The Rotation

[perryhawk]

This has obviously been an issue for strong opinions of Fran's coaching in the past.....and probably rightfully so in some instances. I think the fact that it hasn't been much of a point of discussion after last nights big win is noteable.

I thought that he did a great job in not only limiting the rotation....but in how he used the guys he did play. I think he played the bench just enough to keep the top guys rested and avoided bad situations.

Interested in other's thoughts.

 

[nu2u]

Its a deep bench for sure. I would like to see Toussaint in rotation earlier and Jack Nunge as well. I wouldn't necessarily go with the starting 5 for so long. Its a tough call for Fran because he has so many quality shooters and more bench options than ever, especially with the emergence of Keegan Murray.

 

[CleteyColgate]

Its a deep bench for sure. I would like to see Toussaint in rotation earlier and Jack Nunge as well. I wouldn't necessarily go with the starting 5 for so long. Its a tough call for Fran because he has so many quality shooters and more bench options than ever, especially with the emergence of Keegan Murray.

I think Ulis will break in there at some point with minutes

 

[nu2u]

I think Ulis will break in there at some point with minutes

I don't see it unless the game is a blowout or a major injury.

 

[slipHawk]

My thought on it was was we seem to have the luxury of a pretty talented second unit. So that helps his sub patterns a ton when his second guy in many positions is solid. Really liked what I saw out of Nunge, for example. Great size, seems to use it better now. That’s coaching!

If Joe T can become more ‘jitterbug’ and less ‘wrecking ball’ I would feel better, but another way to say it is Joe has starter level skills he just needs to let the game come to him. JBo has kind of ended that discussion by being a solid hand and a sharpshooter, but I still like what Joe brings to the table.

 

[HawkLogic]

This year, when Fran goes to the bench, he is bringing in guys that have talents/skills that are different from the starters...he is changing the look of the team or matching up vs the opposition. He is also keeping scorers, a big, and ball handlers out there at all times.


The wholesale swaps he used to do where he would bring in an entire 2nd five that was
less talented is not happening.

 

[BBHawk]

The coaching staff did a good job putting the right players out there against UNC. The combinations worked very well together for the most part. The subs (especially Murray and Toussaint) in the second half brought energy when the starters were tiring - that made the difference, IMHO.

 

[24 so far]

This year, when Fran goes to the bench, he is bringing in guys that have talents/skills that are different from the starters...he is changing the look of the team or matching up vs the opposition. He is also keeping scorers, a big, and ball handlers out there at all times.


The wholesale swaps he used to do where he would bring in an entire 2nd five that was
less talented is not happening.

He's finally got a bench that isn't afraid to shoot the ball, that's the biggest difference, IMO. Many of Fran's previous 2nd units would pass the ball around until the shot clock expired and heave one up.

Nunge will shoot, and Patrick and Keegan proved right off the bat they want to score when they're in there. I love that about those 2 newbies. Confidence in their ability to put the ball in the basket, whether they pull it off or not. It will help them and Iowa in the long run.

Keegan Murray was firing up shots left and right when we had big leads in those 3 early games, but yesterday he knew his role and he refrained from that because we had other guys in there that could score in a tighter game against a better opponent. He played very well in the minutes he got, and didn't screw it up, that's a big deal for a Freshman. Basketball IQ from Papa.

 

[Cresthawk]

My thought on it was was we seem to have the luxury of a pretty talented second unit. So that helps his sub patterns a ton when his second guy in many positions is solid. Really liked what I saw out of Nunge, for example. Great size, seems to use it better now. That’s coaching!

If Joe T can become more ‘jitterbug’ and less ‘wrecking ball’ I would feel better, but another way to say it is Joe has starter level skills he just needs to let the game come to him. JBo has kind of ended that discussion by being a solid hand and a sharpshooter, but I still like what Joe brings to the table.

I really like Jordon and have since he was in high school. That kind of shooting talent is rare. However, he is still a defensive liability and Joe T gives us a lift for on-ball defense when he is in the game. The combo of the two is pretty complete. Great win for the good guys. Hope we don't have any letdowns on Friday, its kinda of a trap or sandwich game.

