I never thought in a million years that I'd ask that. At this point though they seem like they might be.
Is this years Iowa team better than last year?
- Thread starter HawkeyeGenius
- Start date
No doubt about it. Much more balanced, long and lean, more weapons, better defense, deeper bench!
No doubt in my mind. Last year Iowa was good, but right now we have a truly dangerous team. Not only do we have the firepower to hang 90 on literally any team in the country, but the defense (especially the rebounding) is night and day better. It’s like someone flipped a switch and we have gone from First Four to a Final Four darkhorse.
Iowa needed to win yesterday in the manner that they did. They’re used to beating teams by double digits, but Iowa has struggled in tight games throughout the season. These guys have found a level that most of us thought was impossible to find, but they found it anyway. There is a brotherhood and camaraderie that was missing in past teams - there is no jealousy or locker room drama that is holding these guys back.
Make no mistake - IU has been playing out of its mind as of late and Iowa finished off another team that seems to have things figured out. The Hoosiers aren’t used to being underdogs but they have a likable coach and their players aren’t arrogant primadonnas. Wouldn’t shock me to see IU get a 10 seed and win a game or two in the Dance.
Iowa needed to win yesterday in the manner that they did. They’re used to beating teams by double digits, but Iowa has struggled in tight games throughout the season. These guys have found a level that most of us thought was impossible to find, but they found it anyway. There is a brotherhood and camaraderie that was missing in past teams - there is no jealousy or locker room drama that is holding these guys back.
Make no mistake - IU has been playing out of its mind as of late and Iowa finished off another team that seems to have things figured out. The Hoosiers aren’t used to being underdogs but they have a likable coach and their players aren’t arrogant primadonnas. Wouldn’t shock me to see IU get a 10 seed and win a game or two in the Dance.
Not at first. But lately, based on results and eye test, very much better than last year.
Last year it was Luka, Weezy and pretty much no one else . When they were not scoring we were toast. This year we have so many more weapons. Hard to stop them all. Perkins peaking late this year has turned this from a good team to a potentially great one . JBO rounding back into form is also different from where he was last year. So short answer definitely better this year.
I think last year's team was more talented, but far less athletic and defensive. Something that stood out to me at the end of last year was that anytime Fran needed our best defensive lineup at the end of games, he needed to sub 4 or 5 players onto the floor to get it. It seemed crazy to me that our "best" lineup last year often didn't include one of the team's best 5 defenders.
This year, Fran has focused more on getting defense and athleticism into the rotation, and the team has benefited. I certainly think this team is better positioned for a deep tournament run.
The big question for me is could last year's team have been better if Fran worked to balance his lineups with more athleticism and defense? I think the answer to that is probably yes. It's hard to judge which team is "better" when last year's team wasn't put in the best position to win imo.
This year, Fran has focused more on getting defense and athleticism into the rotation, and the team has benefited. I certainly think this team is better positioned for a deep tournament run.
The big question for me is could last year's team have been better if Fran worked to balance his lineups with more athleticism and defense? I think the answer to that is probably yes. It's hard to judge which team is "better" when last year's team wasn't put in the best position to win imo.
I don't think they are better, per se, but I do think they match up better with far more teams than last year. Having a more athletic team on the court more can do that
At this point, better team balance, much better in a motion offense, and as good in m2m as they are in zone. And deeper. And more consistently reliable.
Last year's team relied too much on Luka and Weezy. CJ was hurt so often that Iowa constantly had to game plan around his injuries.
Last year's team relied too much on Luka and Weezy. CJ was hurt so often that Iowa constantly had to game plan around his injuries.
Last year the whole was less than the sum of the parts. Luka was Luka, but Weezy would disappear for stretches, Connor was the “glue guy”, CJF had one foot out the door (when it was healthy) and both Murray’s were underutilized.
We don’t have the same frontcourt presence without Luka, but Rebraca has made strides - particularly with the rebounding - and while we knew Keegan was going to be special, we didn’t expect Connor to emerge as legit weapon or Perk to provide the desperately-needed offensive spark from the backcourt. We truly have the goods to make it to the second weekend, and with favorable matchups, possibly further.
We don’t have the same frontcourt presence without Luka, but Rebraca has made strides - particularly with the rebounding - and while we knew Keegan was going to be special, we didn’t expect Connor to emerge as legit weapon or Perk to provide the desperately-needed offensive spark from the backcourt. We truly have the goods to make it to the second weekend, and with favorable matchups, possibly further.
Another thing I would add is that Iowa was not healthy at the end of the year which is skewing peoples opinions. Nunge was out the last month and CJ wasn’t himself the last two months. Those were two huge pieces to last years team that were not healthy in March.
This year's team a lot better---Garza didn't have the supporting cast and all the depth were Freshmen.
That said, if we'd paid Garza
$4 million to come back with an NIL deal we'd be a title contender. I don't think we miss Weezy as much because Kris, PMac, Sandfort can all play the 3.
That said, if we'd paid Garza
$4 million to come back with an NIL deal we'd be a title contender. I don't think we miss Weezy as much because Kris, PMac, Sandfort can all play the 3.
The season will be remembered for what happens starting next week. That’s the reality of college basketball.
the priorities are NCAA tournament, everything after is like #9 on the list of important things.
the priorities are NCAA tournament, everything after is like #9 on the list of important things.
This team has already accomplished something that no other Fran team has this weekend. Strong regular season. POY candidate (if it were up to me, he’d be a shoe-in) in Keegan. Last year’s team never performed at a level as high as this team is currently performing.
The answer is yes
The answer is yes
Both Connor and JBo were playing injured in February and March as well. This year's team is healthy.
All I know is that I have really enjoyed watching this years team develop, What a fun group of players to watch!
Sounds obvious but I feel like last year’s was built for the B1G since we had a monster inside. But this year’s is better built for the tournament because of the overall athleticism.
I actually think last year’s would beat this year’s straight up
I actually think last year’s would beat this year’s straight up
The team is not very balanced and last year's team wasn't either. Keegan and the other four. Rarely do we get a bunch of guys in double figures. I think the difference is a much deeper bench and we are more athletic.
They are better than last years team and it's not close.
Agree with this except I think this team beats last year’s. They are playing more inspired and each guy takes it upon himself to elevate the team. They don’t just rely on Keegan like we did on Garza and Weezy last year.
Right now, absolutely. Last year's team may have had a better overall resume but I believe this year's team is playing at a higher level at this point.
This may be as good of an Iowa team entering the big dance as I think I've seen since the late 80s.
This may be as good of an Iowa team entering the big dance as I think I've seen since the late 80s.
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I don't agree at all with that, and I love Luka and all that he did at Iowa. Keegan would not be the player we saw this year if Luka was on the block. It just doesn't work like that. If we still had the NPOTY we would still be playing to his strengths, and not the more open floor game that favors the twins. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't think we'd have seen this team develop the same way if Luka was still here....
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