Keys to ISU game at Hilton

[hawk_it]

1a fouls (so critical to stay out of foul trouble)
1b Sap and Gesell control the tempo

2 rebounding (especially defensive)
3 Passing (need to make opposition work on defense)
4 Bench's reaction to playing in Hostile environment (good prep for B10 play)
5 Uhl and Ellingson play steady and good defense

Really looking forward to seeing what the bench does.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Only 2 keys: rebounding and defense. That will keep us close. Then, if we shoot well, we've got a shot.

 

[Hawk68]

1a fouls (so critical to stay out of foul trouble)
1b Sap and Gesell control the tempo

2 rebounding (especially defensive)
3 Passing (need to make opposition work on defense)
4 Bench's reaction to playing in Hostile environment (good prep for B10 play)
5 Uhl and Ellingson play steady and good defense

Really looking forward to seeing what the bench does.

Your list seems to be what it takes to win any game.

 

[icwesthawk]

We put ourselves in position to win games when we come out hot, play good defense, rebound and don't have some unknown go off with 3's.

 

[hawk_it]

Your list seems to be what it takes to win any game.

Yeah I hear what your saying could apply to any game. I think this game on the road at Hilton will be loud, intense and it will be easy for Iowa to get out of what they do well.

Sap and Gesell setting the tempo will be huge in this game.

 

[skydog0784]

Finally a decent discussion around IA vs ISU. I thought I'd jump in before the inevitable pissing match occurs...

You have to give them their due. They have a great team this year and winning at Ames will be a very tall order.

I don't follow ISU a great deal but my sense is that a key is to get a couple of ISU starters in foul trouble. I don't believe they're very deep at all. IA needs to play their game and stay composed. Uthoff and Jok must be an effective 1-2 punch - both need to come up big, one isn't going to get it done tomorrow night.

 

[skallday]

I don't follow ISU a great deal but my sense is that a key is to get a couple of ISU starters in foul trouble. I don't believe they're very deep at all. IA needs to play their game and stay composed. Uthoff and Jok must be an effective 1-2 punch - both need to come up big, one isn't going to get it done tomorrow night.

While I agree that ISU isn't deep, what worries me, and one reason why I'm not too confident going into this game, is that ISU is one of the best in the country at avoiding fouling (Ranked 3rd in the country in Opponent FT Rate, according to KenPom), and Iowa (without White this year) isn't great at drawing fouls (ranked 300th in FT Rate). Plus, the game is at Hilton, and you have to think the Cyclones will get the benefit of the doubt at home.

Unfortunately, I don't think this is a great matchup for the Hawks. But, as we all know, anything could happen in college basketball. If we continue shooting well and they go cold as they sometimes do, we definitely have a chance.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Iowa needs to be on fire from the perimeter and have less than a 10 rebound differential while the 'clones shoot relatively poorly.
Basically, isu's athletic advantage can overcome some poor shooting by scoring they get in the paint off drives and offensive rebounds. Iowa doesn't have the athletes to beat them in an up and down the court fast break fest.
Hawks will need to compensate with perimeter shooting and defending the perimeter.
Give up some 2s, make 3s.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

Only 2 keys: rebounding and defense. That will keep us close. Then, if we shoot well, we've got a shot.

Agreed, and our defense and rebounding have been very inconsistent so far this year. We will have to play better defense and rebound better than we to date, to have a decent chance against ISU. We struggle against quick and athletic teams and they are loaded with both. Go Hawks!

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

1a fouls (so critical to stay out of foul trouble) (and that the refs call ISU for fouls late in the game when our bet players are slapped on the arm forcing them to lose the ball.....)
1b Sap and Gesell control the tempo (and not force goofy passes for no real reason...)

2 rebounding (especially defensive) (and fouls are called on ISU when they foul us while we're trying to rebound....)
3 Passing (need to make opposition work on defense) (....yes ISU needs to turn the ball over for no real reason, other than it would make me happy...)
4 Bench's reaction to playing in Hostile environment (good prep for B10 play) (I suppose we could hire Monmouth's bench to mock Georges Niang everytime he gets scored on or makes a mistake, by poking fun at the stupid gesture he made to Iowa fans last year. No the Iowa players will not and should not do anything of the sort.....but that's why we hire an outside party. It's fool-proof.)
5 Uhl and Ellingson play steady and good defense (and hit threes.....so anti-Oglesby = Hawks win)

Really looking forward to seeing what the bench does.

