PTL July 12
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Hutton diving on the floor for the ball, takes a foot to the face. Comes out to stop the blood...right back in. Opened the second half with alley-oop inbounds dunk. Love how he plays. Much better ballhandler than I thought and can create his own shot.
Ellingson drains his third three. Fleming hits from about 26 feet. Got some shooters coming in.
Christian Williams much more aggressive than last game I saw. Just needs some strength.
Edit: Christian Williams just hit his fifth three. Must have close to 30 points. Very excited about these freshmen.
Christian Williams much more aggressive than last game I saw. Just needs some strength.
Edit: Christian Williams just hit his fifth three. Must have close to 30 points. Very excited about these freshmen.
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104-86, Fleming/Ellingson.
Fleming is fun to watch, great passer, good rebounder for a guard. Shot was broken in the second half though.
Average game for Gessell, Washpun is a load at both ends.
Ellingson was an impressive shooter and I didn't see any serious liability.
Williams looked fantastic.
Fleming is fun to watch, great passer, good rebounder for a guard. Shot was broken in the second half though.
Average game for Gessell, Washpun is a load at both ends.
Ellingson was an impressive shooter and I didn't see any serious liability.
Williams looked fantastic.
Watched both games in Roberts gym. 3 pm game both teams had only 6 players. Culvers missing top pick Anthomy Clemmons. Jeremy Morgan 2nd pick, Nicholas Baer 3rd pick & Robert Knar 5th pick were only D1 players.
BlendCard missing 2nd pick Dale Jones, 3rd pick Melsahn Besabe & 5th pick Jason Price. Against league rules, Westport Touchless' 2nd pick, Arias Austin had a bye but suited up for BlendCard & wore Besabe's uniform. Joined #1 pick Paul Jesperson & 4th pick Brandon Hutton as D1 players.
Hutton scored 21 pts in 25 minutes before leaving game with 2nd injury in first 5 minutes of 2nd 1/2. Took shoe in face diving for loose ball & got a cut above brow in the lane. Team was up 2 when left game first time. Lost by 20, 116-96.
Hutton's Jumpshot was on. Made a couple 3's and had monster alley oop backdoor on 1st hoop of 2nd 1/2.
Jesperson 30 pts & a couple dunks. Austin leading scorer with 37.
Knar played point for Culvers. Is really a 2. Had 31 and double figure boards. Morgan 23 but was best player on the floor.
Baer a non scholarship player in name only. Had 28 points. Was the difference, as with Hutton's exit, Culvers had 3 D1 players to BlendCards 2.
This game an example of why PTL stats are taken with a ton of grains of salt. At most there were only 6 D1 players on floor at same time. Most of second 1/2, only 5. Over 210 points in game. Lots of shots to be had when team only playing 6.
Gym filled for nightcap tween Marion Iron (Washpun, Gatens, Ellingson, Dahl, Fleming) vs Comfort Care (Gesell, Bohannon, Carlson, Williams).
Fleming & Ellingson both knocking down treys early. This one close for first 12 minutes in the low 30's, but Marion Iron dominated final 28 minutes, winning 104-86.
Fleming 27, Washpun 19, Ellingson 16, Gatens 15 for the winners. Fleming good catch & shoot. Ran point when Washpun didn't. Shot is different off dribble & far less accurate.
Williams 26, Gesell 16, Bohannon 15 for Comfort Care.
Have to imagine Fran said something to make sure Williams touched the ball more, as often it's the Gesell/Bohannon show. Williams points pretty much exclusively at expense of non D1 players, but a good sign that he recognized mismatch & consistently made opponent pay.
BlendCard missing 2nd pick Dale Jones, 3rd pick Melsahn Besabe & 5th pick Jason Price. Against league rules, Westport Touchless' 2nd pick, Arias Austin had a bye but suited up for BlendCard & wore Besabe's uniform. Joined #1 pick Paul Jesperson & 4th pick Brandon Hutton as D1 players.
Hutton scored 21 pts in 25 minutes before leaving game with 2nd injury in first 5 minutes of 2nd 1/2. Took shoe in face diving for loose ball & got a cut above brow in the lane. Team was up 2 when left game first time. Lost by 20, 116-96.
Hutton's Jumpshot was on. Made a couple 3's and had monster alley oop backdoor on 1st hoop of 2nd 1/2.
