Nunge article in Press-Citizen

[GunnerHawk]

By the end of the year I could certainly see Nunge pass up Uhl, Wagner, and Kriener for minutes. You can play 4 guys out on the perimeter when he plays to open up the lane.

If Uhl doesn't changed a lot and I mean a lot, he needs to sit. I would start by cutting that mop, then get more aggressive. Then see if I can get my shot back and work on defensive intensity. Other than that, he's pretty good. Hate to diss the kid but he played well his sophomore years, last year he was a liability.

 

[hawk-i bob]

If Uhl doesn't changed a lot and I mean a lot, he needs to sit. I would start by cutting that mop, then get more aggressive. Then see if I can get my shot back and work on defensive intensity. Other than that, he's pretty good. Hate to diss the kid but he played well his sophomore years, last year he was a liability.

cutting his hair will make a difference? really? why because YOU dont like it?

 

[LeroyHawk]

Who the hell cares how he wears his hair? I just hope he can return to the Dom we saw a couple years ago!

 

[hawk-i bob]

Who the hell cares how he wears his hair? I just hope he can return to the Dominican we saw a couple years ago!

My opinion is sometimes we forget who you play with & along side ...does have something to do with how one performs.
Dom played with experienced players in 2016 (Woodbury,Uthoff,Gesell,Clemmons)....not so much last year. I'm not saying this as an excuse but there were a lot of players trying to figure things out...including Uhl. Our defense alone was pretty ugly especially early on.

 

[BirdistheWord]

This is a really good point. I would expect that there is some analysis done to project teams that are likely to go through struggles and target players from those areas in the projected years. Remember, we plucked Tyler Cook out of St Louis while Missouri has been terrible (they then hire Martin and he starts bringing in some very solid pieces).

Could we see Fran's connections to the east coast pay off in the even the Pat Chambers continues to struggle and gets canned? Is Richard Pitino really safe, or was the extension just for show based on one good year? Each of those situations seem like we would have a shot with recruits based on either staff connections or geography.

Fran has repeatedly done a good job of identifying talent early and either bringing in lower rated recruits that exceed expectations or seeing the players blow up toward the end of their high school/AAU careers.

What I'm seeing for major factors here:
1) Connection to Iowa
2) Power void with local schools
3) Iowa staff identifies underrated/under-recruited talent

When we can find kids that meet 2 of these requirements, we are in the discussion and have started to augment what we can get from Iowa kids that will likely always be a major part of the program.

As a build on #3, i would add our recent track record with lightly to moderately recruited long, lean players: White, Uthoff and Olaseni who all thrived in Fran's system.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Good discussion, for which there are currently no clear answers. I love Nunge and Garza's potential, and I am very much in favor of not redshirting anyone who the coaches think can help right away. Until they get on the court (and the overseas trip could help a lot), we have no way to know who will earn minutes, or even at what position for someone like Nunge. Although he is probably Iowa's least skilled offensive player, I think most posters are undervaluing Wagner's (corrected) value as a defender and guy who can track down loose balls and rebounds. I haven't been excited about Williams play except a few spurts, but maybe he takes a big jump in aggressiveness and earns minutes at any of the 3 perimeter positions. I would feel more comfortable if we could magically replace a 4 with a PG, but Fran will make it work (unless JBo is unavailable for some reason). Should be fun to watch.

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

Good discussion, for which there are currently no clear answers. I love Nunge and Garza's potential, and I am very much in favor of not redshirting anyone who the coaches think can help right away. Until they get on the court (and the overseas trip could help a lot), we have no way to know who will earn minutes, or even at what position for someone like Nunge. Although he is probably Iowa's least skilled offensive player, I think most posters are undervaluing Cook's value as a defender and guy who can track down loose balls and rebounds. I haven't been excited about Williams play except a few spurts, but maybe he takes a big jump in aggressiveness and earns minutes at any of the 3 perimeter positions. I would feel more comfortable if we could magically replace a 4 with a PG, but Fran will make it work (unless JBo is unavailable for some reason). Should be fun to watch.

You lost me there.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

You lost me there.

Seem to be a lot of posters predicting that Uhl and Wagner would lose minutes. Maybe, maybe not...

 

[RocknRollface]

Good discussion, for which there are currently no clear answers. I love Nunge and Garza's potential, and I am very much in favor of not redshirting anyone who the coaches think can help right away. Until they get on the court (and the overseas trip could help a lot), we have no way to know who will earn minutes, or even at what position for someone like Nunge. Although he is probably Iowa's least skilled offensive player, I think most posters are undervaluing Cook's value as a defender and guy who can track down loose balls and rebounds. I haven't been excited about Williams play except a few spurts, but maybe he takes a big jump in aggressiveness and earns minutes at any of the 3 perimeter positions. I would feel more comfortable if we could magically replace a 4 with a PG, but Fran will make it work (unless JBo is unavailable for some reason). Should be fun to watch.

