It’s about to go down!!!

[mstp1992]

I would love to see the two Murrays, Patrick, Joe T/Ulis, and Perkins....this would be an athletic lineup with length across the front line. If Perkins 3 point shot is a high 30% range that could make this lineup lethal. I think that they could run and score in transition, good rebounding, they would be capable of playing good defense, and be decent in the half court offense. When they had to play a team like Illinois or Purdue they could bring in a big.

All that said, I suspect the lineup will be more like this: JoeT, JBO, Patrick, Keegan, & Rebraca...

Yes, I believe that'll be the starting lineup.

Then your 'second' unit: Uhlis, Perkins, Kris, Connor, Riley, Josh, in some combination. It's hard to get 6 bench guys meaningful time each game -- unless, Iowa is blowing out everyone.

Unless Sandfort really impresses like Keegan did last year (or heaven forbid, injuries), I think he'll be a 'victim' of a numbers game much like Kris Murray was last season. Just not enough minutes in the game for everyone. He might be a prime candidate to redshirt, although I do like his versatility and the way he's bulked up (that picture looks like he's put on 10-15 lbs of muscle this summer).

I know Laketa is already planning on redshirting this year. There's something about him that I really like. Not as a potential superstar, but he seems like a highly intelligent player, and versatile on the wing and down low (although, not up against guys built like Garza). In some ways, Riley Till comes to mind. A very valuable teammate and capable of contributing as needed.

I'm not sure of the situation with Kingsbury. That guy has a man's body already.

Speaking of redshirting, what are the current rules on that? I think with the medical redshirt you can play in 30% of your team's games and still obtain a redshirt. In the back of my mind I was thinking there was something about allowing kids to play in a handful of games and still redshirt, but I certainly could be wrong on that account.

 

[PHawkKenyon]

^^^ Ya Kenyon, a degree is important. Very important.

Yes, but we also learned how to be efficient with "online learning" during the pandemic. LOL

 

[PHawkKenyon]

Would this be the plan? Can Kris play the two at 6'9? If so, that not only is awesome from a rebounding perspective but that length on the perimeter would really impact opposing guards.

He can because he is a very good 3pt shooter and grew up playing the PG/SG in AAU/HS.

 

[mstp1992]

Yes, but we also learned how to be efficient with "online learning" during the pandemic. LOL

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I'm recalling correctly from watching Kris in HS and highlights of his prep year, he developed a pretty good step-back 3, which at 6' 9" could be highly effective. For some reason, I always had this impression of Kris being more of a point/wing and Keegan that 'stretch-4' type of player.

Edit: apparently, you just answered my question as I was typing it.

 

[mstp1992]

Yes, but we also learned how to be efficient with "online learning" during the pandemic. LOL

Don't tell my seminar students that!

 

[EduNeerHawk]

Yes, I believe that'll be the starting lineup.

Then your 'second' unit: Uhlis, Perkins, Kris, Connor, Riley, Josh, in some combination. It's hard to get 6 bench guys meaningful time each game -- unless, Iowa is blowing out everyone.

Unless Sandfort really impresses like Keegan did last year (or heaven forbid, injuries), I think he'll be a 'victim' of a numbers game much like Kris Murray was last season. Just not enough minutes in the game for everyone. He might be a prime candidate to redshirt, although I do like his versatility and the way he's bulked up (that picture looks like he's put on 10-15 lbs of muscle this summer).

I know Laketa is already planning on redshirting this year. There's something about him that I really like. Not as a potential superstar, but he seems like a highly intelligent player, and versatile on the wing and down low (although, not up against guys built like Garza). In some ways, Riley Till comes to mind. A very valuable teammate and capable of contributing as needed.

I'm not sure of the situation with Kingsbury. That guy has a man's body already.

Speaking of redshirting, what are the current rules on that? I think with the medical redshirt you can play in 30% of your team's games and still obtain a redshirt. In the back of my mind I was thinking there was something about allowing kids to play in a handful of games and still redshirt, but I certainly could be wrong on that account.

Agree here with you and perry. Call it weird but I get very excited with the pics from Kenyon and JBo are impressive to me. They just are. We've not seen these boys play with the bullets flying yet but there are sooo many possibilities. The physical improvement and improved play vids over the summer of Josh and Riley with their body transformation is the real deal for me. Real big bodies and are both talented and improving.

