This is the position/potential that I see with this team right now

[perryhawk]

While CJ has been out Pemsl has started to find his game...at the same time Ryan K has played really well. Connor, who has been amazing in terms of assists, no TOs, decent rebounding, and decent defense...has started to shoot pretty well. Joe T has actually started to hit his jumper. BE has given us good minutes.

Luka is Luka....so, the majority of the guys on this team are starting to get in a very good groove.

I see CJ maybe being a little rusty these first couple of games back from injury.

Joe W will hopefully come out of his funk with the home games down the stretch...maybe Fran has something planned to try and get him going?

Consequently I think we are on the verge of a strong finish to the season...I'm not saying it will start with PSU tomorrow. They are a very very good team and with CJ rusty and Joe W not out of his funk yet this might not go our way....BUT, when CJ is back in his groove and Joe W starts to hit stride as I think he will soon, lock that in with the way the rest of the guys are playing and this team will be very very tough to beat for anybody.

I think this team is oh so close to coming together and peaking at just the right time of year. I'm not making a prediction...because if I did you could reach up and grab the flusher....I just think that we are very close to having all of pieces to the puzzle falling into place....

 

[hawkjt]

agree...if all 8 guys play like we all now know they can we will be a tough out.
go hawks!

 

[Vbeachawk]

Joe W is the key to the Hawk's success the rest of the way. The other guys are getting better, but given the short bench, if Joe W doesn't get it going, it will be hard to win games against anyone left on the hawks schedule.

 

[RocknRollface]

While CJ has been out Pemsl has started to find his game...at the same time Ryan K has played really well. Connor, who has been amazing in terms of assists, no TOs, decent rebounding, and decent defense...has started to shoot pretty well. Joe T has actually started to hit his jumper. BE has given us good minutes.

Luka is Luka....so, the majority of the guys on this team are starting to get in a very good groove.

I see CJ maybe being a little rusty these first couple of games back from injury.

Joe W will hopefully come out of his funk with the home games down the stretch...maybe Fran has something planned to try and get him going?

Consequently I think we are on the verge of a strong finish to the season...I'm not saying it will start with PSU tomorrow. They are a very very good team and with CJ rusty and Joe W not out of his funk yet this might not go our way....BUT, when CJ is back in his groove and Joe W starts to hit stride as I think he will soon, lock that in with the way the rest of the guys are playing and this team will be very very tough to beat for anybody.

I think this team is oh so close to coming together and peaking at just the right time of year. I'm not making a prediction...because if I did you could reach up and grab the flusher....I just think that we are very close to having all of pieces to the puzzle falling into place....

Agree, this has the makings of a team that could go sweet 16 or better. The "supporting cast" needed to get better from where they were two months ago and that's what's happened.

If JoeW and CJ are back to where they should be this team is very good.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Great post... except for CJ being rusty. F that noise

 

[perryhawk]

CJ looked great!

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

Just a different team when CJ is in the lineup. So much more space out there and flow to the offense, it just opens things up for everyone. JW looked a bit more confident, even if he didn't have a total breakout game. But Luka doesn't face the doubles or triples as early inside. He uncharacteristically missed a lot of close range shots, on a more typical day for him he scores well into the 30s.

 

[perryhawk]

Just think about next year with a healthy JBO!

 

[Suterman]

Just think about next year with a healthy JBO!

And a healthy Nunge, and maybe Patrick, and 5 Freshman, all with potential.

 

[Slim45]

The positional options this team has are crazy! Pretty much all the players that see the floor can play multiple positions and it creates matchup nightmares for the defense. We have the option to go big or small with no dropoff in production and thats in large part due to connor being able to slide to the 4. Then you’ve got 2 bigs in kriener and garza that are both very good inside but also can slide out to hit the 3 ball. Being able to play 2 guys over 6’10 and not have them getting in each others way is a huge advantage. Im with the OP, if this team really starts clicking going into postseason play they could really do some damage.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

I can’t imagine this squad clicking on all cylinders with everyone healthy. I think we’re about to find out. Buckle up

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

The curse is always lurking but so far so good.

This team has a high ceiling. Our three bench players are giving us quality minutes. We have the best player in the country. Even gave us an old school sky hook today. Four other good starters. Luka will be more than I think either the first or second game opponent's can handle.

The multifaceted guard rotation is going to be an unusual experience. Iowa will be a tough out in the NCAAs.