Tired Legs = Missed Shots and Missed FTs

[OnceAhawk]

In my opinion, it's a good thing we have a week off to re-group for the final stretch of 4 games.

Tom Kakert said this on the post game podcast:

"I think they might be a little tired. This will be a good time for that week off."

and

"Iowa stayed in a zone a lot and that's why I wonder if Fran's feeling like this team has a little bit of tired legs."

Luke Recker (who was a guest on the podcast): "They (Penn State) were a step quicker; They (Iowa) are probably a bit fatigued but that's why I think this bye week is so important."




And, from the CR Gazette:

Guard Peter Jok said “yes, for sure” when asked if the bye comes at a good time so they can “try to recover and get our legs back as a team.”


http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/hawkeyes-have-week-off-but-do-they-need-it-20160217

 

[DavenportHawk8]

While I want to believe this, but every team goes through a schedule like this. There is no excuse for losing to a team that is .500 on the year. if Iowa is "a legit" contender to win the Big Ten, you do not lose to teams like PSU. PSU knocked Iowa out of the BTT last year because they did the same thing tonight. The got wide open looks from 3 and made them. They also played good defense and kept Iowa out of a rhythm.

Iowa has to become better or even after a week off, Iowa will still lose. This teams needs to improve in all aspects of the game. If they do not, they will struggle down the stretch. The game is harder to play when the target is on your back.

 

[And1Hawk]

It has less to do with anything else but being gassed from mental and physical fatigue that has been slowly catching up with us for the past couple weeks. Has nothing to do with this group not 'wanting it' type of crap.

We were not up to par starting at Maryland. The schedule softened some so it was masked at times earlier. The first thing that happened was our defensive intensity slipped because our legs were tiring. The feet stopped moving as actively as they had before and Fran started to play more zone than prior games to try to offset it. Next our ball movement in the half court started to suffer. Our guys wanted to stand around instead of working off the ball. Let Jok and Utoff do it. They did more often than not. Along the way we started front rimming many shots and missing FTs. Metrics like made 3's and 3 point % have been on the decline as have assists. We are getting to far fewer loose balls and rebounding outside of Woody has been a problem. All signs of effort diminishing due to tired legs/fatigue.

Remember the poor start at Indiana? The horrible final 12 minutes at IL after we got a 20 point lead? Letting Trey Demps go off for 30+ pts? The great fortune of PSU going 1-20 from 3, many of which were wide open. How about the ragged play agsinst Minny?

Tired is tired and it's real. Nothing more, nothing less. We expended massive energy getting off to an 8-0 start but now it's come home to roost.

The real question is can 1 week of rest bring back our legs?

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Yep, if only other teams in the B1G had to play as many games as the Hawkeyes. They might be tired too.

 

[Carolina Hawk]

Excuses are for losers. Especially poor excuses.

 

[HerkysDad]

Fans are tired too. We've seen this movie many times before.

 

[And1Hawk]

Yep, if only other teams in the B1G had to play as many games as the Hawkeyes. They might be tired too.

That's the dumb kind of comment that you expect from someone who does not know squat. We have had one of the most challenging league schedules and if you did not realize there is an unbalanced schedule so although the number of games are the same, who you play twice and when you play them can matter. Other factors matter like when you get your off weeks, travel to road games and days between games.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Why are they tired, these are young kids. Its more mental than physical.

 

[And1Hawk]

Fans are tired too. We've seen this movie many times before.

Then why did you bother watching at all if you were such a Nostradamus?

 

[Chewback]

Why are they tired, these are young kids. Its more mental than physical.

I was about to post something to that effect. I will acknowledge the possibility of intractable mental fatigue, but physical? These are 18-20 year old kids. 24 hours should be more than enough to get rested up. Unless Fran is working them so hard in practice that they have nothing left for games.

 

[RocknRollface]

Having another viable option at guard would have definitely helped.

 

[DenverTurtle]

While I want to believe this, but every team goes through a schedule like this. There is no excuse for losing to a team that is .500 on the year. if Iowa is "a legit" contender to win the Big Ten, you do not lose to teams like PSU. PSU knocked Iowa out of the BTT last year because they did the same thing tonight. The got wide open looks from 3 and made them. They also played good defense and kept Iowa out of a rhythm.