Jesperson 30 pts & a couple dunks. Austin leading scorer with 37.
Knar played point for Culvers. Is really a 2. Had 31 and double figure boards. Morgan 23 but was best player on the floor.
Baer a non scholarship player in name only. Had 28 points. Was the difference, as with Hutton's exit, Culvers had 3 D1 players to BlendCards 2.
This game an example of why PTL stats are taken with a ton of grains of salt. At most there were only 6 D1 players on floor at same time. Most of second 1/2, only 5. Over 210 points in game. Lots of shots to be had when team only playing 6.
Gym filled for nightcap tween Marion Iron (Washpun, Gatens, Ellingson, Dahl, Fleming) vs Comfort Care (Gesell, Bohannon, Carlson, Williams).
Fleming & Ellingson both knocking down treys early. This one close for first 12 minutes in the low 30's, but Marion Iron dominated final 28 minutes, winning 104-86.
Fleming 27, Washpun 19, Ellingson 16, Gatens 15 for the winners. Fleming good catch & shoot. Ran point when Washpun didn't. Shot is different off dribble & far less accurate.
Williams 26, Gesell 16, Bohannon 15 for Comfort Care.
Have to imagine Fran said something to make sure Williams touched the ball more, as often it's the Gesell/Bohannon show. Williams points pretty much exclusively at expense of non D1 players, but a good sign that he recognized mismatch & consistently made opponent pay.
Enjoyed the games today. It seems to me that many of the assessments of the guys are pretty much right on. So rather than post a long repeat of stuff already posted I'll stick to a few extras.
1) Andrew Fleming is all that is advertised. But I am concerned with his left hand. A tell is if he starts with the left you are either going to get a stop and pop, a step back shot, or a pass. He doesn't go all the way to the hoop with his left. At least not that I've seen. Good news is he is reliable to bring the ball up, though not flashy. And he is as good a passer as I thought. His outside shot is still a little inconsistent, but his range is limited only by the point where it becomes just dumb to even shoot. He also hustles to crash the boards.
2) Brady Ellingson, don't sell him short. While he doesn't have the complete game of Fleming, he's a better shooter and I can well imagine him seeing productive minutes throughout his career.
3) Peter Jok definitely should move to the three. We've got other guys now that can handle the ball much better.
4) Brandon Hutton isn't entirely raw on the offensive end. He reminds me of Purdue's Raphael Davis. Davis, if I recall correctly was the Big Ten's Defensive player of the year last season. But Davis also gets out on the break, and can occasionally knock down a three (though his stats aren't fantastic). To me, Hutton has more potential offensively than Davis. We'll see as time goes on.
5) Gesell, Woody..they are what they've been.
6) Baer has a good sense of the game and always seems to be where he should be, open for shots from the outside, under the basketball for rebounds. Very smooth player.
7) Christian Williams and I'm going off the worn trail on this one...DON'T try to get too much bigger. he is a legit 6'6", dribbles low, and has good speed. His handles are there and often he's making moves and taking shots which end up just outside of going in. A nice three point shooter. He has point guard skills and me personally, I want him as quick on the court as we can get him. OK, if that means a LITTLE muscle..cool, let's just not bulk him up. His wingspan is going to be killer on defense.
8) I watched Wagner for about half a game. He was going up against Woody and had Jok and another kid on his team that like to shoot. I'm going to pass on evaluating him from today.
Jones, no show. Clemmons, no show. Uthoff and Uhl I think had a bye.
All in all I still feel our six returnees will get the bulk of the minutes. I am very much liking all our newbies and hope the ones who won't see much time go the redshirt route.
1) Andrew Fleming is all that is advertised. But I am concerned with his left hand. A tell is if he starts with the left you are either going to get a stop and pop, a step back shot, or a pass. He doesn't go all the way to the hoop with his left. At least not that I've seen. Good news is he is reliable to bring the ball up, though not flashy. And he is as good a passer as I thought. His outside shot is still a little inconsistent, but his range is limited only by the point where it becomes just dumb to even shoot. He also hustles to crash the boards.
2) Brady Ellingson, don't sell him short. While he doesn't have the complete game of Fleming, he's a better shooter and I can well imagine him seeing productive minutes throughout his career.
3) Peter Jok definitely should move to the three. We've got other guys now that can handle the ball much better.