I also heard in an interview with PMac and he was asked who is looking good with summer workouts and he pointed out Sandfort which I can see this too especially with his body change. I didn't recognize him either? Seeing PMac, Keegan and Kris in that pic all very long, stronger and 6'9" tall with wonderful skill sets both offensively and defensively has me very excited! And to think CMac is not even in the pic.....holy smokes.

PS....I don't think JBo would bother coming back or posting the pic if he didn't feel good about the talent on this team.....I am all in with this team.

 

[jonesy5960]

Agree here with you and perry. Call it weird but I get very excited with the pics from Kenyon and JBo are impressive to me. They just are. We've not seen these boys play with the bullets flying yet but there are sooo many possibilities. The physical improvement and improved play vids over the summer of Josh and Riley with their body transformation is the real deal for me. Real big bodies and are both talented and improving.

I also heard on an interview with PMac and he was asked who is looking good with summer workouts and he pointed out Sandfort which I can see this too especially with his body change. I didn't recognize him either? Seeing PMac, Keegan and Kris in that pic all very long, stronger and 6'9" tall with wonderful skill sets both offensively and defensively has me very excited! And to think CMac is not even in the pic.....holy smokes.

PS....I don't think JBo would bother coming back or posting the pic if he didn't feel good about the talent on this team.....I am all in with this team.

JT looks like a mini LeBron. Guy is absolutely ripped.

 

[Bearhawk0505]

I hope we see a Lineup of JT, Perkins, Murray, Murray, and Pmac, and play some man to man D!

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Any reports on Rebraca or the young bigs' play over the past couple of months? I really like what we have at 1-4, especially the upgrade in quickness, but to be successful against some of the top B1G teams, we might need more size at the 5.

 

[tdburg11]

Cannot wait to see them on the floor. Stretchy defenders and stat filling kind of guys that help win in a variety of ways. The Ks and PMac can cover a lot of the court, and Joey T is probably running around between them dogging the ball.

See lots of traps (at least I hope so) and much ball pressure.

I don’t worry about what the Murrays will deliver in the court, but Patrick has a lot of developing to do. I hope that he’s made a quantum leap from last season to this one.

 

[BBHawk]

I don’t worry about what the Murrays will deliver in the court, but Patrick has a lot of developing to do. I hope that he’s made a quantum leap from last season to this one.

I am not sure what you are talking about regarding PMac. He was one of the bright spots in the team last year along with Keagan, of course. He does have a high ceiling but his talent was obvious.

 

[mstp1992]

I don’t worry about what the Murrays will deliver in the court, but Patrick has a lot of developing to do. I hope that he’s made a quantum leap from last season to this one.

I agree with @BBHawk . Patrick was fine last year. Sure, he has room for improvement, but who doesn’t? I thought he looked pretty smooth, and reasonably effective on defense especially in the press.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I agree with @BBHawk . Patrick was fine last year. Sure, he has room for improvement, but who doesn’t? I thought he looked pretty smooth, and reasonably effective on defense especially in the press.

Keegan was the biggest positive surprise last year, but IMO, Patrick was next. Kris and the young guards still have a lot to prove, mostly because they weren't on the court much in prime time. Patrick moves really well without the ball, but he needs to slow down and finish more consistently near the basket. He needs to continue to get stronger, and his length will then help more around the basket on defense. I am especially looking forward to JoeT connecting with Patrick, Keegan, Kris, and the other guards, as they move and he hits them for shots.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

Keegan is clearly the best returning player but Patrick is going to be a major impact player, especially when on the floor with Keegan. They cover a huge area of the court defensively. They can both bust out on a break. Keegan is obviously a much better shooter and a stronger rebounder but Patrick is a very good athlete and player.

Based on the assumption that Kris's game is analogous to Keegan's there will be few times when two of those three should not be on the floor together.

 

[PHawkKenyon]

Keegan is clearly the best returning player but Patrick is going to be a major impact player, especially when on the floor with Keegan. They cover a huge area of the court defensively. They can both bust out on a break. Keegan is obviously a much better shooter and a stronger rebounder but Patrick is a very good athlete and player.

Based on the assumption that Kris's game is analogous to Keegan's there will be few times when two of those three should not be on the floor together.

Don't assume. Kris and Keegan both have been getting reps at the 2G position and there have been plenty of reps with PMac-3, Kris-4 and Keegan-5. Fran has a number of variations to go to and has been tinkering with them this off season.