Iowa has to become better or even after a week off, Iowa will still lose. This teams needs to improve in all aspects of the game. If they do not, they will struggle down the stretch. The game is harder to play when the target is on your back.

This.
Everyone has tired legs at this point in the season. No excuse.

 

[JerryDennard]

#1 Indiana lost to PSU at Bryce Jordan. So Indiana is not a "legit contender"?

While I want to believe this, but every team goes through a schedule like this. There is no excuse for losing to a team that is .500 on the year. if Iowa is "a legit" contender to win the Big Ten, you do not lose to teams like PSU. PSU knocked Iowa out of the BTT last year because they did the same thing tonight. The got wide open looks from 3 and made them. They also played good defense and kept Iowa out of a rhythm.

Iowa has to become better or even after a week off, Iowa will still lose. This teams needs to improve in all aspects of the game. If they do not, they will struggle down the stretch. The game is harder to play when the target is on your back.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Several valid points raised on both sides of the argument. I think schedule does play a part. PSU played Saturday and flew home that night. Gives them Sunday through Tuesday to prepare.

Iowa played Sunday and traveled Tuesday, one day to prepare. Extra days rest plus no travel is huge. Not an excuse but it can contribute to being tired. This is the time of year that younger players hit the wall also.

That said, Penn State wanted it more, harder to be the hunted than the hunter.

Hope they regroup this week because the last four are tough. OSU on the road, they just beat Michigan in their place. Wisconsin has won seven straight. Indiana at home will not be easy, but the revenge factor should be in our favor. Michigan is always tough to beat at there place. Bottom line, if we play the way we have the last few games, we could lose them all.

Was thinking, would it make more sense to play Wagner or Baer with the starters to provide more inside presence and athleticism. Bringing Sapp off the bench to provide more offense and maturity with the second unit. Rotating our two point guards would rest them a bit more. I think shaking things up a little might help a bit.

 

[Suterman]

This was Iowa's best chance in decades to win the conference. We still can but now we have no margin for error whatsoever. A disappointing, devastating loss.

 

[sadiehawkins]

It has less to do with anything else but being gassed from mental and physical fatigue that has been slowly catching up with us for the past couple weeks. Has nothing to do with this group not 'wanting it' type of crap.

We were not up to par starting at Maryland. The schedule softened some so it was masked at times earlier. The first thing that happened was our defensive intensity slipped because our legs were tiring. The feet stopped moving as actively as they had before and Fran started to play more zone than prior games to try to offset it. Next our ball movement in the half court started to suffer. Our guys wanted to stand around instead of working off the ball. Let Jok and Utoff do it. They did more often than not. Along the way we started front rimming many shots and missing FTs. Metrics like made 3's and 3 point % have been on the decline as have assists. We are getting to far fewer loose balls and rebounding outside of Woody has been a problem. All signs of effort diminishing due to tired legs/fatigue.

Remember the poor start at Indiana? The horrible final 12 minutes at IL after we got a 20 point lead? Letting Trey Demps go off for 30+ pts? The great fortune of PSU going 1-20 from 3, many of which were wide open. How about the ragged play agsinst Minny?

Tired is tired and it's real. Nothing more, nothing less. We expended massive energy getting off to an 8-0 start but now it's come home to roost.

The real question is can 1 week of rest bring back our legs?

This is BS These 18 to 21 yr old adults that are conditioned to play basketball. They practice every day. They seem to believe all they have to do is show up. i wish fran would start somebody else and shake up the lineup. Maybe if you don't feel entitled to a starters position you'll come out and give some effort.

 

[lovedwatchingLester]

I wish, as I said in another thread Fran would get Williams a few more minutes to spell both MG and Sapp . I think it would help those 2 to stay fresher and on D I think his athletic ability and length would help. Now he would have to bring energy and maybe that is what is lacking. I also think it might be helpful with his decision making having seniors out there to push him to go hard, play fast for 3-4 minute stretches once or twice a half. It may be that ship has sailed this year and too bad if it has. I don't think for a second mean to suggest that Fran has made any errors as I have no knowledge of what is going on in players heads or practices but I think the tired legs or mental lapses at this point in the season are real and hopefully this week off the Hawks get refocused and tighten things up on D and the motion offense again has more motion than it has the last few games. This season is still above my expectations as I had them at 12-6 in the big and 20 wins overall including 1 in the BTT.

