Iowa defense ranked #93 per KenPom (as of Sun Dec 22). Was #61 on Dec 2

[Franisdaman]

Dec 22 Update:

The defense is trending in the wrong direction.

Defense: #93
Offense: #20

Overall team ranking: #44 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

......................................................................


Dec 2nd Update:

Defense: #61
Offense: #43

Overall team ranking: #49 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

......................................................................

ORIGINAL POST (#s on Nov 20):

Defense: #66
Offense: #30

Overall team ranking: #40 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Not bad, not bad.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Shhhhhh. People don’t want to hear that.

 

[Franisdaman]

Shhhhhh. People don’t want to hear that.

hopefully they can keep it up

 

[Ronman]

I know it's very early, but I see he has 9 B1G teams ahead of Iowa in his rankings.

 

[sober_teacher]

If they can sustain that against the b10 schedule, they’re dancing in march.

 

[MikeyHawk]

Certainly an improvement

No Perkins, Patrick, and Krikke is a lot of the reason for the improvement

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Utah St will be tough.

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

Defense: #66
Offense: #30

Overall team ranking: #40 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

11th in BIG.
12th in B1G per Torvik.
9th in B1G per Haslametrics (5 seed if season ended today).

Slowly but surely moving up....for now.

 

[Franisdaman]

If they can sustain that against the b10 schedule, they’re dancing in march.

Utah St will be tough.

There are 364 D1 schools. KenPom currently ranks Iowa at #40.

On Jan 3 we play 100% conference games. Until then:

Nov 22 vs #49 Utah St (Kansas City)
Nov 26 vs #325 USC Upstate
Dec 3 vs #61 Northwestern
Dec 7 at #27 Michigan
Dec 12 vs #7 Iowa State
Dec 15 vs #359 New Orleans
Dec 21 vs #53 Utah (Sioux Falls)
Dec 30 vs #356 New Hampshire

Jan 3 at #39 Wisconsin

 

[sober_teacher]

There are 364 D1 schools. KenPom currently ranks Iowa at #40.

On Jan 3 we play 100% conference games. Until then:

Nov 22 vs #49 Utah St (Kansas City)
Nov 26 vs #325 USC Upstate
Dec 3 vs #61 Northwestern
Dec 7 at #27 Michigan
Dec 12 vs #7 Iowa State
Dec 15 vs #359 New Orleans
Dec 21 vs #53 Utah (Sioux Falls)
Dec 30 vs #356 New Hampshire

Jan 3 at #39 Wisconsin

Those #300+ games…I’ve never understood Fran’s fixation on that level of cupcake. One or two to start the season, sure, to help get new players used to things…but post-thanksgiving it’s been beyond ridiculous that Barta and now Beth apparently, let him schedule that poor of opponent quality.

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

Those #300+ games…I’ve never understood Fran’s fixation on that level of cupcake. One or two to start the season, sure, to help get new players used to things…but post-thanksgiving it’s been beyond ridiculous that Barta and now Beth apparently, let him schedule that poor of opponent quality.

Just from a pure coaching perspective, those games at that point in the season do nothing to help a team prepare for the tourney. I don't get the motivation other than just padding a career W/L record.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Certainly an improvement

No Perkins, Patrick, and Krikke is a lot of the reason for the improvement

🎯🎯🎯

This is already Fran's best defensive team.

They look like they like playing on that end of the court and make the effort.

 

[QChawks]

Imagine if Thelwell and Traore started and played more minutes

 

[Mohawkeye]

Those #300+ games…I’ve never understood Fran’s fixation on that level of cupcake. One or two to start the season, sure, to help get new players used to things…but post-thanksgiving it’s been beyond ridiculous that Barta and now Beth apparently, let him schedule that poor of opponent quality.

Those games around Christmas are tough. Kids aren't mentally in to them. I think we lost one last year or the year before. Not a good time to play a tough match up.

 

[sober_teacher]

Those games around Christmas are tough. Kids aren't mentally in to them. I think we lost one last year or the year before. Not a good time to play a tough match up.