Did you confuse Cook and Uhl?

Because that would make allot more sense.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Did you confuse Cook and Uhl?

Because that would make allot more sense.

No. You think Uhl has been good defensive player? I am mainly suggesting that we have no idea how minutes are going to be allocated to the new or role players next year. It seems like most posters believe Uhl, Williams, and Wagner are going to get fewer minutes. I think any of those three could step up and be an important player in the rotation.

 

[kceasthawk]

My opinion is sometimes we forget who you play with & along side ...does have something to do with how one performs.
Dom played with experienced players in 2016 (Woodbury,Uthoff,Gesell,Clemmons)....not so much last year. I'm not saying this as an excuse but there were a lot of players trying to figure things out...including Uhl. Our defense alone was pretty ugly especially early on.

Very Good point Bob.

 

[RocknRollface]

No. You think Uhl has been good defensive player? I am mainly suggesting that we have no idea how minutes are going to be allocated to the new or role players next year. It seems like most posters believe Uhl, Williams, and Wagner are going to get fewer minutes. I think any of those three could step up and be an important player in the rotation.

You think Cook is our least skilled offensive player but an underated defender and rebounder?

Tyler Cook?

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

You think Cook is our least skilled offensive player but an underated defender and rebounder?

Tyler Cook?

Oops, I said Cook, instead of Wagner in my first post.

 

[RocknRollface]

Oops, I said Cook, instead of Wagner in my first post.

Ok, that makes sense.

I agree then.

Figured you had to have meant someone else.

 

[wcbtee]

Let them slug it out in practice and things will sort themselves out.

We definitely are heavy on 4's. If a player or two don't redshirt then minutes will be at a premium. We need Garza and Kreiner to play minutes at the 5, could sub in one of the 4's for depth.

I like Cook and Pemsl splitting time at PF, where does that leave Wagner, Uhl & Nunge? Assuming no injuries either Nunge red shirts, or Wagner/Uhl won't see much Pt. We could go with a big lineup and slide one down to the 3 at times.

My biggest question is with the swing men. Love Baer at the 3, Moss should take a big step and could split time at 2/3. Other than that we have some role guys to fill in minutes. I wish Wieskamp was coming this year and not next. Definitely would swap a backup big for him.

J-Bo exceeded my expectations as a freshmen, Williams will be ok as a backup.

I love the competition that we will have, next year will be fun to watch, but I am salivating at the thought of returning everyone but Uhl and adding Joe next year.

 

[RocknRollface]

Its debatable as to whether it sorted it self out last year. Adding two more now.

I love Fran but sometimes it seems he has to many options at his disposal.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Obviously, we are a lot thinner in the backcourt, so it will be interesting to see which of the "frontcourt" guys can play the 3 effectively. I hope that Nunge has the quickness to do it.

 

[lovedwatchingLester]

Its debatable as to whether it sorted it self out last year. Adding two more now.

I love Fran but sometimes it seems he has to many options at his disposal.

Better too many options than too few, wouldn't you agree ???

 

[kceasthawk]

Better too many options than too few, wouldn't you agree ???

I was thinking the same thing. At least Fran's brought in enough good players that it makes it interesting. The best thing is the apparent quality of the recruits the last couple of years, and the upcoming ones, seems to be on a consistent upward trend.

 

[DanL53]

I was thinking the same thing. At least Fran's brought in enough good players that it makes it interesting. The best thing is the apparent quality of the recruits the last couple of years, and the upcoming ones, seems to be on a consistent upward trend.

Yes, it is good to measure our problems with such concerns as too many good players. Just like it is always fun to measure our success by the comparisons to other programs. It wasn't long ago that Groce was out recruiting us, and Nebraska was passing us as well. Now, we have to measure up to the likes of the Wisconsin's and Michigan States...I say bring 'em on. I still don't know the ceiling this Iowa Program can reach...but it is getting harder to look down and not get dizzy. Hellooooooo down there Illinois! Hi Nebraska! Wow, is that Ohio State hanging on to the ladder with one hand?!?

 

[ZumaHawk]

Fran has us going upwards no doubt about it! I also think sometimes as good as our freshman were last year, what if our incoming Freshmen are even better again. I'm hoping Nunge will be a solid 3 for us. Competition will be strong in practice!

 

[mazda1]

I hope there is enough competition for minutes that the guys give an all out effort to play defense for the whole game.