Uhl and "the next step"

[MNHawk]

Uhl is a terrific player off the bench and I love his versatility. He seems to have a great attitude, can handle the ball, and shoot the stationary three. He works hard on the floor, and can be a spark off the bench with his ability to hit the open shot with cold legs. He is actually one of my favorite Iowa players.

My wish list for Dom to "take the next step" as he moves towards being a leader of this team hopefully in the next year or two:
- Learn how to play better post defense by using your body to be more physical. He also doesn't bend his knees enough so he's easier to get around because he has peg legs. Like Jarrod, he needs to be able to play both inside and outside throughout the game due to his size. On the wing Dom does a pretty good job by using his quickness. But inside he gets beat quite a bit by skilled big men using leverage and physicality.
- Figure out how to shoot a 10-25 foot jump shot off the dribble. Dom rarely shoots off the dribble outside of 5 feet. As I mentioned he's a terrific stationary outside shooter I think because he gets square and has a chance to "wind up" his shooting motion. He is good at close shots off the dribble I think because his release is usually higher and often one-handed which leads to good touch. Hopefully Coach Speraw is already working on this part of his game as it will make him a MUCH more dynamic threat on offense.

 

[StormHawk42]

While I agree he needs to play better post defense, I think his situation as the backup 5 is only a stop gap until we get Wagner a bit more comfortable, and Cook and Kriener in here. He can be a Uthoff but shouldn't have to add much weight, as it may affect his quickness on the outside, which is where we need him.

And yes a pull up jumper would be a nice addition

 

[freemanbrenner]

Him, Cook and Wagner will be tough to stop next year

 

[DanL53]

I look for Uhl to make the jump from Soph to Junior that Uthoff made, that Jok made.....

All had work to do in certain areas, all still had work to do as juniors, but the progression was obvious.

 

[iowalawhawk]

I also think Uhl will be ready to be our #2 scorer next year. I'd really like to see him work on scoring off of the dribble - he's done it here and there and it looks really pretty at times. If he can mix some slashing in with his newly improved outside shooting, he could be really dangerous.

 

[MNHawk]

. I think his situation as the backup 5 is only a stop gap...He can be a Uthoff but shouldn't have to add much weight, as it may affect his quickness on the outside, which is where we need him.

Like Uthoff, I agree Dom will play more on the wing than inside. Also like Jarrod, he will have to guard PFs/centers in the post for the rest of his basketball career in spots during games. And right now he gets beat pretty regularly in the post.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

Add at least one "go to" post move... he's 6-9 and needs to be able to keep opposing teams from putting a quicker guard on him to shut down his slashing.

Pete has shown the ability to add a jump hook when guarded by smaller players, that's all I'm asking for.

 

[icparkerhawk]

Add at least one "go to" post move... he's 6-9 and needs to be able to keep opposing teams from putting a quicker guard on him to shut down his slashing.

Pete has shown the ability to add a jump hook when guarded by smaller players, that's all I'm asking for.

I'm hoping a lot of work goes in this offseason to moving his release point on his shot to a it higher. If he does that it will allow him to shoot over his defender a lot, much like Uthoff does. If he can do that I think the go to post move you're looking for could be the nice little Dirk turnaround jumper that Jarrod has mastered.

 

[Mohawkeye]

I'm hoping a lot of work goes in this offseason to moving his release point on his shot to a it higher. If he does that it will allow him to shoot over his defender a lot, much like Uthoff does. If he can do that I think the go to post move you're looking for could be the nice little Dirk turnaround jumper that Jarrod has mastered.

Fran has said that they won't mess with his shot because it works and it would be too much to change at this point. I agree that it would be nice if he could add a real post move.

 

[nu2u]

He also doesn't bend his knees enough so he's easier to get around because he has peg legs

Don't know what to make of this odd observation ......

 

[e720718998]

I like Dom and can see plenty of upside and mismatch problems he will cause over the next 2 and a third seasons. I'd like to see him improve his rebounding. So far in his career he has 23 games where he grabbed 1 or less rebounds not a good sign for a 6-9 guy that has some meat on his bones. He only has 1 double digit rebound game in his career .....lots of room to get better in this area .

