Uhl's Statistical Improvement Is Outstanding

[HellaHawk]

Dom Uhl's stats have really improved from Freshman to Sophomore year:

MPG: 10.0 v. 18.1
PPG: 2.1 v. 7.3
FG%: 36% v. 46%
3P FG%: 18% vs. 48%
FT%: 52% vs. 73%
REB: 1.8 vs. 4.3
AST: .4 v. 1
BLK: .2 v. 7
STL: .2 v. 5
TO: .7 v. .7

You'd expect some of these numbers to go up with more minutes (notably, turnovers have not). But the improvement in shooting, especially at the three point line is pretty incredible. What I also find interesting is that Dom Uhl's sophomore numbers are very similar to Uthoff's numbers as a sophomore. Uthoff averaged 18 minutes a game and scored 7.6 ppg, 4.6 reb, hit 50% from the field, and 42% from 3. Not saying Uhl will be as good at Uthoff, but he has the potential to be very good.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

It's early as we have only played 3 B10 games, but he can be a difference maker on this team. I can't remember who it was last year on this board who was slamming Uhls shooting ability, but a few of us tried to say that Uhl as a freshman was showing better three point shooting capability than Aaron White did at that time in his career and his development was critical to the 2015-2016 season. I hope he continues to shoot the three like this (48%), and he certainly doesn't lack for confidence in shooting it. He took 3s in critical spots at Purdue and last night. The thing that amazes me about Uhl is his handle and quickness for a guy that big. Damn, he's got some quicks...just needs to finish stronger and that comes with time. I remember a few years ago, Uthoff would go down occasionally with contact...see what a few years does for you in the weight room. Obviously confidence is huge too.

 

[Vbeachawk]

Uhl is a very unique athlete for his size and can effectively guard almost any player. His ball handling (dribbling) ability is also way above average for a player his size and once he starts learning how to finish in the paint area, his ppg will go up dramatically. Dom has a good chance to become an all big 10 player, imo.

 

[nu2u]

Non-stat observation:

I knew he was a good ball handler for his size but I have been very impressed with his ability to fast dribble in open court and, to a lesser extent, his handles in traffic (still very good for a 6ft9 Forward).

 

[CanadaHawk]

Uhl is next in the lineage of long forwards that Fran is developing: White, Uthoff, Uhl, ??? This is why Malik Williams is at the top of his wish list for 2017. If Uthoff, achieves like it looks like he will, maybe it would be possible?

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Love the way he's playing right now. He's attacking the glass hard

 

[RocknRollface]

It's early as we have only played 3 B10 games, but he can be a difference maker on this team. I can't remember who it was last year on this board who was slamming Uhls shooting ability, but a few of us tried to say that Uhl as a freshman was showing better three point shooting capability than Aaron White did at that time in his career and his development was critical to the 2015-2016 season. I hope he continues to shoot the three like this (48%), and he certainly doesn't lack for confidence in shooting it. He took 3s in critical spots at Purdue and last night. The thing that amazes me about Uhl is his handle and quickness for a guy that big. Damn, he's got some quicks...just needs to finish stronger and that comes with time. I remember a few years ago, Uthoff would go down occasionally with contact...see what a few years does for you in the weight room. Obviously confidence is huge too.

I remember that.

There was a few different people trying to explain to him the concept of sample size being to small but he wasn't grasping it.

Pretty funny.

I don't think anyone expected him to shoot quite this well though.

 

[DanL53]

I remember that.

There was a few different people trying to explain to him the concept of sample size being to small but he wasn't grasping it.

Pretty funny.

I don't think anyone expected him to shoot quite this well though.

Legend can't be right every time.

Between Uhl, Baer and Ellingson it is just possible the 2014 recruiting class won't always be considered such a bust by some fans. Perfect? No. But then with such a full roster as it was sometimes it's hard to show a kid where he'll earn minutes.

 

[revkev73]

Perhaps he will be the answer for the PG slot next year...now that would be fun to watch.

 

[srams21]

Uhl has made great strides and is another example of what I think is Fran's best ability and that is developing players. That, or he is able to find guys that have raw skills but are overlooked. Perhaps a bit of both.

 

[twindman]

I was one of those not happy with Uhl's 3 pt shooting last year. Don't see how anyone can fault that logic as 18% is BAD. I will be thrilled if he shoots anywhere near 40% from 3 this year. His dribbling does seem better this year too. I held my breath last year when he tried it.

 

[yerpHAWK]

Uhl can and has played the 3-5. That's versatility.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

Dom U is developing well. He showed activity and athleticism last year but his shot was grotesque and his shooting, and rebounding numbers were awful.

