On Riley

[drh1150]

It seems a slow development for Riley. If any development at all.

You have to wonder what Fran and the staff initially saw, beyond his size, but then Riley had 11 offers, including Va Tech, Syracuse and Penn St., so others saw something as well. Rutgers and Kansas (yes, that Kansas) took a look but didn't offer.

As new recruiting classes arrive, you can only wonder if Riley might find more playing opportunities elsewhere.

I'm not quitting on him, but after E. Illinois his playing time will be even less.

 

[hooper56]

It is a mystery. I saw him play some pickup when he first got to Iowa. Fran raved about him early last season before the games started. Now he just appears lost and does not look like he is playing hard. He had one of the best outlet passes I have seen but even that seems to have disappeared. Would be nice to see him with the starters because when he is in with the reserves he doesn’t look so good. Hope he figures it out. He is a good kid.

 

[StormHawk42]

He actually runs the floor very well but he still has no idea how to use his body and as action is developing on offense or defense, he seems two or three steps behind. He’s still really young but I was definitely expecting more.

 

[IllQChawk]

When he receives a pass, he's not a ball hog by any means, if he's covered he finds someone to pass to and go's into finding someone to set a screen for. To me that's basketball 101 for a center, but he does tend get too far under the basket on defense to rebound efficiently.
Not improving as much as I had hoped, but not giving up on him either. Would have been nice to have him redshirt this year but that was evidently not on the table for the young man.
Speaking of Josh, teams like SW Mo St, this is the level of playing talent he should be playing against, not the Big Ten and even at that, he doesn't have the stamina to play but a few minutes at a time.
He has 1 year left if he stays and he's not going to get much better then he is.
If you noticed, unless a ball comes off the backboard just right he doesn't have the quickness or the agility to grab a rebound out of the air, he just doesn't have to hands or the quickness.
He has improved some from last year, but it was a big swing and miss by Fran on Ogundele and probably Mulvey too.
I really like Owen Freeman with his size and agility but asking him to play extensive minutes next year may be a stretch. As some have said, it would behoove Fran to find a legit center from the portal, but I have zero hope or confidence that Fran will do the right thing. We'll see.

 

[BBHawk]

He actually runs the floor very well but he still has no idea how to use his body and as action is developing on offense or defense, he seems two or three steps behind. He’s still really young but I was definitely expecting more.

He is at the normal age for someone in his class (he's a sophomore class-wise and he's 20) so I wouldn't call him young. He does seem lost a lot on both ends. I am not sure that he really understands either offense or defense yet but he seems to be having fun out there, kind of like a big lab puppy. 🙂

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

So we use a scholarship on someone in hopes of getting ONE good year out of them? Maybe?

 

[hawkjt]

When he receives a pass, he's not a ball hog by any means, if he's covered he finds someone to pass to and go's into finding someone to set a screen for. To me that's basketball 101 for a center, but he does tend get too far under the basket on defense to rebound efficiently.
Not improving as much as I had hoped, but not giving up on him either. Would have been nice to have him redshirt this year but that was evidently not on the table for the young man.
Speaking of Josh, teams like SW Mo St, this is the level of playing talent he should be playing against, not the Big Ten and even at that, he doesn't have the stamina to play but a few minutes at a time.
He has 1 year left if he stays and he's not going to get much better then he is.
If you noticed, unless a ball comes off the backboard just right he doesn't have the quickness or the agility to grab a rebound out of the air, he just doesn't have to hands or the quickness.
He has improved some from last year, but it was a big swing and miss by Fran on Ogundele and probably Mulvey too.
I really like Owen Freeman with his size and agility but asking him to play extensive minutes next year may be a stretch. As some have said, it would behoove Fran to find a legit center from the portal, but I have zero hope or confidence that Fran will do the right thing. We'll see.

