Didn't get to watch the games in as much detail as usual due to family obligations, so just some high level thoughts:
GENERAL:
PLAYERS:
GENERAL:
- In general we've now seen a few games where Iowa's weaknesses have shown up, so it does cause me to recalibrate expecations a bit. I think we're a Top 25 team overall, but the ceiling (Top 10?) might be a little lower than I thought. However, Fran's teams have shown an ability to make adjustments on both ends as the season goes on so I'd love to see us play TCU in February. Our freshman I think will be a bigger factor at that point and we should be able to make adjustments for teams like them a bit better.
- These games were a good warmup for what Iowa will see against teams like ISU and PSU. If the referees let you initiate contact both offensively and defensively without calling much, it definitely has more effect on Iowa. TCU in particular was great at closing out on shooters to deny the open 3 but also closing down on the dribble penetration. This left Iowa in a lot of post looks either on post entry or off dribble penetration and then turning a back to the basket. From the post we just lacked the strength to get quality shots off. Iowa wins games because we (1) get quality shots from our offense and in transition and (2) we have guys who can all shoot the ball. Both these teams really reduced our quality of shots quite a bit.
- I was surprised we didn't go more zone against TCU who isn't a good perimeter shooting team overall. Perhaps we haven't installed much of it yet with a focus on man to man, but our man to man was gashed off the dribble a lot against both teams. Some of it was off the high screen and roll, and some of it was just getting beat. I think our initial rotations weren't too bad overall but our secondary rotations tended to be late and giving up an interior pass - way too many shots within 5 feet of the rim. The primary concern is how directly the ball handler was able to get downhill at the rim - the frequency and directness are both problems. If we can do better limiting that, then I expect our seoncary rotations to be better as the season goes on. Rebounding isn't as big of an issue as I believe a lot of it is related to this same issue - let guys drive and then when, say, Rebraca comes to help then Rebraca's guy is either open for a dump off pass or he is in the best position for a weak side rebound if the ball handler shoots a close shot. Close shots = close rebounds, and close rebounds when your best rebounder had to help on the drive are a problem. Iowa does much better on mid-range and 3 point rebounding or rebounds when they don't need to help.
- Teams like TCU should be ahead of teams like Iowa early in the season as they are simply athletic bullies on both ends. They got Iowa's offense out of synch and Iowa isn't far enough along yet to make the right adjustments as individual players to counter their style of play. Iowa shot 3/17 on 3's against TCU in part because TCU pushed them out further and challenged those shots, not just because Iowa was cold. Those were harder 3 point shots than we normally get because our offense wasn't able to create the same wide open looks we had before. We should get better at handling these teams, but ISU is going to look much the same so we shall see how fast we adjust.
- Iowa's defenders continuing to look at the post when their guy fed the post, then getting beat on a back cut was puzzling. That post player (Lampkin) never makes an initial post move and we weren't automatically doubling him. Those passes to cutters from him were on the SCOUT they reviewed, so players didn't translate that very well to the game. This is one aspect that playing back to back games probably hurts as Iowa would have replicated that more in practice had they had a day in between. But still - poor player awareness.
- Iowa is still struggling in the pick and roll too option despite having a lineup of bigger players where switches should be fine. Against a Center like Lampkin setting high screens, I'd prefer to use DROP coverage on it as he's not a threat to flare for a 3 (like Garza) and so as long as the player guarding the ball can get OVER the screen (not UNDER) to deter the 3 pointer and chase the ball handler inside the 3 point line, then the guy covering Lampkin can stop both the drive and the roll - it really just forces mid-range jumpers if done right. To see a summary of options on how to handle high pick and roll see this video:
PLAYERS:
- Kris was 8/31 in the 2 game tournament, so it's a bit clearer where he struggles. I don't recall Keegan having struggles like this so I think it just boils down to strength in the post and the amibdextrous drive and finish ability he had. Kris can still get better during this season and use these games as a catalyst for how to handle physical defenses. I'm encouraged that his rebounding didn't suffer and he did seem to continue to play team ball. Did not seem like an "Alpha" type who will just force his will on other teams which is both good and bad. I think Keegan's ability to post up even against physical defenses gave Iowa more options and Kris just isn't as strong there and so when we needed good post work last night neither Rebraca nor Kris was able to function at the level that Keegan or Garza did in the past. He will against many teams, but I worry about teams like TCU, ISU and PSU that it will be much harder.
- Patrick obviously was not built for a game like this, on either end. Lampkin got switched on him once and he tried so hard to take advantage of having a Center on him and ended up with a fade away airball 3, which was the story of the night for Iowa. Another learning experience for him, like all the others.
- Ulis was fantastic and the only reason the game wasn't worse. Did well on both ends.
- Bowen also was fantastic - that behidn the back, reverse spin layup in the open court was crazy. Still has issues as quick as he is with keeping guys in front of him, so defensively still playing like a freshman. But tons of sizzle on offense.
- Rebraca showed his limitations in the post against defenders who are now not buying his "going left" fakes and just playing his right hand hook. He can still get it off against similar sized guys, but guys who are stronger and/or bigger are just bumping him off his spot. Still did a great job competing last night.
- Conner got beat a few more times on defense last night than I've seen on back cuts, but I never have a problem with Connor. He wasn't the problem last night.
- Perkins doesn't look 100% to me but played will in stretches, just not enough to make a difference overall. He is the type of player we need against a team like TCU. Credit to TCU for defending him well - they were physical in the paint and he couldn't bully them for inside shots, and they sagged off both him and Ulis on the perimeter making it harder for them to turn the corner. They gameplanned us better than we gameplanned them imo, at the individual player level anyway. All teams will be doing this, to the extent their personnel allow them to. TCU was missing their best player, so look for them to end up being a very good team.
- Saw glimpses of Dix on defense where his foot movement looked really good to me. Will be awhile before he's a difference maker but I always like how he moves on the court.
- Sandfort struggled again with shooting percentage but last night it was a lot about TCU to me. Nobody was getting great looks.