Sure. So schedule a time or two that are in the 200s. Instead he schedules teams no one ever heard of.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Sure. So schedule a time or two that are in the 200s. Instead he schedules teams no one ever heard of.

You really think it matters? I don’t. Every year people complain about the SOS and it never matters in the end. Win the games you should, you’ll get in.

 

[iowamike21]

🎯🎯🎯

This is already Fran's best defensive team.

They look like they like playing on that end of the court and make the effort.

Defense in basketball is about 91% effort and intensity. It's just not that hard. Move your damn feet is the basic technique for it, although I hate to get all technical.

I've spent a lot of years in Y's and rec centers literally all over the world, and MOST of the players in those pickup games--high school kids, young adults, middle aged, whatever--play hard and play tough defense. I will never understand the lack of such effort and intensity from scholarship athletes at a major university. You should be able to teach defense to any interested athlete in about 30 minutes.

Anyway, it's great to see Thelwell and Traore and Koch and others out there fighting on the defensive end.

 

[GrayhoundHawk]

🎯🎯🎯

This is already Fran's best defensive team.

They look like they like playing on that end of the court and make the effort.

Fran's best team since the Gessell, Woodbury, Clemmons teams for sure.

 

[HawkLogic]

Shhhhhh. People don’t want to hear that.

I suppose because a lot of people are unhappy/or don't care much about men's basketball/complain a lot, it makes Fran's supporters
feel it is them against the world.

Actually Iowa fans want to hear that the defense is improving and better numbers would be great to hear. We're all
Iowa fans on this board, we might complain, but everyone wants to see better defensive numbers and more wins.

I see Iowa at 56 in defense efficiency in the NCAA link below. That is 11th rank among 18 Big10 teams. This clearly is
one of Frans better defensive teams, more athletic than he typically puts together.

My guess is #56 in defensive efficiency is doubtful to be good enough to be Sweet16 type team numbers.

but It is good enough to to get into NCAA tourney and win 1 game, which Fran does typically 1/3 the time in NCAA play---i.e. 6-12 career ncaa tourney record. .


Maybe someone has typical numbers for Sweet16 teams. Fran usually focus on Offense at expense of defense.
So if we can end up a Top 25 type offense, we probably need to be Top 40 on defense or better to make a Sweet16.

I wouldn't cry if Fran took off for Butler. I do think the program is in trouble without better NIL money regardless of who is coach.

NCAA Basketball Stats - NCAA BB Team Defensive Efficiency | TeamRankings.com

NCAA Basketball defensive efficiency, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

 

[the notorious r.d.m.]

Imagine if Thelwell and Traore started and played more minutes

Thelwell and Traore are actually getting a touch more minutes than Brock and Ladji/Pryce despite the latter starting. I have to commend Fran on that through 5 games. But I agree with you. I think it's only a matter of time before that happens. But if Thelwell/Traore are playing 28 minutes a game regardless of starting I'm happy.

I do have to say Thelwell and Traore on the floor together along with Cooper make Cooper a way better player when subs start coming in so I can't gripe too much.

 

[QChawks]

Thelwell and Traore are actually getting a touch more minutes than Brock and Ladji/Pryce despite the latter starting. I have to commend Fran on that through 5 games. But I agree with you. I think it's only a matter of time before that happens. But if Thelwell/Traore are playing 28 minutes a game regardless of starting I'm happy.

I do have to say Thelwell and Traore on the floor together along with Cooper make Cooper a way better player when subs start coming in so I can't gripe too much.

I agree with the minutes statement, although to me it's more about setting the tone early with your best squad. It's noticeable different when those two are on the floor so why not use that to your advantage.

 

[fecal particulate]

I suppose because a lot of people are unhappy/or don't care much about men's basketball/complain a lot, it makes Fran's supporters
feel it is them against the world.

Actually Iowa fans want to hear that the defense is improving and better numbers would be great to hear. We're all
Iowa fans on this board, we might complain, but everyone wants to see better defensive numbers and more wins.

I see Iowa at 56 in defense efficiency in the NCAA link below. That is 11th rank among 18 Big10 teams. This clearly is
one of Frans better defensive teams, more athletic than he typically puts together.