4) Brandon Hutton isn't entirely raw on the offensive end. He reminds me of Purdue's Raphael Davis. Davis, if I recall correctly was the Big Ten's Defensive player of the year last season. But Davis also gets out on the break, and can occasionally knock down a three (though his stats aren't fantastic). To me, Hutton has more potential offensively than Davis. We'll see as time goes on.
5) Gesell, Woody..they are what they've been.
6) Baer has a good sense of the game and always seems to be where he should be, open for shots from the outside, under the basketball for rebounds. Very smooth player.
7) Christian Williams and I'm going off the worn trail on this one...DON'T try to get too much bigger. he is a legit 6'6", dribbles low, and has good speed. His handles are there and often he's making moves and taking shots which end up just outside of going in. A nice three point shooter. He has point guard skills and me personally, I want him as quick on the court as we can get him. OK, if that means a LITTLE muscle..cool, let's just not bulk him up. His wingspan is going to be killer on defense.
8) I watched Wagner for about half a game. He was going up against Woody and had Jok and another kid on his team that like to shoot. I'm going to pass on evaluating him from today.
Jones, no show. Clemmons, no show. Uthoff and Uhl I think had a bye.
All in all I still feel our six returnees will get the bulk of the minutes. I am very much liking all our newbies and hope the ones who won't see much time go the redshirt route.
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Thanks for the reports. Sounds like we have some new kids who can play. I will be very happy if Hutton is another Raphael Davis with more offensive potential. We have a lot of candidates for the wings and I am not worried about PG. Hawks really need Uhl, Jones, and/or Wagner to play tough interior defense and rebound.
well said Dan...it was fun yesterday..all I will add is Fran has recruited a very nice group of talent...everyone of his guys has ALOT of potential.
Fleming..wouldn't be surprised he is starting at the 2 guard by the time B1G rolls around. The guy oozes confidence...and clearly enjoys playing with his hawkeye teammates.
Its was truly remarkable the difference in seeing Williams play his 1st PTL game and then yesterday...was much more relaxed...man this kid '''well''' scary potential...scary. I would also agree the few hours with Fran this summer hasn't hurt...and yes it wouldn't surprise me at all that Fran told MikeG to share some ball handling with CW.
Hutton...anyone with his body who plays like he does can never be counted out...much better handles than what I can remember a few weeks ago...unfortunately his team only had 6 guys...
Ellingson ... love seeing him play with Fleming...
I'll just say...the talent that Fran has brought in...well...its pretty dog gone good...and I for one don't think he is done....."a lot" more good times ahead for Iowa BB fans...I think the talk of hot seat after year 5 are done..****disclaimer- the B1G is never easy****... you can be a very good team and finish 9-9.
A good B1G team DOES finish 8-10 or better. This league is such a grind. I think we will come to expect Fran's teams to always bring toughness and tenacity. A never back down never give up attitude and they won't be outworked. He obviously had to dance with the kids he inherited but I think going forward he will recruit these traits. A guy like Whitey or Dev became tough or at least got some dose of toughness while here but I don't think either of those guys had the eye of the tiger when they arrived on campus. Going forward I think you see this quality in the incoming kids. Is there any doubt as to why he brought in Hutton? Fran liked him moreso than some of the other coaches. He seems to have exactly what we need more of...
I was able to get into town from Chicago yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed watching the ptl games. My opinion, remember it's only an opinion, is that all these kids can play right now. Some of these kids( freshmen) you can see have a confidence where they would not be intimidated to step right in and play right now, but they are freshmen and will have lots of growing pains. I may be in the minority but unless someone gets injured I hope no one red shirts and we keep fresh bodies running in all game and run run run. It would be fun but likely end up in a few more losses as they are freshmen and mistakes will happen, ahhh but often you learn more from mistakes than successes and to keep this train rolling they will need experience and as much as they can get. I believe Fran will work these guys very hard before the games start and then see how each holds up. If they work and keep pushing each other, this class could be very special with the addition of a big or 2 next year. Love teams direction and will be fun watching these kids develop.
"You can be a very good team and finish 9-9", yes, a good point to remember for sure, Bob. I had time to think on the way back from the PTL last night, and the McCaffery ride has taken us from dismal basketball before he arrived. And I mean dismal. Drastically sinking attendance, years where not only didn't we have talent, but we didn't even have the bodies we needed to have good practices, and at times one wondered if we had the bodies to play the game. A time when recruiting was more about who already wanted to be a Hawkeye, rather than who had heard about us and was learning more from a coach that wanted talented players.