Agree to disagree on Josh. He will contribute this year vs certain matchups like Edney, Dickinson among others(backup big guys like PSU frosh).
Josh is a space eater in the paint will not be pushed around. When he walls up underneath he makes it tough on oppo.
He has good hands, imo.
Looks to pass.
He will be useful.
He has 2 more years after this season.
As for Riley...fish outta water.

 

[IllQChawk]

So we use a scholarship on someone in hopes of getting ONE good year out of them? Maybe?

If you go by minutes played, I'm not sure Iowa will get 3 or 4 games worth of minutes from either Josh or Riley in the next 2 years, but Fran was definitely hoodwinked by someone on his coaching staff convincing Fran to give these young men a scholarship.
I know by a long shot, I'm higher on Mulvey then Ogundele, but Fran is the head coach and as of right now, Josh is his favorite of these 2 biggies.
Might as well throw Josh out there, as he definitely has the BEEF!

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

If you go by minutes played, I'm not sure Iowa will get 3 or 4 games worth of minutes from either Josh or Riley in the next 2 years, but Fran was definitely hoodwinked by someone on his coaching staff convincing Fran to give these young men a scholarship.
I know by a long shot, I'm higher on Mulvey then Ogundele, but Fran is the head coach and as of right now, Josh is his favorite of these 2 biggies.
Might as well throw Josh out there, as he definitely has the BEEF!

But you could further the “argument” by saying Fran made the mistake twice on Josh by taking him back. Agreed, it was likely a “we don’t have anyone else so sure” but head scratching nonetheless.

 

[chaneccooms]

If you go by minutes played, I'm not sure Iowa will get 3 or 4 games worth of minutes from either Josh or Riley in the next 2 years, but Fran was definitely hoodwinked by someone on his coaching staff convincing Fran to give these young men a scholarship.

It’s Fran’s program. He decides who gets an offer. He doesn’t get “hoodwinked” by anyone.

Players, especially big men, don’t always develop on the same timeframe. Guys like Lohaus, Jepsen and Earl still looked pretty lost in their second year in the program and yet went on to become excellent players. Let’s not count Mulvey out yet.

 

[hawksense]

I’m sure some on here thought Garza wasnt D1 material at some point.

 

[Bishop1971]

I've heard Mulvey was last on the floor to practice and first off last year. I hope his work ethic becomes Garza like soon because he showed a lot of potential in high school. It was good to see him seem to play better as he got a few minutes in but is definitely not ready for big 10 action. Jelly will be a wall we need come edey and Dickinson and Illinois probably. He should earn his scholarship this year. If we had better nil earlier during portal recruiting we might be sitting pretty with a quality center but 10 grand a year at the time was ridiculously low. Suprised at how close we actually got to a couple of difference makers

 

[Bishop1971]

Riley is a very positive kid though. He definitely roots for his teammates and I'm hoping he does do a Brad lohaus type growth

 

[Jizzer]

I’m sure some on here thought Garza wasnt D1 material at some point.

Guilty.

 

[Chewback]

It’s Fran’s program. He decides who gets an offer. He doesn’t get “hoodwinked” by anyone.

Players, especially big men, don’t always develop on the same timeframe. Guys like Lohaus, Jepsen and Earl still looked pretty lost in their second year in the program and yet went on to become excellent players. Let’s not count Mulvey out yet.

Seriously, I thought Brad Lohaus was the poorest excuse for a basketball player I'd ever seen until his senior year. Suddenly, he's NBA material. Showed no signs of that before his senior year. Ya never know.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Bottom line is that Fran should be actively pursuing an experienced Big in the transfer portal to play with the two incoming freshmen, who only have Josh and Riley to help at 4/5 next year. I would rather not hope for a miraculous transformation.

 

[TheonGreyJoy]

He is at the normal age for someone in his class (he's a sophomore class-wise and he's 20) so I wouldn't call him young. He does seem lost a lot on both ends. I am not sure that he really understands either offense or defense yet but he seems to be having fun out there, kind of like a big lab puppy. 🙂

Isn’t Mulvey 18?