Now, those ugly jumpers are dropping. Dom's bigger and stronger and the activity is producing more positive results. Based on the results thus far this season the Uhl optimists last summer were more right than the pessimists. The kid needs to get stronger so as to hold his rebounding position and develop some touch around the basket. Both are skills that can be learned and perfected.

Love the trend line on Dom U. Dom and the Bulldog are giving good minutes off the pine. It would be nice to have another guard step up but we can win with AC and Mikey G rotating in at point and, when one is out PJ moves back to guard.

 

[hawk_it]

Dom Uhl's stats have really improved from Freshman to Sophomore year:

MPG: 10.0 v. 18.1
PPG: 2.1 v. 7.3
FG%: 36% v. 46%
3P FG%: 18% vs. 48%
FT%: 52% vs. 73%
REB: 1.8 vs. 4.3
AST: .4 v. 1
BLK: .2 v. 7
STL: .2 v. 5
TO: .7 v. .7

You'd expect some of these numbers to go up with more minutes (notably, turnovers have not). But the improvement in shooting, especially at the three point line is pretty incredible. What I also find interesting is that Dom Uhl's sophomore numbers are very similar to Uthoff's numbers as a sophomore. Uthoff averaged 18 minutes a game and scored 7.6 ppg, 4.6 reb, hit 50% from the field, and 42% from 3. Not saying Uhl will be as good at Uthoff, but he has the potential to be very good.

Awesome Post! Nice to see one of the future pieces coming into place.

 

[RocknRollface]

I was one of those not happy with Uhl's 3 pt shooting last year. Don't see how anyone can fault that logic as 18% is BAD. I will be thrilled if he shoots anywhere near 40% from 3 this year. His dribbling does seem better this year too. I held my breath last year when he tried it.

Sample size.

 

[Bearhawk0505]

Uhl, Wagner, Jones and Cook should be solid in the post next year

 

[hawk_it]

Uhl, Wagner, Jones and Cook should be solid in the post next year

It will take some time to be as cohesive as the seniors are this year, but it should be fun to watch them grow.

 

[relishingwinning18]

Uhl, Wagner, Jones and Cook should be solid in the post next year

Don't forget Baer.

 

[crHawkeye92]

I was one of those not happy with Uhl's 3 pt shooting last year. Don't see how anyone can fault that logic as 18% is BAD. I will be thrilled if he shoots anywhere near 40% from 3 this year. His dribbling does seem better this year too. I held my breath last year when he tried it.

It also doesn't help that Uhl has a really weird shooting motion. Every time he shoots it you think to yourself, well that looks kind of ugly. But hey, it goes in and that's what counts.

 

[iowalawhawk]

I always figured that Uhl was a better 3pt shooter than his numbers from last year. Fran wouldn't have let a 6-9 freshman forward shoot 27 threes in limited minutes if he didn't think he could make them.

 

[SSG T]

Fun fact -

Last season, Iowa had the following players above 100 on Kenpom's Offensive Efficiency rating - White 128.1, Uthoff 113.8, Olaseni 113.6 and Clemmons 102.6. Mike, Woody, Jok and Oglesby were all between 95-100 and Uhl was at 82.

This season Iowa has the following above 100 - Uthoff 120.6, Jok 108.5, Mike G. 119.5, Sapp 105.1, Woody 118.7, Uhl 119.4, Baer 132.1, Ellingson 117.1, Wagner 122 (I think that's everyone who is in the rotation or playing decent minutes, I left off the scrubs from both seasons).


A couple of things to note. 3pt shooting and FT A/M both have big impacts on OE as does assist/turnover ratios and percentages. Because White lived at the line last season, shot a good % from the line and dunked the ball every chance he got, his OE was extremely high. This year guys like Uthoff, Uhl, Jok, Baer are benefiting from shooting high % from the floor and not turning the ball over at high rates. Point? You can have a high OE for different reasons, you have to know and see the players to put these numbers into context.

Also, how many people would have guessed Woody to be that high?

 

[djwoody]

It's amazing what can happen when you have a great coaching staff and players willing to put in the work to get better.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Yeah, Uhl's shot is a little funky, but he get's great rotation on the ball from that low release point. He shoots it when he's open so no one is blocking it. Let's see how he does because I don't think anyone expects him to shoot 48% from three, but he's shown he's a gamer and not afraid to take big shots. He's developing a very versatile game...and I wouldn't be surprised to see us sit Woody more and go with a long team, with Uhl, Uthoff, and Baer playing the 3-5, more often. Put Jok and Gesell with that group and it's tough to defend the three and opens a ton of driving lanes. Options, options, and more options.