Iowa looks good.

[Hayes_30]

It was a heck of a game. It was the 1st time I got to watch Iowa this season and I was impressed. That game was even closer than the final score indicated. When the shots are falling Iowa is hard to deal with. If they get hot in March look the hell out. Good luck the rest of the season it's a lot funner when 75% of the in State teams are good and make it to the dance.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

It was a heck of a game. It was the 1st time I got to watch Iowa this season and I was impressed. That game was even closer than the final score indicated. When the shots are falling Iowa is hard to deal with. If they get hot in March look the hell out. Good luck the rest of the season it's a lot funner when 75% of the in State teams are good and make it to the dance.

Thanks but we have a way to go. As I said to another poster, rebounding is always the achilies heel and it bit us at the worst time tonight. As did our living by the 3...

Iowa St. is good. We fought hard and keep showing signs of improvement. The starting lineup change was nice because most of us love Thelwell. Wish we had him for all 4 years.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

It was a heck of a game. It was the 1st time I got to watch Iowa this season and I was impressed. That game was even closer than the final score indicated. When the shots are falling Iowa is hard to deal with. If they get hot in March look the hell out. Good luck the rest of the season it's a lot funner when 75% of the in State teams are good and make it to the dance.

Iowa has some pretty big weaknesses (like rebounding and defense).

I'm not sure ISU does. I sure didn't see any last night.

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

You're not making the tournament losing close games. When you have these opportunities like the last two, better come away with at least one win.

 

[fivecardstud14]

Hawks can’t guard BLOBs at all. It killed them all game.

 

[Beattheohiostate]

Iowa has some pretty big weaknesses (like rebounding and defense).

I'm not sure ISU does. I sure didn't see any last night.

Then how did ISU manage to play 37.5 minutes without the lead? Iowa controlled that game until the final 2.5 minutes, yet I keep reading how bad Iowa is and how great ISU is. The reality of what I saw last night does not match those assertions.

 

[CyberJJ]

I would not say Iowa controlled the game until the final 2.5 minutes, but could say that about most of the first 30 minutes, with some chances at key points to really blow the game open, but believe the lead never exceeded 13. The second half ISU was easing back into the game roughly playing even or slowly whittling into the lead, although still trailing until late. Yet, even reading the game thread many could feel the game slipping away from the Hawks. What I think Iowa did last night especially in the first half, was dictate the way the game was going to be played. The smaller line-up spaced the floor well, moved the ball exceptionally well, they hit an amazing percentage of 3 point shots from a variety of positions, and in doing so limited the turnovers (if I remember correctly they ended up even on turnovers, although not in points off turnovers) which was critical. Going small meant giving up rebounds, and the ISU work on the offensive glass was a result. Iowa still had a good chance to win if able to keep up the shooting percentage, both from the field and the free throw line, but both tailed off their early clip later in the second half.

Other than questionable timeout usage (or lack thereof) and not using the bench depth to keep the starters fresher, which despite Fran's comments in the presser, seemed a clear issue late in the game, I thought he had a hell of a game plan that for much of the game was executed well. While both teams only used 8 players, ISU starters had more rest playing less minutes with more production from the bench. To me the fresh legs at the end of the game showed up and ISU didn't shoot as badly from the perimeter as they did in the first half. For example, that is the first game all season that Momcilovic went 0-for from 3. As ISU heated up from the perimeter in the second half, that spread Iowa out more and they then were more susceptible to dribble penetration from ISU guards. The offensive rebounding then became a glaring difference. The issue for Fran was primarily a recruiting issue and roster construction. His coaching team's game planning seemed excellent, although I questioned the timeout usage and rotation/minute spread, but you could argue that goes back to the recruiting issue.

 

[Hawksfinal4]

I would not say Iowa controlled the game until the final 2.5 minutes, but could say that about most of the first 30 minutes, with some chances at key points to really blow the game open, but believe the lead never exceeded 13. The second half ISU was easing back into the game roughly playing even or slowly whittling into the lead, although still trailing until late. Yet, even reading the game thread many could feel the game slipping away from the Hawks. What I think Iowa did last night especially in the first half, was dictate the way the game was going to be played. The smaller line-up spaced the floor well, moved the ball exceptionally well, they hit an amazing percentage of 3 point shots from a variety of positions, and in doing so limited the turnovers (if I remember correctly they ended up even on turnovers, although not in points off turnovers) which was critical. Going small meant giving up rebounds, and the ISU work on the offensive glass was a result. Iowa still had a good chance to win if able to keep up the shooting percentage, both from the field and the free throw line, but both tailed off their early clip later in the second half.