 

[MNHawk]

Don't know what to make of this odd observation ......

Had a coach that used this description of kids that weren't getting their butt down on D - their legs are straight like wood pegs. When you play D like this you are easy to get past and score.

 

[Vbeachawk]

Dom will go as far as he wants it. He has all the tools to be a great player, imo, but he has to work harder at developing/expanding his game and play harder on both ends of the court. The ball is in his court, so to speak, as to whether or not he becomes a star and plays in the league.

 

[IronFist1776]

Fran has said that they won't mess with his shot because it works and it would be too much to change at this point. I agree that it would be nice if he could add a real post move.

Hopefully its something he can work on in the off season. It is a dangerously low shot release. More than anything though, I want him to get better handling the ball and going to the hoop. If he can back off defenders with the threat of going to the hoop, the sky's the limit.

 

[WAHawkeye]

I agree Uhl struggles creating a shot off the dribble on a consistent basis, but I'm generally impressed with his handle for a player of his length. Players that are 6'8+ that can bring the ball up court after gathering a defensive rebound are in short supply. He will continue to improve with more time on the court, especially 2nd half minutes. Bright future, and a 4-year guy.

 

[WORTHYWISH]

No way they should mess with his shot. He's 6'9" and can shoot 3s at a very high %.

 

[mazda1]

Dom will go as far as he wants it. He has all the tools to be a great player, imo, but he has to work harder at developing/expanding his game and play harder on both ends of the court. The ball is in his court, so to speak, as to whether or not he becomes a star and plays in the league.

I agree with the first part of this post. I'm not sure I could see him in the NBA with his shot, but I could see him as a very good rebounder and defender with only an increase in focus and intensity. He's got a lot of skills if he chooses to maximize them. He's quick off the floor and plenty long enough to excell, but it requires a max effort. He'll definitely be good it's just a question of how good.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

If Dom can learn to drive and finish stronger, he will get more opportunities to shoot the outside shot. No reason to change that shot, but I agree with a few posters that he should work on a midrange shot off the dribble. That shot will need to be less of a set shot from the chest.

He has come a long way from last year, but Dom needs to be tougher on the boards and at defending the basket. I still see him hesitating and watching sometimes. Good observation about playing too upright on defense. It's hard to move laterally, if you don't bend your knees and get on your toes...

Dom has a really high ceiling, and will be a better fit at the 4. He doesn't need to bulk up much more. Maybe another 10-15 lbs of muscle.

 

[BBHawk]

Dom can slash with the best of the bigs in the B1G. He did against the best interior in the B1G, MD. Dom HAS to get better on defense but he will. He has all the tools to do so.

 

[mthawkeyes]

I thought he played a lot harder on defense Sunday. Sometimes he closes out with his hips too high and allows the drive, but it all starts with playing hard.

 

[backinblack23]

The key for Dom to get to the next level is to develop his shot off the move, like coming off a screen or as some have stated a pull up off the dribble.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

The kid has improved significantly. His shots are largely hideous from a shooting form perspective but he can hit the open 3 enough to pull bigger guys away from the basket. Dom needs to improve pretty much every aspect of his offensive game. He's showing a foreseeable big upside.

Defense is just a matter of learning the game. Keep him on campus, grow up and out and you get some accolades senior year. I'm sure Dom is thinking, if at all on the subject, that we will have had four years of All Big Ten 1st teamers their senior year (don't think Peter will have any problems and I'm sure the kids all feel the same) and it will be up to him to continue the trend. Part of a tradition...gives him a goal.

 

[SotaHawk87]

I like Dom and can see plenty of upside and mismatch problems he will cause over the next 2 and a third seasons. I'd like to see him improve his rebounding. So far in his career he has 23 games where he grabbed 1 or less rebounds not a good sign for a 6-9 guy that has some meat on his bones. He only has 1 double digit rebound game in his career .....lots of room to get better in this area .

Ding ding ding!! This has hurt in a few games this year!