It's time for an upgrade Fran.

[terrehawk]

Yes. I said it. The lack of Defense in so many situations during his tenure calls for a change.

He needs to upgrade one of his assistants to somebody with a defensive Wizardry background.

Yes, I know all of the current assistants are good people and solid assistants. But something needs to change.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Yes. I said it. The lack of Defense in so many situations during his tenure calls for a change.

He needs to upgrade one of his assistants to somebody with a defensive Wizardry background.

Yes, I know all of the current assistants are good people and solid assistants. But something needs to change.

Hard to disagree. They made us look the like the Generals a few times tonight.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

Yes. I said it. The lack of Defense in so many situations during his tenure calls for a change.

He needs to upgrade one of his assistants to somebody with a defensive Wizardry background.

Yes, I know all of the current assistants are good people and solid assistants. But something needs to change.

That high hedge on the pick is killing us. One extra pass and it's a lay up or we foul.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

That is one area of concern heading into next year. Fran has to get it through these guys head that the game is played on both ends. We are horrible at times on defense. Is it because we hedge so hard on the ball screens? Our rotations are horrible, you would think you would want to guard the guy "closest" to the basket, instead of a guy standing in the corner.

 

[LuteHawk]

The three reasons why we lost to TCU today

1. We made only 8 out of 19 free throws.
So we missed out on 11 points at the charity stripe.

2.We had 17 turnovers which led to TCU getting easy pts.
TCU had only 9 turnovers.

3.We had a non effective defense which leaked badly.
Too many bunnies for TCU under the bucket.

Bottom Line: All of these weaknesses can be addressed
during the off season. With mostly freshmen and sophs
we will get better. Thanks Hawks for an exciting season.

 

[HawkNole09]

What was up with double teaming the ball screen, letting them kick it to the wing and quickly drop it down to the screener wide open for a layup.

 

[HawkNole09]

And also. At times they need to pack in that zone and let them hit some triples, before you extend and let them get the ball in the middle of your zone.

 

[Mohawkeye]

They improved dramatically on the defensive side over the year. Fran had had some good defensive teams, I don't think it's an assistant coach problem. I will say, I love Jok, but we will instantly be better on defense next year without him.

 

[bigfridaynite]

D is the toughest thing Fr have to adjust to in D1 BB and when a team has 4 of them on the court at same time it is going to be ugly with any coach I many any coach listen to coach Cal at Kentucky some time

 

[ScoutRefugee]

They improved dramatically on the defensive side over the year. Fran had had some good defensive teams, I don't think it's an assistant coach problem. I will say, I love Jok, but we will instantly be better on defense next year without him.

Jok is an awful defender but TCU showed you exactly how to beat our defense. Spread us out, run a pick at the top of the key, Wait for our big to hedge, pass to wing, pass to post for an easy finish by the player that provided the pick. That play accounted for a lot of their 2nd half points.

 

[terrehawk]

That is one area of concern heading into next year. Fran has to get it through these guys head that the game is played on both ends. We are horrible at times on defense. Is it because we hedge so hard on the ball screens? Our rotations are horrible, you would think you would want to guard the guy "closest" to the basket, instead of a guy standing in the corner.

I agree but this is a recurring theme throughout Frans tenure at Iowa. This isn't something that just cropped up with this group of young guys.

A change is needed

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

2 shots you must limit. Uncontested 3's and layups/bunnies. Can't give the opposition BOTH like they did today (and pretty much all season). Dr. Tom's press was frustrating at times to watch because once broke they gave up a ton of open 3's. But I don't recall his defense also giving up BOTH open 3's and bunnies. Agree it HAS to be an off-season point of emphasis.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Bohannon struggles with smaller/quicker guards and that just kills the defense.

When we went zone we let the ball get into the middle and that killed us.

Overall the entire team struggled, but our guards cannot guard anyone with any speed.

 

[Ngnosis hwk scence]

Ummm.... Sure DEFENSE needs to improve. The DEFENSE improved over the year and 9/10ths of the roster are freshman and sophomores and never had to play defense before in AAU ball or High School.

The Hawks moving forward will be fine.

The only change needed is the diapers of the OP and any trolling support and such infantile observations, let alone meaningful metrics or anal lytics.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

My God, its not some systemic failure. Outside of Peter the best players on the team are sophs and freshmen. The defensive breakdowns usually involve a freshman lapse.

