Luke Garza is a starter, right?

[HellaHawk]

I know Garza has been dominating against teams that are not very good, but other plays haven't played nearly this well (e.g., Nunge and Kriener) and that must mean something. Fran said this the other day and Garza has proven him right so far on this trip: "With Luka Garza, throw the ball inside, he's going to score. He's going to score on guys in our league. You can't get to him. He's 6'11. He's got a 7'4" wing span. You hit him, and he still makes it. He makes every foul shot."

I feel like we can pretty accurately predict the starting lineup at this point:

PG - Bohannon
SG - Moss
SF - Baer
PF - Cook
C - Garza

The subs will likely be something alone these lines:

PG - Williams
SG - Ellingson/Dailey
SF - Wagner/Uhl
PF - Pemsl
C - Kriener/Nunge

As deep as this team is, there is a pretty big drop off with our bench (the exception being Pemsl perhaps who did lead the B10 in field goal % last year). But our bench is solid, no doubt.

 

[DanHawkPella]

It's trending that way, but I'd be cautious of the level of competition over there. Some guys do better against Big 10 level forwards than they might against inferior defenders, relatively speaking, because once you can't shoot over people on the inside you have to rely on more sophisticated moves and shot angles, and so a guy who looks great against Maryland Eastern Shore can disappear against MSU or Wisconsin. Practice is a better measure of where they are at because Kriener, Garza, Cook, Wagner, Nunge and Pemsl are facing each other every day.

That being said, Garza's competitiveness and constant activity might be hard for Kriener to match. Kriener shoots the 3 just as well as Garza based on PTL and can shoot it deeper. He's 10-15 lbs heavier I believe. Their standing reach is within 1" of each other (Kriener has longer wingspan I believe). Kriener has more experience. Kriener has a hook shot that he can get off against elite defenders (impossible to stop, just have to make it). Kriener has a very good 15 foot jumper (as does Garza). It's Garza's tenacity, old many savvy down low, getting to the FT line and making a lot of them that sticks out to me.

If Kriener can't match Garza's intensity and rebounding, he would lose his starting spot by December I would think (assuming the upper classman starts until clearly beat out, partially to keep pressure of the freshmen in November).

Who is the better defender against Big 10 level Centers? Who is the better help defender?

That will be a huge consideration.

If Kriener is bigger, has 1 year of Iowa strength training, and slightly better footspeed, he has some advantages, but again consistent intensity goes a long ways, and Garza is very ball smart. His intensity, physicality and court intelligence is a lot like Woody, his ball skills are just much better.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

I like that starting lineup. However I'll have to disagree on the drop off... I think Kriener, Nunge, and Ellingson, in addition to Pemsl are good bench players for sure. I do not see a lot of drop off. That could change by January. But I will stick to that for now. I feel good about these guys. With some of the others putting in some very valuable minutes.

 

[StormHawk42]

I think a big big chunk of it will depend on interior defense. We didn't have an answer at the basket like we had with Woody in the prior years.

 

[CanadaHawk]

I think a big big chunk of it will depend on interior defense. We didn't have an answer at the basket like we had with Woody in the prior years.

This is why I think Garza will start at this point.

 

[seer_hawk]

I think a big big chunk of it will depend on interior defense. We didn't have an answer at the basket like we had with Woody in the prior years.

Last year we played a lot of freshmen, and Baer went from 14.5 minutes per game to starter minutes as a redshirt soph. I'd agree that Woody was better defensively, as a freshman, than any of our 5's last year, but Kriener didn't really get the game experience to show us what he's capable of yet. The inexperience was all around, in the front court, so how much was on our Centers? I'm hoping that with a year of experience, for all but Nunge and Garza, we are better defensively at 1-4, and that will take some pressure off Garza and Kriener at the 5.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

All good points and Garza has been very impressive. Kriener looks like he's improved, too. But Iowa's daily practices will be tougher than these blowout games are. One of the unsaid factors in all this is that Fran is protecting Pemsl. He's not injured; he's coming off surgery on BOTH groins for either hernias or muscle tears. If he played that well last season hurting, he could be a lot better this year when he's fully healed. The other un-talked- about- factor is Connor McCaffery, who like Pemsl, is very smart and dependable. If, God forbid, Bohannon would go down, I think it's bye-bye baseball and Connor moves up to the point. Of course this opinion comes on a day when Bohannon and Ellingson were unusually cold from the floor. It's a long way until the season starts, but can you imagine the nightmare that Iowa is going to be for opposing coaches to prepare for? We will have unbelievable depth and as many as ten kids could start, if that makes any difference.