 

[DodgerHawki]

He's finally got a bench that isn't afraid to shoot the ball, that's the biggest difference, IMO. Many of Fran's previous 2nd units would pass the ball around until the shot clock expired and heave one up.

Nunge will shoot, and Patrick and Keegan proved right off the bat they want to score when they're in there. I love that about those 2 newbies. Confidence in their ability to put the ball in the basket, whether they pull it off or not. It will help them and Iowa in the long run.

Keegan Murray was firing up shots left and right when we had big leads in those 3 early games, but yesterday he knew his role and he refrained from that because we had other guys in there that could score in a tighter game against a better opponent. He played very well in the minutes he got, and didn't screw it up, that's a big deal for a Freshman. Basketball IQ from Papa.

the bench was a combined 5-16 last night, and 0-10 from 3. Starters were 29-60, and an incredible 17-30 from 3-point land. The bench will likely improve, but having inefficient scorers jack up a bunch of shots is not the way to win games. The bench needs to do what they did last night, which is provide energy, scrap for loose balls and if they are open and it's a good shot, take it.

I loved Fran's rotations. 4 guys played over 30 minutes, and if they are healthy and not in foul trouble that's going to be the case every game. Perhaps a bit more of Toussaint, but Bohannon and Frederick were playing so well it was tough to sit them. Nunge provided decent minutes, he just didn't make shots like he did the previous game. What I really liked was sprinkling 1-2 bench players in with starters, not just putting all 4 bench guys in the game at the same time a great deal. It provides for fewer scoring lulls and more consistency.

 

[24 so far]

the bench was a combined 5-16 last night, and 0-10 from 3. Starters were 29-60, and an incredible 17-30 from 3-point land. The bench will likely improve, but having inefficient scorers jack up a bunch of shots is not the way to win games. The bench needs to do what they did last night, which is provide energy, scrap for loose balls and if they are open and it's a good shot, take it.

I loved Fran's rotations. 4 guys played over 30 minutes, and if they are healthy and not in foul trouble that's going to be the case every game. Perhaps a bit more of Toussaint, but Bohannon and Frederick were playing so well it was tough to sit them. Nunge provided decent minutes, he just didn't make shots like he did the previous game. What I really liked was sprinkling 1-2 bench players in with starters, not just putting all 4 bench guys in the game at the same time a great deal. It provides for fewer scoring lulls and more consistency.

It's not like those bench players were jacking up contested 3's, they got open looks in the flow of the Offense and took them. The majority of those shots were right there and just didn't go in, that happens. The alternative is they don't ever shoot and aren't a threat to and the others that do get doubled and we struggle anyway.

Nunge is starter material anyway, and if you want to have a strong bench you allow them to play every facet of the game when they're in there, especially Keegan and Patrick. If they struggle Offensively I'm sure Fran will reel them in, but you don't know that until they play in a lot of games against good competition and see what they have, or don't have.

Keegan has the one putback and I think that was it as far as shots (?), so he knew his role and played it well and didn't force anything. I don't think Patrick or Nunge did either, they just didn't go in, but no shots fall if they're not taken.

 

[unclesammy]

It's not like those bench players were jacking up contested 3's, they got open looks in the flow of the Offense and took them. The majority of those shots were right there and just didn't go in, that happens. The alternative is they don't ever shoot and aren't a threat to and the others that do get doubled and we struggle anyway.

Nunge is starter material anyway, and if you want to have a strong bench you allow them to play every facet of the game when they're in there, especially Keegan and Patrick. If they struggle Offensively I'm sure Fran will reel them in, but you don't know that until they play in a lot of games against good competition and see what they have, or don't have.

I agree with about everything you're saying. Right now I don't like seeing Patrick putting up 3 point shots especially in critical games. He might be a scorer but he hasn't shown much ability to be a shooter.

 

[24 so far]

I agree with about everything you're saying. Right now I don't like seeing Patrick putting up 3 point shots especially in critical games. He might be a scorer but he hasn't shown much ability to be a shooter.

