Looking over the current roster it will be interesting to see how many guys get meaningful minutes. We have a nice blend of experience and youth. We have several players that could contribute. Fran is going to have flexibility but also some tough decisions to make. With the 2 guards committed for next year it wouldn’t surprise me if Fran carries the final scholarship over to 23. I would not be surprised to see 1 or more extra scholarships open up at the end of next season. It is hard to keep everyone happy plus we never know about what Kegan or Rebracca might do if they have excellent season.
Potential deep roster
- Thread starter Longgrover1
- Start date
BirdistheWord
HB Legend
Yes, the potential combinations are mind boggling. I am most excited about our defensive potential with guys like Keegan, Kris, PMac, Toussaint, Ulis, Perkins.
Like most fanbases, we get excited for the potential of our new players. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that several of them will hardly ever see meaningful minutes. And if they were, many on here would say that McCaffery is playing too many guys. It will be interesting to see which cream rises to the top.
Yes, same at every school. Fans talk about going 10-12 deep. It will more likely be 7-8 in big games.
I know Illinois fans do the same thing. Illinois recruited three 4-star recruits who are freshmen. They have been playing very well in workouts, yet they project as the 10, 11, 12 players on the depth chart. No way Illinois plays that many players so there will be some fan and player disappointment.
A few years ago we played some 1-3-1 zone and constantly pressured the ball and trapped aggressively in the corners and sidelines. I would like to see this again. We have the personnel for it.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Pressure/run and gun. We have the length, quickness, and depth. I'd love to see us running some teams off the court.
How exactly do we have the length, quickness and depth to press teams everywhere? There is a reason almost no one presses full court, all game, anymore. There probably are some that I'm not thinking of, but West Virginia is one that comes to mind. And they are toast if the refs call fouls. Most teams (and especially good teams) have 4 and many times 5 guys on the floor who can all pass, dribble and shoot. Pressing good teams turns the game into a combination of dunks and wide-open 3-pointers. This isn't the late 80's or early 90's anymore where teams have 1-2 ball-handlers and no one else is comfortable making plays.
I very much like the potential of this team. But we act as if Perkins or Toussaint or Keegan Murray or Patrick McCaffery or Ulis are head and shoulders better athletes than what good teams have. They aren't. I like Fran's approach to how he uses pressure. Pretty much every game, he is going to find out how the opponent reacts to the 3/4 court pressure. If they dissect it and hit a couple of layups or wide open 3's, he will get out of it. If the opponent is hesitant and it slows them down in getting into their half-court offense, he will use it more. If Iowa is going to surprise people this year, they are going to have to find a way to get better at half-court defense. Big surprise. There may be the pieces on this year's team to be better. That's what is going to be fun to find out.
Not intended. This roster is intriguing/interesting. What is the ceiling for Keegan Murray? Can his twin be a similar player? If so, wow. Do Perkins, Toussaint, Ulis all take steps forward? Does Patrick McC build off his good season last year? Is Rebraca a competent big man? All of those things could happen.
If I bet, I would wager on Iowa finishing better than 10th or 11th in the league, which is where most pundits have them. But can almost guarantee that pressing non-stop will not be the ticket. And Fran recognizes this, he has never been a full-court press all time time kind of coach. He gives his team the freedom to play fast as long as they are making good decisions. If, big if, they can tighten up the defense some, they could be in business.
I'm interested to see how it works out with team chemistry, too. We have 8 or 9 guys who have been in the program before and an experienced transfer in Rebraca, and probably each of these guys feels they have the ability to be starting and playing 25 plus minutes a game.
When I said “constantly pressure the ball” I did not mean full court press the whole game. I meant pressuring the ball handler. You mistook my meaning.
Yes, they are athletes on the level of some of the best teams. Especially the Murray’s, Joe T, and Perkins.
Fran teams rarely struggled to score.
This team may not be great at shooting but they won't need to be.
From what I've seen of Ulis he will easily be Frans best pg so far, in terms of getting into the lane and creating looks for others and Toussaint isn't bad either.
This season will probably be a building season and the payoff should come the following.
If we don't lose Keegan Iowa is a conference contender the next year.
Speaking of Kris, I just picked up Athlon college basketball issue - NO KRIS MURRAY listed - just an oversight I guess?
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