 

[Bishop1971]

Bottom line is that Fran should be actively pursuing an experienced Big in the transfer portal to play with the two incoming freshmen, who only have Josh and Riley to help at 4/5 next year. I would rather not hope for a miraculous transformation.

With nil moving up i think he has a great chance at getting some help. If everyone contributed even a small monthly donation to the swarm we could be competitive when it comes down to being so close on some portals we barely lost out to last portal season. I donate to the swarm and st judes. That's it. Even 20 a month makes a difference in recruiting especially in the portal.

 

[91hawki]

He has no vertical jump

When he committed to the Hawks, there was video of him with impressive blocks and dunks

I don’t know if he has lost some vertical by gaining weight or what…

It is like he has gone backwards

 

[Legend12]

Isn’t Mulvey 18?

No.

 

[Legend12]

He has no vertical jump

When he committed to the Hawks, there was video of him with impressive blocks and dunks

I don’t know if he has lost some vertical by gaining weight or what…

It is like he has gone backwards

You are not wrong...one of the coaches told me, "It's not so much that JO passed him up, it is that he actually regressed."

 

[Kurt Warner]

Seriously, I thought Brad Lohaus was the poorest excuse for a basketball player I'd ever seen until his senior year. Suddenly, he's NBA material. Showed no signs of that before his senior year. Ya never know.

You can add les jepsen to that category

 

[Mohawkeye]

Seriously, I thought Brad Lohaus was the poorest excuse for a basketball player I'd ever seen until his senior year. Suddenly, he's NBA material. Showed no signs of that before his senior year. Ya never know.

Absolutely true. The redshirt year and Tom Davis did him wonders. Not many big guys come in Day 1 and are ready to contribute. Those that do usually go to Duke/North Carolina. Woodbury was an exception and people bagged on him quite a bit. I think Ogundule has played well in his limited minutes, I’m kind of baffled he hasn’t gotten more. I’ve honestly still not seen enough of Riley to form a strong opinion.

 

[Titanhawk2]

You can add les jepsen to that category

Lohaus was a HS all American, I believe, a lot of expectations. Jepsen came in with zero expectations

 

[perryhawk]

Lohaus was a HS all American, I believe, a lot of expectations. Jepsen came in with zero expectations

I think the point is that neither looked or appeared to even look close to D1 players at the time they arrived….. and it took time, but they both turned into outstanding players…NBA caliber.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Bottom line, it''s definitely not looking like we'll get anything out of him this year ...and by next year he may opt (or be encouraged) to go play for Butler or Illinois State.

 

[Bishop1971]

I love Rileys enthusiasm during games. I hope he progresses really fast and becomes a good player.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

I love Rileys enthusiasm during games. I hope he progresses really fast and becomes a good player.

Needs to transition some of that to the court. Few times I've seen him play like the last 7 min Saturday he looks like he needs a fire lit under his @ss to get more aggressive.

 

[Bishop1971]

Needs to transition some of that to the court. Few times I've seen him play like the last 7 min Saturday he looks like he needs a fire lit under his @ss to get more aggressive.

I agree. He needs to want it more. He obviously enjoys being part of the team but the team needs him to put in some more effort on improving. Garza was a different breed. Most kids work hard. Garza went to another level altogether. Riley could use some of that and he could be a huge contributor. I hope he is. He has an infectious smile. My old lady roots for him the most.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

You can add les jepsen to that category

Acie Earl looked like he had a hard time tying his shoes at first.

 

[Ronman]

Lohaus was a HS all American, I believe, a lot of expectations. Jepsen came in with zero expectations

I remember that Lute pursued Lohaus heavily. Brad actually spanned three coaching regimes. Luckily Tom Davis figured out the best way to utilize him.

Mulvey really seems to enjoy being here. Maybe just being part of a great group of teammates is enough for him and his playing aspirations aren't strong enough for him to put in all the work he needs to progress. For the record, I am not saying that is the case, but it wouldn't be the first player I've know that was happy to just make the team.

