JBo and CJF are the key to closing this out

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

This upcoming stretch is brutal and these two (IMO) will be key to Iowa finishing this season out strong (6+ wins)

JBo needs to finally find consistency from behind the arc
...enough of the "post-surgery working himself back into form" excuse; the time is now if he's going to make it happen as we know he can, otherwise I guess we'll need to just be happy to have his clutch FT shooting to secure a close game or two.

CJF needs to get healthy and find consistency from behind the arc
...and I think he will, just a matter of it happening sooner than later

If we can start counting on 3-5 'daggers' from each per game going forward, us fans will be very happy.

Of course, we need to stay healthy, that's a given, but at least it appears we have depth off the bench. The only potential problem is the youth of that depth (except Nunge) that might play a factor as the pressure builds towards a conference title, conference tourney title, and run in the dance.

 

[24 so far]

This upcoming stretch is brutal and these two (IMO) will be key to Iowa finishing this season out strong (6+ wins)

JBo needs to finally find consistency from behind the arc
...enough of the "post-surgery working himself back into form" excuse; the time is now if he's going to make it happen as we know he can, otherwise I guess we'll need to just be happy to have his clutch FT shooting to secure a close game or two.

CJF needs to get healthy and find consistency from behind the arc
...and I think he will, just a matter of it happening sooner than later

If we can start counting on 3-5 'daggers' from each per game going forward, us fans will be very happy.

Of course, we need to stay healthy, that's a given, but at least it appears we have depth off the bench. The only potential problem is the youth of that depth (except Nunge) that might play a factor as the pressure builds towards a conference title, conference tourney title, and run in the dance.

If we're going to make any run in anything, this has to be true, along with Joe Weiskamp not dissapearing. Weezy had 5 points and 1 rebound last night, that can't happen and expect any significant run.

He's a guy that should be in the 15-20 point range every single night, he is that good IMO (and 1 rebound?). But Iowa has become so focused on getting Garza the ball the rest of the offense is hung out to dry IMO. Luka is typically pretty darn efficient, but these other 3 sans Connor are all shooters, and we don't appear to run any set plays for them.

I guess at the end of the day if we don't score a ton, we're in deep doo-doo anyway.

 

[sadiehawkins]

Lmfao they are no more the key to victory than me sittin in my living room. If anything key to victory is the bench they are better than the starters exclude garza. Iowa scored 84 minus garza s 28 leaves 56 pts tbe bench scored 39 that leave theotber 4 starters scoring 17 pathetic.

 

[24 so far]

Lmfao they are no more the key to victory than me sittin in my living room. If anything key to victory is the bench they are better than the starters exclude garza. Iowa scored 84 minus garza qhat 28 leaves 56 pts tbe bench scored 39 that leave theotber 4 starters scoring 17 pathetic.

Weezy had 5, Connor 2, CJ 2 (only 12 mins) and JBo 5 until the closeout free throws for 9.

Weiskamp is the glaring stat for me. 5 points and 1 rebound, 0 assists in 24 mins. He's just a lot better player than that and I don't think it's necessarily his fault. He didn't attempt many shots IIRC. He can take and make contested shots on the perimeter.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Lmfao they are no more the key to victory than me sittin in my living room. If anything key to victory is the bench they are better than the starters exclude garza. Iowa scored 84 minus garza s 28 leaves 56 pts tbe bench scored 39 that leave theotber 4 starters scoring 17 pathetic.

I addressed this a bit in the OP...

The only potential problem is the youth of that depth (except Nunge) that might play a factor as the pressure builds towards a conference title, conference tourney title, and run in the dance.

If they don't start to feel that pressure ...which they may not since we're dealing with COVID restrictions that means at least the road environments they have to face will not be nearly as hostile as they typically are... and they continue to perform like that have.

 

[HerkysDad]

If JBo’s dream is to get Bobby Hansen’s job behind the mic at Hawkeye games, he could put aside his hobby for a month or two and tend to the business at hand till seasons end. Get the Hawks to finish strong and win out.

