemanbrenner]

And an acc team beat a big ten team in the national title game this last year. A big ten team hasn't won a national title since 2000 and the acc has won 5 since 2000.

1) I was referring to the 80s.
2) B10 & ACC play this little thing called the B10/ACC challenge. The B10 has won the last two years I'm pretty sure.

 

[DanL53]

And an acc team beat a big ten team in the national title game this last year. A big ten team hasn't won a national title since 2000 and the acc has won 5 since 2000.

I don't mean to cast dispersions on a point. But I think when talking about the strength of a conference most people think of it as Top to Bottom. From that aspect, the Big Ten has been the top basketball conference for much of the recent past. (Recall the pretenders from the Big 12 last year? )

 

[CanadaHawk]

And an acc team beat a big ten team in the national title game this last year. A big ten team hasn't won a national title since 2000 and the acc has won 5 since 2000.

Yes, because the acc has had a lot of difference-makers during that span. I see more difference-makers coming to the B1G recently. Not that great players aren't continuing to go to the acc. But the talent levels are evening out more. And even with more talent in the acc in the last decade, the B1G had several runner up years. What Okafors are in the acc this year? The B1G has some now as well.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Apologies,

• 3.2 2014 Big Ten 8–6
  
• 3.3 2013 Tied 6–6
• 3.4 2012 Tied 6–6
• 3.5 2011 Big Ten 8–4
• 3.6 2010 Big Ten 6–5
• 3.7 2009 Big Ten 6–5
• 3.8 2008 ACC 6–5

The ACC hasn't beaten the Big 10 since 2008.

 

[freemanbrenner]

None of the incoming freshman in the big ten are anywhere near as good as okafor. The big ten has had difference makers. Odeand conley. Burke and kaminsky were both player of year winners. Draymond green was an all american. Oladipo and zeller were the number two and four picks in the draft in 2013. There is talent coming into the big ten but the way duke is recruiting along with virgina and nc state, the acc isn't going anywhere. The big ten is a great conference but the acc is better.

Yes, because the acc has had a lot of difference-makers during that span. I see more difference-makers coming to the B1G recently. Not that great players aren't continuing to go to the acc. But the talent levels are evening out more. And even with more talent in the acc in the last decade, the B1G had several runner up years. What Okafors are in the acc this year? The B1G has some now as well.

 

[freemanbrenner]

Apologies
Since 2000, the acc has five national titles compared the big tens Zero. Unc beat a big ten team in both of their national title games and duke came up big in the national title game when it mattered most. They even did the impossible last year by coming back from nine vs wisconsin seven minutes into th second half. Also the acc went 17-5 in the tourney last year to the big tens 12-6.

Apologies,

• 3.2 2014 Big Ten 8–6
  
• 3.3 2013 Tied 6–6
• 3.4 2012 Tied 6–6
• 3.5 2011 Big Ten 8–4
• 3.6 2010 Big Ten 6–5
• 3.7 2009 Big Ten 6–5
• 3.8 2008 ACC 6–5

The ACC hasn't beaten the Big 10 since 2008.

 

[CanadaHawk]

None of the incoming freshman in the big ten are anywhere near as good as okafor. The big ten has had difference makers. Odeand conley. Burke and kaminsky were both player of year winners. Draymond green was an all american. Oladipo and zeller were the number two and four picks in the draft in 2013. There is talent coming into the big ten but the way duke is recruiting along with virgina and nc state, the acc isn't going anywhere. The big ten is a great conference but the acc is better.

Have you seen MSU's recruiting lately? It's Kentucky-like, better than they've done in some time. Then there's Stone- better for MD, Swanigan- better for PD, etc. I'm not saying acc still isn't reeling them in, but the B1G is closing the talent gap, and still came up with several runner up teams with less talent in the last decade. B1G does more with less- WI v Duke is a case in point. Duke definitely had more NBA talent, and WI still almost won. Imagine what happens with the talent gap closer.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

2 Iowa teams are incredibly overlooked, and 1 is overrated. I let you figure out who's who, but I don't understand how a team that improves every year coming off a 2nd round appearance, has 4 starting seniors, an elite player (yes elite), but isn't even projected to make the field.

Some really good posts in this thread....nice job Dan and others, even the ones to agree and disagree with, good stuff.

But yep yerp.....I like your post too. I do think this team is being overlooked (so what's new?) and not as bad but much like how horrible our football team was projected/overlooked) to play preseason (not by me).

I don't get it either your point in bold....and I would add a pretty talented incoming group of recruits - fresh, sophs and 1 talented junior.

It was a very quick vid bit of one practice on this site and more of the same practice on another site but you could tell the upside in activity, energy, athleticism and more talent across the roster than many years past. I know the shots were not dropping but I hear the next day in practice Uthoff was playing like that elite player. Per Coach Dillard on last nights podcast he feels Jarrod is prime for 17/18 ppg and All Big Ten....we'll see?

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Apologies
Since 2000, the acc has five national titles compared the big tens Zero. Unc beat a big ten team in both of their national title games and duke came up big in the national title game when it mattered most. They even did the impossible last year by coming back from nine vs wisconsin seven minutes into th second half. Also the acc went 17-5 in the tourney last year to the big tens 12-6.

when Kentucky wins the title does that mean the SEC is the best conference in college basketball?

