Props to Mike Gesell; Great game Saturday

[RockEyeState]

7-8 shooting, 17 points, 4 assists, 3 rebs and 0 turnovers.

There's a couple of other 'leaders of this team' who need to get it going, soon.

And yeah, right now I count Fran in this category, too.

#goHawks

 

[ZumaHawk]

Mike had a wonderful game. Good to see since both JU & PJ didn't do much. Especially, Peter Jok as he could barely make a layup in this game. Woody was quite silent as well. Without MG we lose this game. Well done Mike Gesell !!!

 

[NevadaHawk]

Mike had a wonderful game. Good to see since both JU & PJ didn't do much. Especially, Peter Jok as he could barely make a layup in this game. Woody was quite silent as well. Without MG we lose this game. Well done Mike Gesell !!!

Might well have been the "total" game in Mike's career at Iowa.

 

[LuteHawk]

Mike was assertive in the last 2 minutes of the game.
He was directing traffic and a had purpose for his moves.
The Hawkeyes need a floor leader in the final minutes
of every game. Hopefully, Mike will do this in the Big Ten
games.

 

[Hans81]

Yep, MG and Baer sure sparked the Iowa victory vs Drake. Some ticky tack calls against JU early took him out of the flow, but when he was in there he was still a man against boys.

 

[sloehawk]

Mike had a wonderful game. Good to see since both JU & PJ didn't do much. Especially, Peter Jok as he could barely make a layup in this game. Woody was quite silent as well. Without MG we lose this game. Well done Mike Gesell !!!

Yep. Mikey G. was money yesterday. Well done indeed.

 

[Packer54]

Any video of his dunk?

 

[revkev73]

MG does well against teams like Drake...it is his bread and butter...

 

[5Fan5]

MG does well against teams like Drake...it is his bread and butter...

Again, you never cease to amaze me with your stupidity.

I was always cautioned that if not able to complement someone on something well done, to not say anything at all. Guess Fran must have overlooked your expertise on all matters basketball related.

Carry on.

 

[2432Hawk]

Yep, MG and Baer sure sparked the Iowa victory vs Drake. Some ticky tack calls against JU early took him out of the flow, but when he was in there he was still a man against boys.

Fran made a comment in post game about not sure he's ever had a player block 5 shots in a game, while in foul trouble like Jarrod was.

 

[revkev73]

Statistically MG does well against lesser talented teams...and struggles against the 5-10 best teams we play each year. Check it out...

For the most part, he has been doing this for 4 years now, with some exceptions... Don't shoot the messenger. He had a great game vs Drake? Cool...I expect such things.

And...how can a 7-1 player, who has started for four years, play a game with one rebound? That is almost impossible to do, isn't it?

 

[goodbyebobby]

Again, you never cease to amaze me with your stupidity.

I was always cautioned that if not able to complement someone on something well done, to not say anything at all. Guess Fran must have overlooked your expertise on all matters basketball related.

Carry on.

I'm glad he played well but dudes right. It's his senior year, he needs to step it up and prove us both wrong in the next few months.

 

[doughawk]

Rev is correct. I'd love to see MG do this against good teams/good athletes his Sr year.

 

[paladinhawk]

Statistically MG does well against lesser talented teams...and struggles against the 5-10 best teams we play each year. Check it out...

Here's his stats for each game last year. Gesell had good games against UNC, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, and ISU. He had bad games against Texas and @ Wisconsin.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/61828/year/2015/mike-gesell

 

[Hawkirish]

Here's his stats for each game last year. Gesell had good games against UNC, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, and ISU. He had bad games against Texas and @ Wisconsin.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/61828/year/2015/mike-gesell

Facts vs. opinions - interesting.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Rev is correct. I'd love to see MG do this against good teams/good athletes his Sr year.

Had a nice game against North Carolina last year...

 

[Tagliboo]

Statistically MG does well against lesser talented teams...and struggles against the 5-10 best teams we play each year. Check it out...

For the most part, he has been doing this for 4 years now, with some exceptions... Don't shoot the messenger. He had a great game vs Drake? Cool...I expect such things.

And...how can a 7-1 player, who has started for four years, play a game with one rebound? That is almost impossible to do, isn't it?

Do some research. Your PG schtick is old and tired. Is MG going to be John Wall tomorrow morning? No. But he has been very good overall in his career and is a HUGE reason the program is not the dumpster fire it was just 4 or 5 years ago. So... If you are going to pick apart what he brings, at least be factually correct FFS.

 

[revkev73]

MG has been a decent PG, a key recruit to bring Iowa out of the dumpster, seems to be a great kid, and a hard worker...but, as has been stated and discussed over and over...he isn't a true PG, struggles in the clutch at times, misses many front ends of one and ones in the clutch, tends to drive right most of the time, and unfortunately, into double and triple coverage near the rim, and just plain, implodes in a panic at times. Obviously there are exceptions to this, given his four years of starting. He most often excels at games that you can only see on a computer. The PG position needs an upgrade, for Iowa to be a top level team. It isn't personal, just the way it is. I hope that he has an amazing year in the Big Ten and in the tournament to change all of this prior history. It can happen...that is my wish as a fan.

I believe that one of his biggest weaknesses is what appears to be his lack of being a vocal leader on the court. This team needs a leader... Who is in charge? Who will lead them? Without a leader, at the end of close games, the team tends to stand around...and wild, panic shots and drives and passes off the backboard are the result. This needs to be figured out...somehow.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

What gets lost in this conversation (myself included) is that until last season (maybe), more realistically this season, MG has not had much of a supporting cast i.e. scoring threats around him. This puts a ton of pressure on him to run the floor game, defend, distribute, and score. I recognize that is what PG's are supposed to do, but as we have seen throughout his career, taking MG out leads to stagnation in the offense.

Ideally a viable backup would have been recruited two years ago to be MG's apprentice and spell him during games or step in if he is having an off night. That hasn't happened, so it all falls on his shoulders.

Not making excuses, as I get frustrated with our guard play like others, but Gesell gives maximum every minute he is on the floor and is as tough as they come. When guys around him aren't making shots it falls to him to bail the team out and that isn't going to happen every night. It did against Drake, so props to him for stepping up on a night when Jok, Uthoff, and Woodbury were no shows. I think Fran is missing the boat by not getting Williams some PT, even just a couple minutes before TV timeouts, etc.

 

[revkev73]

Agree about Williams...

Agree about MG having it on his shoulders...skewing things against him at times.

Agree about no-shows on our team at times...wonder what that is all about? Perhaps more evidence that this team is emotionally fragile way too often. Toughness seems to be lacking...lack of boxing out, lack of a defensive heart. Where is the leader on and/or off the court who confronts this?

Options? Remedies? Or perhaps the coach and team leader/s (assuming there is one) are unwilling to admit or confront such a problem. Too often this team tends to play like a bunch of individuals, with little interaction verbally or otherwise. This way of playing really bites when the game is on the line against a talented opponent.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Outside of Gesell and sometimes Clemmons, Fran has whiffed on recruiting guys capable of driving the ball off the bounce. Uthoff has the potential, but opts for step back / floaters vs. head down drives. Uhl shows flashes as well, but hasn't shown he can finish. Jok is the biggest disappointment to me. The dude is an absolute train wreck when he puts the ball on the floor or drives...guaranteed charge, travel, turnover, or wild shot that maybe grazes the rim.

I think these guys are all somewhat introverted / humble , so vocal / visible leadership really isn't their deal. MG had a couple of shouts after plays in the Drake game, but his teammates did not exactly match his enthusiasm.

 

[revkev73]

They are emotionally fragile, lacking toughness...perhaps at some point they will tire of puking away games like vs the Cyclones and decide to change...otherwise, perhaps focusing on winning games broadcast on computers...and getting some wins and hoping to limp into the tournament...is the option they will take...they have been down that road many times...it is more comfortable...less threatening road...change is tough. Tough teams (and coaching staffs) would voice outrage after a loss similar to ISU... A hideous, choke, performance against the number one rival needs to be labeled appropriately...hideous, inexcusable, embarrassing... What are you going to do about it?

 

[FSHawkeye87]

MG has been a decent PG, a key recruit to bring Iowa out of the dumpster, seems to be a great kid, and a hard worker...but, as has been stated and discussed over and over...he isn't a true PG, struggles in the clutch at times, misses many front ends of one and ones in the clutch, tends to drive right most of the time, and unfortunately, into double and triple coverage near the rim, and just plain, implodes in a panic at times. Obviously there are exceptions to this, given his four years of starting. He most often excels at games that you can only see on a computer. The PG position needs an upgrade, for Iowa to be a top level team. It isn't personal, just the way it is. I hope that he has an amazing year in the Big Ten and in the tournament to change all of this prior history. It can happen...that is my wish as a fan.

I believe that one of his biggest weaknesses is what appears to be his lack of being a vocal leader on the court. This team needs a leader... Who is in charge? Who will lead them? Without a leader, at the end of close games, the team tends to stand around...and wild, panic shots and drives and passes off the backboard are the result. This needs to be figured out...somehow.

I would like you to point out how many times he has done each of those things you listed, and most preferably, in the last 2 years. Then we can talk about what this player and team "tend" to do

 

[revkev73]

I don't do research FS...but if you have a need...go ahead...

It is pretty obvious to see...we are average at the PG position, on a good day...other than vs computer televised games, and a few others...

Most often an above average PG is needed to be above average, like the QB in football... Our PG options, for too long, don't have that ability to lift the other teammates, make them better, make the big play when the game is on the line...

4-6 games each year make or break a season, against rivals, etc. MSU, ISU, WISC... We have too often faltered in them...even with "safe" leads...

The rest of the games are fillers...padding the win column...it is how BB is set up... We need to win those 4-6 games...to be better...and more attractive to top quality players... Fran has made a nice improvement...bringing the program back...now, it is kind of nibbling on jumping up...but is spending too much time being a heartbreaker...

IMO...you can have your own, of course...

 

[FSHawkeye87]

I don't do research FS...but if you have a need...go ahead...

It is pretty obvious to see...we are average at the PG position, on a good day...other than vs computer televised games, and a few others...

Most often an above average PG is needed to be above average, like the QB in football... Our PG options, for too long, don't have that ability to lift the other teammates, make them better, make the big play when the game is on the line...

4-6 games each year make or break a season, against rivals, etc. MSU, ISU, WISC... We have too often faltered in them...even with "safe" leads...

The rest of the games are fillers...padding the win column...it is how BB is set up... We need to win those 4-6 games...to be better...and more attractive to top quality players... Fran has made a nice improvement...bringing the program back...now, it is kind of nibbling on jumping up...but is spending too much time being a heartbreaker...

IMO...you can have your own, of course...

I'm not the one making the argument, so it's your prerogative to back it up with something more. As of now, and until you can back it up, all you have is hyperbole.

 

[revkev73]

It is just an observation...not a court of law.......

You can believe what you want...

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Mike has had a lot more good games than bad ones. Unless I am mistaken, he was just about the only Iowa player making plays down the stretch against ISU, and he was playing against an excellent PG. Mike has been one of the main reasons that Iowa has turned its BB program around under Fran. Iowa finished 12-6 in a very tough B1G last year, but some of the posters act like that was not much of an accomplishment.

I am not sure where all of these "great" PGs are that Fran should be bringing in. Fran did a great job of recruiting Ulis, but the little man decided to prove himself among the elite recruits at KY. Most of the other PG recruits over the past few years have had some baggage that we are probably lucky to have avoided. It is way too early to write off Williams and Bohannon, and the Mc boys are also on board for the future.

 

[Ronman]

MG has been a decent PG, a key recruit to bring Iowa out of the dumpster, seems to be a great kid, and a hard worker...but, as has been stated and discussed over and over...he isn't a true PG, struggles in the clutch at times, misses many front ends of one and ones in the clutch, tends to drive right most of the time, and unfortunately, into double and triple coverage near the rim, and just plain, implodes in a panic at times. Obviously there are exceptions to this, given his four years of starting. He most often excels at games that you can only see on a computer. The PG position needs an upgrade, for Iowa to be a top level team. It isn't personal, just the way it is. I hope that he has an amazing year in the Big Ten and in the tournament to change all of this prior history. It can happen...that is my wish as a fan.

I believe that one of his biggest weaknesses is what appears to be his lack of being a vocal leader on the court. This team needs a leader... Who is in charge? Who will lead them? Without a leader, at the end of close games, the team tends to stand around...and wild, panic shots and drives and passes off the backboard are the result. This needs to be figured out...somehow.

Hard to take your opinion seriously when you admit, over and over, that you don't watch the games.

 

[revkev73]

I do watch most of the games...but I don't watch the games when they are on a computer. I do get BTN and ESPN etc. so I can get most of them. I don't religiously see all of them or watch entire games...since I have other things going on. I watch enough to offer some observations and opinions, I would think.

What question were you asking, again...I forget...?

 

[revkev73]

Don't imitate me...get your own material...

 

[EZ2BJZ]

I think the biggest stat that stands out to me is the zero turnovers. That's huge. I'll admit I've been critical of MG the last couple seasons. I don't think the issue with him is talent or ability, it's been consistency and the mental component of the game. Everyone has off games, especially in basketball, but MG seems to be about 50/50 in terms of being really good or really bad.

Oh, and I agree with those who have pointed out that MG has played well in games against good or quality opponents as well as in games against inferior competition.

 

[revkev73]

Granted MG has had some good games against very good opponents...don't you have to, to be a four year starter? But his stats are also padded by his best games coming vs floor-mat teams. (Granted, this is true for many players)

As noted...his body of work is inconsistent... And as much as I like to see him do well...he has panic in his eyes when he is at the free throw line in critical situations and has panic in his eyes when the game is on the line. That said...Fran ball seems to be that the PG has the ball...at the end of games and the other players stand around, mostly, waiting for the PG option (insert name) to flame out, often in horrific ways. We have all seen it... This works once in a while, but not nearly often enough, because Iowa has consistently been lacking in an option that can beat someone, anyone off the dribble in the clutch times that decide games vs good competition. It isn't that complicated...it is a pattern...

 

[jaffarosenfels]

Hard to take your opinion seriously when you admit, over and over, that you don't watch the games.

This has always been my take. Revkev has literally said he only watches the "biggest games".

 

[revkev73]

Incorrect...I watch as many as I can...never said I only watch the biggest of games...I did say that Iowa has been in the habit of pissing away too many of the biggest of games.

I don't watch computer broadcast games although I can given my paid TV subscriptions with DirecTV and Cox Cable...there is a reason those are on the computer... That said, you can watch them, and every minute...

 

[FSHawkeye87]

Granted MG has had some good games against very good opponents...don't you have to, to be a four year starter? But his stats are also padded by his best games coming vs floor-mat teams. (Granted, this is true for many players)

As noted...his body of work is inconsistent... And as much as I like to see him do well...he has panic in his eyes when he is at the free throw line in critical situations and has panic in his eyes when the game is on the line. That said...Fran ball seems to be that the PG has the ball...at the end of games and the other players stand around, mostly, waiting for the PG option (insert name) to flame out, often in horrific ways. We have all seen it... This works once in a while, but not nearly often enough, because Iowa has consistently been lacking in an option that can beat someone, anyone off the dribble in the clutch times that decide games vs good competition. It isn't that complicated...it is a pattern...

I would like to see you compare his padded stats against "floor-mat" teams vs. "very good" teams to show the validity of your argument. And his free throw percentage in "critical situations" however you want to define that. Thanks in advance

 

[revkev73]

FS...how many front ends of one and ones have you personally seen MG miss in the clutch? Just guess...

 

[revkev73]

It seems, Iowa's two starting guards bring 66% and 68% FT percentage to the game so far. One would like it higher than that since no one is guarding you.

 

[slipHawk]

Some here seem to have forgotten Mike's dunk against UNC.

 

[FSHawkeye87]

FS...how many front ends of one and ones have you personally seen MG miss in the clutch? Just guess...

Personally, I have seen 2 in the last 2 minutes of the game. I also remember him making multiple free throws against Iowa State his freshman year when they were fouling to extend the game, so it goes both ways. I have no idea what his actual stats are for free throws "in the clutch," as you would define it, so that's what I'm wondering.

 

[revkev73]

Let's hope his clutch free throw shooting is lights out for the rest of the year...that is my wish. He is our PG...we will ride that pony to the end, come what may...hopefully to a nice run in the tourney.