 

[Hawksfinal4]

We as fans had gotten used to scoring from 3 point land. Yesterday our only real threat from there was Jack going 2-2. Even with that our percentage was under 30% . Free throws just above 65%. Team needs to shoot better period. Bohannon , Weezy, Garza, and Fredrick can get points in a hurry if other things are happening, mostly on the defensive end or running after makes even . They have not been great at that lately so mixing it up with some freshman energies might be a cure... If the Hawkeyes want to really show how good they are , nows the time , Team first, play the hot hands on offense, and try and get some stops . Figure it out Francis and pile up wins.

 

[HawkLogic]

This upcoming stretch is brutal and these two (IMO) will be key to Iowa finishing this season out strong (6+ wins)

JBo needs to finally find consistency from behind the arc
...enough of the "post-surgery working himself back into form" excuse; the time is now if he's going to make it happen as we know he can, otherwise I guess we'll need to just be happy to have his clutch FT shooting to secure a close game or two.

CJF needs to get healthy and find consistency from behind the arc
...and I think he will, just a matter of it happening sooner than later

If we can start counting on 3-5 'daggers' from each per game going forward, us fans will be very happy.

Of course, we need to stay healthy, that's a given, but at least it appears we have depth off the bench. The only potential problem is the youth of that depth (except Nunge) that might play a factor as the pressure builds towards a conference title, conference tourney title, and run in the dance.

I think B1G teams have learned you have to pickup JBO at 25 feet from basket as trailer on fast break and you NEVER help off him. He isn't getting a lot of clean looks in recent games--I don't think it has anything to do with JBo being inconsistent. He still has huge role as a Free throw closer.

Fredrick is hurt, but he is not much of shot hunter even though he is best 3pt shooter on the team statistically. Fredrick when he gets healthy will be key. Fredrick needs to shoot more.

Nunge is a wildcard. I think if he comes off the bench and makes a shot before he starts "Jack-ing" threes he might shoot more confidently and end up being a lot better 3pt shooter than his statistics show.

I'd like to see more JoeT/Ulis and less Cmac/JBO to improve the defense. CMAC is a role player...he should be playing role player minutes, not starter minutes. That is not to say he isn't good player, but whenever he plays, he is the Guy that the other team helps off with zero consequences.

 

[littlez]

Joe W’s ability to finish around the rim seems to have taken a turn for the worse. I remember as a Frosh he actually threw down a few dunks that shocked me not sure if he’s had even 1 this year. He’s become strictly a jump shooter. Bohannon is not really in a slump, he just can’t get a shot off as he can’t drive the ball and as the games slow to these grind it out games there are fewer chances for open transition looks, which is where he is so good. If I were playing Iowa I would single Luka and let him get his 25 and dare Bohannon or Connor or someone else to beat them.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Our bench being 💰 is the key to the rest of the season and I think Fran may have had an epiphany last night....

 

[RomanHawk]

I said in a thread a month ago that Perkins and Ulis needed to be getting more minutes because they could be key factors in several games coming down the stretch and into the post season. We are moving in that direction, but slowly.

Something that doesn't show up in the stats, but is vital, is that nearly every team we play gets better
( more open ) outside shots than we do. If we are better shooters, that compensates a little, and having Garza compensates a little. But that still leaves us with no margin for error and having no margin for error means not winning many games in a row and not going far in any tournament.

We all know what Joe T, Perkins, and Ulis do for our defense. What gets overlooked is what they can do for our offense. Our offense right now consists only of a surrounded Garza and highly contested outside shooters. That is not a formula for success. But among the three above, they have the ability to penetrate, pass, move , get to the hoop, draw fouls, etc which gaves the defenders a whole new list of problems. The result would be much less attention on everyone else---JoB, Joe W, Frederick, and even Garza.

JoB is a great shooter but that counts for nothing if he isn't getting decent shots. With things as they are, he may not hit double figures for the rest of the year. With he and the others, it's like having expert riflemen, but with a shield installed in front of them.

 

[BigOHawk]

Lots of 'good' yet hard truths in this thread. Of course Garza needs lots of paint touches, the key is not every perimeter player can go cold in the same game otherwise we have an Indiana repeat. Missing 12 FT's is inexcusable and is all mental, that will lose a big game come March Madness.