 

[bravehawks1]

It has less to do with anything else but being gassed from mental and physical fatigue that has been slowly catching up with us for the past couple weeks. Has nothing to do with this group not 'wanting it' type of crap.

We were not up to par starting at Maryland. The schedule softened some so it was masked at times earlier. The first thing that happened was our defensive intensity slipped because our legs were tiring. The feet stopped moving as actively as they had before and Fran started to play more zone than prior games to try to offset it. Next our ball movement in the half court started to suffer. Our guys wanted to stand around instead of working off the ball. Let Jok and Utoff do it. They did more often than not. Along the way we started front rimming many shots and missing FTs. Metrics like made 3's and 3 point % have been on the decline as have assists. We are getting to far fewer loose balls and rebounding outside of Woody has been a problem. All signs of effort diminishing due to tired legs/fatigue.

Remember the poor start at Indiana? The horrible final 12 minutes at IL after we got a 20 point lead? Letting Trey Demps go off for 30+ pts? The great fortune of PSU going 1-20 from 3, many of which were wide open. How about the ragged play agsinst Minny?

Tired is tired and it's real. Nothing more, nothing less. We expended massive energy getting off to an 8-0 start but now it's come home to roost.

The real question is can 1 week of rest bring back our legs?

I was going to post something very similar to this analysis this morning. We know the team can play defense, we know they can move the ball and get good shots, we know the bench can contribute and we know they can rebound since they did that pretty effectively for most of January. However, all of the things mentioned above are generally indications of being tired or fatigued. And I as I have said before, these are young men who probably haven't experienced this before and thus the mental aspect comes in to play and being mentally tired is difficult to overcome and easy to say it doesn't exist. Lets also not miss the fact that other teams have changed the way they are playing us, namely more physical, and we are adjusting very slowly if at all.

I hope Fran tells these guys to take at least Thursday and Friday off from basketball. Don't even come to shoot. Go to a movie and try to be a "normal" college kid for a couple of days. They will not lose how to shoot, dribble, pass, etc with just a couple days away, but need to give them a chance to have fun playing BB again.

As someone who has been listening to, watching or attending Iowa games for 45 years, I am not a bandwagon guy, but have seen many Iowa teams. One thing that I have noticed with Fran's teams are a tendency to be strong for the first two thirds of the season and struggle down the stretch. Remember 2013 and 2014 seasons, it leads to me to believe their may be something with the way they practice or something.

Remember, we are all just observers and are not playing the game, but think we are great critics. Some of us are walking along the ledge with gloom and doom and others want to be more positive. While I am pretty frustrated with the direction over the last two weeks, the current trend would lead to a prediction of 0-4 finish and losing first round of BTT. Of course, the week off and making a few improvements could be 4-0 finish and strong outlook for BTT. I am going to predict we win the two home games and lose the road games. sounds like the easy way out for an arm chair coach, but OSU and Mich are good teams too.

Go Hawks! You can do this.

 

[youngbloodmichael]

This was Iowa's best chance in decades to win the conference. We still can but now we have no margin for error whatsoever. A disappointing, devastating loss.

I agree. Not only did Iowa have everything going their way in the Big Ten Race, but Oklahoma and UNC both lost last night so this could have really boosted their chances for a top seed in Des Moines. They may still win the Big Ten. Who knows? All of the teams are tired at this point in the season. Penn State has logged the most road miles of any school in the Big Ten. I think the thing that has hurt Iowa more than anything is that the bench play has not been as good as it was early in the Big Ten season so the starters have had to play too much. It would be a shame for this group of young men not to win the Big Ten.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

That's the dumb kind of comment that you expect from someone who does not know squat. We have had one of the most challenging league schedules and if you did not realize there is an unbalanced schedule so although the number of games are the same, who you play twice and when you play them can matter. Other factors matter like when you get your off weeks, travel to road games and days between games.

 

[David1979]

It happens all over college basketball, losing to a inferior team on the road is nothing to freak out about.

 

[Kurt Warner]

It happens all over college basketball, losing to a inferior team on the road is nothing to freak out about.

