The Enigma ......

[GunnerHawk]

that is Iowa Mens Basketball. We have had some big wins this year. At Rutgers, ISU at home, Maryland at home but some of our road losses have been real stinkers.

This is why we will have a difficult time getting to the sweet sixteen under Fran. When we're shooting poorly we do not have the defense to back us up.

We'll probably make it to the dance but won't go far unless we can make our threes.

 

[RollingBallofButcherKnives]

The Enema that is Iowa Basketball….

 

[The Iowa Mahomie]

The Enema that is Iowa Basketball….

I think it’s the offense in football that is constipated.

 

[Fran-Con-2]

I think it’s the offense in football that is constipated.

And the basketball defense is more like a case of the hershey squirts

 

[Moral]

And the basketball defense is more like a case of the hershey squirts

I’m not familiar with the product. I’ll look next time I’m in the store.

 

[The Iowa Mahomie]

I’m not familiar with the product. I’ll look next time I’m in the store.

This mystery product can also be found running down the pantleg of @Whiskeydeltadeltatango.

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

This mystery product can also be found running down the pantleg of @Whiskeydeltadeltatango.

Dem Poppers doh!

 

[The Iowa Mahomie]

Dem Poppers doh!

Cackles

 

[iowaathletes]

Does Iowa make a habit of practicing with the EVO NCAA tourney ball, especially when they know the next opponent is using it? I hate this ball tbh. I think it factors into the poor shooting.

 

[iahawks10]

Does Iowa make a habit of practicing with the EVO NCAA tourney ball, especially when they know the next opponent is using it? I hate this ball tbh. I think it factors into the poor shooting.

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That has been said that Iowa will practice with the ball that’s going to be used next. With the short turnaround from Thursday to Sunday, I’m not sure how much practice time they had or if it would have made a difference. Sooner or later it’s going to be a psychological thing if it’s not already.

 

[General Tso]

And the basketball defense is more like a case of the hershey squirts

I'd say it's more like having the muddy runs.

 

[iowaathletes]

I think Wisconsin uses the EVO ball too.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

All teams struggle on the road. In February alone, B1G teams are a combined 6-47 on the road. It’s definitely not just an Iowa problem. Maybe it had something to do with the officials being influenced by the home crowd.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

The ball, the crowd, no travel, sleeping in your own bed, familiar surroundings, possible officials bias - playing at home is an advantage in many ways. But everyone has to do it.

Not to mention it's unrealistic to think college guys are going to play at or near their best all the time.

 

[joelbc1]

I think Wisconsin uses the EVO ball too.

Back in the day when “the Grinch” was there, Bucky used the Sterling brand basketball.....and NO ONE else used it!

The ball was frequently criticized for its lack of playability. It had unusual seem widthand bounced differently that other balls other schools used...but it met NCAA standards. Tom Izzy said that before going to Wisconsin to play a game, the Spartans would practice shooting and dribbling with rocks.
But that just played into Bo’s hands.....when the opponent is more worried about “the ball” than they were the opponent.

 

[littlez]

that is Iowa Mens Basketball. We have had some big wins this year. At Rutgers, ISU at home, Maryland at home but some of our road losses have been real stinkers.

This is why we will have a difficult time getting to the sweet sixteen under Fran. When we're shooting poorly we do not have the defense to back us up.

We'll probably make it to the dance but won't go far unless we can make our threes.

Not really an enigma at all, honestly. With this roster and the struggles w/Pat and very very short bench this isn't a great roster. Actually you could honestly say we've overachieved a bit this year. We've been really good at home (like most of the conference) and struggled on the road (like most of the conference.) If we get a 7-8 seed in the tournament and win a game I'd consider this a good season.

 

[Fran-Con-2]

All teams struggle on the road. In February alone, B1G teams are a combined 6-47 on the road. It’s definitely not just an Iowa problem. Maybe it had something to do with the officials being influenced by the home crowd.

I think there is a minor home court advantage in terms of crowd momentum. But seasoned college players are so used to playing in hostile environments that I think this aspect is really overblown. There is also a minor advantage in terms of familiarity with the court/basketball-brand that helps with shooting. But again, I think road players get used to the court pretty quick in a game. These advantages might all be worth a few points a game.

The BIGGEST advantage has got to be crowd influence on the refs. No question. When you get a crappy call as a home team, there is almost ALWAYS going to be a make-up call coming your way. But when you get a crappy call as a road team, you're just hosed. Bad calls/lack of make-up calls are easily worth over 5 points for a home team.

 

[hexumhawk]

Does Iowa make a habit of practicing with the EVO NCAA tourney ball, especially when they know the next opponent is using it? I hate this ball tbh. I think it factors into the poor shooting.

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I despise that ball.

If you are a good shooter it is death. Sticks to your fingertips way to long.

Give me the Spalding tf1000 all day

 

[ObeseMuffins]

If the shot ain't falling, get inside. I wonder if we start with pounding it in the paint vs Wisconsin. Key is to get Perkins started early.

 

[Ronman]

Not really an enigma at all, honestly. With this roster and the struggles w/Pat and very very short bench this isn't a great roster. Actually you could honestly say we've overachieved a bit this year. We've been really good at home (like most of the conference) and struggled on the road (like most of the conference.) If we get a 7-8 seed in the tournament and win a game I'd consider this a good season.

Really, if you look at the roster we put on the floor compared to any of the other B1G schools, we are the least intimidating. We beat teams by running them to death and performing on the offensive end of the court. We can only hope that some day McCaffery stocks up with kids that can play that offensive scheme and play defense.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

that is Iowa Mens Basketball. We have had some big wins this year. At Rutgers, ISU at home, Maryland at home but some of our road losses have been real stinkers.

This is why we will have a difficult time getting to the sweet sixteen under Fran. When we're shooting poorly we do not have the defense to back us up.

We'll probably make it to the dance but won't go far unless we can make our threes.

Pretty much. Iowa's defense simply isn't where it needs to be where we can grind out games if not hitting on all cylinders. I've been harping on this a lot lately, but that's how I see it.

It will likely be another early exit, and that makes it hard for me to get very excited about the postseason. Iowa has a puncher's chance in most any game if they're on fire on the offensive end.. But, you can't necessarily count on that. If you want to advance very far in March, you've gotta get some stops as well.

 

[joelbc1]

Really, if you look at the roster we put on the floor compared to any of the other B1G schools, we are the least intimidating. We beat teams by running them to death and performing on the offensive end of the court. We can only hope that some day McCaffery stocks up with kids that can play that offensive scheme and play defense.

This team reminds me a lot of the 1970 Miller undefeated team….except that team was really a solid rebounding team. This team has a ton of offense and speed, like ‘70…..One more thing tho…. The B10 today is a much more competitive league than in 1970. Oh, and the ‘70 team could really make FTs. Vidnivik, JJ, Freddy, Calabria and McGilmore were really good from the line.

 

[Hawksbyamillion]

The frustrating thing is defense is very fixable, even mid season. It really comes down to effort and intensity. Sure, you’ll have more athletic players blow by you some, but if the intensity and focus is there you’ll still get some stops. And as much as Fran likes to substitute some games, there’s no reason for the intensity to not be there all the time.

Don’t know if anyone else feels this way, but to me it seems like at times when we’re struggling on offense or it’s been a while since we’ve had a bucket, a big defensive stop (especially when pressing), really gets our offense going and ignites a run.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Why hasn't, maybe they have, any member of the press asked Fran why he never improves his D?