Random comments/observations

[bigfische]

Gesell has been a nice player, but to act like he is beyond criticism is unfounded. He has good games and not so great ones like many above average players, it comes with the territory. What is weird is saying everything is fine with him because we are undefeated in BIG play. That is the equivalent of saying a pitcher who is 15-3 but a 4.5 ERA is doing everything right and has no improvements to make.

 

[revkev73]

It was a great win yesterday...but some of MG's decisions and other issues, noted before...did allow Purdue to get a sniff of a comeback win towards the end... When he gets it in his head that he is "the guy"...well, that often doesn't end well. There was a cushion yesterday...but that won't always be the case. I offer these observations...while still enjoying the win.

More of the ball in Uthoff's and Jok's hands for the free throw barrage is a good recipe...and in the hands of the Wood...gosh, am I saying that? How things have changed...for the better.

 

[Tunadog]

Every game that Iowa wins this year...and what an impressive run in the Big Ten...makes it more difficult for the team next year to be equal to or better than this year's production. That is a reality that is out of this world good...if Iowa runs the table game after game this year...and pushes on to a great things...well...how could next year's team repeat one of the historic Iowa teams of all time? The odds would be against it...

Obviously...when I stated a few games ago, that Iowa could be equal to or better than this year...it was in that moment of time...not now...after seeing a sweep of MSU, Purdue, etc.

All that said...as another poster alluded to above...when you lose a player in a team sport...it isn't like you are losing all of that player's production. The replacement also has contributions...the difference between the two is the window of change. And in team sports, and especially for a team like Iowa, which needs to develop talent rather than having "one and done" players...team chemistry and player development are primary. Williams, for example, might bring a ton of other talents to the Franatic way of play.

And also stated above...MG and Sapp are not born shooters...they get by. And...both are playing very well, for the most part, given their weaknesses. (every player has them)

And perhaps I have and am underestimating what Sapp and MG bring, along with Woodie...that is very possible...but I mostly look to a good year next year because of what I see now: Jok, Baer, Uhl (whose game doesn't surprise me at all), and now Ellingson, et. al. And I also am optimistic because of the coaching...Fran has been here long enough to have the players he wants, with players who are being groomed for 1-2 years to play in the Franetic system that he loves. His system of defense, especially, is complicated...and is not for the inexperienced.

As noted a billion times...the PG position will be the key next year. We will just have to wait and see...hopefully Williams will get more minutes as the Big Ten schedule "eases" a bit. He is so much different in his skill set than MG that it is difficult to see what his contributions to the team will be. He looks tentative now...but his bigger contributions are a year away...that's a lot of learning time. I think the key will be how hard he is willing to work...until then. This team really seems to like each other, and cheer for each other, and work hard for the team goals...this is a good thing...a sign of great coaching and experienced team leaders. Which, unfortunately is lost each year in college BB.

Should be fun...can't wait to see how Iowa does at Maryland, against some athletic talent. Iowa's deep bench, and Franetic, style of play can confuse them and wear them down... Fun ride...for sure.

"MG and Sapp are not born shooters...they get by. And...both are playing very well, for the most part, given their weaknesses."
I think you just set a world record for the most flip flops in a single sentence. And, is Sapp now on your hit list, too? Other than that, a fine post. Succinct, well worded, and perfectly punctuated. It's prose, really. Old Walt Whitman himself has nothing over you. By the way, when you lose a player, it's exactly like you're losing all that player's production. His replacement will make his own contributions in new, and totally different, ways.

 

[revkev73]

You need to get a hobby Tuna...Shuffleboard? Tiddlywinks? Looking for coupons in the free newspapers at the grocery store?

I had written a few days ago that I consider Sapp...my mid-season winner for pleasant surprises...among the team. Given your out-sized need to track what I write...I would be surprised if you missed that. Did you?

No...the loss between the former player and replacement is the difference between the two...plus or minus. And, given it is a team game, contributions such as leadership, stability, taking charges, helping on defense, filling the passing lanes are not easily metered...thus the need to talk about them on venues such as this...

Neither MG nor Sapp are players with high levels of raw talent...but they have done well...this year, especially, in various ways. This has made Iowa a very good team.

 

[Tunadog]

You need to get a hobby Tuna...Shuffleboard? Tiddlywinks? Looking for coupons in the free newspapers at the grocery store?

I had written a few days ago that I consider Sapp...my mid-season winner for pleasant surprises...among the team. Given your out-sized need to track what I write...I would be surprised if you missed that. Did you?

No...the loss between the former player and replacement is the difference between the two...plus or minus. And, given it is a team game, contributions such as leadership, stability, taking charges, helping on defense, filling the passing lanes are not easily metered...thus the need to talk about them on venues such as this...

Neither MG nor Sapp are players with high levels of raw talent...but they have done well...this year, especially, in various ways. This has made Iowa a very good team.

Yeah, I must have missed that one. It took me over seven hours to reply to your post. It took you about 15 minutes to reply to mine. Now, who's tracking who?

 

[revkev73]

I think it is..."who is tracking whom..."

If you are a scorekeeper, grader, teacher...that is.

I track 2-3 threads...not all of them...

Do your research if you want to take a shot at someone...it makes you look smarter...

I help people...that's what I do...

 

[Tunadog]

I think it is..."who is tracking whom..."

If you are a scorekeeper, grader, teacher...that is.

I track 2-3 threads...not all of them...

Do your research if you want to take a shot at someone...it makes you look smarter...

I help people...that's what I do...

You're calling me out for one lousy M? Pretty petty, Rev. Pretty damn petty. I suppose now would be a good time to mention your pathetic punctuation. Do you really not know the proper usage of commas and periods? Which school of punctuation did you attend? Let me help. Do your research if you want to take a shot at someone (period) It makes you look smarter (period) You help people (comma) that's what you do (period) I hope this helps. At any given moment, you probably have a couple dozen dumb-ass posts on this board. I only respond to really stupid ones.

 

[revkev73]

Tuna...you need to use the ignore button on me...you are going psychotic...(I know it is a big word, but it is bad)

Please, do it...for your health... Thank You!

 

[revkev73]

And...when you note at the end that "you only respond to the really stupid ones."

I think the word would be "to the very stupid ones"...."real-really", has a meaning of being genuine...it isn't used in a comparative way.

OK...now use the ignore button...

 

[Tunadog]

And...when you note at the end that "you only respond to the really stupid ones."

I think the word would be "to the very stupid ones"...."real-really", has a meaning of being genuine...it isn't used in a comparative way.

OK...now use the ignore button...

Man, you were ready to pounce, Rev. "It" is a big word? News to me. Probably should have worded it differently. Psychotic? Nah, I'll be fine. Genuine? Correct. I only respond to your genuinely stupid posts. Name calling (psychotic) is the first sign of a beaten man. Give it up, Rev, you're over-matched.

 

[revkev73]

I am glad you have stabilized Tuna...copacetic bro...