really needed that one

[QChawks]

Good to see Jordan feel his stroke again

CJF, Keegan and Weezy played well

win with a struggling Garza

still gave up 40%+ from three but lucky for us NW was careless with the ball

big game against RU next

 

[StormHawk42]

I wouldn’t even say Garza is struggling. But Fran has to figure out how to make teams pay for doubling him and leaving Connor wide open. Feels like Connor should be operating out of the high post instead of the arc.

 

[QChawks]

I wouldn’t even say Garza is struggling. But Fran has to figure out how to make teams pay for doubling him and leaving Connor wide open. Feels like Connor should be operating out of the high post instead of the arc.

6/14 FG and 0/3 from three and only 6 rebounds, he was 6/6 FTs

that’s struggling for Luka, plus he was awful on defense tonight

 

[hawk263344]

It was a much needed win. Great to see J Bo get his shot going again. We did better on D and we shot better than what we have been doing lately.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

That was a big, big win. NW is ranked no.19 for a reason.

Really need to win @ Rut Sat to make up for that Minn meltdown.

3-1 records through 4 game blocks in the B1G is all that you can ask for this year.

 

[perryhawk]

6/14 FG and 0/3 from three and only 6 rebounds, he was 6/6 FTs

that’s struggling for Luka, plus he was awful on defense tonight

Garza was not awful on defense....he made some pretty good defensive plays. Nance was unconscious....didn’t matter who was guarding him.

 

[StormHawk42]

6/14 FG and 0/3 from three and only 6 rebounds, he was 6/6 FTs

that’s struggling for Luka, plus he was awful on defense tonight

I guess my point is he’s going to have a lot of “struggling” -type games as long as he’s getting hard doubles every time.

 

[HawkLogic]

Nance went off and Iowa still won. Iowa would have been in trouble for staying in Title contention if they had let NW get to 4-0 and Iowa at 1-2. I know it is early, but you can't get too far behind in B1G race because there aren't a lot of bad teams to enable long winning streaks.

Fredrick needs to shoot more and hunt his shot.
Keegan needs 30 minutes per game
Nunge is down to backup minutes to Garza at 5 for now.

Keep either connor or Jbo out there or both for post feeding to garza.

 

[cubsMDdmb]

I wouldn’t even say Garza is struggling. But Fran has to figure out how to make teams pay for doubling him and leaving Connor wide open. Feels like Connor should be operating out of the high post instead of the arc.

Exactly what I was thinking. They double and triple team Garza almost immediately. Quick thinking by Garza should find some wide open players. I also think Garza might occasionally need to be quicker to make his move so they don’t have time to double and triple team him. Find the right combination of quick to the hoop vs kick out vs take a few seconds to make your move and he’s unstoppable. Easy, right?

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

Agreed. Monster conference win.

 

[drew_hawk]

Great win, great to see JBo get off the snide, drilling deep 3's in vintage fashion. Keegan continuing to develop into an all around solid player, all big ten freshman written all over him, and could prove to be a real X factor down the stretch. Only negative from this game may be JoeT injury, lets hope its nothing serious.

 

[RocknRollface]

I wouldn’t even say Garza is struggling. But Fran has to figure out how to make teams pay for doubling him and leaving Connor wide open. Feels like Connor should be operating out of the high post instead of the arc.

Its starting to sink in for Luka I think.

Im sure he's sick of so many defenders swarming him and he's realizing its just going to be easier to attack via the pass.

He was trying to anticipate double teams for the pass this game and did make a number of nice passes.

Connor usually does cut to the freethrow line as soon as his man leaves him.

Luka needs to watch Connors man and just wait for it to happen. That needs to be his first option.

 

[drew_hawk]

Its starting to sink in for Luka I think.

Im sure he's sick of so many defenders swarming him and he's realizing its just going to be easier to attack via the pass.

He was trying to anticipate double teams for the pass this game and did make a number of nice passes.

Connor usually does cut to the freethrow line as soon as his man leaves him.

Luka needs to watch Connors man and just wait for it to happen. That needs to be his first option.

I though it was interesting how in the postgame Luka was talking about how the Minnesota game was the most pissed off he's ever been after a basketball game. In hindsight, as much as that loss stung, maybe it will benefit us and Luka in the long run; I think he became ultra-cognizant of the fact that him putting up a 32 and 17 line doesn't necessary mean Iowa played their most optimal winning style of basketball. I think, more than anything, Luka wants to win, and that he's willing to do whatever is necessary to get the team to where it needs to be to do so, day in and day out. I think that showed tonight.

 

[Franisdaman]

Good to see Jordan feel his stroke again

CJF, Keegan and Weezy played well

win with a struggling Garza

still gave up 40%+ from three but lucky for us NW was careless with the ball

big game against RU next

 

[papabeef]

6/14 FG and 0/3 from three and only 6 rebounds, he was 6/6 FTs

that’s struggling for Luka, plus he was awful on defense tonight

was he awful on defense or did nance have a pretty good night , a career night ?

 

[24 so far]

I wouldn’t even say Garza is struggling. But Fran has to figure out how to make teams pay for doubling him and leaving Connor wide open. Feels like Connor should be operating out of the high post instead of the arc.

I feel Connor should be operating more from the bench, and spelling Keegan when he needs a breather. That gives Iowa a more traditional lineup on both ends of the court, and they are better on both ends of the court with that lineup IMO. You maximize the minutes for your 5 best players, and to me Keegan Murray is one of those 5 players.

They can't leave Keegan alone on the perimeter like they do Connor, and with CJ, JBo and Weiskamp they don't dare. That frees up passing lanes to Garza for everybody, so they don't have to be as adept at it as Connor is, IMO.

I'm not a Connor hater, I just think Keegan Murray is a better overall player and frankly I don't think it's debatable.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I wouldn’t even say Garza is struggling. But Fran has to figure out how to make teams pay for doubling him and leaving Connor wide open. Feels like Connor should be operating out of the high post instead of the arc.

Exactly what I was thinking. They double and triple team Garza almost immediately. Quick thinking by Garza should find some wide open players. I also think Garza might occasionally need to be quicker to make his move so they don’t have time to double and triple team him. Find the right combination of quick to the hoop vs kick out vs take a few seconds to make your move and he’s unstoppable. Easy, right?

I agree with both of you but I have another solution- start Murray or Joe T. depending on matchups.

I have absolutely no doubt Connor is working his butt off to fix the problems he is having but he is way to big of a liability at the moment. You can't play 4 on 5 and Iowa has too much talent to keep ignoring these issues. I understand he's a great floor general and it's steady for the offense (so maybe liability wasn't a great choice of words earlier) but he could be used with the second group. However, Toussaint adds that extra dimension to drive and dish so quickly that doubles simply can't happen on Garza. Toussaint is instant energy to the defensive side as well. Murray is turning into a dynamic 4. He can shoot, he can finish, he certainly can defend.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[RocknRollface]

I though it was interesting how in the postgame Luka was talking about how the Minnesota game was the most pissed off he's ever been after a basketball game. In hindsight, as much as that loss stung, maybe it will benefit us and Luka in the long run; I think he became ultra-cognizant of the fact that him putting up a 32 and 17 line doesn't necessary mean Iowa played their most optimal winning style of basketball. I think, more than anything, Luka wants to win, and that he's willing to do whatever is necessary to get the team to where it needs to be to do so, day in and day out. I think that showed tonight.

Agreed, and with the shooters Iowa has if he can consistently make teams pay for doubling him they will get tired of giving up 3s and become more hesitant to send the help.

Then he can get more and better shots in the long run.

 

[RocknRollface]

I feel Connor should be operating more from the bench, and spelling Keegan when he needs a breather. That gives Iowa a more traditional lineup on both ends of the court, and they are better on both ends of the court with that lineup IMO. You maximize the minutes for your 5 best players, and to me Keegan Murray is one of those 5 players.

They can't leave Keegan alone on the perimeter like they do Connor, and with CJ, JBo and Weiskamp they don't dare. That frees up passing lanes to Garza for everybody, so they don't have to be as adept at it as Connor is, IMO.

I'm not a Connor hater, I just think Keegan Murray is a better overall player and frankly I don't think it's debatable.

I would love to see Keegan start and play 30 minutes but it probably isn't going to happen.