If Iowa State doesn't try to win (which they shouldn't), then we're gonna walk out with a Top 5 win for the resume.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

We can't get caught up in their tempo. If we do, we will get hit with a barrage of 3's, follow up dunks and their crowd will go nuts. Not sure we can recover from a large deficit like we did on neutral courts in Advocare. Safe bet their #1 objective will be to neutralize Uthoff, so who else can step up? Should be some open shots if we move the ball.

 

[Lone Clone]

I think it should be noted that this is one of the rare, rare, RARE occasions when virtually every poster on both sides agrees with the situation: ISU has the better team and should be favored to win the game, but Iowa definitely could pull the upset.

My only individual matchup concern is Uthoff. If he goes off like he did in the first half against Western Illinois, that's a serious problem. I assume either Niang or Nader will be guarding him, which raises the possibility of foul trouble.

More generally, I'm concerned that ISU plays in spurts, both last year and so far this year. I can see ISU building a decent double-digit lead, then letting Iowa get back into the game and not being able to regain the momentum.

Other concerns......if Iowa plays Whack-A-Mac, sending a 33% FT shooter to the line a lot....if one of the ISU starters picks up a couple of quick early fouls, since the Cyclones have an excellent top 7 but then very little after that....if ISU tries to make too many great plays....if the new coach is overwhelmed by his first exposure to Hilton Magic.

On the positive side, ISU has a major advantage at most positions, especially in the guard court, is playing at home, and is less dependent upon outside shooting than has been the case for several years.

 

[fivecardstud14]

Don't let Monte Morris get wherever he wants. Last year, Morris continuously got to any spot on the floor that pleased him. Hopefully Clemmons has the assignment on him.

 

[hawk44ever]

Iowa WILL beat ISU by 10-12 points tonight. I stated this earlier this week and I stand by it. ISU is a better team than the Hawks and they will have a top 10 year BUT a new coach brings new challenges. I have seen both teams play twice and ISU is not clicking on all cylinders. Still a lot of "miscommunication" between new coach and veteran players. ISU will be much better in February but not tonight. Iowa has just as much experience and an experienced coach- just not as much talent. Talent doesn't always win games and we will win tonight. Morris is the key to ISU- keep him in front of you all night long and make him take 3's. He is a great mid-range jump shooter so keep him behind the arc. Niang will get his 14-18 points. McKay will struggle with Woody even if Woody just stands and does nothing (like a normal game). Iowa has to work the clock and value each possession. ISU is tremendous on runs and rallies.
Hawks 77- Clones 65.

 

[mazda1]

Defend the dribble drive, clear the glass, and attack offensively. If we are able to drive a bit and don't turn it over we can make this a game. If we get passive and settle for jump shots I doubt we can outshoot them. We need JU to be effective inside.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

4 interior guys with 5 fouls each. If McKee or anyone else goes unimpeded to the rim for a dunk, somebody should go to the bench. Quickest way to send a message to the trash-talking "student-athletes" is to be willing to commit hard, but not dirty, fouls if they want to rim hang.

I am sure Niang has been earning extra credit for his Sports as Theatre class by practicing moves in the mirror all week to expand on his kiss-blowing from last year.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

1a fouls (so critical to stay out of foul trouble)
1b Sap and Gesell control the tempo

2 rebounding (especially defensive)
3 Passing (need to make opposition work on defense)
4 Bench's reaction to playing in Hostile environment (good prep for B10 play)
5 Uhl and Ellingson play steady and good defense

Really looking forward to seeing what the bench does.

1# AVOID STUPIDITY.

Fran is a brilliant coach. He truly is. And that is why It amazes me he can do such "deer in the headlights" coaching moves... Oh well, he is without a doubt better than the last two jokers we had. I just hate banging my head against the wall.