It won't happen nearly as much next season. Four to five more wins in 2018

 

[2432Hawk]

What was up with double teaming the ball screen, letting them kick it to the wing and quickly drop it down to the screener wide open for a layup.

Because Jordan can't keep his man alone from getting to the paint.

Give TCU credit....they are a solid young team as well and they move the ball....

Our guards have to get much better at containing their man....and our help and rotations have to get better....we often over help

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

The zone is all about timing and communication. Tonight we had some series where everything worked and some series where things broke down. They will get better as their awareness improves. Most of TCU's scoring came late in the shot clock, on 2nd chance points or in transition. The kids were working but it just wasn't clicking. I don't think the breakdowns are a system problem but mistakes that happen when most of the team is young.

 

[Kurt Warner]

I kinda agree with the op. A defensive, rebounding minded guru of an assistant wouldn't hurt a thing. Love jok but I also agree we will be better on defense next year.

 

[bravehawks1]

And improved coaching at end of games won't hurt. Stop the stupid delay crap. And Fran did not have a play with 3 seconds left. I realize we got a wide open shot but from 15 feet by your post man. Kreiner should have been in the game if that was what you hoped to get

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Freshman are bad on D. Fran usually has good defensive teams. I think next year will be way better.

 

[HawkLogic]

I think a Shot blocker at center would be a big help to makeup for our guards getting burned on dribble drive. Maybe Nunge.

I think Bohannon has to get more physical with the guy he is guarding, We don't really have good backup PG if Bohannon gets in foul trouble, so maybe that is part of why he doesn't get into grill of opposing PG. TCU's Alex Robinson had 11 assists and killed us with dribble drive.

 

[bravehawks1]

Freshman are bad on D. Fran usually has good defensive teams. I think next year will be way better.

I have to politely disagree. Fran's teams have never been get defensively but were better when we had a seven footer on the court (olesani and Woodbury), but have always had problems with penetration type guards who can find open post or three pointer shooters. Poor rotations are an issue with Fran's teams

 

[ScoutRefugee]

It's a young team that will improve their team defense as the next few seasons go by. They'll never be a great defensive team. It is what it is.

 

[RocknRollface]

What was up with double teaming the ball screen, letting them kick it to the wing and quickly drop it down to the screener wide open for a layup.

We don't double, we hedge and then try to recover. Hasn't been even remotely effective this year.

The times we actually straight doubled the pg at the end of the game was more effective.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

I have to politely disagree. Fran's teams have never been get defensively but were better when we had a seven footer on the court (olesani and Woodbury), but have always had problems with penetration type guards who can find open post or three pointer shooters. Poor rotations are an issue with Fran's teams

Most unbiased metrics disagree with you.

 

[RocknRollface]

I have to politely disagree. Fran's teams have never been get defensively but were better when we had a seven footer on the court (olesani and Woodbury), but have always had problems with penetration type guards who can find open post or three pointer shooters. Poor rotations are an issue with Fran's teams

We had pretty good defensive teams the last 4 years. Gessel and Clemons were good defenders. Nobody keeps the oppositions guards out of the lane the whole game.

Last years seniors already knew how to play D before they got here though.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Minny looked like crap last year as they were rebuilding. We rebuilt this year and looked MUCH better than many had projected. Lets look forward. It will happen. If Minny looked good this year, then I believe we will be dangerous next season.

 

[terrehawk]

Ummm.... Sure DEFENSE needs to improve. The DEFENSE improved over the year and 9/10ths of the roster are freshman and sophomores and never had to play defense before in AAU ball or High School.

The Hawks moving forward will be fine.

The only change needed is the diapers of the OP and any trolling support and such infantile observations, let alone meaningful metrics or anal lytics.

LoL.

You ever actually watch college basketball and Iowa in particular?

 

[hawk-i bob]

Mr Garza will have an immediate impact next year on both interiors (offense/defense)..as will 6'11' Nunge (defense)...we get alot bigger..

 

[terrehawk]

I dont see garza having much impact next year. In fact, i would be a bit surprised if he doesn't RS

 

[HellaHawk]

This thread is ridiculous. Iowa has fabulous assistants and is very lucky it has kept the same staff in place for so long. There is a reason a very young Iowa team finished 5th in the Big Ten while more veteran teams that should be able to attract better talent like OSU were behind us. There isn't a Greg Davis on this staff.