 

[PHawkKenyon]

I am going to say this for the last time. Kris and Keegan DO NOT PLAY THE SAME!!! They have "similar" skill sets. They have played together their entire career together and it has obviously worked. If there is any thing that DRIVES ME UP THE WALL, is the fact that people assume they play the same. The reason they are at Iowa is because Fran saw the things that made them UNIQUE as individual players, and how they could help the program collectively. They are two different kids, with two different personalities. If any of you have multiple kids, are any of your kids the same? This is the ONLY thing that pisses me off about this board. I can take EVERY thing else, but my kids are their own person. Period!!

 

[Hawksfinal4]

I am going to say this for the last time. Kris and Keegan DO NOT PLAY THE SAME!!! They have "similar" skill sets. They have played together their entire career together and it has obviously worked. If there is any thing that DRIVES ME UP THE WALL, is the fact that people assume they play the same. The reason they are at Iowa is because Fran saw the things that made them UNIQUE as individual players, and how they could help the program collectively. They are two different kids, with two different personalities. If any of you have multiple kids, are any of your kids the same? This is the ONLY thing that pisses me off about this board. I can take EVERY thing else, but my kids are their own person. Period!!

Well said sir

 

[mstp1992]

I am going to say this for the last time. Kris and Keegan DO NOT PLAY THE SAME!!! They have "similar" skill sets. They have played together their entire career together and it has obviously worked. If there is any thing that DRIVES ME UP THE WALL, is the fact that people assume they play the same. The reason they are at Iowa is because Fran saw the things that made them UNIQUE as individual players, and how they could help the program collectively. They are two different kids, with two different personalities. If any of you have multiple kids, are any of your kids the same? This is the ONLY thing that pisses me off about this board. I can take EVERY thing else, but my kids are their own person. Period!!

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but what I observed when I watched them at Prairie and the game highlights from prep I always got the impression Kris was a point/wing and Keegan more of a stretch-4.

The step-back 3 I’ve seen from Kris could be lethal given his height.

Furthermore, if I’ve ever offended you, please accept my apologies. Nothing negative was ever intended.

 

[Longgrover1]

I am going to say this for the last time. Kris and Keegan DO NOT PLAY THE SAME!!! They have "similar" skill sets. They have played together their entire career together and it has obviously worked. If there is any thing that DRIVES ME UP THE WALL, is the fact that people assume they play the same. The reason they are at Iowa is because Fran saw the things that made them UNIQUE as individual players, and how they could help the program collectively. They are two different kids, with two different personalities. If any of you have multiple kids, are any of your kids the same? This is the ONLY thing that pisses me off about this board. I can take EVERY thing else, but my kids are their own person. Period!!

Kenyon, I Love your boys. I watched all their games at DME. I agree that Kris is best suited to play the 2 or 3. Excellent passer, very good with the ball in his hands. Good defender and rebounder. Kris is a very good rebounder. I see him as more of a wing player who is a good shooter that can also take it to the hole. I see Keegan as more of a front court player. Relentless hustle, excellent rebounder, solid defender. Keegan can mix it up inside, hit the jumper and take you off the dribble and finish. It looks like Keegan may be a little more explosive of the bounce than Kris although Kris is no slouch. That is my perception of your boys. I am so happy they are both Hawkeyes. They are great kids and have been raised right. I am also old enough to have watched you play Kenyon. Thank You for all of your hard work and the thrills you gave us Hawkeye fans. I wish nothing but success for your sons both on and off the court.

 

[longliveCS40]

You can't spell twins without wins! I think your boys are going to bring a lot of them. I'm excited to see more of Kris this season and to see both boys develop. Could be a special year.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Any Murray minutes at the 2 will improve the team defensively

 

[hawk-i bob]

I am going to say this for the last time. Kris and Keegan DO NOT PLAY THE SAME!!! They have "similar" skill sets. They have played together their entire career together and it has obviously worked. If there is any thing that DRIVES ME UP THE WALL, is the fact that people assume they play the same. The reason they are at Iowa is because Fran saw the things that made them UNIQUE as individual players, and how they could help the program collectively. They are two different kids, with two different personalities. If any of you have multiple kids, are any of your kids the same? This is the ONLY thing that pisses me off about this board. I can take EVERY thing else, but my kids are their own person. Period!!

they are identical so they will play identical...now if only one of them would decide he uses the wrong hand.
I'm kidding.

