Pump the breaks until Vegas

[Auger]

I understand the outrage on here with Fran. I'm really close to it right now too. I've been on that outrage train before with him. I've been on that train with the Football program and the Ferentz's for about 5 years now. Right now on the Football board I'm talking doom and gloom about the future of Iowa Football. Last night was not good basketball. It was embarrassing. After the game the only thing a could say however was "I can't wait for Vegas". I want to see how this team responds these next few games and how they go into playing Texas Tech and Creighton/SDSU. Syracuse just a few days later should be a good test. Syracuse is a low mid level ACC team this year.

This was the type of game that guys like Weiskamp, Garza, Nunge and Connor needed to have. The fire that Cook and Baer brought is gone. Moss his voice, and outside shooting are gone. Bohannon doesn't have the lift in his shot right now and might as well be gone for the year. Those guys aren't here to bail the team out anymore. If Weiskamp doesn't step up into the court leader role this team will fail. If Garza doesn't understand the difference between his strengths and limitations this team will fail. If Nunge doesn't bring some fire and belief to his game this team will fail. The best thing Connor can be for this team is a vocal leader and an average B1G PG.

Guys like Frederick, Toussaint, and Patrick look like they have enough skill to be solid producers off the bench but they need the guys above them to step into the leadership roles left behind by Cook, Baer, Bohannon and Moss. Wesikamp and Garza have the talent to replace the production but they need to pair that talent with quality leadership and know when the team needs that leadership the most.

Kriener and Evelyn will give you 15 solid minutes every game in the areas they are good at but they're not going to fill the shoes of Cook, Baer and Moss.

I know Weiskamp and Garza have the talent to someday play in the league. They need to figure some things out between the ears. Frederick and Toussaint as FR have more upside than I have seen from about 90% of Fran's recruits. Patrick clearly has some skill but is struggling to transition from HS to College size bodies right now. He moves well on the court. This team needs to find their identity and their leadership.

If they look as bad as they did last night in Vegas I think it will be time to hit the panic button. This team is pretty new and don't have an identity right now. The players need to redefine their individual roles to this team. They played their last year roles last night and as a result there were holes to this team all over the court. It is Fran's job to ensure this happens before the season starts but as Coach K once said I never know what I really have in a team until the first game of the season is under way.

 

[Auger]

I guess I could sum this entire post up into Wieskamp, Garza and Connor need to realize their roles for the team are different now that they were last year. If they don't know what their roles need to be this year than we will see more games like last night. They can't go out there this year and play last years roles.

 

[PhoenixHawk5.0]

It was one game and we played bad. It didn’t help that our opponent was lights out to start the game and put us in a hole. But it was just one game. Lots of basketball to be played yet before we chalk this season up as a waste.

 

[anon_wic6m41528ao4]

You spend a lot of time talking about the players. The players are who they are. The way I see it, the only way this team can be REMOTELY competitive is if there are major coaching changes. And that starts with the lineup.

If on Friday night I see
1. A starting lineup of JoeT, Frederick, Weezy, Pemsl, and Garza,
and
2. Pat and Nunge don't see the floor unless its garbage time

Then and only then will I recover any semblance of hope for this season.

 

[Y2KG21]

Pemsi?

 

[Buffalo43]

Any avenue to watch Fridays game for free?

Online?

 

[Hawkeyes4Life32]

Any avenue to watch Fridays game for free?

Online?

Reddit

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

I don't care much for "last year's players had to be replaced, so of course we're going to have a down swing". Who's responsible for replacing those players?

Uthoff was our last real coup in adding talent. Since Uthoff graduated, you have to consider the body of work of the last 3+ seasons. 1 NIT, a 12 win season with 4 wins in conference, and last year. Were it not for the jaw dropping heroics over the course of a few weeks, that would have been another NIT. Last year also had us on the wrong end of a LOT of blowouts when the competition was strong, and the anomalies were when we kept those games competitive and got a couple quality wins. This season is quickly headed NIT at best, and it could still certainly spiral into a 10-12 win season. There's plenty of time to right the ship and prove me wrong, but if you look at the total body of work at the end of this year, and evaluate it over the last 4 years, that should really be telling of if we're headed in the right direction.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Next up, Oral Roberts, Friday. Was looking at ORU's schedule. They are currently 1-2. What grabbed my attention was that both of their losses were on the road losing to Oklahoma St. 80-75 and at Tulsa 74-67. We need to be ready.

