Seydou Traore Commits to IOWA
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Again, while it seems that most on this board have Fran fatigue, he is finally putting together a roster of guys that are athletes. While I'm still very concerned about pt guard, the rest of the roster looks pretty good. Give him credit at least for this.
Agree. This is a win for Fran and Iowa basketball. Trade Traore for either PM or Krikke, move in the right direction. If he can somehow play the 3 spot, now you have really won the trade. People complaining about this move just need something to bitch about and/or just gunning for Fran.
The 3-spot should be his natural position.
Dix also brings it on both ends every game. Not the quickest guard, but his length and effort make up for it on the defensive end. A few players have tried to post him up, but didn't try a second time. I hope Freeman is in the weight room regularly, because he could become even better with some added muscle.
Speaking of those West Africa roots, Ladji is back home and helping lead the ASAB basketball camp.
And he's handing out Iowa gear, too!
Can the University cough up some money to that camp or some like it? Feels like an influx of even a few grand could make a big difference (and keep the pipeline going).
Looks like he is a great ambassador for Hawkeye BB.Speaking of those West Africa roots, Ladji is back home and helping lead the ASAB basketball camp.
And he's handing out Iowa gear, too!
Starting lineup at least based on experience
Thelwell
Dix
Sandafort
Traore
Freeman
Thelwell
Dix
Sandafort
Traore
Freeman
And these 5 coming off the bench?
6'0" PG Brock Harding
6'7" F Cooper Koch
6'7" F Pryce Sandfort
6'8" PF Ladji Dembele
6'8" PF Chris Tadjo
Other 2 scholarship players looking for PT:
6'11" C Riley Mulvey
6'9" F/C Even Brauns
Nice to see the Swarm funding this. Great cause and gets around the dumb rules that follow international student visas.Speaking of those West Africa roots, Ladji is back home and helping lead the ASAB basketball camp.
And he's handing out Iowa gear, too!
Wow - that is awesome, thanks for posting!👍Speaking of those West Africa roots, Ladji is back home and helping lead the ASAB basketball camp.
And he's handing out Iowa gear, too!
When was the last time Fran had an athletic natural position 3?
If Payton returns, I think 3 players are a lock to start--Payton, Freeman, and Dix. I don't think any of us, even Fran, can predict the other two positions without some competition in practice. I think Harding and Thelwell both will play at least 20 min, with Thelwell maybe playing some at SG and PG. I think Dembele will play both C and PF. Traore, Tadjo, and Koch are 4s, with maybe some minutes at 3, especially if Payton doesn't return. Pryce is a 3, who might play some back up minutes at 2. Who knows how or if the two back up centers fit in. Should be some intense competition in practice, which will only make the team better.
Will be shocked if Thelwell doesn't also start. Why else would he come to Iowa if not to be the starting PG?
My way too early depth chart:
1 - Thelwell, Harding
2 - Dix, Pryce S
3 - Payton S, Koch, Traore
4 - Dembele, Tadjo
5 - Freeman, Brauns, Mulvey
I sure wish we had another guard because we're an injury away from being in deep trouble. Solid athleticism and ball handling at the 1-4 spots in just about any scenario. Gone are the days of Patrick, Krikke and Freeman on the floor at the same time.
I usually go by the most proven players. To me at the D-1 level. My 5 appear to be it. We shall see.
Traore played on the block in the first half with middling results. But then second half he was out on the wing more often (he also looked more comfortable out on the wing against UConn too) and that's where he really started to make hay. He also had to deal with tough matchups against KJ Adams and Hunter Dickinson much of the game. I saw mistakes this game in the first half from him that I didn't see as much of later against UConn. He looks to be a very good free throw shooter so I'd like to think his floor shooting will improve this season under Fran with better looks.
Some timestamps:
8:30-9:15 - Active around the rim getting rebounds and passing
26:20 - Nice entry pass to the block
34:50 - The drive we've all seen
42:40 - Late on a closeout, but then makes up for it by drawing a foul on a cut. Draws another foul off a spin move and hits his free throws
54:35-57:20 - Very active here. Steal and transition bucket with an and 1. Looks for transition again of a defensive rebound. Hits jumper top of the key. Flashes a crisp pass on what should have been a layup. And then later gets another and 1. This sequence is great and what I'd love to see at Iowa.
Last edited:
He wasn't very athletic
I liked Peter a lot but he was more of a 2. Slasher, can hit from outside, can put it on the floor type
Agree... I feel like Jok dribbled the ball like 5 times in his life lol. Athleticism was not his strong suit but he's one of the best shooters we've ever had
DAMN IT! lol Could have sold tickets to watch that... contributing to NIL
Do it!Slow down speed racer. We won’t surprise anyone. Still have one of the weaker rosters in the league. Still staring down the barrel of 15 total losses and lower division finish in the conference. I’d still rather put my prick in a Veg-O-matic than watch the garbage we keep putting out on the floor year after year.
Well they're certainly not coming out of the stands or off the street.. They answer to your question is YES. lol
Hmmm, All these guys were African American from out of state.
Tyler Cook
Joe T.
Uhlis
Bowen
Josh O
1. That's not many over a 6-7 year period.
2. None of these guys stuck for 4 years.
3 I think Josh O is African.
4. Let's compare ISU vs Iowa over that stretch in this category.
Josh O is the only African American of this group I believe. The rest are Americans who happen to be black.
There's actually a great interview with Idris Elba about him being referred to as African American in the US. He's pretty much like "I'm neither African nor American. It's so strange"
So, what's the point of this post? Iowa must have one of the smaller African American populations in America.
To be fair it has one of the smallest white populations as well.
Does it matter ? You are paid to do your job to the best of your ability every hour for the pay you get 🤷♂️
since we struggle to land out of state African- Americans we pursue.
This is what I was reacting to. I was under the belief that often the term African American is synonymous with the black population. Which I do understand is not actually true. thanks.
And who cares what ISU is doing...
Similar threads