Umm...sorry, but we're freaking

 

[HawkLogic]

Umm...sorry, but we're freaking

Maybe Iowa B-ball will close strong, but I have to agree with OP that the trend since Maryland has been for Iowa to be less impressive. Fran has to find an answer.

We all remember 2014...peaked with Blowout of Michigan and then got pounded rest of season. We all watched the Rose Bowl. Iowa fans have history of getting hopes up and then dashed.

 

[Pepperman]

It happens all over college basketball, losing to a inferior team on the road is nothing to freak out about.

Agreed. The problem is many of us have been noting the underlying causes / issues for a few games now. Namely, lack of defensive effort, lack of rebounding, inability to effectively play our zone, and the FT shooting problems.

So, yes, losses happen on the road. But is this the start of a slide or the end of one?

 

[David1979]

Agreed. The problem is many of us have been noting the underlying causes / issues for a few games now. Namely, lack of defensive effort, lack of rebounding, inability to effectively play our zone, and the FT shooting problems.

So, yes, losses happen on the road. But is this the start of a slide or the end of one?

I think most teams go through a slump at some point in the season and it is how you respond that matters. This group has a lot of experience and I think will come out of it fine.

 

[CaliHawkFan]

Dealing with mounting pressure of being the team to beat= missed shots and missed free throws.

Sorry... I'm not in the camp of tired legs.

 

[Myvue]

It doesn't seem Fran is playing his bench as much this year especially of late but the starters don't have an excuse for tired legs. I'm not saying it's a good thing but because of necessity with a short roster this year six ISU players average more minutes than Uthoff who is at 30.7 minutes per game with the next most minutes Gessell. MM is averaging 37.8 minutes a game while playing at a high level.

 

[relishingwinning18]

I'm gonna throw this out there. This was Iowa's 3rd game in 6 days, 2nd traveling. This was PSU's second game in 11 days. If you don't think fatigue played some factor in the outcome, you are kidding yourself. With that being said, I fully expect no excuses when we play Wisconsin a week from now.

 

[Red87]

I don't think Iowa is suffering from fatigue. I think what's happening to Iowa is that their capacity to improve isn't very high relative to other teams, and other teams are getting better. Think about it: Iowa effectively had the most experienced (and healthiest) core group returning. This core is also one of the most talented (and refined) and contains all the major component pieces (all necessary spots on the floor are covered by experienced, healthy, talented players), and functioned a high level prior to entering this league season.

The majority of the teams in the league entered the season behind Iowa (everyone really). Iowa had more returning B1G minutes than pretty much everybody. MSU was breaking in talented freshman Davis and transfer Haris, Valentine got hurt to start League play and Nairn was hurt; IU only starts one senior, loses Blackmon, plus starts a freshmen and a soph and is working in two other freshmen; Purdue has experience, but still has started/utilized 3 sophs and a talented freshman; Wisconsin lost 2 NBA players and 3 starters off back-to-back Final 4 teams and went through a midseason coaching change; Michigan's only senior starter has been hurt most of the league season and they start a DIII transfer amongst other sophs., etc.; Maryland has the most "talent" in the league, but they also have had to integrate two transfers and a freshman; Illinois has been the most injury-plagued team in the league; OSU plays 1 junior and then exclusively freshmen and sophs. PSU and Minnesota even, though not "as talented," still have athletic, high-major talent that competes and has gotten better. All of these teams will, it stands to reason, get better as the season unfolds.

As always happens, because "almost" every team is well-coached, has talent, and everything in league play is well-scouted and so competitive, teams get better through the year, especially as they get/stay healthy. And, that's what is happening: teams are getting better; not necessarily that Iowa is getting worse (though in relative terms, one could look at it like that).What room for improvement Iowa possessed was going to occur earlier rather than later. Jok had/has the highest improvement capacity of their core players, and he has obviously improved, but the four seniors are all good players who "are what they are" at this point (which are high quality players).

Iowa will probably find itself, like every other top-tier team will, in close games.

 

[hawk-i bob]

I don't think Iowa is suffering from fatigue. I think what's happening to Iowa is that their capacity to improve isn't very high relative to other teams, and other teams are getting better. Think about it: Iowa effectively had the most experienced (and healthiest) core group returning. This core is also one of the most talented (and refined) and contains all the major component pieces (all necessary spots on the floor are covered by experienced, healthy, talented players), and functioned a high level prior to entering this league season.