 

[freemanbrenner]

Have you seen MSU's recruiting lately? It's Kentucky-like, better than they've done in some time. Then there's Stone- better for MD, Swanigan- better for PD, etc. I'm not saying acc still isn't reeling them in, but the B1G is closing the talent gap, and still came up with several runner up teams with less talent in the last decade. B1G does more with less- WI v Duke is a case in point. Duke definitely had more NBA talent, and WI still almost won. Imagine what happens with the talent gap closer.

Nc state and virginas recruiting is pretty insane. Tony coach too and so can gottfired at nc state and fsu has put together a great class also.Duke has two five stars committed and are about to get harry giles. msu is putting together a great class. If they get jackson it's kentucky like, no question about it. Diamond stone is overrated, but swanigan is talented for sure. The class of 2015 doesn't have anywhere near the "one and done" guys 2013 and 2014 had and what 2016 will have. The big ten is a great conference but the acc has the edge. Going forward we shall see but they have some great coaches and big time players comin in. The big ten does too so it will be interesting to see.

 

[Ronman]

Apologies
Since 2000, the acc has five national titles compared the big tens Zero. Unc beat a big ten team in both of their national title games and duke came up big in the national title game when it mattered most. They even did the impossible last year by coming back from nine vs wisconsin seven minutes into th second half. Also the acc went 17-5 in the tourney last year to the big tens 12-6.

Should this count even if the players don't have to go to class?

 

[hawkeyedude#1]

I think this could be the best team since Tom Davis got to Iowa.
Woody, uthoff, Gessel and clemmons give Iowa 4 very good seniors. Uthoff and woody could be 1st or 2nd team all B1G. Gessel 3rd team or better.
Flemming will be all B1G freshman team.
Jok and Uhl will be excellent role players. If Wagner and Hutton are the defensive studs we think they can be Iowa has no real weakness.
I don't know if Iowa can win 30 like 86-87 but I think they get close.

Woodbury second team? Dear sweet Jesus what have u been drinking. LOL.

 

[hawkeyedude#1]

Some really good posts in this thread....nice job Dan and others, even the ones to agree and disagree with, good stuff.

But yep yerp.....I like your post too. I do think this team is being overlooked (so what's new?) and not as bad but much like how horrible our football team was projected/overlooked) to play preseason (not by me).

I don't get it either your point in bold....and I would add a pretty talented incoming group of recruits - fresh, sophs and 1 talented junior.

It was a very quick vid bit of one practice on this site and more of the same practice on another site but you could tell the upside in activity, energy, athleticism and more talent across the roster than many years past. I know the shots were not dropping but I hear the next day in practice Uthoff was playing like that elite player. Per Coach Dillard on last nights podcast he feels Jarrod is prime for 17/18 ppg and All Big Ten....we'll see?

Good to know we got a guy playing at a high level in practice. Kinda sounds like a 3 pt sharpshooter we had the past 4 years? LOL. Homerism at its best.

 

[revkev73]

If we shoot well as a team...we will be very good.

 

[RefinedBean]

Good to know we got a guy playing at a high level in practice. Kinda sounds like a 3 pt sharpshooter we had the past 4 years? LOL. Homerism at its best.

Are you ever happy?

 

[mazda1]

We all have opinions on how this recruiting class will contribute. Chances are we'll all be right on some expectations and wrong on others given the size of the class. One thing I do like is athletically I think all of our guys are gifted enough athletes to evolve into good defenders. Williams may not have the body for it yet but his length is special. IMO Brady may have the greatest challenge but he can be serviceable.

Most of these guys have a big learning curve, but with playing time as both a carrot and a stick I expect all of them place the necessary emphasis on the defensive side to limit their liability when they step on the court. When we get into league play we won't be looking at these guys to carry the scoring load. If they can handle the ball, block out on the boards, and defend with effort we'll be fine. The points will come and if they deserve bigger roles on offense it will gradually happen.

 

[hawkeyedude#1]

Are you ever happy?

What's wrong? Reality bother u?

 

[SDHawkDoc]

20 wins. Make the tourney again and win 1st round game.
Anything more than that is gravy.

 

[RefinedBean]

What's wrong? Reality bother u?

No - there's room for realistic discussion of expectations.

But I've never seen you say anything positive about Iowa basketball. You're just here to shoot other people down. Which means you're a troll, or just a very unpleasant person.

I imagine you've been cheated on a few times, and maybe have a substance abuse problem. I dunno. It's bad to be you, whatever is going on.

 

[hawk-i bob]

What's wrong? Reality bother u?

Dude...
Didn't realize the season has started ... that is when reality starts. Your Oglesby comment has what to do with this years team?

 

[DenverTurtle]

I don't think enough is being said about the wild card that is Peter Jok. I think of the game at Nebraska this past season when he drilled 3 straight 3 pointers. This guy can light it up and score a lot of points quickly. I think he will have 2-3 games against good teams where he goes off for close to 30.

Think about the shooting Jok and Uthoff bring. Gessel is a much better shooter than he was last season and if he and Jones and Flemming can be consistently good shooters this will be a very good offensive team, maybe as good as Dev Marble's senior year but more consistent.

 

[Cardsnhawks]

The acc is the best conference in the country, then the big ten.

Thanks. Here is a token of my appreciation: