So what do you do to fix it?

[longliveCS40]

The team has some glaring issues right now. My opinion in order of importance are:

1. Lack of Rebounding
2. Lack of shooting/scorers
3. Lack of cohesiveness

1. I personally feel that the team should never play zone defense. I realize that probably means abandoning the full court press that's had some success. The turnovers forced have been surpassed by the number of second chance opportunities teams have had against Iowa.

2. This one is tough. I really don't know the answer. Keegan had a bad game against Iowa State but I expect him to bounce back. Beyond him, we have no-one that can be counted on for scoring production, especially at the 3 point line. Sandfort has proven not to be ready (Understandable...he's a freshman), and JBo is too limited physically against any team with athletic guards (Also have to play zone with him in the game.) Beyond those two, we have slashers in PMac, Kris, Joe T, Perkins, and Ulis.

3. I see very little communication between players on the court compared to other teams. On switches, I don't see them communicating at all. They just don't seem to gel well as a squad. Maybe I'm off here and reading too much into it.

So, what say you? How does Fran and Co. fix the issues?

 

[Crazy Hawk]

Fran has been here long enough...his stubbornness to adjust his tendencies/philosophies is at a level he just won't do it.

 

[tippet1]

If he is going to play 11 guys, pressing the entire game should not be a problem.

 

[BVHawkeye]

If he is going to play 11 guys, pressing the entire game should not be a problem.

It looked like ISU played entirely m2m. I think changing up defenses is fine but you have to be able to play m2m to really shut teams/players down.

 

[BVHawkeye]

It's harder to play m2m when falling back from a press. I like our press. It was very effective in games this year and was against ISU until very late in the game. Most teams have to take most of 10 seconds just to get it across half court.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

It's harder to play m2m when falling back from a press. I like our press. It was very effective in games this year and was against ISU until very late in the game. Most teams have to take most of 10 seconds just to get it across half court.

That has been a bright spot, and has been pointed out, if Fran is going to play 11 guys, then it should be a "balls out" type of press. Davis' teams used to generate what seemed like 6-10 TOs a game from that press (I'm likely remembering it better than it actually was in the moment), and while this year's press is doing well, it seems if we ratcheted up the intensity a tad more we could get a few more out of it. Then you get a breather and come back in and do it again--obviously when the situation dictates.

 

[comet_y2k]

If Iowa basketball needs to be fixed, the only fix Fran has for it is to score more points. And that's why it's broken in the first place.

 

[Crazy Hawk]

That has been a bright spot, and has been pointed out, if Fran is going to play 11 guys, then it should be a "balls out" type of press. Davis' teams used to generate what seemed like 6-10 TOs a game from that press (I'm likely remembering it better than it actually was in the moment), and while this year's press is doing well, it seems if we ratcheted up the intensity a tad more we could get a few more out of it. Then you get a breather and come back in and do it again--obviously when the situation dictates.

I think the biggest issue with Davis' press is that he'd stick with it for too long of stretches when it wasn't working.

 

[Wango Z Tango]

Don't judge Iowa's talent against the Longwoods and Portland State's of the schedule. How are those games helping us now? Quite simply they are not. May have helped precious J Bohannon get his 3 point record. Fricken congratulations. And could someone tell Coach Fran it's ok to play 5 black guys at the same time.

 

[SotaHawk87]

Honest to god if we just clean up the rebounding I am not worried about poor shooting.. gonna be a lot of nights where Iowa shoots 38% if they reduced opponent shots by 10 a game and added 10 of their own that would do the trick.. so long as we continue to take care of the ball.

 

[longliveCS40]

Honest to god if we just clean up the rebounding I am not worried about poor shooting.. gonna be a lot of nights where Iowa shoots 38% if they reduced opponent shots by 10 a game and added 10 of their own that would do the trick.. so long as we continue to take care of the ball.

Tend to agree. What do you do to clean up the rebounding?

 

[DodgerHawki]

Tend to agree. What do you do to clean up the rebounding?

To an extent it will be a problem all year. Especially against big teams. Keegan Murray getting healthy will help. He had zero explosion the last 2 games with the ankle injury. Keep working at it and reward players who will battle to get loose balls.

