Start Baer and Wagner tonight...and press from the start

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Fran continues to give lip service to lineup changes, but insists the 8-0 and 10-0 deficits to start recent games is more "what" than "who." I would respectfully disagree.

Ferentz has shown us over and over and over again how stubborn and illogical coaches can be. Fran has some of that in him, although he did start a new assortment of fellas for the second half against Maryland, and Iowa finally took a late lead they were unable to maintain.

Sometimes change is good for nothing other than change's sake. When you are consistently flat to start games, change makes sense. Put the energy guys in there. See if you can avoid giving Ohio State an 8- or 10-point head start. Is there any good reason NOT to change the lineup? Not that I can think of.

So while, sadly, I expect Fran will send the same five out there again tonight while hoping for a different result, I would absolutely start Baer and Wagner, two high-energy guys who could flip the script.

And no matter who starts, I'd also press Ohio State from the opening tip. Get the energy flowing. Try to jump on the other team for a change. Stop the passive play.

I don't expect to see that, either. But the dream continues.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

I like the idea of starting with a press... the energy that creates might actually jump-start the guys early. Then after a few minutes you can bring in Pemsl to run a more deliberate half court offense before re-entering the transition specialists (Moss/Williams/Wagner)

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Interesting perspectives. I would not press OSU possibly at all and definitely not with our starters vs. their starters. OSU has thoroughbred athletes, we do not. You speed the game up and it will turn into a slam dunk contest. Running the legs out of Bohannon and Baer early will diminish their contributions in the second half IMO.

I think Kriener needs to start. To other posts, we cannot get down 12-2. Kriener is a legitimate pick and pop guy who isn't afraid to shoot unlike Uhl, Ellingson, and of late Moss. Get Jones and Dailey in the mix and see what they can do. Two Ohio kids (Dailey & Wagner) on the team who would will be pumped up. Call me crazy, but I think 2 of 3 out Williams, Moss, and Dailey step up tonight.

Unfortunately, I think OSU has enough snipers from 3 and size inside that we lose sight of them in the second half and lose by 12.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Jok needs to be benched until 100%. If he can't get his back healthy, he is not doing this team any good. Plus, it only drops his draft status.... Rest. Get well. Come back strong.

Give Dailey some minutes. Would like to see more of what we will see next season. Plus get him some experience.

 

[Vbeachawk]

Do not press OSU. They are better athletes and have a real/talented pg to destroy the press. They are not good perimeter shooters. Rebounding is a big key and minimize points in the paint. Moss and Dailey need to play a lot tonite, imo.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

A press is not good. Their guards are much more athletic than ours, and why give them that advantage?

 

[Bearhawk0505]

I like the thought of starting kids who value defense. Fran-Ferentz reference is lame as Ferentz has big ten titles and a 12-0 season under his belt. Fran has rebuilt us to respectability, but really has no major accomplishment here yet.

 

[papabeef]

needs to be a 3/4 press burn a little more time so we dont have to play much defense in the 1/2 court.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

I like the thought of starting kids who value defense. Fran-Ferentz reference is lame as Ferentz has big ten titles and a 12-0 season under his belt. Fran has rebuilt us to respectability, but really has no major accomplishment here yet.

Psh - Fran has TWO 12 win regular seasons, and his were ALL B1G opponents.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

The most productive player on your team, needs to be starting.
That would clearly be Nick Baer.
If that means some 'promised starter' needs to come off bench, so be it.

GO HAWKS

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Hmmm. I guess that start Wagner and Baer and press turned out OK. Well done, Fran.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Better hope they have the energy to finish

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Hmmm. I guess that start Wagner and Baer and press turned out OK. Well done, Fran.

Yes it dId. Spread the ball, work as a team, and not worry about how to get the ball to Jok seemed to work.... These guys will only get better.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Losing Jok hurts but Iowa found guys that can score but if Baer ever goes down Iowa is in trouble that kid does so much it's unreal.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Losing Jok hurts but Iowa found guys that can score but if Baer ever goes down Iowa is in trouble that kid does so much it's unreal.

Baer needs to stay a starter. He brings it from the opening tip. Notice how we did not go down by 8-10 points to start the game... Keep Baer as starter. Where he belongs and where we need him.

 

[HawkLogic]

kriener and Ellingson played key roles. Wagner did well

I like the thought of starting kids who value defense. Fran-Ferentz reference is lame as Ferentz has big ten titles and a 12-0 season under his belt. Fran has rebuilt us to respectability, but really has no major accomplishment here yet.

12-0 under KF has an asterisk because of soft schedule. The team got woodshed beaten by Stanford. The MSU team they lost to in B1G, got woodshed beaten by Alabama.

The 2009 team on other hand, that was legit because the defense was loaded and they kicked azz in Bowl game.