 

[Ngnosis hwk scence]

Here is my dream line up...

Kriener
Cook
Uhl
Moss
Bohannon

6th MAN of the year would be Baer

off the bench would be Ahmad Wagner, the Hammer

Brady E raining 3's.

Bring in Luka, Nunge, Christian and Dailey as needed.

Cordell to red-shirt to get healthy.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Estimated minutes by position factoring in entire season (assume some guys will get injured, sick, there will be some DNP's, etc.)
Please share what you would change....

PG: Bohannan (32) --- Williams (6) ---- Ellingson (2)
SG: Moss (22) --- Ellingson (14) --- Dailey (4)
SF: Baer (20) --- Wagner (8) --- Nunge (6) --- Uhl (4) --- Moss (2)
PF: Cook (25) --- Pemsl (14) --- Nunge (1)
C: Garza (19) --- Kreiner (17) --- Pemsl (3) --- Nunge (1)

Bohannan: 32
Cook: 25
Moss: 24
Baer: 20
Garza: 19
Pemsl: 17
Kreiner: 17
Ellingson: 16
Wagner: 8
Nunge: 8
Williams: 6
Dailey: 4
Uhl: 4

 

[DanL53]

Estimated minutes by position factoring in entire season (assume some guys will get injured, sick, there will be some DNP's, etc.)
Please share what you would change....

PG: Bohannan (32) --- Williams (6) ---- Ellingson (2)
SG: Moss (22) --- Ellingson (14) --- Dailey (4)
SF: Baer (20) --- Wagner (8) --- Nunge (6) --- Uhl (4) --- Moss (2)
PF: Cook (25) --- Pemsl (14) --- Nunge (1)
C: Garza (19) --- Kreiner (17) --- Pemsl (3) --- Nunge (1)

Bohannan: 32
Cook: 25
Moss: 24
Baer: 20
Garza: 19
Pemsl: 17
Kreiner: 17
Ellingson: 16
Wagner: 8
Nunge: 8
Williams: 6
Dailey: 4
Uhl: 4

I think that is as good of a guess as any.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Here is my dream line up...

Kriener
Cook
Uhl
Moss
Bohannon

6th MAN of the year would be Baer

off the bench would be Ahmad Wagner, the Hammer

Brady E raining 3's.

Bring in Luka, Nunge, Christian and Dailey as needed.

Cordell to red-shirt to get healthy.

Uhl? half the time he is on the court is spent spectating.

 

[Auger]

Dont count out Nunge right now as a solid sub. Like Baer I am impressed with his hustle stats. Dude can pick up rebounds, steals, assists and has displayed some solid D. I think the Iowa bench will be solid in B1G play. Guards might be thin.

 

[C/Seahawk]

Here is my dream line up...

Kriener
Cook
Uhl
Moss
Bohannon

6th MAN of the year would be Baer

off the bench would be Ahmad Wagner, the Hammer

Brady E raining 3's.

Bring in Luka, Nunge, Christian and Dailey as needed.

Cordell to red-shirt to get healthy.

Curious, why would Uhl be in your dream lineup? I'm not sure he has progressed much since his freshman year and my impression is he simply lacks court awareness and aggressiveness for major minutes even as a senior. Some guys have great on court instincts and Uhl doesn't seem to be one of those guys. Seems like a nice enough kid, but pretty quiet/shy and his play reflects that.

Based on PTL and the overseas trip, it will be tough to keep Garza out of the starting lineup. Don't get me wrong, I like Kriener too but only one can start and I suspect it will be Luka.

 

[lovedwatchingLester]

I think Williams gets more minutes than you have, thinking double the 6, and maybe more.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Estimated minutes by position factoring in entire season (assume some guys will get injured, sick, there will be some DNP's, etc.)
Please share what you would change....

PG: Bohannan (32) --- Williams (6) ---- Ellingson (2)
SG: Moss (22) --- Ellingson (14) --- Dailey (4)
SF: Baer (20) --- Wagner (8) --- Nunge (6) --- Uhl (4) --- Moss (2)
PF: Cook (25) --- Pemsl (14) --- Nunge (1)
C: Garza (19) --- Kreiner (17) --- Pemsl (3) --- Nunge (1)

Bohannan: 32
Cook: 25
Moss: 24
Baer: 20
Garza: 19
Pemsl: 17
Kreiner: 17
Ellingson: 16
Wagner: 8
Nunge: 8
Williams: 6
Dailey: 4
Uhl: 4

That is about what I would think as well at this point... Maybe a few more minutes for Williams & Nunge. I'm hoping our guards can add more minutes. But a lot of that will be if someone can relieve JBo. Big IF...

