Peaking at tournament time

[johnnashhawk]

Fran has always approached the season with a goal to improve with each game....wonder if this year is the same, with so much experience and leadership? That was one thing I loved about dr. Tom's teams.

This team seems to have all the pieces, excluding a deep bench. It's pretty critical that Baer continues to play at this level, Ellingson starts to shoot, and Ahmad improve...mostly free throw % and put backs.

But I would sacrifice every time a conf. win for a chance to run deep in the dance. Are we peaking too soon? Next 4 or so games may make the question moot, though I hope not. It's fun and I'll enjoy each win one game at a time, but like the players and staff, only a short while until you start prepping for the. next opponent.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Fran has always approached the season with a goal to improve with each game....wonder if this year is the same, with so much experience and leadership? That was one thing I loved about dr. Tom's teams.

This team seems to have all the pieces, excluding a deep bench. It's pretty critical that Baer continues to play at this level, Ellingson starts to shoot, and Ahmad improve...mostly free throw % and put backs.

But I would sacrifice every time a conf. win for a chance to run deep in the dance. Are we peaking too soon? Next 4 or so games may make the question moot, though I hope not. It's fun and I'll enjoy each win one game at a time, but like the players and staff, only a short while until you start prepping for the. next opponent.

I think you will see this team play well, but they will also hit a wall at some point in the season. This is a LONG season and with 15 games left, there is a lot of basketball to be played. The thing I really like about this team is (there are options). I mean it has been a while since Iowa has been able to put 5 solid players out there and then pull 3 off of the bench. I love the fact that this team can shoot the ball. I do believe we will have some "off" nights moving forward, but the beauty is this team can adapt and if we need inside scoring, Utoff & Woody can attack low. This team has experience which helps (especially) on the road in the Big Ten. Also their defense has improved and they are playing more "team defense".

I think this team can do special things, but I also feel that we will hit some bumps along the road. I would rather lose some regular season games and learn from them than go undefeated and then lose 1st round in the tourney. I don't think you will see that from this team, they are ver experienced and play together.