 

[RocknRollface]

You can add les jepsen to that category

And then no one for 30+ years.

Those 5th year miracles don't seem to happen anymore.

I have a real, real hard time seeing either of these 2 becoming solid players before they are done at Iowa.

 

[RocknRollface]

I agree. He needs to want it more. He obviously enjoys being part of the team but the team needs him to put in some more effort on improving. Garza was a different breed. Most kids work hard. Garza went to another level altogether. Riley could use some of that and he could be a huge contributor. I hope he is. He has an infectious smile. My old lady roots for him the most.

Yeah I wish people would stop saying a player needs to work as hard as Garza.

The whole reason Garza was unique was because 99% of even college athletes don't have the drive to do as much as he did.

Mulvey needs to work as hard as a normal D1 player to start with.

And after that if he doubled his workouts he still probably wouldn't be approaching Garza routines.

 

[Bishop1971]

Yeah I wish people would stop saying a player needs to work as hard as Garza.

The whole reason Garza was unique was because 99% of even college athletes don't have the drive to do as much as he did.

Mulvey needs to work as hard as a normal D1 player to start with.

And after that if he doubled his workouts he still probably wouldn't be approaching Garza routines.

Very true.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

How bad can Mulvey be that he can't get on the court for 2-3 minutes situationally? I am not saying he is better than Josh or has a high ceiling but we will never know what he is capable of (and neither will he) if he doesn't play. Part of his problem is he lacks confidence which is understandable given he plays so little and when he does it is with the deep bench guys.

Build a comfortable lead Wednesday and let Josh and Mulvey play the second half and give Rebraca some much needed rest. Fran is channeling Kirk with the QB spot with Josh and Mulvey--don't play either and then wait for Rebraca to roll an ankle and throw them into the frying pan. Even if Mulvey is slow and can't jump, he is still 6'10 and has long arms.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Acie Earl looked like he had a hard time tying his shoes at first.

First time I saw Acie at Iowa was an intrasquad scrimmage at the five seasons center before his freshman year. It wasn’t pretty

 

[iahawkeyes17]

And then no one for 30+ years.

Those 5th year miracles don't seem to happen anymore.

I have a real, real hard time seeing either of these 2 becoming solid players before they are done at Iowa.

Unfortunately you are right. During Jepsen years and 70s, 80s and 90s players were so much more willingly to sit and wait their time as underclassman. But as time went on trend changed and now with the portal players barely see the floor as freshman take their ball and leave for a different school even if they aren't ready. Football still can get those senior/5th year success stories but those are probably going to become more infrequent.

 

[Rifler]

The coaching staff knows where everybody is with their game,.. Riley will get the minutes he deserves.

 

[RocknRollface]

Unfortunately you are right. During Jepsen years and 70s, 80s and 90s players were so much more willingly to sit and wait their time as underclassman. But as time went on trend changed and now with the portal players barely see the floor as freshman take their ball and leave for a different school even if they aren't ready. Football still can get those senior/5th year success stories but those are probably going to become more infrequent.

I think it's also a shift in the game.

Many coaches don't use the type of bigs that were common 20 even 10 years ago and thus they don't offer the type of big "projects" they used to.

If you do see these 5th year success stories its usually at smaller schools.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

I think it's also a shift in the game.

Many coaches don't use the type of bigs that were common 20 even 10 years ago and thus they don't offer the type of big "projects" they used to.

If you do see these 5th year success stories its usually at smaller schools.

My only hope in Riley is I knew someone who worked for college bball team. He always said takes big guys little more time to develop and get use to the college game and easier in his opinion for guards and wings to come in and contribute as fresh/soph. I'm not expecting Riley to be a 15/10 guy but if he can develop into that solid big off the bench would be huge. One guy to compare how he did a great job of developing over his time and over shadowed by garza was Kriener. he was playing great by his Sr season.