 

[Hawkeye_311]

If Wisconsin can make a Final Four playing 5 white guys why can't Iowa?

Man how is that show we saw last night going to hold up vs Texas Tech? Hide the women and children before that one.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Also, Depaul has Texas Tech on Dec. 4 at home. Let's see how that all works out.

 

[TCOOL]

I'm scared to see what Tech will do to us.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Flipping channels through a few games and the thing that stands out (again) is that every team has multiple quick guards and athletes at all positions. Fran's recruiting is really pathetic. Evansville beat Kentucky and their guards more than held their own (against Kentucky). This from a first year coach in Walter McCarty. So what is Fran's excuse?

Next up, Oral Roberts, Friday. Was looking at ORU's schedule. They are currently 1-2. What grabbed my attention was that both of their losses were on the road losing to Oklahoma St. 80-75 and at Tulsa 74-67. We need to be ready.

Good post. I agree that ORU will not be a walk over for Iowa. I am sure their athleticism is similar to DePaul and will implement the same game plan of ball pressure and getting out on shooters. Iowa doesn't have a Plan B unfortunately.

 

[NI hawk]

Flipping channels through a few games and the thing that stands out (again) is that every team has multiple quick guards and athletes at all positions. Fran's recruiting is really pathetic. Evansville beat Kentucky and their guards more than held their own (against Kentucky). This from a first year coach in Walter McCarty. So what is Fran's excuse?



Good post. I agree that ORU will not be a walk over for Iowa. I am sure their athleticism is similar to DePaul and will implement the same game plan of ball pressure and getting out on shooters. Iowa doesn't have a Plan B unfortunately.

McCarty was at Evansville last year. I went to Drake-Evansville game in DM. Evansville looked bad that night.

 

[anon_bb9wlf9kj42py]

I'm scared to see what Tech will do to us.

Tech lost a TON. I think that game will tell CBB fans a lot about each team. I honestly only really recognize Moretti's name. Their top 5 scorers are a sophomore Moretti, a sophomore Kyler Edwards, a SF Austin transfer, and two freshman. Team was gutted, that said, I'm a huge Chris Beard fan and while he doesn't have the long track record of some coaches I think he's the best in the biz.

 

[anon_bb9wlf9kj42py]

Also to the OP: I honestly agree. It's too early to go haywire. That said with Iowa and ISU, by the time the ISU game is over we're pretty much going to know what we have. The teams are playing pretty tough early schedules so in a month we're going to know how much fun conference play will or won't be.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

If Wisconsin can make a Final Four playing 5 white guys why can't Iowa?

Man how is that show we saw last night going to hold up vs Texas Tech? Hide the women and children before that one.

they had a HOF coach

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Flipping channels through a few games and the thing that stands out (again) is that every team has multiple quick guards and athletes at all positions. Fran's recruiting is really pathetic. Evansville beat Kentucky and their guards more than held their own (against Kentucky). This from a first year coach in Walter McCarty. So what is Fran's excuse?



Good post. I agree that ORU will not be a walk over for Iowa. I am sure their athleticism is similar to DePaul and will implement the same game plan of ball pressure and getting out on shooters. Iowa doesn't have a Plan B unfortunately.

You realize that there is an equal case for “see, it even happens to good teams” in your post, right?

 

[TCOOL]

Tech lost a TON. I think that game will tell CBB fans a lot about each team. I honestly only really recognize Moretti's name. Their top 5 scorers are a sophomore Moretti, a sophomore Kyler Edwards, a SF Austin transfer, and two freshman. Team was gutted, that said, I'm a huge Chris Beard fan and while he doesn't have the long track record of some coaches I think he's the best in the biz.

Same thing was said about Tech heading into last season and they damn near won the whole thing.

Beard is a great coach and embraces the transfer market.

 

[TCOOL]

they had a HOF coach

L. Wade to Fran...probably:

 

[perryhawk]

Next up, Oral Roberts, Friday. Was looking at ORU's schedule. They are currently 1-2. What grabbed my attention was that both of their losses were on the road losing to Oklahoma St. 80-75 and at Tulsa 74-67. We need to be ready.

Wow......they look tough based on those losses....and if our guys lose to them the mental/emotional state of Iowa basketball fandom will be in a very very dark place-worse than it is now.

On the flip side, if we beat what appears to be a much better team than their record and name would indicate....we won't get much lift.

Thanks for posting that info.

 

[Crazy Hawk]

Next up, Oral Roberts, Friday. Was looking at ORU's schedule. They are currently 1-2. What grabbed my attention was that both of their losses were on the road losing to Oklahoma St. 80-75 and at Tulsa 74-67. We need to be ready.

I did the same thing yesterday.

I agree they need to be ready.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Garza and Weezy are great Hawkeyes but they are not talented enough to carry the team with the supporting cast that has been assembled around them. Those saying they can play in the NBA are watching different players than I am. I hate sounding critical because they are nice Big 10 players, but the problem is they are the only Big 10 level players on the team without a healthy Bohannon. Even JBo, as great a Hawkeye as he is, has clear limits to his game.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I didn't think this was a tourney caliber team before the season started; no brake pumping necessary.

That said, they do have some potential and can certainly do better than that sh!tshow we saw Monday night.

He is probably going to struggle mightily at times and make many mistakes, but I would really like to see Toussaint's minutes increase considerably.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I didn't think this was a tourney caliber team before the season started; no brake pumping necessary.

That said, they do have some potential and can certainly do better than that sh!tshow we saw Monday night.

He is probably going to struggle mightily at times and make many mistakes, but I would really like to see Toussaint's minutes increase considerably.

Agree. Yes the DePaul loss was painful but early losses are easily forgotten if there is some improvement (even competitive losses). Joe T. is a key piece IMO to what better can look like for Iowa. Get him out there with the first unit and let him work through mistakes. Not saying Connor should get benched, but Joe has more to learn than Connor and these early games are the best classroom for him.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

It was one game and we played bad. It didn’t help that our opponent was lights out to start the game and put us in a hole. But it was just one game. Lots of basketball to be played yet before we chalk this season up as a waste.

You and Wade should be butt buddies.

 

[Ronman]

Reddit

Never been on Reddit. Can you expound further on how they are an option?

 

[Hawkeyes4Life32]

Never been on Reddit. Can you expound further on how they are an option?

If you type "Iowa vs ____ basketball game thread Reddit" into google and go onto the thread you should see links posted

 

[CalmHawk]

We will probably lose to Oral Roberts, this schedule is rediculously hard and is not what is needed this year. Texas Tech, SDSU/ Creighton, Syracuse, ISU, Cinncinati will all be losses. Especially if we do not have any type of finesse in the Offensive end. What are we as a team? a 3 point or die type team, pound it with our bigs, or the old Wisconsin slow down type? We have no identity right now. Those teams are all more athletic than us.

Michigan, Minnesota will beat us too if we play lost.

I can see this being a 10 win at best team.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Football recruiting trending upward. Staff shown they can DEVELOP kids. Team currently ranked 20, but we should give up on them but not worry much about the bball team?

That's crazy dude.....

 

[Ronman]

If you type "Iowa vs ____ basketball game thread Reddit" into google and go onto the thread you should see links posted

Thank You!

 

[HawkLogic]

If Wisconsin can make a Final Four playing 5 white guys why can't Iowa?

Man how is that show we saw last night going to hold up vs Texas Tech? Hide the women and children before that one.

Wisconsin didn't start 5 white guys but they were pale. Two of the white guys (Dekker, Kaminsky) were 1st round NBA draft choices and are still in the NBA. More importantly they shot the 3-ball well at 4 of 5 positions and they played at a lot slower pace and played man defense. Fran has a lineup that should play at a slow pace, but his style is to run and give up 50pts in a half.