I'm old but have identical twin grandsons...they are golfers but just the same they do not have the same swings...ya there are certain golf techniques that are part of the norm but they are different with their game. Probably fair to say one is a little better at certain aspects (short game) and the other is at other aspects. But for sure, both can have good days (like really good days) and both can have one of those days.

Totally different personalities.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

This team next year can have an infinite amount of lineups. Minus JO at the 5 so many guys can play multiple positions even Jbo at the 1/2. Murray’s and PMac are guys I think fran loves those taller versatile guys who can basically play any spot on the floor. Very curious to see how rotations play out and how many guys see the floor early on but definitely be interesting to see how the guys play without luka but have a lot of good pieces to compete for a tourney spot.

also speaking of the Murray twins I love and wish could find old threads of isu fans mocking the commits because of “lack of offers” and they just got them because they were a legacy’s kids, as if fran would do that. Keegan comes in and out of their 5 freshman shows he’s hands down better than their bunch and I’m most excited out of newer guys to see kris get more minutes this year.

 

[longliveCS40]

I love the added bulk it appears the players have. I hope they're working on their cardio just as much as their strength. With the athletes we have, I expect a very up and down style of play from them. It's going to be quite a different style of play this year compared to last and I'm excited to see it.

 

[jdv77]

I am going to say this for the last time. Kris and Keegan DO NOT PLAY THE SAME!!! They have "similar" skill sets. They have played together their entire career together and it has obviously worked. If there is any thing that DRIVES ME UP THE WALL, is the fact that people assume they play the same. The reason they are at Iowa is because Fran saw the things that made them UNIQUE as individual players, and how they could help the program collectively. They are two different kids, with two different personalities. If any of you have multiple kids, are any of your kids the same? This is the ONLY thing that pisses me off about this board. I can take EVERY thing else, but my kids are their own person. Period!!

As a twin myself, you are unfortunately not saying this for the last time. People confuse twins for clones. Twins who play sports together develop complementary aspects to their games (although there was never any risk that my twin or I would be bringing our games to major college athletics).

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Don't assume. Kris and Keegan both have been getting reps at the 2G position and there have been plenty of reps with PMac-3, Kris-4 and Keegan-5. Fran has a number of variations to go to and has been tinkering with them this off season.

You know way more about your kids and basketball than I do. I think Keegan was the best all-around first-year defensive player Iowa has had in a very long time. Still, do you think Kris and Keegan can be effective on the defensive end against teams like Purdue, Michigan, and Illannoy, which have enormous, powerful guys at the 5? I understand there are tradeoffs (advantages/disadvantages) of size versus quickness, but unless our defense is good enough on the perimeter to make entry passes difficult, it will be very hard to defend a player who is several inches and 50 lbs bigger near the basket. You were one of the better defensive players Iowa has had over the years, so you can answer that better than just about anyone. Thanks for sharing!

 

[jonesy5960]

As a twin myself, you are unfortunately not saying this for the last time. People confuse twins for clones. Twins who play sports together develop complementary aspects to their games (although there was never any risk that my twin or I would be bringing our games to major college athletics).

Tell me about it.. My own siblings called me "twin" for the first 10 years of my life. Talk about an identity crisis. In their defense I have trouble telling us apart in old pictures 😊.

 

[FranklinHawk]

You know way more about your kids and basketball than I do. I think Keegan was the best all-around first-year defensive player Iowa has had in a very long time. Still, do you think Kris and Keegan can be effective on the defensive end against teams like Purdue, Michigan, and Illannoy, which have enormous, powerful guys at the 5? I understand there are tradeoffs (advantages/disadvantages) of size versus quickness, but unless our defense is good enough on the perimeter to make entry passes difficult, it will be very hard to defend a player who is several inches and 50 lbs bigger near the basket. You were one of the better defensive players Iowa has had over the years, so you can answer that better than just about anyone. Thanks for sharing!

While we didn't see a lot of Kris last year to tell, I think Keegan has the quicks to guard on the wing and is instinctive (see all of the blocks last year on backside help defense). And, the length of those 2 and PMac can give guys fits on entry passes from the perimeter.