 

[omahawki]

In no way am I calling out for McCaffery to be canned, but at times the defense was so bad in the 1st half it looked like TCU was doing a layup drill in pregame warmups. As talented as the young Hawkeyes are offensively they are very confused defensively. I don't understand why better adjustments are not made at timeouts and halftime. Most of the B1G teams are young so defense should be the primary focus this coming season. Northwestern and Minnesota return nearly the whole roster also. The Michigan teams return most of they're top players too. It will not be an easy road to the top tier of the B1G if the Hawks keep giving up 90+ points a game.

 

[moondog24]

My God, its not some systemic failure. Outside of Peter the best players on the team are sophs and freshmen. The defensive breakdowns usually involve a freshman lapse.

It won't happen nearly as much next season. Four to five more wins in 2018

After 34 games, they are not freshmen any more. It is not what you teach, it is what you emphasize. We emphasize a free wheeling offense. Defense is secondary at Iowa. Fran is a good offensive coach but you don't win championships w/o defense.

 

[2432Hawk]

Freshman are bad on D. Fran usually has good defensive teams. I think next year will be way better.

Funny on Big Ten Basketball and Beyond tonight they were basically saying the same things about MSU and their freshmen. Defensive lapses and too many turnovers did them in. were not consistent enough....

Yes we have some players that have some physical limitations but that's where team defense covers those weaknesses and team defense takes time to gel. Summer Trip is going to be HUGE for the teams off season development and jump starting next years team.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

you can't coach foot speed or leaping ability.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

LoL.

You ever actually watch college basketball and Iowa in particular?

Sure I watched this team beat ISU, Michigan, Purdue, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Maryland. It was fun.

What did you watch?

 

[mazda1]

Newsflash.......Our defense and rebounding needs to improve. We have to cut down on our turnovers. We have to shoot free throws better.

This just in we landed on the moon.

Freshman become sophomores and while you can't coach height, quickness, or footspeed most of rebounding and defense is about effort on that end of the floor. We can and will improve. When your senior leader isn't consistantly on board it's a tough sell for your coaches.

Free throwing can improve. See Woody.

Turnovers should reduce with more strength and understanding of who can do what. I'm most concerned about our bigs but it takes time. Fortunately we are young.

We are not national champs, but we should see growth next year and I like our new pieces. It will be another fun year. If Iowa basketball isn't fun for you maybe you need a hobby. I'm pretty pleased with how this young group performed and I hope they get the message the fan base appreciates their efforts.

 

[perryhawk]

The Michigan teams return most of they're top players too. It will not be an easy road to the top tier of the B1G if the Hawks keep giving up 90+ points a game.

Michigan loses their starting PG, 2G, and Wing....I would argue that the PG has carried them a good part of the season. Their 2 bigs are pretty good.

 

[HawksAndChiefs24]

Yes. I said it. The lack of Defense in so many situations during his tenure calls for a change.

He needs to upgrade one of his assistants to somebody with a defensive Wizardry background.

Yes, I know all of the current assistants are good people and solid assistants. But something needs to change.

I can see this point and don't necessarily disagree but I will say I think our up-tempo style yields more points all around. Turnovers/free throws were the difference yesterday. With that being said, it is painfully obvious even for the casual fan to see how poor our zone is. We have given up an unacceptable amount of open 3's. It seems like they crash down and over-commit at times instead of staying disciplined in their assignment. This will improve with experience, I hope.

And as much as I hate to say it, especially with the timing, not having Jok out there will help significantly on defense. Obviously, losing him will hurt in a lot of ways as well. I don't see us having any issue in the coming years scoring so it is vital to improve defensively and cut down on turnovers if we want to get over the hump.

 

[hawk-i bob]

This thread is ridiculous. Iowa has fabulous assistants and is very lucky it has kept the same staff in place for so long. There is a reason a very young Iowa team finished 5th in the Big Ten while more veteran teams that should be able to attract better talent like OSU were behind us. There isn't a Greg Davis on this staff.

and lets make sure we add on the record..after going 3-5 to start the season,,,we finish (16-10) with great wins over ISU, Mich, Purdue, Maryland & Wisconsin..(3 of NCAA Sweet 16 Teams)..

the problem with young teams on defense are matchups from one opponent to another..young teams struggle with it..yet they did improve which led to their overall results. I would think with the addition of Garza & Nunge..another summer of seasoning..we will see a much better defense this fall.

We have terrific assistants who have done a great job with a young team.