 

[longliveCS40]

I just think it's going to continue to be a huge issue as long as we play a zone defense. Rebounding always suffers playing zone and if you already have a team that doesn't rebound well, it really exacerbates it.

I think the additional second chance points you give other teams with offensive rebounds outpaces the turnovers you create off the press that requires you to then play zone.

 

[TheRealHerky]

For one thing, when Iowa is on offense the ball "stops" constantly. Pass the ball....stop. pass it again...stop. dribble for a bit...stop. pass it again...stop. More constant motion and ball movement that doesn't allow defenders to gain position again, and also setting better screens for outside shooters would be a good start. Back door cuts when defenders overplay the perimeter would be nice..not sure if the guards are quick enough or have the handles if they are.

 

[RocknRollface]

Tend to agree. What do you do to clean up the rebounding?

Keegan seemed like a great rebounder last year and early this year. I think he lead the conference in rebounding per minutes or close.

His lack of rebounding is pretty surprising this year.

They have to start getting bodies on the opponent. I don't think Fran believes in doing it that way but when you're short you have to stop guys from getting free run at the ball from behind you.

Its the only technical thing that can change. The rest is just effort.

 

[83Hawk]

There is only one fix.

 

[brownd7949hawks]

Keegan seemed like a great rebounder last year and early this year. I think he lead the conference in rebounding per minutes or close.

His lack of rebounding is pretty surprising this year.

They have to start getting bodies on the opponent. I don't think Fran believes in doing it that way but when you're short you have to stop guys from getting free run at the ball from behind you.

Its the only technical thing that can change. The rest is just effort.

Probably because Garza had two guys on him
Most times putting teams out of position to rebound freeing up Keegan.

 

[pocha444444]

No more Rebraca

 

[SotaHawk87]

Tend to agree. What do you do to clean up the rebounding?

With the lack of height you have to better utilize space. This means your blockouts have to be at the point of release. Too many times we’re blocking out but we’re taking a step or two towards the basket allowing guys to jump right over us.

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

Shot selection and ball movement. We take so many bad forced shots. I know the defense has had something to do with it the last few games, but we need to start sharing the ball better and make the extra pass. Connor and other bad shooters really ruin this formula as we can't have someone on the court who the other team knows can't make it.

 

[tippet1]

With the lack of height you have to better utilize space. This means your blockouts have to be at the point of release. Too many times we’re blocking out but we’re taking a step or two towards the basket allowing guys to jump right over us.

That is because he teaches the guys to go touch their guy and then go get the ball. He doesn't teach putting a body on a guy.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

ISU was better in every phase of the game last night. They either "made" the Hawks look slow and glued to the floor, or the Hawks ARE slow and glued to the floor.

If the former is true, perhaps it wasn't the best game to evaluate this team.

If it's the latter, then there is no fix.

😔

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

we used to do a drill where a shot would go up and if the ball bounced 3 times, the "offensive" team had to run, but if it didn't, the rebounding team had to run. we had a pretty solid team on the boards.

 

[HawkRugged17]

There is only one fix.

Agreed!

 

[HawkRugged17]

I think the biggest issue with Davis' press is that he'd stick with it for too long of stretches when it wasn't working.

It's a system thing ... when Tom Davis coached, he committed to the press the entire game no matter what. He wanted the team's mind set to be pressure, pressure pressure. Even when some teams like Duke and Michigan State would tear it apart. It was the identity of the program (and the team).

For Fran, I believe his commitment is offensive pressure (possessions, possessions, possessions) and changing defenses. However, with some of his teams, they do not develop a defense that can consistently stop other good teams. Some of his previous teams (with Woodbury, Uthoff, Clemens, etc.) did develop that. A coach needs the personnel to achieve it.

I think Fran (and the coaching staff) has to determine what is best for this team on the defensive end of the floor (including rebounding) and commit to it. If that is playing the younger players more and the older players less, then he has to commit to it. And, he will need the team to buy in. It's a tough sell sometimes, but results like losing like they just did might help.

Let's see if anything changes when the next round of conference play begins.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Shot selection and ball movement. We take so many bad forced shots. I know the defense has had something to do with it the last few games, but we need to start sharing the ball better and make the extra pass. Connor and other bad shooters really ruin this formula as we can't have someone on the court who the other team knows can't make it.