Back then, at the end of a season it was getting to be about who was leaving now, not who was committing.
McCaffery arrived and each of his first five years had some kind of statement to make. I stop myself here from bringing up the past, folks know it.
It's the future. Eighteen bodies total! Fourteen legit playing time contenders! SEVEN freshmen of one sort or another and I haven't seen them all but it looks like all have very good to even better than that type potential. Put it this way, they can play in the Big Ten and not just because they're on an Iowa roster, they are legit.
Yesterday was like taking a look in the crystal ball and from what I could see we've got us some good times ahead. There are, "Man, we got everything out of these guys and finished 9-9!", years. There are, "We finished 9-9 in a year the Big Ten was TOUGH, and we're probably better than that record indicates.", years. I think this year is the latter. I give credit to the rest of the league for keeping my hopes down. To the non conference schedule which though not fully released yet looks to be solid if not fairly tough.
This could be a year twenty wins total before the Big Ten tournament could be an achievement. My initial guess, 10-8 in the Big Ten, twenty wins before the Big Ten tournament. And a good chance to make some noise in the Dance. I say it's 50/50 we make the Sweet Sixteen.
Back then, at the end of a season it was getting to be about who was leaving now, not who was committing.
McCaffery arrived and each of his first five years had some kind of statement to make. I stop myself here from bringing up the past, folks know it.
It's the future. Eighteen bodies total! Fourteen legit playing time contenders! SEVEN freshmen of one sort or another and I haven't seen them all but it looks like all have very good to even better than that type potential. Put it this way, they can play in the Big Ten and not just because they're on an Iowa roster, they are legit.
Yesterday was like taking a look in the crystal ball and from what I could see we've got us some good times ahead. There are, "Man, we got everything out of these guys and finished 9-9!", years. There are, "We finished 9-9 in a year the Big Ten was TOUGH, and we're probably better than that record indicates.", years. I think this year is the latter. I give credit to the rest of the league for keeping my hopes down. To the non conference schedule which though not fully released yet looks to be solid if not fairly tough.
This could be a year twenty wins total before the Big Ten tournament could be an achievement. My initial guess, 10-8 in the Big Ten, twenty wins before the Big Ten tournament. And a good chance to make some noise in the Dance. I say it's 50/50 we make the Sweet Sixteen.
Like the optimism Dan, but one thing at a time. Let's do well in the B1G and get to the tourney.
One pair of players I've enjoyed playing together this summer is Uthoff and Uhl. That's a pair of forwards that will be tough to defend and score against.
One pair of players I've enjoyed playing together this summer is Uthoff and Uhl. That's a pair of forwards that will be tough to defend and score against.
Understood, but that's about as "moderate" as I can be about this team right now. I'm struggling to not predict even better results.
I was going to add another post about Fleming, might as well say it here. The left hand stuff. This kid could have a good four year career for Iowa but personally I think if he develops and can go left as well as right there is pro potential in him. Combo guard potential.
Fleming needs to flat out start! He can split PG with Gessell so much stronger and physical plus explosive and a great passer! The other can play SG so it will keep them both more fresh!
Ok, you guys are getting me a little too worked up here! 
I was thinking of avoiding a PTL game, for fear of getting too excited for bball this far away from November. But now, I do not want to miss seeing some games.
Love the info. Good stuff. Thanks much!
I was thinking of avoiding a PTL game, for fear of getting too excited for bball this far away from November. But now, I do not want to miss seeing some games.Love the info. Good stuff. Thanks much!
The "whys" for this week, I'm not sure, but they happen every week. I'm not sure I've ever been to the PTL when all teams were at full strength. I was at a game either last year or the year before where four players from one team made it. The other team was at full strength, so they gave up a couple of reserves to the team they were playing (the team with four). So two guys played against their own team.
But yeah, there are almost always guys missing and many times one or more are the Iowa players. They all have commitments outside of PTL too. The only reason I'd have an issue is if they didn't communicate to their coach they would be gone.