Weezy and JBo need to 'hunt' their shots, JBo was driving into the paint last night but simply curled and passed back to perimeter. A head/shoulder fake and he might have been able to get some shots up. I love the analogy of getting Gatens shots late in his senior campaign, now I know he was 6'5 yet we ran double and triple screens for him because he was constantly chased (I think he hit 13 straight 3's over a few games!) Maybe we do the same for JBo/Weezy/CJF?

I know this...we will see some great guard play in the Tourney, we will most definitely need Joe T/Perkins/Ulis, love the increased ball pressure they bring. I prefer the 1-2-2 over 2-3, better on point ball pressure and cuts off the high offensive post to a certain degree. Simple math but if we can't play man because we get beat what's the point in giving up tons of 3's at a 60% clip?

 

[Stormn Norman]

It would be nice if they can have some good contributions but I don’t think they are the KEY, if they are... Oh Boy! We’re in trouble! The KEY is Iowa has to play better D! All the way around.. That’s KEY.. and those 2 right now aren’t it.. CJ is not 100 percent and JBo needs to play off the ball and that still doesn’t help his D deficiency.. the Key is D and big contributions from the bench and consistency from Luca and Joe W... IMO..

 

[RocknRollface]

This upcoming stretch is brutal and these two (IMO) will be key to Iowa finishing this season out strong (6+ wins)

JBo needs to finally find consistency from behind the arc
...enough of the "post-surgery working himself back into form" excuse; the time is now if he's going to make it happen as we know he can, otherwise I guess we'll need to just be happy to have his clutch FT shooting to secure a close game or two.

CJF needs to get healthy and find consistency from behind the arc
...and I think he will, just a matter of it happening sooner than later

If we can start counting on 3-5 'daggers' from each per game going forward, us fans will be very happy.

Of course, we need to stay healthy, that's a given, but at least it appears we have depth off the bench. The only potential problem is the youth of that depth (except Nunge) that might play a factor as the pressure builds towards a conference title, conference tourney title, and run in the dance.

The question is more can they get clean looks.

The formula that was working earlier of getting good looks off of Luka kicking the ball out just isn't happening right now.

Were also not getting anything out of the JBO Luka high screen.

The solution IMO for everyone to get better looks is to get the ball out of JBOs hands.

Let the guys who can drive handle the ball more often. The shooters will get looks off of penetration.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think B1G teams have learned you have to pickup JBO at 25 feet from basket as trailer on fast break and you NEVER help off him.[/B] He isn't getting a lot of clean looks in recent games--I don't think it has anything to do with JBo being inconsistent. He still has huge role as a Free throw closer.

Fredrick is hurt, but he is not much of shot hunter even though he is best 3pt shooter on the team statistically. Fredrick when he gets healthy will be key. Fredrick needs to shoot more.

Nunge is a wildcard. I think if he comes off the bench and makes a shot before he starts "Jack-ing" threes he might shoot more confidently and end up being a lot better 3pt shooter than his statistics show.

I'd like to see more JoeT/Ulis and less Cmac/JBO to improve the defense. CMAC is a role player...he should be playing role player minutes, not starter minutes. That is not to say he isn't good player, but whenever he plays, he is the Guy that the other team helps off with zero consequences.

Thats been known for years. And he can't do anything about it with the dribble.

Thats why its frustrating to continue playing him at pg.

I get Fran wants the floor spaced around Luka but if the opponent can just smother your pg its not worth it.

 

[RocknRollface]

Joe W’s ability to finish around the rim seems to have taken a turn for the worse. I remember as a Frosh he actually threw down a few dunks that shocked me not sure if he’s had even 1 this year. He’s become strictly a jump shooter. Bohannon is not really in a slump, he just can’t get a shot off as he can’t drive the ball and as the games slow to these grind it out games there are fewer chances for open transition looks, which is where he is so good. If I were playing Iowa I would single Luka and let him get his 25 and dare Bohannon or Connor or someone else to beat them.

If you only single cover Luka its going to be closer to 40 or 50 points.

They are daring Connor to beat them, and everyone knows he can't. Connors man spends half the time in the lane near Luka.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

CJF is hurt again, like he has been dealing with all three years of his time so far. An injury led to him redshirting his first year.. Hopefully he gets better and can play out the rest of the season healthy.