Bo Ryan was a genius and Fran not so much. Given the type of athletes Fran recruits, he should copy Wisconsin style of play.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

We will probably lose to Oral Roberts, this schedule is rediculously hard and is not what is needed this year. Texas Tech, SDSU/ Creighton, Syracuse, ISU, Cinncinati will all be losses. Especially if we do not have any type of finesse in the Offensive end. What are we as a team? a 3 point or die type team, pound it with our bigs, or the old Wisconsin slow down type? We have no identity right now. Those teams are all more athletic than us.

Michigan, Minnesota will beat us too if we play lost.

I can see this being a 10 win at best team.

Iowa’s identity under Fran is to push the ball, don’t play tough D and hope you make more shots than the opposing team to secure a victory. What’s wrong w/ that game plan? LoL.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Wisconsin didn't start 5 white guys but they were pale. Two of the white guys (Dekker, Kaminsky) were 1st round NBA draft choices and are still in the NBA. More importantly they shot the 3-ball well at 4 of 5 positions and they played at a lot slower pace and played man defense. Fran has a lineup that should play at a slow pace, but his style is to run and give up 50pts in a half.

Bo Ryan was a genius and Fran not so much. Given the type of athletes Fran recruits, he should copy Wisconsin style of play.

As much as I DESPISE the slow ball style of play, that is probably what Fran should be doing with the players he has.

 

[WildIowaCat]

I’ve been an Iowa fan since birth basically, so I’m used to the ridiculous takes of some Iowa fans and fans in general and of course it’s worse online with forums and social media.
This place is unfortunately rampant with trolls and sock puppets who are rarely dealt with so taking extreme opinions seriously here is not recommended. Best thing to do after a bad loss is to avoid posting take some time to calm down, and don’t feed the trolls.
I said in another thread, this team is going to take a few lumps early and it might not actually be good for a while. Patience is going to be required with this Hawkeye vintage, something that’s rarer and rarer in sports fandom.

 

[RocknRollface]

I don't know if this team will be on the bubble or not but I can all but guarantee it won't look anything like the DePaul game most of the time.

I've watched Iowa get shredded on defense for the last three years and have harped on it constantly.

When others were predicting good seasons because of offense I was accurately predicting mediocre to poor seasons because our defense clearly sucked.

Our defense no longer sucks at all. CJ and Joe T and a huge upgrade over Moss and JBO on that end.

This team will fight for the bubble if Fran allows Joe T to take over pg sooner than later.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

You and Wade should be butt buddies.

you need a friend

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Wisconsin didn't start 5 white guys but they were pale. Two of the white guys (Dekker, Kaminsky) were 1st round NBA draft choices and are still in the NBA. More importantly they shot the 3-ball well at 4 of 5 positions and they played at a lot slower pace and played man defense. Fran has a lineup that should play at a slow pace, but his style is to run and give up 50pts in a half.

Bo Ryan was a genius and Fran not so much. Given the type of athletes Fran recruits, he should copy Wisconsin style of play.

Spot on. Said the same in other threads. Fran has some pieces to work with but he has never had the pieces to play fast. It's embarrassing when Iowa tries to get into track meets with more athletic teams. Slow ball Wisconsin scored 83 against McNese State and won. Fran scores 83 and loses by 10 because of no D. Wisconsin has a system that fits their players and they always have 2-3 guys who are better than average athletes / players who get better. Only way to win playing fast is to have a roster like Raveling recruited and Dr. Tom coached. That will never happen under Fran.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[BBHawk]

Spot on. Said the same in other threads. Fran has some pieces to work with but he has never had the pieces to play fast. It's embarrassing when Iowa tries to get into track meets with more athletic teams. Slow ball Wisconsin scored 83 against McNese State and won. Fran scores 83 and loses by 10 because of no D. Wisconsin has a system that fits their players and they always have 2-3 guys who are better than average athletes / players who get better. Only way to win playing fast is to have a roster like Raveling recruited and Dr. Tom coached. That will never happen under Fran.

How prophetic.