The front court should be fairly balanced, with the finishers rising to the top and gaining more minutes. Will Garza be one of those?? Prossibly.... If his defense proves to be good, then he will be in the game at the end. He looks to have the offensive moves, rebounding and the crucially needed end of game FT making...

I have about the same. Although I padded a few more minutes, as there will be those extra minutes because of injuries, etc.

Bohannan: 30
Cook: 25
Baer: 24
Moss: 21
Garza: 19
Pemsl: 17
Kreiner: 17
Ellingson: 15
Williams: 12
Wagner: 10
Nunge: 10
Uhl: 8
Dailey: 6

 

[hawk_it]

It would nice to keep Bohannan minutes down a bit till the B10 rolls around. A lot depends on development of the back court.

 

[DanL53]

It would nice to keep Bohannan minutes down a bit till the B10 rolls around. A lot depends on development of the back court.

I agree. I also take some comfort in knowing that our offense is not predicated on a point guard breaking a defense down by himself. And, since the only guy we lost last year is Jok, it isn't like we are starting fresh trying to find a backup. Jordan should be himself and better early on with a year under his belt. Ellingson seems to have found some confidence and has become an option. And if (I worry, I could swear he looked like he was hurting against the German team) Williams has improved from his back and hip problems perhaps he can give us more than we've seen so far.

And like others I think that maybe if we need him Connor forgoes baseball? Maybe...if the need is that great and the results would reward it.

Just, no injuries to Bohannon!!!

 

[kceasthawk]

Curious, why would Uhl be in your dream lineup? I'm not sure he has progressed much since his freshman year and my impression is he simply lacks court awareness and aggressiveness for major minutes even as a senior. Some guys have great on court instincts and Uhl doesn't seem to be one of those guys. Seems like a nice enough kid, but pretty quiet/shy and his play reflects that.

Based on PTL and the overseas trip, it will be tough to keep Garza out of the starting lineup. Don't get me wrong, I like Kriener too but only one can start and I suspect it will be Luka.

I'd concur. As fans we'd like to see Uhl's swan song to be a great senior season just like most of the seniors since Fran's been here. Just don't see it. I think he'll play in certain situations, but think those SF minutes go mostly to Baer,(who's earned them), Wagner, (for his hustle and grit), and Nunge, (for his varied skill set and upside). Nunge may play some PF as well, but most of those minutes will go to Cook, and Pemsl.

 

[2432Hawk]

as for Uhl. He's been a team guy all 3 years. He played backup Center in the Big Ten at 215lbs to Woody after Gabe graduated because they needed him to. Last year we loose at home to Rutgers w/o Uhl. If we could take an ounce of Garza's activity and tenacity and give it to Dom that'd be great!

 

[hawk-i bob]

A starting Lineup of:

Bohannon (So)
Moss (So)
Baer (Jr)
Cook (So)
Garza (Fr)

OK some ifs...of these 5 if no leaves early...we have 100% of starting lineup for the next 2 years...and 80% for the next 3 years......oh boy

 

[JEDN]

FWIW Wagner has yet to score a point in the first three exhibition games.

 

[And1Hawk]

Is it just me or has Jordan not shot the ball well lately especially from outside? I'm being lazy and not looking for the answer myself.

 

[unIowa]

I think a big big chunk of it will depend on interior defense. We didn't have an answer at the basket like we had with Woody in the prior years.

I think Defense might play a big part in the starting roll and while I believe Fran said he would start Baer at the 3 I wouldn't mind seeing Wagner starting there. Plenty of firepower on offense w Cook, Moss, JoBo, and even Luka it appears and while NB proved to be a good shot blocker it would be nice to have that offensive spark plug off the bench.

 

[Bro D]

OP is correct on starting lineup. Really have to hope Williams steps up this year

 

[CanadaHawk]

OP is correct on starting lineup. Really have to hope Williams steps up this year

In the PTL and European tour, I'm noticing CW's shooting getting more consistent than it ever has. Of course, that's been a big weakness for him. Beginning to think he might be a viable backup this year, which could be a big boost.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

In the PTL and European tour, I'm noticing CW's shooting getting more consistent than it ever has. Of course, that's been a big weakness for him. Beginning to think he might be a viable backup this year, which could be a big boost.