Assuming Connor is in, whether starting or not, they have to get him the ball as a cutter when his guy doubles.

If he gets the ball there someone has to cut him off and then he can find the open man, shoot a freethrow jumper or pass back to Luka if that opens up.

 

[mazda1]

I love what Keegan brings to the team, but there is something to be said for Conner’s toughness and his decision making. He’s been through the wars of the B1G and has proven to be a warrior when the game turns physical. Keegan has a huge edge in natural talent, but IMO a lot of people overlook the leadership and mental attributes of Conner due to his last name.

 

[CO_hawk]

I would love to see Keegan start and play 30 minutes but it probably isn't going to happen.

Assuming Connor is in, whether starting or not, they have to get him the ball as a cutter when his guy doubles.

If he gets the ball there someone has to cut him off and then he can find the open man, shoot a freethrow jumper or pass back to Luka if that opens up.

Conner is actually pretty good out to 15'. Don't mind him shooting in there at all.

 

[kcgolfer]

I don’t agree that Garza struggled. NW did a damn good job on him period.

 

[fezzador]

I think last night proves that Garza can't be completely neutralized. He may have been held to numbers a lot lower than we're used to seeing, but he was still a factor in the game, plus it proves that Iowa is simply not a one-man show. JBo especially came up huge with some deeeeep threes.

 

[24 so far]

I love what Keegan brings to the team, but there is something to be said for Conner’s toughness and his decision making. He’s been through the wars of the B1G and has proven to be a warrior when the game turns physical. Keegan has a huge edge in natural talent, but IMO a lot of people overlook the leadership and mental attributes of Conner due to his last name.

I do think Connor is a positive contributor, and I agree with your overall sentiment other than I don't care what his last name is. From my viewpoint Keegan Murray doesn't appear to be shying away from the physicality of DI Basketball either, and IMO he's just a better overall Basketball Player.

I guess for me personally, the deal breaker is one of them has to be guarded on the Offensive end, and one of them doesn't. I think it's favorable to Iowa (and more specifically Luka Garza) when all of their players have to be guarded in the half court.

 

[TheRealHerky]

Connors passing, assists and overall toughness make him a key player. Id like to see him dribble penetrate and dish instead of launching up 3s. In fairness to him sometimes he ends up with the ball at the end of the shot clock and has no choice but to chuck one.

 

[Raiderhawk83]

Connors passing, assists and overall toughness make him a key player. Id like to see him dribble penetrate and dish instead of launching up 3s. In fairness to him sometimes he ends up with the ball at the end of the shot clock and has no choice but to chuck one.

What Connor needs to do is cut straight to the rim once his guy doubles. By doing this Garza can either pass it to him for a layup or if the defense sags in to take that away then find the open man outside for a 3 pointer. What we are seeing is too much standing around once the ball goes into Garza and that bogs down the offense which in turn leads to a bad/forced shot at the end of the shot clock.

 

[mooresville hawk]

was he awful on defense or did nance have a pretty good night , a career night ?

It was’t just Nance, though Nance did have a career night. Luka was not moving his feet and Young was getting by him as well. Fortunately, Iowa won the game pretty easily anyway.

 

[RocknRollface]

What Connor needs to do is cut straight to the rim once his guy doubles. By doing this Garza can either pass it to him for a layup or if the defense sags in to take that away then find the open man outside for a 3 pointer. What we are seeing is too much standing around once the ball goes into Garza and that bogs down the offense which in turn leads to a bad/forced shot at the end of the shot clock.

He actually is usually cutting but Luka is still a little late looking for him.

Luka is starting to get it though.

Last night he was trying to anticipate for a pass more often and he did make a number of good passes.

They will continue to get better on it because at this point they know exactly who's man is coming on the double.

They should really start being able to pick it apart soon.

 

[Ronman]

All players go through slumps and I think Luka is definitely in one. He has shot 17 for 41 (41%) and 1 for 8 from three the past two games and finally had his 20 point per B1G game stopped last night. He has always had the uncanny knack of putting the ball in the basket from all angles and no matter how many guys were hanging on him. The last two games, they just haven't been falling.

 

[Titanhawk2]

Not getting to 20 points = struggling. When things are going good we seem to raise the bar on what "good" is so that we can then say how bad things are