I really appreciate all the thoughts on PTL...really good stuff. I am probably most pleased in the consistent PTL vibe about Hutton and of course Fleming's play is a bit off the charts with my PTL expectations for him which is great but CW's thoughts from yesterday has me really pumped too. Here's a nice story and interview from the Press-Citizen on CW after his game last night. Great kid and smooth talented player are the words for me. I was so impressed with his play in the Illinois State tourney in the spring and felt he could bring a ton to the court for Iowa including handling the PG position after Mike and Anthony are gone.
I've been around here for years and ya gotta believe it's a good sign for Iowa when the majority of posters are reporting back virtually the same great reviews on this frosh class.....there is a reason.
http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...wkeyes-basketball-prime-time-league/30063081/
Let the kid (Fleming) get his feet wet first. He did not even start on his HS team. He is a player for sure, but a role player for now. He will get decent minutes.
I still see the starting 5 as Woody, Uthoff, Uhl, Jock, and Gesell. Those are your best 5 players and they are all B1G tested and ready. I would throw Clemmons into that group, too. I think he and Jones will be the first ones off the bench, with Elligson being inserted to loosen up zone defenses. I think that the freshmen will come in to spell these players and when injury or foul troubles occur. Fleming could also be that Jeff Moe-type of spark off the bench when he is hot.
Actually, Fleming broke into the starting lineup at Oak Hill in December and stayed there most of the rest of the season. When they played in New York for the mythical National Title, Josh Reaves replaced him. I wasn't entirely surprised as Coach Smith plays up to the evaluators and ESPN (covering the games) had an analyst covering the tournament that is big into Reaves being a high 4 star player.
I watched Oak Hill every chance I got last season, I think five games, and based on what I saw, and the stats I can get my hands on, Fleming is, or will prove to be, a better player than Reaves on a team that actually runs an offense.
I get a kick out of comments like, "let the kid get his feet wet first", or CanadaHawk's, "One thing at a time."
Guys, I'm just a fan like you. My evaluations aren't going to effect Fleming's, or the team's, preparation or results at all. Shoot, don't be surprised if I turn out to be halfway accurate sometimes. It has happened.BB, from comments from both Uthoff and Jok, I'd be surprised if Uhl starts on day one. More likely Clemmons and then it is a matter of who earns it when Clemmons moves to just backing up Gesell. Could be Uhl, could be Flemming. I'd be surprised if it is Ellingson but one never knows. And besides, with McCaffery starting doesn't mean much anyway.
I agree on some comments about Fleming being over the top (especially the point guard comments) but your on the opposite end of the spectrum. Yes Fleming may not have started every game for his "high school" but he's competing with 4 and 5 star players. If you watched any Oak Hill games it was very obvious who the better player was between Reaves and Flemming. Reaves has more athleticism and nothing else about his game is even close to Flemming.
I think Flemming will be the leader from this class and from next year on.
He will be a solid 3-3.5 year starter.
He will be a solid 3-3.5 year starter.
I appreciate what Fleming can do as much as anyone. But those of us who watched the Oak Hill games all stated that there was very little organized offense or defense. IMHO, McC is pretty clear about having his players understand what they are doing and where they should be, especially on defense. Is Fleming the kind of player who has to be on the floor even through mistakes? I just don't see that. Is he going to learn the system so fast that he will play like a veteran his first year? I seriously doubt it. But hey, he might surprise me.
Fleming may not have started every game at Oak Hill, but from what I saw, he was always in at the end.
If I'm not mistaken, Fleming was 2X Tennessee All-State 1st Team and Mr. Basketball his junior year before accepting an invitation to play at Oak Hill Academy his senior season so the statement that he "didn't even start for his high school team" is, to put it bluntly, unbelievably ignorant and wildly misleading.
I mean Oak Hill Academy is widely considered the best high school basketball program in the USA. Oak Hill has put somewhere around 30 former players in the NBA -guys like Carmello Anthony and Kevin Durant. Coach Smith can literally get any high school player he wants to join his team. You do not turn down an invitation to play for Oak Hill Academy. And, as DanL mentioned, Fleming did start a string of games at mid-season.
I mean Oak Hill Academy is widely considered the best high school basketball program in the USA. Oak Hill has put somewhere around 30 former players in the NBA -guys like Carmello Anthony and Kevin Durant. Coach Smith can literally get any high school player he wants to join his team. You do not turn down an invitation to play for Oak Hill Academy. And, as DanL mentioned, Fleming did start a string of games at mid-season.
