Is our defense better or is it the competition?

[Rustys Dad]

Iowa basketball - specifically our defense - will get a big 'ol dose of reality when we hit the road to play some very good and athletic teams ...

 

[RocknRollface]

That’s a really good point about Garza not hedging... I missed that until you just mentioned it. That’s a big deal in terms of Luka running out, trying to help get a stop on the perimeter (foul trouble) and hustling back to defend the post (not quick enough) and giving up a shot at the rim.

Its definitely working better than when he was trying to hedge hard.

You give up the pull up 3 off the screen but I think we'll live with that to help keep pgs out of the lane.

 

[RocknRollface]

It seems to me I still see Garza hedging and working his butt off to get back and defend his man. It's not all the time but it seems to happen. When he doesn't hedge things are waaay better.

Hedging is getting on top of the screen and trying to force the ballhandler backwards.

Hes not doing that this year, theres been a few times hes had to switch and then they try to switch back and it looks bad but that's not supposed to be the plan to have him switch to a guard.

He still has to be up where his man is setting the screen but now hes trying to hang below it to stop the drive and let the man being screened recover.

He then still has to run back to his man when he rolls off the screen. He just doesn't have as far to go.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

Hey, if Iowa is at 125th defensively that's quite an accomplishment.

Any permutation of CMac, CJ, Joey T and Bakari is a defensive improvement over the Jordan/Isaiah lineup. Although Jordan is an underrated defender he also is not a good defender. Isaiah could be a decent defender but so often seemed to just lose interest and leave outside shooters way too open.

All four of our current guards are sufficiently athletic to be good defenders, especially if they're playing defensive schemes adapted to their strengths.

 

[HungryHawk]

I think it’s better.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

CJF, CMac, Joey T all showed how they are a big upgrade on defense over last year. Joey W seemed to play better defense tonight. Luka was blocking and altering shots, a couple of miracles fell for TT inside.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

We played defense tonight!! Congrats to the Hawks.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Has the potential to be the best / deepest perimeter defending team under Fran imo.

Connor, CJ, Bakari, both Joe’s are all very good. Think Pat would be a good perimeter defender if he plays too

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

Iowa basketball - specifically our defense - will get a big 'ol dose of reality when we hit the road to play some very good and athletic teams ...

 

[Franisdaman]

It seems like the last two quick teams that are supposed to be good three point shooting teams, have not played so well against us. I know that they missed some open shots, but it seemed like our defense did a much better job.......we did not have as many break downs, or completely missed assignments.

I remember last year in particular we seemed to leave someone open near the basket two or three times a game.....we just seem to be more on top of our assignments and our connectivity between players this year.

We will find out about our defense in the next few weeks.....but for now things look better. That said, I am not a good judge of defense.

I still think that we do a poor job at rebounding (simply boxing out!) and give up too many easy offensive rebounds and 2nd chance points; those normally are killers

 

[RocknRollface]

As I said all of last week.

Yes. Iowa is clearly better on D.

TT was able to take advantage of Bohannon tonight. Everyone else was really solid.

Garza has come a huge ways. This was his best game as a hawk. Absolutely loved watching him tonight.

 

[perryhawk]

I still think that we do a poor job at rebounding (simply boxing out!) and give up too many easy offensive rebounds and 2nd chance points; those normally are killers

I have to say I am really pleased with the improvement that we've seen on defense. I'm not saying we're world beaters but we've come a long ways since the beginning of this season and it appears that we are already better defensively than we were last year.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

Possibly due to the 3 point line moving back? I haven’t heard one way or another whether 3 pt% is down this year.

Unintended consequence... does a slower footed team now have the time for the extra half step to get into position to defend the lane when helping...?

 

[owenhawk]

As I said all of last week.

Yes. Iowa is clearly better on D.

TT was able to take advantage of Bohannon tonight. Everyone else was really solid.

Garza has come a huge ways. This was his best game as a hawk. Absolutely loved watching him tonight.

Garza has stepped up big time on the boards and with his Defense from last year. He’s always been an Offensive wizard for a big man but he’s really becoming a great all-around college player.

 

[Franisdaman]

I have to say I am really pleased with the improvement that we've seen on defense. I'm not saying we're world beaters but we've come a long ways since the beginning of this season and it appears that we are already better defensively than we were last year.

This probably sounds picky but I don't like the 10 offensive rebounds we gave up (Tech gave up 5).

We gave up 12 second chance points.

We defended the 2 point FGs decently, imo. Tech could not buy a 3 point basket.

Here's the breakdown of Tech's FG shooting:

16-37 (43.2%) 2 point FGs
04-24 (16.7%) 3 point FGs
20-61 (32.8%) OVERALL

Here are the complete stats for the game. You learn all kinds of things like we led for 36:34 of the game

LINK: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=280947

 

[Rudolph]

When Joe T is in the game keep your eyes on him. He is intent on being a total disrupter. I have a feeling that his being so competitive on D has affected the whole team. I played with guys like him. They sort of set a higher standard. Watch Joe T. I’m already looking forward to Izzo complaining that his poor boys are being roughed up by big bad #1.

 

[kceasthawk]

When Joe T is in the game keep your eyes on him. He is intent on being a total disrupter. I have a feeling that his being so competitive on D has affected the whole team. I played with guys like him. They sort of set a higher standard. Watch Joe T. I’m already looking forward to Izzo complaining that his poor boys are being roughed up by big bad #1.

True, but he gambles too much on the steal or wrap from behind. I'm concerned that top shelf guards are going to teach him a few lessons this year, but will see. Kids a baller, so I don't think he'll back down anyway.

 

[Rudolph]

Joe T is the Bob Sanders of Iowa BB. It’s like he’s tipped the scales culture-wise.

 

[grayhair81]

Defense in the second half looked the same as every year since Fran has been here.

 

[RocknRollface]

Defense in the second half looked the same as every year since Fran has been here.

Not true. But the defense from the pg position was bad. That was the difference in the game.

When Iowa had JT Evelyn and CJ out there at the same time sdsu couldn't score.