Shot selection is a major issue. With our length and athleticism at the wing position, there is no reason not to be attacking the hoop on almost every possession. We settle for far too many jumpers with below average shooters. Makes me miss Aaron White

 

[stanzithemanzi12]

The team has some glaring issues right now. My opinion in order of importance are:

1. Lack of Rebounding
2. Lack of shooting/scorers
3. Lack of cohesiveness

1. I personally feel that the team should never play zone defense. I realize that probably means abandoning the full court press that's had some success. The turnovers forced have been surpassed by the number of second chance opportunities teams have had against Iowa.

2. This one is tough. I really don't know the answer. Keegan had a bad game against Iowa State but I expect him to bounce back. Beyond him, we have no-one that can be counted on for scoring production, especially at the 3 point line. Sandfort has proven not to be ready (Understandable...he's a freshman), and JBo is too limited physically against any team with athletic guards (Also have to play zone with him in the game.) Beyond those two, we have slashers in PMac, Kris, Joe T, Perkins, and Ulis.

3. I see very little communication between players on the court compared to other teams. On switches, I don't see them communicating at all. They just don't seem to gel well as a squad. Maybe I'm off here and reading too much into it.

So, what say you? How does Fran and Co. fix the issues?

1. They don't see a basketball at practice until we start consistently holding teams under 70 points while also winning the rebounding battle. That might be a month.
2. They run a lot at practice because they're not in the type of shape they need to be in to play great defense.
3. We stop playing zone and learn how to play solid man to man.
4. They practice finding the man they're guarding and boxing him out over and over again.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

More man to man with limited playing time for players who are a defensive liability.

Actual emphasis on blocking out and forcefully grabbing boards. Show video of Reggie Evans repeatedly. Sitting players who fail to put his backside into his man when a shot goes up.

Spend the majority, maybe the vast majority, of practice time on all things defense. Drill until the guys know their rotation responsibilities for multiple setups through multiple levels of variations of what the offense might do.

 

[SotaHawk87]

That is because he teaches the guys to go touch their guy and then go get the ball. He doesn't teach putting a body on a guy.

Yeah it needs to be ass into thighs and move them backwards.

 

[Crazy Hawk]

It's a system thing ... when Tom Davis coached, he committed to the press the entire game no matter what. He wanted the team's mind set to be pressure, pressure pressure. Even when some teams like Duke and Michigan State would tear it apart. It was the identity of the program (and the team).

For Fran, I believe his commitment is offensive pressure (possessions, possessions, possessions) and changing defenses. However, with some of his teams, they do not develop a defense that can consistently stop other good teams. Some of his previous teams (with Woodbury, Uthoff, Clemens, etc.) did develop that. A coach needs the personnel to achieve it.

I think Fran (and the coaching staff) has to determine what is best for this team on the defensive end of the floor (including rebounding) and commit to it. If that is playing the younger players more and the older players less, then he has to commit to it. And, he will need the team to buy in. It's a tough sell sometimes, but results like losing like they just did might help.

Let's see if anything changes when the next round of conference play begins.

Good point about the identity with Davis. I remember watching the Tom Davis Show on Sunday night and Rich Walker leading a segment to show how they are dedicated to being a solid rebounding team. I don't think you could go through a broadcast with the announcers phrasing Iowa's fundamental rebounding.

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

Shot selection is a major issue. With our length and athleticism at the wing position, there is no reason not to be attacking the hoop on almost every possession. We settle for far too many jumpers with below average shooters. Makes me miss Aaron White

I would say we also force a lot of layups. Look at Patrick just chucking up out of control layups.

 

[RocknRollface]

That is because he teaches the guys to go touch their guy and then go get the ball. He doesn't teach putting a body on a guy.

I think its funny that people keep talking about how Iowa needs to box out better as if the players are attempting to box out at all.

They're attempting to grab the ball and run as fast as possible.

Until Fran is willing to sacrifice elements of offense for other areas this team will struggle to rebound and defend.

 

[unoHawkeye]

I would say we also force a lot of layups. Look at Patrick just chucking up out of control layups.