That is good to hear. This year should be telling for CW. He is shooting over 500 shots a day from the 3pt line alone this spring & summer for training. He knows a good portion of his minutes will be determined on whether he can hit a few outside shots.

If he is ever going to gain that outside shot, we will see it this year. I hope he makes a big jump! Fingers crossed!

 

[DanL53]

Anyone remember "Happy Days" and the quirky characters like Ralph Malph and Fonzie? If they needed a guy to walk on and play the role of a 50's basketball player, would not this guy look the part?

 

[ichawks]

Not only will Garza be starting but he arguably might be the best player on the team.

 

[ichawks]

Is it just me or has Jordan not shot the ball well lately especially from outside? I'm being lazy and not looking for the answer myself.

During shoot around before playing the all star Italian team he wasn't looking like himself either. Hours upon hours of bus time might've had an affect.

 

[HellaHawk]

I wouldn't go that far. Bohannon and Cook were All Freshman Big 10. Pemsl lead the league in field goal percentage. Baer is a proven commodity. Moss had an excellent freshman season. At this point, I'd say Garza is our sixth best player, given the evidence we have. He played the best of anyone in Europe, but the talent was not good enough for me to leap him past any of the five players above. I think he's a starter, for sure, though, which is why I created this thread.

 

[BirdistheWord]

That is about what I would think as well at this point... Maybe a few more minutes for Williams & Nunge. I'm hoping our guards can add more minutes. But a lot of that will be if someone can relieve JBo. Big IF...

The front court should be fairly balanced, with the finishers rising to the top and gaining more minutes. Will Garza be one of those?? Prossibly.... If his defense proves to be good, then he will be in the game at the end. He looks to have the offensive moves, rebounding and the crucially needed end of game FT making...

I have about the same. Although I padded a few more minutes, as there will be those extra minutes because of injuries, etc.

Bohannan: 30
Cook: 25
Baer: 24
Moss: 21
Garza: 19
Pemsl: 17
Kreiner: 17
Ellingson: 15
Williams: 12
Wagner: 10
Nunge: 10
Uhl: 8
Dailey: 6

I like yours a lot, a bit more balanced than my projections. Williams is definitely a wildcard, has the athleticism just needs a little more confidence. Moss has the least competition at the 2G so still could expect a few more minutes from him, though he has to prove he can be consistent on offense.

 

[littlez]

Moss was a redshirt Freshman last year, correct? Yes, he needs to be more consistent. However, we have no other player like him to play the 2. He's going to get plenty of minutes, and I think he'll average 10-12 pts a game this year. He needs to for us to really be good.

 

[John Thompson]

I think it's looking obvious Garza is the starting center. Plus, looks like his teammates are consistently giving him the ball. For a big to have trust with teammates, that's a huge deal. He was by far the leading scorer, rebounded well, sounds like ran the floor very well too.

 

[Benddontbreak1]

By the start of B1G play:

1) Bohannon
2) Moss
3) Baer
4) Cook
5) Garza

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

By the start of B1G play:

1) Bohannon
2) Moss
3) Baer
4) Cook
5) Garza

That four ESPN 4* recruits and returning 6th MoY. Been a long time since Hawks line up had that recruiting pedigree.

 

[RocknRollface]

Not only will Garza be starting but he arguably might be the best player on the team.

That seems like a reasonable expectation.

 

[chuck285]

Not only will Garza be starting but he arguably might be the best player on the team.

How soon does someone jump on the band wagon and state Garza is one and done like the take about Cook. I don't see Cook going early. He's a tough inside person but not a great shooting forward, IMO,

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

How soon does someone jump on the band wagon and state Garza is one and done like the take about Cook. I don't see Cook going early. He's a tough inside person but not a great shooting forward, IMO,

TC's defensive improvements will be what allows him to go early. And he has a long ways to go. That noted he definitely has the abilities to make it so.

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

How soon does someone jump on the band wagon and state Garza is one and done like the take about Cook. I don't see Cook going early. He's a tough inside person but not a great shooting forward, IMO,

I think Cook is a 4-year college player too. The NBA has changed a lot in the last 5 years. Big guys either need to be able to defend at an elite level or hit outside jumpers consistently. Very few make it without either of those attributes.