 

[CleteyColgate]

Them boys READY!! Keegan 6’9, 224 lbs and Kris 6’9, 222 lbs. Might be a problem with them on the floor together!!

As a parent it's an unbelievable feeling to have your kids play together

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

While we didn't see a lot of Kris last year to tell, I think Keegan has the quicks to guard on the wing and is instinctive (see all of the blocks last year on backside help defense). And, the length of those 2 and PMac can give guys fits on entry passes from the perimeter.

I see Keegan as primarily a 3/4, but with the versatility to play 2 or 5 with some match ups. I was hoping Kenyon could say more about the lineup with Keegan, Kris and Patrick across the front line, and how it would do defensively against teams with bruts in the middle, like Purdue, Illannoy, and UM.

 

[BBHawk]

I see Keegan as primarily a 3/4, but with the versatility to play 2 or 5 with some match ups. I was hoping Kenyon could say more about the lineup with Keegan, Kris and Patrick across the front line, and how it would do defensively against teams with bruts in the middle, like Purdue, Illannoy, and UM.

How would those "brutes" fare when they have to run with Iowa? Their tongues would be hanging out while they watched Iowa's 3 6'9" forwards dunking on their teammates.

 

[longliveCS40]

Zone defense or even a box and 1 possibly with the smaller lineup?

 

[Bearhawk0505]

Any Murray minutes at the 2 will improve the team defensively

I respectfully disagree. Fran has all too often made the mistake of going too big. I would love them at the 3 and 4, or even 4 and 5 for man to man.

 

[Hawksfinal4]

I respectfully disagree. Fran has all too often made the mistake of going too big. I would love them at the 3 and 4, or even 4 and 5 for man to man.

Depends on how well Kris can play. No one here has really seen that but some guys that size have played really well at a guards position. Many years ago I watched a guy named Earvin Johnson play point guard for MSU and more recently Cade Cunningham also played point guard in college . I believe Kris played a lot of guard in his basketball career so far so it may be possible. I’m not saying it is or even will be but I’m open enough to see how it might play out

 

[perryhawk]

I respectfully disagree. Fran has all too often made the mistake of going too big. I would love them at the 3 and 4, or even 4 and 5 for man to man.

You could be right, but the Murray’s are both long and I think athletic enough to guard a number of 2s.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

How would those "brutes" fare when they have to run with Iowa? Their tongues would be hanging out while they watched Iowa's 3 6'9" forwards dunking on their teammates.

In my original question, I said there would be advantages and disadvantages, it might come down to whether Iowa's perimeter defenders can play good enough defense to make entry passes difficult. Good news is that we really have 4 6'-9" dudes who can move with Rebraca.

 

[eyesofhawk]

JBo projects to be the starter at 2. Thus, any Murray minutes at the two will improve the Hawks defensively.

There, it has been simplified

 

[RocknRollface]

I see Keegan as primarily a 3/4, but with the versatility to play 2 or 5 with some match ups. I was hoping Kenyon could say more about the lineup with Keegan, Kris and Patrick across the front line, and how it would do defensively against teams with bruts in the middle, like Purdue, Illannoy, and UM.

With that sort of a lineup, ideally you try to make it hard for the guards to make entry passes.

Speed the game up with traps and switching all the screens. Make the guards play one on one taking it to the hoop with multiple 6'9 guys to help protect the rim.

When they do get an entry feed you swarm the post player with two and 3 guys. (Even Garza struggled with that.)

Multiple long arm defenders who can block shots from behind makes it hard to beat the doubles with a shot or a pass.

This will work well against most of the big ten besides Purdue.

Against PU id sag off or even zone. You don't want to speed up Ivey going at the rim and you don't want to double Williams in the post with how well he passes. He loves to get doubled.

 

[Wyominghawk]

I would love to see the two Murrays, Patrick, Joe T/Ulis, and Perkins....this would be an athletic lineup with length across the front line. If Perkins 3 point shot is a high 30% range that could make this lineup lethal. I think that they could run and score in transition, good rebounding, they would be capable of playing good defense, and be decent in the half court offense. When they had to play a team like Illinois or Purdue they could bring in a big.

All that said, I suspect the lineup will be more like this: JoeT, JBO, Patrick, Keegan, & Rebraca...

I am hoping we will want one of our two true centers on the floor much of the time.

 

[RocknRollface]

I am hoping we will want one of our two true centers on the floor much of the time.

Why?