Josh Dix needs 32+ minutes a game

[Franisdaman]

Tonight, in 27 minutes, he was 5-7 (71%) from three for 16 points, 2 offensive rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers.

Fran knows Josh deserves more minutes.

From the postgame:

 

[Mohawkeye]

Yeah, he kind of blew his first opportunity to start at ISU, but since then his game has been very steady and sometimes spectacular. Best thing is he’s solid on defense and rebounding. He played aggressively tonight and it paid off.

 

[Bearhawk0505]

I think the starting 5, then Dix and Harding are emerging as a clear top 7.

 

[hawkland14]

I think the starting 5, then Dix and Harding are emerging as a clear top 7.

Including Patrick?

 

[Bearhawk0505]

Including Patrick?

Yes. I stated since last year he would be better off the bench though. I caught tons of flack on here as he may have been our 2nd leading scorer at the time. I think a G should start in place.

 

[jonesy5960]

Tonight was the Dix I expected to start the season. The kid can flat out play on both ends of the floor.

 

[hawkirugged17]

 

[bansheexyz]

Including Patrick?

He's not that bad when he avoids dribbling. I keep telling people. Tonight he was 5-11 for 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. And he's 6'9". One of his two turnovers was an uncalled foul. Coach him to shoot or pass as soon as he catches it, and he is decent. Instead of dribbling into trouble or trying that fadeaway spin shot.

 

[dickster54]

With Dix he just seems to let the game come to him. Not in a hurry but a 3 point assassin when left open.

 

[sober_teacher]

Not sure I’m ready to say 32 min for Dix yet, but certainly more than he’s been getting.

as another poster said, I’m sure his poor performance against ISU set him back a bit.

 

[like-woahh]

He was playing too much at PG. He's not an effective PG at the D1 level... dude is at home as an off guard. Really happy to see him light it up.

 

[HawkLogic]

Yeah, he kind of blew his first opportunity to start at ISU, but since then his game has been very steady and sometimes spectacular. Best thing is he’s solid on defense and rebounding. He played aggressively tonight and it paid off.

I don't think Dix blew that so much as Fran played him at PG vs aggressive on ball ISU defense.


Dix is 2G. Fran is going to have to bite bullet vs athletic pressuring teams and play a true PG....Perkins and Dix won't hold up.

 

[HawkLogic]

He's not that bad when he avoids dribbling. I keep telling people. Tonight he was 5-11 for 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. And he's 6'9". One of his two turnovers was an uncalled foul. Coach him to shoot or pass as soon as he catches it, and he is decent. Instead of dribbling into trouble or trying that fadeaway spin shot.

Nebraska was very effective in the paint. PMAC couldn't stay in front of his guy in dribble drive and neither could Sandfort or Krikke. You can't play all three of those guys at same time unless you zone, and zone eventually gets destroyed because you can't rebound out of zone very well---so you give up 2nd chance pts. Nebraska was 4-24 from 3pt line..the one worked in this game, don't count on it as a primary defense.

Sandfort at the 3 works when Sandfort is shooting Well. PMAC is not as good at shooting the ball and much worse rebounder----he should be Sandfort's backup. The statistical evidense over 5 years is PMAC is 32% 3pt shooter, sub par rebounder, and visually he is sub par defender and is lack of fouls show he avoids scrums/playing any physical ball. He is trying harder on defense this year, still he's not quick enough to stick with opposing guards. PMAC is 7th or 8th best player on team. He's probably a great kid but PT should be doled out on merit.

 

[Steamboat529529]

Nebraska was very effective in the paint. PMAC couldn't stay in front of his guy in dribble drive and neither could Sandfort or Krikke. You can't play all three of those guys at same time unless you zone, and zone eventually gets destroyed because you can't rebound out of zone very well---so you give up 2nd chance pts. Nebraska was 4-24 from 3pt line..the one worked in this game, don't count on it as a primary defense.

Sandfort at the 3 works when Sandfort is shooting Well. PMAC is not as good at shooting the ball and much worse rebounder----he should be Sandfort's backup. The statistical evidense over 5 years is PMAC is 32% 3pt shooter, sub par rebounder, and visually he is sub par defender and is lack of fouls show he avoids scrums/playing any physical ball. He is trying harder on defense this year, still he's not quick enough to stick with opposing guards. PMAC is 7th or 8th best player on team. He's probably a great kid but PT should be doled out on merit.

Doled out on merit??? Kirk and Fran are laughing to the bank on that one, from a coaching staff and playing time aspect!!!

 

[BVHawkeye]

There are times I scratch my head about the five players on the floor. Fran seems to take 3 or more out at once. Everyone needs a breather but, at times, we have a fairly weak five out there at the same time.

 

[herkhatescy]

I think the starting 5, then Dix and Harding are emerging as a clear top 7.

I prefer Bowen over Harding.

