Pace of Play

[hexumhawk]

I am a big supporter of Ben McCollum being the next BB coach and am not trying to hide it. I have seen a lot of push back online about NWMS and Drake having a "pace of play" that people can't get behind for the next coach. Is this really that important or in the end, is it winning that matters infinitely more? I would argue that I don't really care how you win, as long as you win. Iowa has a similar situation with Iowa FB in that we are never going to burn up the scoreboard with KF at the helm, but we win way more than we lose.

Some McCollum tidbits:
Born in Iowa City
Only 43 years old
Career Record at NWMS- 395-91 (.813) , conference 241–63 (.793)
4 National Championships (NWMS was 31-1 heading into tournament that was cancelled due to COVID)
Drake is 18-2 and 8-2 in conference.
Drake is 2nd in total defense
Drake is averaging 71 PPG (Iowa is averaging 85)

 

[ObeseMuffins]

This team would benefit from slowing down the pace, IMO. Probably why we get blown out so much.

 

[intrepodor]

This team would benefit from slowing down the pace, IMO. Probably why we get blown out so much.

It would help defensively also.

 

[Nagarunja]

Yes, I'm all for a defense first approach. I think our best team of the last 25 years with Horner, Bru, and Haluska (all Iowa kids) was a defensive-oriented team.

Somewhere along the line the administration determined fans just wanted to be entertained rather than win and so we got stuck with Fran.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Well, not to beat this dead horse but that's how Lick tried to win. It failed.

Fran did the complete opposite and now we have opponents who average 5 points a game dropping 20.

What would be awesome is mixing good offense with good defense. Maybe that happens next.

 

[Bank of Hawk]

Drake values possessing the ball as much as possible; they do a great job of turning the other team over and run an efficient offense, but they will use the shot clock more than the vast majority of teams. Rarely will their opponent have a an easy fast break, drake makes their opponent work for it. Coach Mc has said in interviews he cares mostly about defense.

They also have one of the lowest amounts of possessions per game in D1; a result of the ball control offense they employ. Which also makes their effeciency numbers look a little out of whack.

My opinion is you really have to watch a few of their game to see how they play because one stat here or there doesn’t give a proper sense of how they actually play.

 

[StormHawk42]

It would take the fanbase awhile to adjust to it but ultimately winning is what matters. If we had won with Lick’s style, people would have looked past the slow style.

Drake is incredibly fundamental with defensive rotations and rebounding. But they also just have a toughness and grittiness that comes from their hair on fire defense. They also don’t panic; they average something like 2-3 shot clock violations a game because McC would rather have the dead ball turnover than a live one.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

It would take the fanbase awhile to adjust to it but ultimately winning is what matters. If we had won with Lick’s style, people would have looked past the slow style.

Drake is incredibly fundamental with defensive rotations and rebounding. But they also just have a toughness and grittiness that comes from their hair on fire defense. They also don’t panic; they average something like 2-3 shot clock violations a game because McC would rather have the dead ball turnover than a live one.

I don’t follow Drake, but they sound a lot like Wisconsin? Tia

 

[StormHawk42]

I don’t follow Drake, but they sound a lot like Wisconsin? Tia

Bo Ryan Wisconsin pretty close but I like Drake’s offensive style better. It’s slow and methodical but highly efficient. I’ve mentioned it before but they pretty much only take layups and 3’s. Long jumpers and pull ups are not really a thing.

 

[ozzie8]

I love their style. Sure they play offense for long possessions, but defensively, that takes a toll on an opponent over 40 minutes. With Drake's cutting and screening on offense, they would suck to have to guard for a 40 minute game.

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

"Toughness and grittiness"

I like the sounds of that. Can we get a coach that demands that from his players?

 

[hexumhawk]

Agree with most of these posts. It is beyond frustrating watching this Iowa team and how careless they are with the ball and shots they are allowed to take. Yes it would be a change of style but like others said, winning cures all.

 

[HawkBall23]

Bo Ryan Wisconsin pretty close but I like Drake’s offensive style better. It’s slow and methodical but highly efficient. I’ve mentioned it before but they pretty much only take layups and 3’s. Long jumpers and pull ups are not really a thing.

Might have to watch Josh Dix leave to make this happen since the mid-range seems to be more his game, but at this point its a trade I could live with.

 

[ICWestfan]

No. We already have one McC, Iowa doesn't need another McC.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

All other things being equal, yeah, I would rather watch up-tempo basketball. I think most all of us all would. But if Iowa is winning, I couldn't care less if the game is played in the 60s or in the 90s.

I would rather win 65-62 than lose 100-95, if those were the only two choices.

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

What would be awesome is mixing good offense with good defense.

 

[Bank of Hawk]

No. We already have one McC, Iowa doesn't need another McC.

I agree with your sentiment but they are polar opposites in just about everything

 

[RocknRollface]

Well, not to beat this dead horse but that's how Lick tried to win. It failed.

Fran did the complete opposite and now we have opponents who average 5 points a game dropping 20.

What would be awesome is mixing good offense with good defense. Maybe that happens next.

Your normal college basketball coach emphasizes defense over offense.

What Lickliter did was not at all normal and the way Fran coaches is not normal either. They are opposite ends of the gimmick spectrum.

This time we should try to get someone from the other 99% of coaches that don't rely on a gimmick approach.

 

[HawkBall23]

Your normal college basketball coach emphasizes defense over offense.

What Lickliter did was not at all normal and the way Fran coaches is not normal either. They are opposite ends of the gimmick spectrum.

This time we should try to get someone from the other 99% of coaches that don't rely on a gimmick approach.

Given how crazy physical the game has become - across the country - in the past 15+ years, this is exactly right.

Defending has turned into fouling all the time and forcing the refs to call what they will of it. Which is usually why you see football & wrestling in the paint but whistles on little reach-ins and other dumb ticky-tack fouls.

 

[Ronman]

Well, not to beat this dead horse but that's how Lick tried to win. It failed.

Fran did the complete opposite and now we have opponents who average 5 points a game dropping 20.

What would be awesome is mixing good offense with good defense. Maybe that happens next.

For as long as I can remember, that's been the case. Some kid is playing only because of injuries, grades, etc comes in averaging 2 pts/game and lights us up for 20+, barely missing an attempt. Then the next game, he is held to under his average and never sees that lofty mark again.

 

[HawkLogic]

Might have to watch Josh Dix leave to make this happen since the mid-range seems to be more his game, but at this point its a trade I could live with.

The analytics don't want players taking long-2s because most players aren'r proficient and you might as well step out a couple more feet and try a three. Josh Dix has highly efficient mid-range game and as long as he's efficient scorer, he'll fit in any system.

This sounds like all it takes is Beth to make up her mind. Losing another good in-state coaching prospect and sticking with Fran is going to be a bad decision.

 

[hawkjt]

Why focus on drake coaches as a replacement?
In this environment maybe we should forget young no-name coaches and go with a big brand name coach who will attract high- level transfers?

I am desperate enough to consider scummy Rick Pitino.
He has st johns cooking already.

 

[ISUBryce]

Drake has like 6 guys that can play they have to slow it down. Those guys won’t make button the end of the season if you’re running them ragged.