JBo spends too much time worrying about things that aren't playing basketball for a top 10 team trying to make the Final Four. Garza's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd priority are basketball, although hopefully school is somewhere in there. JBo seems like basketball is his 2nd or 3rd priority at times. He also needs other shooters on the floor to help pull defenders off of him so that he can get a shot off. It is obvious that not having CJF out there with him is hurting him because the defender can guard him closely.

Joe W is a guy with all of the skills. He will have a 20 point game every now and then. But he seems to not have a killer instinct which leads to a 5 point game like last night. He seems to defer often instead of attacking and hunting his shots. And while the ability to avoid getting emotional on the court helps at times when things are going bad, it also hurts a lot. Sometimes you need to get fired up to really live up to your potential.

CMac taking 4 three point shots last night, and missing all of them, was bad. Can't have that when we have other guys that are better shooters on the floor.

 

[RocknRollface]

CJF is hurt again, like he has been dealing with all three years of his time so far. An injury led to him redshirting his first year.. Hopefully he gets better and can play out the rest of the season healthy.

JBo spends too much time worrying about things that aren't playing basketball for a top 10 team trying to make the Final Four. Garza's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd priority are basketball, although hopefully school is somewhere in there. JBo seems like basketball is his 2nd or 3rd priority at times. He also needs other shooters on the floor to help pull defenders off of him so that he can get a shot off. It is obvious that not having CJF out there with him is hurting him because the defender can guard him closely.

Joe W is a guy with all of the skills. He will have a 20 point game every now and then. But he seems to not have a killer instinct which leads to a 5 point game like last night. He seems to defer often instead of attacking and hunting his shots. And while the ability to avoid getting emotional on the court helps at times when things are going bad, it also hurts a lot. Sometimes you need to get fired up to really live up to your potential.

CMac taking 4 three point shots last night, and missing all of them, was bad. Can't have that when we have other guys that are better shooters on the floor.

Connor made some really nice passes to start the game last night so I know he does some things that are good but I really struggle to see how its justified to play him starter minutes.

Hes the most easily defended player in the conference. All you have to do is litteraly ignore him.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Is CJ's injury really an ankle sprain?

 

[goodbyebobby]

Thats been known for years. And he can't do anything about it with the dribble.

Thats why its frustrating to continue playing him at pg.

I get Fran wants the floor spaced around Luka but if the opponent can just smother your pg its not worth it.

Bohannon should never bring the ball up court again. If he's on the floor play him with JT and let run around like Alford did at IU.

 

[the24fan]

Lmfao they are no more the key to victory than me sittin in my living room. If anything key to victory is the bench they are better than the starters exclude garza. Iowa scored 84 minus garza s 28 leaves 56 pts tbe bench scored 39 that leave theotber 4 starters scoring 17 pathetic.

Pretty hard to argue this . Bench absolutely saved their butt last night

 

[Hawkeye_Pride06]

If we're going to make any run in anything, this has to be true, along with Joe Weiskamp not dissapearing. Weezy had 5 points and 1 rebound last night, that can't happen and expect any significant run.

He's a guy that should be in the 15-20 point range every single night, he is that good IMO (and 1 rebound?). But Iowa has become so focused on getting Garza the ball the rest of the offense is hung out to dry IMO. Luka is typically pretty darn efficient, but these other 3 sans Connor are all shooters, and we don't appear to run any set plays for them.

I guess at the end of the day if we don't score a ton, we're in deep doo-doo anyway.

THIS!! We have 3 guys capable of shooting 40%+ from 3 and we rarely ever run plays to get them open looks. It’s maddening.

 

[brownd7949hawks]

Speaking of weezy, is it just me it does it seem like he gets hammered going to the rim with very few fouls ever called.

 

[Eternal Return]

Weezy had 5, Connor 2, CJ 2 (only 12 mins) and JBo 5 until the closeout free throws for 9.

Weiskamp is the glaring stat for me. 5 points and 1 rebound, 0 assists in 24 mins. He's just a lot better player than that and I don't think it's necessarily his fault. He didn't attempt many shots IIRC. He can take and make contested shots on the perimeter.