My guess is #56 in defensive efficiency is doubtful to be good enough to be Sweet16 type team numbers.

but It is good enough to to get into NCAA tourney and win 1 game, which Fran does typically 1/3 the time in NCAA play---i.e. 6-12 career ncaa tourney record. .


Maybe someone has typical numbers for Sweet16 teams. Fran usually focus on Offense at expense of defense.
So if we can end up a Top 25 type offense, we probably need to be Top 40 on defense or better to make a Sweet16.

I wouldn't cry if Fran took off for Butler. I do think the program is in trouble without better NIL money regardless of who is coach.

NCAA Basketball Stats - NCAA BB Team Defensive Efficiency | TeamRankings.com

NCAA Basketball defensive efficiency, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

In addition, if you take KenPom’s top 68 teams, Iowa still only has the 55th best defensive efficiency. Doing the same with Torvik, Iowa’s defensive efficiency is 60th out of the top 68 teams.

There’s promise, I like the trajectory, but there’s quite a bit more to prove. Especially being able to do it consistently and against better competition.

 

[sober_teacher]

You really think it matters? I don’t. Every year people complain about the SOS and it never matters in the end. Win the games you should, you’ll get in.

I’m talking as much about attendance issues here. Having opponents we’ve actually hear of would help.

In terms of resume, it doesn’t hurt if we win our other games, but it does impact seeding.

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

You really think it matters? I don’t. Every year people complain about the SOS and it never matters in the end. Win the games you should, you’ll get in.

Of course it matters. It matters with respect to selection/seeding, and it matters with respect to adequately preparing your team to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

Can't do C- prep and expect A results when it really matters.

 

[the notorious r.d.m.]

What does it take/what's the criteria to get invited to a major preseason tournament?

 

[Mohawkeye]

I’m talking as much about attendance issues here. Having opponents we’ve actually hear of would help.

In terms of resume, it doesn’t hurt if we win our other games, but it does impact seeding.

I really don’t think you get a difference in attendance between a 200 + and a 300 + ranked team. Especially during winter break.

 

[sober_teacher]

I really don’t think you get a difference in attendance between a 200 + and a 300 + ranked team. Especially during winter break.

Every little bit helps.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

Defense: #66
Offense: #30

Overall team ranking: #40 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

Not bad, not bad at all.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Certainly an improvement

No Perkins, Patrick, and Krikke is a lot of the reason for the improvement

I wouldn't put Perkins in the reason for improved defense. The other two were bad and N/A.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Imagine if Thelwell and Traore started and played more minutes

Even just more minutes would be huge. Thelwell played 27 in last game.

 

[Legs94]

I know it's very early, but I see he has 9 B1G teams ahead of Iowa in his rankings.

Let’s see how it looks after Friday. Although it appears to be better, we have not played very good teams yet .

 

[Franisdaman]

Losses happen.

The Iowa defense?

Currently #53

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Offense must have plummeted.

 

[Franisdaman]

Offense must have plummeted.

from 30 to 46

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[littlez]

Rebounding is part of defense. We had played 1 decent team so far (Wash St) until tonight. We’re constantly trailing our guys which leads to over helping and the other team crashing the boards. If he’s going to give Traore 18 minutes and play basically 4 guards and a Center that’s a recipe for disaster with this team. Crushed on the boards last night.

 

[Franisdaman]

Big Ten Basketball Offensive and Defensive overall halfcourt efficiency team rankings

(PPP = points per possession)

Source:

 

[Franisdaman]

Dec 2nd Update:

Defense: #61
Offense: #43

Overall team ranking: #49 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

 

[TampaHawkfan]

Dec 2nd Update:

Defense: #61
Offense: #43

Overall team ranking: #49 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

.....................................................

ORIGINAL POST (#s on Nov 20):

Defense: #66
Offense: #30

Overall team ranking: #40 (out of 364 D1 teams)

Link: KenPom Rankings

Well, that's better than I'm used to seeing out of the defense. Unfortunately according to those numbers, the offense has dropped off a little from previous years.