Aaron White forced a ton of layups. The difference between White and guys like McCaffery is that Pat is afraid of contact and tries to avoid defenders whereas Aaron just took it up strong and spent an absurd amount of time at the free throw line when he missed. We need to initiate contact at the rim and finish through it instead of contorting ourselves to try and avoid it and tossing up awful attempts

 

[PHawkKenyon]

It's harder to play m2m when falling back from a press. I like our press. It was very effective in games this year and was against ISU until very late in the game. Most teams have to take most of 10 seconds just to get it across half court.

I played for Dr. Tom and we pressed and fell back into zone and man. It is a matter of philosophy and practice. You can become good at it if you rep it out. If it is to be used as a change of pace, then it is what it is. Take it from someone who came to Iowa because of the style of play (my high school ran the same press), you can be aggressive with your press and play M2M. Not a slight on Fran, but just setting the record on use of a press.

 

[tippet1]

I think its funny that people keep talking about how Iowa needs to box out better as if the players are attempting to box out at all.

They're attempting to grab the ball and run as fast as possible.

Until Fran is willing to sacrifice elements of offense for other areas this team will struggle to rebound and defend.

Was at one of their practices about 8 years ago or so and we asked the staff about not doing box out drills, and the staff said we teach touch and go. They also said that is what everyone is doing now.

 

[BVHawkeye]

I played for Dr. Tom and we pressed and fell back into zone and man. It is a matter of philosophy and practice. You can become good at it if you rep it out. If it is to be used as a change of pace, then it is what it is. Take it from someone who came to Iowa because of the style of play (my high school ran the same press), you can be aggressive with your press and play M2M. Not a slight on Fran, but just setting the record on use of a press.

I don't disagree with you. My point it is harder to drop back and find your guy. I think dropping back into a matchup zone is probably easier. We do have the depth and quickness to press. It does, occasionally, give up an easy basket but it makes it damn hard to get into your offense and run a set.

 

[tippet1]

I don't disagree with you. My point it is harder to drop back and find your guy. I think dropping back into a matchup zone is probably easier. We do have the depth and quickness to press. It does, occasionally, give up an easy basket but it makes it damn hard to get into your offense and run a set.

With how much teams switch, it is really not that bad to get matched up after a couple of passes. You may have a guy get caught in a miss match but if teams work on rotations and helpside, teams can get matched up pretty quick. In Iowa's case, their length can help a lot in those situations.

 

[Slim45]

I don't disagree with you. My point it is harder to drop back and find your guy. I think dropping back into a matchup zone is probably easier. We do have the depth and quickness to press. It does, occasionally, give up an easy basket but it makes it damn hard to get into your offense and run a set.

It really shouldn’t be that difficult, especially with our roster flexibility. Keegan, rebraca, pat are all tall enough they should be able to guard the 3,4,5 positions until a switch is able to me made. And turns out tippet beat me to post this lol

 

[twindman]

2. This one is tough. I really don't know the answer. Keegan had a bad game against Iowa State but I expect him to bounce back. Beyond him, we have no-one that can be counted on for scoring production, especially at the 3 point line. Sandfort has proven not to be ready (Understandable...he's a freshman), and JBo is too limited physically against any team with athletic guards (Also have to play zone with him in the game.) Beyond those two, we have slashers in PMac, Kris, Joe T, Perkins, and Ulis.

So, what say you? How does Fran and Co. fix the issues?

If you check carefully, Sandfort has slightly better numbers than Patrick for most stats - I believe even rebounds.

 

[mooresville hawk]

For one thing, when Iowa is on offense the ball "stops" constantly. Pass the ball....stop. pass it again...stop. dribble for a bit...stop. pass it again...stop. More constant motion and ball movement that doesn't allow defenders to gain position again, and also setting better screens for outside shooters would be a good start. Back door cuts when defenders overplay the perimeter would be nice..not sure if the guards are quick enough or have the handles if they are.

I agree. There needs to be more ball movement and less dribbling around the perimeter. Have a plan and attack the basket if you are going to dribble. I hate seeing a player dribble around outside the three point line and then hand the ball off to another player. It makes it easier for the other team to guard both players.