Let’s be realistic.

[Millerlikehawks]

Can this current team take us any further than recent Fran teams and if not how long do we wait? I think we have to wait to 2024 with a line up of Bowen, dix, pryce, freeman, dembele . Honestly don’t see a post season run before it. Current team is too timid and has no swagger

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I like what I have seen with Bowen. The others might be good, but we don't know yet.

 

[Herklejerk]

Can this current team take us any further than recent Fran teams and if not how long do we wait? I think we have to wait to 2024 with a line up of Bowen, dix, pryce, freeman, dembele . Honestly don’t see a post season run before it. Current team is too timid and has no swagger

"How long do we wait?"

lol WTF?

Well...let's see...we've been to ONE sweet sixteen in the past 35 years and that was 24 years ago.

So ... I think it's safe to say that this program/administration has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it can wait...a long, long, long, long, long, very, very long time.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

One stark contrast that I have seen when looking at Iowa vs. other big ten teams is that Fran has assembled a roster better suited for soccer than basketball. If NCAA ratings were based on body fat composition, we would be top 5. TCU and Duke physically dominated and intimidated Iowa and I expect ISU to do the same.

Fran can cry about the officiating, but he's been at the P5 level long enough to know that you need some actual physical toughness in order to compete. He opted to forego the portal and told us about the strides Josh and Mulvey made in the offseason, yet both ride the pine. No worries because we have all these lights out shooters who can spread the floor. Well, how is that working out?

I understand Fran wants to play up tempo, shoot 3's, and get out in transition but it's always fool's gold because defense, rebounding, and lack of toughness end up being holes in the boat year after year. Without a Garza or Keegan level guy to play through, I don't see how this team competes with the top 2/3 of the conference. Fran will be Fran and keep green lighting guys to shoot us out of games from 3 vs. adjusting. Watch how Izzo uses Hauser vs. how Fran uses Pmac, Sandfort. Also note the adjustments Bluder made last night vs. ISU--all these things are lost on Fran because he is going to play fast and shoot 3's regardless of the results.

 

[Bank of Hawk]

Starts with recruiting.. Iowa is always the bridesmaid, never the bride, for the higher ranked recruits. Hope that perception can change with recent NBA success with Hawk alumni under Fran.

 

[Millerlikehawks]

Starts with recruiting.. Iowa is always the bridesmaid, never the bride, for the higher ranked recruits. Hope that perception can change with recent NBA success with Hawk alumni under Fran.

I agree completely. If Murray can become more consistent and settle into a role of team leader , put them on his back, I can see another high draft pick. Continued success year after year sending players to NBA will not go unnoticed by recruits. Need to make a bigger splash in the tourney to shine a light on Iowa also though .

 

[blhawk]

Yeah, I'm sick of all the stick figures. Some muscle would be nice considering it's the big ten

 

[intrepodor]

Yeah, I'm sick of all the stick figures. Some muscle would be nice considering it's the big ten

It's a feel good story to get these Iowa kids but if you want quickness and physicality you have to go outside Iowa

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

Any at-large team that makes it to the tournament can make the Sweet 16 if they get hot (and maybe a little lucky). I think this team is good enough to get to the tournament, and so yes they can theoretically go further than any of Fran's other teams. With that said, they need to improve quite a bit for that to be realistic.

 

[RocknRollface]

Let's be realistic.

Advancing in the tournament is as much about matchups and luck as anything.

Guard play would be the most important factor. This isn't Frans most talented team but its his strongest group of guards overall.

 

[QChawks]

Yeah, I'm sick of all the stick figures. Some muscle would be nice considering it's the big ten

what about Josh O.

 

[RocknRollface]

It's a feel good story to get these Iowa kids but if you want quickness and physicality you have to go outside Iowa

Marcus Paige, Wes Washpun, DJ Carton.

Its not really about too many Iowa kids its about getting the right/best ones.

Fran lands those guys and his tenure looks very different.

You have to have athletic guards regardless of where you get them.

He got, Perkins, Bowen and then Nimmers who's probably the most athletic Hawkeye since Ricky Davis.

Im not a huge believer in Fran but athleticsm at guard is trending up.

 

[Millerlikehawks]

I don’t disagree that this team can’t make the tourney. From what I’ve watched thus far I don’t foresee this team making it to the second weekend. I would love them to prove me wrong. I think we need some more muscle like others have said and more veteran guard play. Give Bowen a year or two and watch out! Final 4 in 24’

 

[frydaze]

"How long do we wait?"

lol WTF?

Well...let's see...we've been to ONE sweet sixteen in the past 35 years and that was 24 years ago.

So ... I think it's safe to say that this program/administration has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it can wait...a long, long, long, long, long, very, very long time.

The bar for OK standard at Iowa is to make the NCAA half the time and stay out of NCAA trouble.

This is what Fran has achieved in 13 years here. Never been even to a Sweet 16. Yes most Iowa fans are completely happy with him.

 

[trippnschmidt]

I’m enjoying the game tonight! Anyone else enjoying the game tonight?

 

[BBHawk]

Can this current team take us any further than recent Fran teams and if not how long do we wait? I think we have to wait to 2024 with a line up of Bowen, dix, pryce, freeman, dembele . Honestly don’t see a post season run before it. Current team is too timid and has no swagger

Think again.

 

[Millerlikehawks]

Think again.

O shit we had a night! St looked liked they drank the cool aid after NC . Boys played some ball tonight . Not sold but gave me lots of hope for Wisconsin. Let’s take it to them like we did tonight

 

[hawkifann]

Yeah, I'm sick of all the stick figures. Some muscle would be nice considering it's the big ten

Perkins is the notable exception. That’s a strong guard.

 

[hawkifann]

I loved Perkins’ steal and breakaway dunk. He and the ISU defender were on an absolute race to the rim and Perkins won for the poster. I thought he might get 3 technicals after that and they would have been totally worth it.

 

[Millerlikehawks]

The guys played like they were on equal levels with no fear tonight. Duke jerseys gave them the yips. Proud of the production and pray we can keep the the 3 pnt production going. Wis is going to be a dog fight. Hawks take wiscy ! Gonna be a good December !