I was practically screaming for Fran to run some plays for Weiskamp in the 2nd half. For whatever damn reason, Connor and JBo had the ball in their hands most of the time they were on the court and the only person they were looking for was Garza. I don't know what happened to the offensive flow from earlier in the season, but I'm guessing there's been enough film and the more athletic perimeter teams in the B10 have figured out the starting five, identifying CMac and JBo as weak links offensively and defensively. CJ is a weak link right now, too, because he's playing hurt. Weiskamp needs some offense run for him when Garza is not on the floor -- and maybe some when Garza is. He's only okay at creating his own shot so he needs some setup.

 

[littlez]

It sounded like Weiskamp gave the ball up late in the shot clock when Sparty had cut the lead to 3 or so. Dolph claimed that it looked like the play was for him but he handed it off with 5 seconds or so in the shot clock and Luka ended up not getting a shot off before the clock ran out. That’s another example of Joe just not being an alpha. He’s got to take that ball to the rim and try to draw contact or score. Instead he gives the ball up and we don’t even get a shot.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Our bench being 💰 is the key to the rest of the season and I think Fran may have had an epiphany last night....

For me, this is important. I could point to a number of things our starters have done, and not done well. Those thing happen, unfortunately. But my goodness, hat's off to the bench. Joe T., Pat, Keegan, Tony, Ahron, and Jack. When the team gets healthy and back in sync, then we should be in good stead.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Joe W has never played well against MSU. He is averaging 5.5 pts/game against Sparty. He always seems super intimidated playing them for whatever reason.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

JW is the one that disappoints me most on offense. He could be a 20ppg scorer, but disappears too often. Single digit point games should be very rare for him.

 

[papabeef]

Weezy had 5, Connor 2, CJ 2 (only 12 mins) and JBo 5 until the closeout free throws for 9.

Weiskamp is the glaring stat for me. 5 points and 1 rebound, 0 assists in 24 mins. He's just a lot better player than that and I don't think it's necessarily his fault. He didn't attempt many shots IIRC. He can take and make contested shots on the perimeter.

there were 3 or 4 times weezy got to middle of the lane last nite with a smaller guy on him and i am thinking shoot the ball and he gets all timid and passes it back out front .

 

[papabeef]

Speaking of weezy, is it just me it does it seem like he gets hammered going to the rim with very few fouls ever called.

just you

 

[24 so far]

there were 3 or 4 times weezy got to middle of the lane last nite with a smaller guy on him and i am thinking shoot the ball and he gets all timid and passes it back out front .

In fairness, he sucks going to the rim in the half court quite often, but is killer on full court breakaways. He's apparently got it in his head he's going to get his shot blocked when there is more than one body anywhere near him in the paint. If that's true, stop jacking around and get your steps right and try to flush the damn thing or go the line. And yes, if you've got a shot from anywhere, take it.

I just think the kid is really talented, and outside of Garza he should be making a statement every night.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

In fairness, he sucks going to the rim in the half court quite often, but is killer on full court breakaways. He's apparently got it in his head he's going to get his shot blocked when there is more than one body anywhere near him in the paint. If that's true, stop jacking around and get your steps right and try to flush the damn thing or go the line. And yes, if you've got a shot from anywhere, take it.

I just think the kid is really talented, and outside of Garza he should be making a statement every night.

Good post. Kid is super athletic and flushes with ease when he has a clear path. Any token resistance in the paint and he almost serves his shot up to get blocked. As someone who at my peak could barely touch the rim, I can't relate to having hops or understand what goes through ones head when contemplating dunking or not, but it would be nice if he could channel a little Tyler Cook or PMac.

CJ, Jbo and JW are all suffering under Fran's imbalanced lineup. Neither guy can create his own shot when faced with moderate ball pressure and Connor isn't a break down the D and kick guard, so combined they don't compliment each other. All 4 end up standing outside the arc playing hot potato to see who is going to jack a 3 if they can't get Garza the ball.

 

[blhawk]

The question is more can they get clean looks.

The formula that was working earlier of getting good looks off of Luka kicking the ball out just isn't happening right now.

Were also not getting anything out of the JBO Luka high screen.

The solution IMO for everyone to get better looks is to get the ball out of JBOs hands.

Let the guys who can drive handle the ball more often. The shooters will get looks off of penetration.

I remember when this was common sense

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

If we're going to make any run in anything, this has to be true

In today's humiliating loss they combined for




--- wait for it ---




0 points ...on combined 0-for-7 shooting (0-for-4 3pt attmpts)