 

[jonesy5960]

Nebraska was very effective in the paint. PMAC couldn't stay in front of his guy in dribble drive and neither could Sandfort or Krikke. You can't play all three of those guys at same time unless you zone, and zone eventually gets destroyed because you can't rebound out of zone very well---so you give up 2nd chance pts. Nebraska was 4-24 from 3pt line..the one worked in this game, don't count on it as a primary defense.

Sandfort at the 3 works when Sandfort is shooting Well. PMAC is not as good at shooting the ball and much worse rebounder----he should be Sandfort's backup. The statistical evidense over 5 years is PMAC is 32% 3pt shooter, sub par rebounder, and visually he is sub par defender and is lack of fouls show he avoids scrums/playing any physical ball. He is trying harder on defense this year, still he's not quick enough to stick with opposing guards. PMAC is 7th or 8th best player on team. He's probably a great kid but PT should be doled out on merit.

I don't know if it's so much where he stacks up overall as much as it pushes Fran to start a lineup of 3 forwards and a 5 along with Perkins. Sandfort, Freeman, and Krikke have to be in the starting frontcourt. That leaves Patrick out because he can't guard an opposing guard. He needs to back up Sandfort as you said.

Fran said last night that he knew Dix needed more minutes, but couldn't figure out where they should come from when it's obvious who's minutes he should be taking. I understand the family dynamics, but he's looking pretty foolish to anyone who understands the game. I don't really see a solution here.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I have always liked Dix a lot, but I will take over 20 min every game. I think we need Bowen and Harding to get some minutes, to help get them going. Having Perkins and Dix at the guards works, although neither is a PG, as long as the other team doesn't have quick guards who press them on defense. I still wish we could see Patrick off the bench for 5-6 min stretches, because it creates a much better rotation on both ends, but at this point, I sure don't expect it to happen.

 

[CyberJJ]

I prefer Bowen over Harding.

Very different players on offense. Bowen is a bit more aggressive going to the bucket on drives. I think Harding sees the floor better as a pass-first point guard.

 

[littlez]

I think the starting 5, then Dix and Harding are emerging as a clear top 7.

Harding has actually been regressing lately. And Dix clearly on the upswing. Harding can’t guard anyone and has not been strong with the ball at all. I’m not dogging him but our bench right now consists of Dix and hopefully someone who can step up and give us 8-10 decent minutes. Whoever that may be.

 

[LukaDuka]

No one on this team other than Freeman should be playing close to 32 minutes. Kudo's to Dix, great shooting game & Perkins for some great assists! Double/doubles for both Owen & Tony, impressive.

Harding shouldn't play more than 6-8 minutes a game.

 

[littlez]

Nebraska was very effective in the paint. PMAC couldn't stay in front of his guy in dribble drive and neither could Sandfort or Krikke. You can't play all three of those guys at same time unless you zone, and zone eventually gets destroyed because you can't rebound out of zone very well---so you give up 2nd chance pts. Nebraska was 4-24 from 3pt line..the one worked in this game, don't count on it as a primary defense.

Sandfort at the 3 works when Sandfort is shooting Well. PMAC is not as good at shooting the ball and much worse rebounder----he should be Sandfort's backup. The statistical evidense over 5 years is PMAC is 32% 3pt shooter, sub par rebounder, and visually he is sub par defender and is lack of fouls show he avoids scrums/playing any physical ball. He is trying harder on defense this year, still he's not quick enough to stick with opposing guards. PMAC is 7th or 8th best player on team. He's probably a great kid but PT should be doled out on merit.

Everyone knows this and I’m thinking (hoping) Fran knows this as well but it’s not changing. Pat’s going to start the rest of the way come Hell or High Water. I’ll say our pace of play is astounding these days. We’re consistently scoring 90 at home nightly. Nobody else plays this way for 40 minutes. It’s effective at home but not sure it works as well on the road.

 

[LukaDuka]

Everyone knows this and I’m thinking (hoping) Fran knows this as well but it’s not changing. Pat’s going to start the rest of the way come Hell or High Water. I’ll say our pace of play is astounding these days. We’re consistently scoring 90 at home nightly. Nobody else plays this way for 40 minutes. It’s effective at home but not sure it works as well on the road.

Fran mentioned post game that Sherm suggested zone in first half & Fran ignored him. Then admitted Sherm was right, thankfully.

 

[jonesy5960]

I don't think Dix blew that so much as Fran played him at PG vs aggressive on ball ISU defense.


Dix is 2G. Fran is going to have to bite bullet vs athletic pressuring teams and play a true PG....Perkins and Dix won't hold up.

This is a Fran/Pmac problem and I doubt that bullet exists. Are you going to not play Perkins, because as it stands there is only room for one guard in the starting lineup.

 

[nu2u]

I prefer Bowen over Harding.