The majority of the teams in the league entered the season behind Iowa (everyone really). Iowa had more returning B1G minutes than pretty much everybody. MSU was breaking in talented freshman Davis and transfer Haris, Valentine got hurt to start League play and Nairn was hurt; IU only starts one senior, loses Blackmon, plus starts a freshmen and a soph and is working in two other freshmen; Purdue has experience, but still has started/utilized 3 sophs and a talented freshman; Wisconsin lost 2 NBA players and 3 starters off back-to-back Final 4 teams and went through a midseason coaching change; Michigan's only senior starter has been hurt most of the league season and they start a DIII transfer amongst other sophs., etc.; Maryland has the most "talent" in the league, but they also have had to integrate two transfers and a freshman; Illinois has been the most injury-plagued team in the league; OSU plays 1 junior and then exclusively freshmen and sophs. PSU and Minnesota even, though not "as talented," still have athletic, high-major talent that competes and has gotten better. All of these teams will, it stands to reason, get better as the season unfolds.

As always happens, because "almost" every team is well-coached, has talent, and everything in league play is well-scouted and so competitive, teams get better through the year, especially as they get/stay healthy. And, that's what is happening: teams are getting better; not necessarily that Iowa is getting worse (though in relative terms, one could look at it like that).What room for improvement Iowa possessed was going to occur earlier rather than later. Jok had/has the highest improvement capacity of their core players, and he has obviously improved, but the four seniors are all good players who "are what they are" at this point (which are high quality players).

Iowa will probably find itself, like every other top-tier team will, in close games.

you must have felt the same way when Indiana lost a close to Penn St...

 

[Red87]

you must have felt the same way when Indiana lost a close to Penn St...

Probably somewhat, yes.

 

[Suterman]

I don't think Iowa is suffering from fatigue. I think what's happening to Iowa is that their capacity to improve isn't very high relative to other teams, and other teams are getting better. Think about it: Iowa effectively had the most experienced (and healthiest) core group returning. This core is also one of the most talented (and refined) and contains all the major component pieces (all necessary spots on the floor are covered by experienced, healthy, talented players), and functioned a high level prior to entering this league season.

The majority of the teams in the league entered the season behind Iowa (everyone really). Iowa had more returning B1G minutes than pretty much everybody. MSU was breaking in talented freshman Davis and transfer Haris, Valentine got hurt to start League play and Nairn was hurt; IU only starts one senior, loses Blackmon, plus starts a freshmen and a soph and is working in two other freshmen; Purdue has experience, but still has started/utilized 3 sophs and a talented freshman; Wisconsin lost 2 NBA players and 3 starters off back-to-back Final 4 teams and went through a midseason coaching change; Michigan's only senior starter has been hurt most of the league season and they start a DIII transfer amongst other sophs., etc.; Maryland has the most "talent" in the league, but they also have had to integrate two transfers and a freshman; Illinois has been the most injury-plagued team in the league; OSU plays 1 junior and then exclusively freshmen and sophs. PSU and Minnesota even, though not "as talented," still have athletic, high-major talent that competes and has gotten better. All of these teams will, it stands to reason, get better as the season unfolds.

As always happens, because "almost" every team is well-coached, has talent, and everything in league play is well-scouted and so competitive, teams get better through the year, especially as they get/stay healthy. And, that's what is happening: teams are getting better; not necessarily that Iowa is getting worse (though in relative terms, one could look at it like that).What room for improvement Iowa possessed was going to occur earlier rather than later. Jok had/has the highest improvement capacity of their core players, and he has obviously improved, but the four seniors are all good players who "are what they are" at this point (which are high quality players).

Iowa will probably find itself, like every other top-tier team will, in close games.

I think this is spot on but I also think Iowa is fatigued. We will look and play much fresher next Wednesday vs. Wisconsin.

 

[hawk-i bob]

Probably somewhat, yes.

Maybe if Indiana actually played a similar B1G schedule to Iowa's we could be talking how Indiana doesn't have the capacity to win more games against better competition.