Other than questionable timeout usage (or lack thereof) and not using the bench depth to keep the starters fresher, which despite Fran's comments in the presser, seemed a clear issue late in the game, I thought he had a hell of a game plan that for much of the game was executed well. While both teams only used 8 players, ISU starters had more rest playing less minutes with more production from the bench. To me the fresh legs at the end of the game showed up and ISU didn't shoot as badly from the perimeter as they did in the first half. For example, that is the first game all season that Momcilovic went 0-for from 3. As ISU heated up from the perimeter in the second half, that spread Iowa out more and they then were more susceptible to dribble penetration from ISU guards. The offensive rebounding then became a glaring difference. The issue for Fran was primarily a recruiting issue and roster construction. His coaching team's game planning seemed excellent, although I questioned the timeout usage and rotation/minute spread, but you could argue that goes back to the recruiting issue.

Don’t totally agree with recruiting issue as that’s always a two way street but you imo were spot on about minutes and rotations as well as game plan. Fran’s in game adjustments have always been imo his weakest coaching issues. There are moments when he could have switched it up and gone big for a few minutes just to throw opponents off but does it throw off Hawks worse?

 

[jonesy5960]

Hawks can’t guard BLOBs at all. It killed them all game.

WTF is a BLOB?

 

[fivecardstud14]

WTF is a BLOB?

Baseline out of bounds play. Fran loves to go zone on those & it’s a killer.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Then how did ISU manage to play 37.5 minutes without the lead? Iowa controlled that game until the final 2.5 minutes, yet I keep reading how bad Iowa is and how great ISU is. The reality of what I saw last night does not match those assertions.

Freeman and Dembele were 4-4 last night - from 3 pt range! Those are 12 points (that on another night might be zero) were huge and helped them get or keep the lead.

Iowa probably played their best game. They are a good team and will get lots of wins (I hope). But I think ISU is really good!

 

[jonesy5960]

Then how did ISU manage to play 37.5 minutes without the lead? Iowa controlled that game until the final 2.5 minutes, yet I keep reading how bad Iowa is and how great ISU is. The reality of what I saw last night does not match those assertions.

Iowa played really excellent basketball for the vast majority of the game. Defense was excellent and they hit a very high percentage of threes and all of their free throws. Unfortunately that was an anomaly to what we've seen. What we saw later in the game was what Iowa looks like more normally.
Poor shooting on one end and bad defense on the other leaving open shooters everywhere. Even when Iowa built those leads with great offensive execution they were giving up loads of offensive rebounds and second half points. That finally caught up to them in the second half.

 

[BHoppy]

Then how did ISU manage to play 37.5 minutes without the lead? Iowa controlled that game until the final 2.5 minutes, yet I keep reading how bad Iowa is and how great ISU is. The reality of what I saw last night does not match those assertions.

Playing small ball works when you are making shots and we were something like 4 for 17 late in the game. Plus, when tied at 74, Freeman missed 2 free throws. Big difference being ahead by 2 or tied without the ball.
Now the players gave great effort, but our margin of error is very small. By going small we sacrifice rebounding.
Dembele had his best game coming off the bench, played 14 minutes, but only 4 in the second half.

 

[Hans81]

It was a heck of a game. It was the 1st time I got to watch Iowa this season and I was impressed. That game was even closer than the final score indicated. When the shots are falling Iowa is hard to deal with. If they get hot in March look the hell out. Good luck the rest of the season it's a lot funner when 75% of the in State teams are good and make it to the dance.

Appreciate your inputs. You’re not a typical clone fan…whereas reading the isu game thread on the clone board it’s comically full of hatred for Iowa with such blatant racist comments about Iowa’s white “pasty” line-up. If Iowa fans said anything similar about isu’s predominantly black roster such comments would appropriately be called out as racist. Also, some really stupid comments about the looks/appearance of some of the Iowa players. Lol - have they looked at their own goofy roster?!? Anyway, nice win by the clones. I respect their team but loath the isu fanbase.