No

 

[icwesthawk]

Pat over Dix at this point is a crime

 

[kceasthawk]

This is a Fran/Pmac problem and I doubt that bullet exists. Are you going to not play Perkins, because as it stands there is only room for one guard in the starting lineup.

And that right there IS the problem. Frans insistence that Pmac needs to be a starter has the who lineup shifted one position off kilter. Best lineup right now would be either TP, Dix, PS, Krikke, and Big O, or Bowen, TP, PS, Krikke and Big O. Pmac should be the back up 3/4 and play about 10 minutes, but that aint gonna happen....

 

[jonesy5960]

I have always liked Dix a lot, but I will take over 20 min every game. I think we need Bowen and Harding to get some minutes, to help get them going. Having Perkins and Dix at the guards works, although neither is a PG, as long as the other team doesn't have quick guards who press them on defense. I still wish we could see Patrick off the bench for 5-6 min stretches, because it creates a much better rotation on both ends, but at this point, I sure don't expect it to happen.

And I have heard that you like Dix a lot.

 

[LukaDuka]

No

yes, Bowen > Harding

 

[herkhatescy]

No

yes, Bowen > Harding

Stats show it.

 

[HerkysDad]

He's not that bad when he avoids dribbling. I keep telling people. Tonight he was 5-11 for 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. And he's 6'9". One of his two turnovers was an uncalled foul. Coach him to shoot or pass as soon as he catches it, and he is decent. Instead of dribbling into trouble or trying that fadeaway spin shot.

The whole team dribbles too much In the front court. Patrict is one I really think overdoes it.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Let’s pump the brakes a little. Had a good game but come on 32 min a night? However I’m totally on board with moving pmac to bench and have one of the other guards including dix to start with Perkins in the backcourt.

Josh Dix 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN

The 2023-24 NCAAM season stats per game for Josh Dix of the Iowa Hawkeyes on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

 

[the notorious r.d.m.]

Payton averaged 21 minutes and 5 3PA last season off the bench. I think that's a good model to follow for Dix because Dix can easily fill that role as 3P specialist. His defense is definitely better than Payton's so I have zero issue with him starting. But I'd rather Dix average 5 or 6 3PA a game off the bench than starting and struggling to score. Unless it gets established that his defense is a priority.

 

[CookyMonster]

Lol no

 

[sm_hawkeye]

Stats show it.

Some of his passing is better than any of Iowa has seen in decades, but he has been pressing too much and his shooting struggles due to it. He even missed free throws. But he has decent chemistry with freeman and that shouldn’t go without consideration

 

[jdw10224405]

We've seen with Fran teams of the past that the starting 5 only has so much significance. Seems like Fran tries to find the best 5 that night in the first half and give them more run in the second half. Dix has looked good at times, but not ready to have him start regularly. I'd be inclined to experiment with Harding or Bowen instead of Patrick in the starting 5 and have Dix as 6th, Patrick as the 7th, and Bowen/Harding as the 8th men off the bench. All due respect to Ladji and Pryce, but I'd like to see it kept to an 8-man rotation as possible. The hockey 4/5-man line changes seems difficult to get anyone in a consistent flow, so maybe tightening the rotation would help.

 

[LukaDuka]

Some of his passing is better than any of Iowa has seen in decades, but he has been pressing too much and his shooting struggles due to it. He even missed free throws. But he has decent chemistry with freeman and that shouldn’t go without consideration

Decades?? wow, are you another delusional Moline Maroon Moron? please... The 3M's of Iowa hawkeye fans.

 

[sm_hawkeye]

J

Decades?? wow, are you another delusional Moline Maroon Moron? please... The 3M's of Iowa hawkeye fans.

watch out everybody, internet tough guy!

No actual counter point…

Fran hasn’t had too many great passers. Mike Gesell had great offensive iq but the actual play making wasn’t anything that stood out. Jordan was decent too but it was more his shooting that opened up passing lanes.

 

[sober_teacher]

Very different players on offense. Bowen is a bit more aggressive going to the bucket on drives. I think Harding sees the floor better as a pass-first point guard.

What’s funny to me is I think Harding is better in half-court sets because of his passing; while Bowen is better when we’re out and running.

J

watch out everybody, internet tough guy!

No actual counter point…

Fran hasn’t had too many great passers. Mike Gesell had great offensive iq but the actual play making wasn’t anything that stood out. Jordan was decent too but it was more his shooting that opened up passing lanes.

I’d argue Harding has best court vision/passing PG since Horner.

 

[sm_hawkeye]

What’s funny to me is I think Harding is better in half-court sets because of his passing; while Bowen is better when we’re out and running.



I’d argue Harding has best court vision/passing PG since Horner.

Yeah I actually agree that Bowen is better overall right now too, just point was Iowa hasn’t had too many pass first pg and his passing ability stands out more than any Hawkeye in recent memory.

Bowen is great at getting to the rim, but he needs to finish at a higher percentage.