Garner & Penn State hit their 3's when they couldn't hit a thing in Carver....1 for 20
Penn State played mug ball (see foul totals) & it worked ...doesn't take a team improving to do that.

 

[hawk-i bob]

I don't think Fran would agree that we have players who do not have the capacity to improve...that's not even close to being spot on.

Teams whose seasons are over when it comes to post season are always dangerous...always have been especially in B1G road games. They got nothing to lose. We did not match Penn State's physically...and they shot 3's.

 

[Scott559]

I don't think Fran would agree that we have players who do not have the capacity to improve...that's not even close to being spot on.

Teams whose seasons are over when it comes to post season are always dangerous...always have been especially in B1G road games. They got nothing to lose. We did not match Penn State's physically...and they shot 3's.

PSU continually banged our cutters coming off screens and running the base line, I believe that is why Fran was showing his displeasure with the officials so much, As you said, They really did get away with playing thug ball. Kudos to them for getting away with what they could, But it really did affect the timing and flow of the offense.

 

[Myvue]

I think this is spot on but I also think Iowa is fatigued. We will look and play much fresher next Wednesday vs. Wisconsin.

That nice long rest is probably going to bite them in the AP standings this week though as there is no second game to help cushion the impact of losing to Penn State. The number 3-4-5-and 6 teams have all lost one game this week but Iowa will no doubt fall below all of them unless any of those teams lose both of their games this week. #3 Oklahoma plays #10 W. Virginia so one of them will have to lose two games this week as they both already lost their first game and that might soften the blow of Iowa's free fall. 7-8 & 12 have already won their only game this week so they could advance above the 3-4-5-& 6 teams of this week especially if 3-5 & 6 lose their second game which would benefit Iowa by only losing one game.

 

[OnceAhawk]

Tom Kakert said this on the post game podcast:

"I think they might be a little tired. This will be a good time for that week off."

and

"Iowa stayed in a zone a lot and that's why I wonder if Fran's feeling like this team has a little bit of tired legs."

Luke Recker: "They (Penn State) were a step quicker; They (Iowa) are probably a bit fatigued but that's why I think this bye week is so important."


So are Tom and Luke wrong and anonymous posters on this board right?

 

[OnceAhawk]

From the CR Gazette:

Guard Peter Jok said “yes, for sure” when asked if the bye comes at a good time so they can “try to recover and get our legs back as a team.”

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/hawkeyes-have-week-off-but-do-they-need-it-20160217

 

[relishingwinning18]

That nice long rest is probably going to bite them in the AP standings this week though as there is no second game to help cushion the impact of losing to Penn State. The number 3-4-5-and 6 teams have all lost one game this week but Iowa will no doubt fall below all of them unless any of those teams lose both of their games this week. #3 Oklahoma plays #10 W. Virginia so one of them will have to lose two games this week as they both already lost their first game and that might soften the blow of Iowa's free fall. 7-8 & 12 have already won their only game this week so they could advance above the 3-4-5-& 6 teams of this week especially if 3-5 & 6 lose their second game which would benefit Iowa by only losing one game.

Iowa is 4th right now, despite what is a bad loss, they aren't going to "free fall". UNC and Miami play this week, loser stays below Iowa. Okie vs WVU loser stays below Iowa. Maryland just had a worse loss than us, even if they beat Michigan, they stay below us. ISU already lost, they aren't jumping us. Assuming UNC and Okie win, I see Iowa dropping to 9th, right behind AZ. That means UNC, VA, MSU, and Xavier jump us.

 

[Myvue]

Iowa is 4th right now, despite what is a bad loss, they aren't going to "free fall". UNC and Miami play this week, loser stays below Iowa. Okie vs WVU loser stays below Iowa. Maryland just had a worse loss than us, even if they beat Michigan, they stay below us. ISU already lost, they aren't jumping us. Assuming UNC and Okie win, I see Iowa dropping to 9th, right behind AZ. That means UNC, VA, MSU, and Xavier jump us.

A lot of games to be played yet, we'll know more after tomorrow. I know Miami is only in 11th this week but I think if they beat North Carolina they will take a big leap. Wouldn't have to be that big of a leap because of other teams falling a few spots. It's kind of a half a stair case, half up and half down.