 

[jonesy5960]

Playing small ball works when you are making shots and we were something like 4 for 17 late in the game. Plus, when tied at 74, Freeman missed 2 free throws. Big difference being ahead by 2 or tied without the ball.
Now the players gave great effort, but our margin of error is very small. By going small we sacrifice rebounding.
Dembele had his best game coming off the bench, played 14 minutes, but only 4 in the second half.

Iowa doesn't need to go small to struggle at rebounding.

 

[fivecardstud14]

Appreciate your inputs. You’re not a typical clone fan…whereas reading the isu game thread on the clone board it’s comically full of hatred for Iowa with such blatant racist comments about Iowa’s white “pasty” line-up. If Iowa fans said anything similar about isu’s predominantly black roster such comments would appropriately be called out as racist. Also, some really stupid comments about the looks/appearance of some of the Iowa players. Lol - have they looked at their own goofy roster?!? Anyway, nice win by the clones. I respect their team but loath the isu fanbase.

And why is there no WET when there’s a BET amiright?!

Lol at you going through the Clone message board & getting worked up at their comments.

 

[mro1978]

Hawks can’t guard BLOBs at all. It killed them all game.

leave audi crooks out of this

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I would not say Iowa controlled the game until the final 2.5 minutes, but could say that about most of the first 30 minutes, with some chances at key points to really blow the game open, but believe the lead never exceeded 13. The second half ISU was easing back into the game roughly playing even or slowly whittling into the lead, although still trailing until late. Yet, even reading the game thread many could feel the game slipping away from the Hawks. What I think Iowa did last night especially in the first half, was dictate the way the game was going to be played. The smaller line-up spaced the floor well, moved the ball exceptionally well, they hit an amazing percentage of 3 point shots from a variety of positions, and in doing so limited the turnovers (if I remember correctly they ended up even on turnovers, although not in points off turnovers) which was critical. Going small meant giving up rebounds, and the ISU work on the offensive glass was a result. Iowa still had a good chance to win if able to keep up the shooting percentage, both from the field and the free throw line, but both tailed off their early clip later in the second half.

Other than questionable timeout usage (or lack thereof) and not using the bench depth to keep the starters fresher, which despite Fran's comments in the presser, seemed a clear issue late in the game, I thought he had a hell of a game plan that for much of the game was executed well. While both teams only used 8 players, ISU starters had more rest playing less minutes with more production from the bench. To me the fresh legs at the end of the game showed up and ISU didn't shoot as badly from the perimeter as they did in the first half. For example, that is the first game all season that Momcilovic went 0-for from 3. As ISU heated up from the perimeter in the second half, that spread Iowa out more and they then were more susceptible to dribble penetration from ISU guards. The offensive rebounding then became a glaring difference. The issue for Fran was primarily a recruiting issue and roster construction. His coaching team's game planning seemed excellent, although I questioned the timeout usage and rotation/minute spread, but you could argue that goes back to the recruiting issue.

Fran's usage of timeouts has always been just above KFs usage of timeouts. KFs absolute worst blindspot is clock management.

 

[Hans81]

And why is there no WET when there’s a BET amiright?!

Lol at you going through the Clone message board & getting worked up at their comments.

Yeah, I prolly should stay off their board, but their commentary is oftentimes so over the top that it’s funny. Isu fans often mention reading Iowa fan sites, so guess it’s a two-way street. F*ck iswho.

 

[danny14]

Playing small ball works when you are making shots and we were something like 4 for 17 late in the game. Plus, when tied at 74, Freeman missed 2 free throws. Big difference being ahead by 2 or tied without the ball.
Now the players gave great effort, but our margin of error is very small. By going small we sacrifice rebounding.
Dembele had his best game coming off the bench, played 14 minutes, but only 4 in the second half.

That seemed to be the turning point, on those two missed free throws. He made the two previous FT's...guess the law of averages caught up with him.

 

[HawkGem11]

It was a heck of a game. It was the 1st time I got to watch Iowa this season and I was impressed. That game was even closer than the final score indicated. When the shots are falling Iowa is hard to deal with. If they get hot in March look the hell out. Good luck the rest of the season it's a lot funner when 75% of the in State teams are good and make it to the dance.

Yeah they are good at disappearing when the game gets close and not being able to play D or score when it matters....