Agreed. But if he keeps missing, either Fran will reel him in or he'll reel himself in until he gets better (he is a Coaches kid after all, he knows how it works! Ha!).

And I don't recall Connor taking one shot the entire game, because he knows others are better scorers, and he didn't need to try to make anything "happen". They were doing just fine without him. He knows that. He played his part like he always does.

 

[jasonrann]

My only complaint is that I thought the rotation that included Nunge, PMac and Joe T was on the floor too long a couple times.

 

[24 so far]

My only complaint is that I thought the rotation that included Nunge, PMac and Joe T was on the floor too long a couple times.

If that's someone's only complaint and we win by 13 over North Carolina, I think things are good! Ha!

 

[jasonrann]

If that's someone's only complaint and we win by 13 over North Carolina, I think things are good! Ha!

Yes, sir!

 

[Ronman]

I thought McCaffery did a masterful job overall. The only time I questioned his substitutions was when Connor went out with his fourth foul. Fran brought in Nunge where I would have put in Murray. (Nunge did pop in a baseline jumper three minutes later, so there's that.)

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

This has obviously been an issue for strong opinions of Fran's coaching in the past.....and probably rightfully so in some instances. I think the fact that it hasn't been much of a point of discussion after last nights big win is noteable.

I thought that he did a great job in not only limiting the rotation....but in how he used the guys he did play. I think he played the bench just enough to keep the top guys rested and avoided bad situations.

Interested in other's thoughts.

I think Iowa should go nine deep. Murray is worth his weight in gold for his defense and rebounding. Joe T, PMac, Nunge, and Ke Murray off the bench. I think this rotation is perfect.

 

[silasstarr]

This has obviously been an issue for strong opinions of Fran's coaching in the past.....and probably rightfully so in some instances. I think the fact that it hasn't been much of a point of discussion after last nights big win is noteable.

I thought that he did a great job in not only limiting the rotation....but in how he used the guys he did play. I think he played the bench just enough to keep the top guys rested and avoided bad situations.

Interested in other's thoughts.

I believe in the past where Fran played 10+ guys was more about skill level of the team being pretty even. Now that we have some 'star' players, Fran is extending the minutes for those players. I also think the guys sitting on the bench would have probably played more with the teams Iowa had in the past.

 

[HawkRugged17]

I really like Jordon and have since he was in high school. That kind of shooting talent is rare. However, he is still a defensive liability and Joe T gives us a lift for on-ball defense when he is in the game. The combo of the two is pretty complete. Great win for the good guys. Hope we don't have any letdowns on Friday, its kinda of a trap or sandwich game.

Loved the JBo/Joe T minutes together in the 2nd half last night.

 

[RocknRollface]

He's finally got a bench that isn't afraid to shoot the ball, that's the biggest difference, IMO. Many of Fran's previous 2nd units would pass the ball around until the shot clock expired and heave one up.

Nunge will shoot, and Patrick and Keegan proved right off the bat they want to score when they're in there. I love that about those 2 newbies. Confidence in their ability to put the ball in the basket, whether they pull it off or not. It will help them and Iowa in the long run.

Keegan Murray was firing up shots left and right when we had big leads in those 3 early games, but yesterday he knew his role and he refrained from that because we had other guys in there that could score in a tighter game against a better opponent. He played very well in the minutes he got, and didn't screw it up, that's a big deal for a Freshman. Basketball IQ from Papa.

The put back and 1 was fantastic.

Honestly think he might be our best bench player. He does allot of differnt things well. He reminds me of Ryan Bowen with better offensive skills.

 

[unIowa]

This has obviously been an issue for strong opinions of Fran's coaching in the past.....and probably rightfully so in some instances. I think the fact that it hasn't been much of a point of discussion after last nights big win is noteable.

I thought that he did a great job in not only limiting the rotation....but in how he used the guys he did play. I think he played the bench just enough to keep the top guys rested and avoided bad situations.

Interested in other's thoughts.

Fran did a great job managing the roster and minutes last night. When UNC made their run I wasn't too worried as I saw that Fran had his starting unit ready to go for the final 6-8 minutes of the game.