Ulis Rutgers & MSU

[perryhawk]

I watched that MSU game again tonight....much more fun to watch when I knew we were going to win.

Watching Ulis in his short stint last night and then what he did at Rutgers.....the kid is just textbook. He comes into primetime B10 games against High Quality opponents when the game matters and he just performs flawlesly. He isn't spectacular. He isn't high level athletic.....he just does EXACTLY what the PG should do. I am really really impressed with this kid.

That said, in watching the game a second time....the bench was every bit as good if not better than what they appeared to be in live action. Joe T was tremendous. He has really good shot form and when he takes it in rythym he is very accurate. Nunge was outstanding. Patrick...Keegan....

 

[SDHawkDoc]

It was Luka and the bench that took care of that game.
Ulis has been solid in his limited minutes. He's quick enough that he doesn't get embarrassed on D, has dependable handles and can create.

 

[DirtyJohns97]

I love Perkins, but I would love him way more if he could make some free throws. Small sample size, but he has missed to big 1&1s, and they weren’t even close. Agree with OP on Ulis, he adds a lot when he is out there. I’m not a coach but the more minutes he gets, the better we get.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Go ahead and release the slings and arrows, but Ulis and Perkins not playing more this season is inexcusable given the glaring needs of the team to play better D and create something other than Garza or stagnancy on offense. It's just a bad look for Fran on a number of levels. We aren't talking about the major project kids Fran has historically had on the bench---these guys are ballers. Now Fran has to man up. Either play these guys more and swallow his pride our double down on the status quo.

 

[kwik44]

I wish Fran would mix in these freshmen more with the shooters, instead of just the whole 'line change'. The bench definitely provided a spark, now let see if they can create for our shooters when the open looks are getting seemingly harder to come by.

 

[Buffalo43]

Ulis is a smooth operator for sure

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I wish Fran would mix in these freshmen more with the shooters, instead of just the whole 'line change'. The bench definitely provided a spark, now let see if they can create for our shooters when the open looks are getting seemingly harder to come by.

HATE the line change, but Fran likely knows more about basketball and his kids than I do.

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

I love Perkins, but I would love him way more if he could make some free throws. Small sample size, but he has missed to big 1&1s, and they weren’t even close. Agree with OP on Ulis, he adds a lot when he is out there. I’m not a coach but the more minutes he gets, the better we get.

Perkins is putting in the effort to get better at free throws. After the MSU game, he was staying late to get free throws up.

 

[perryhawk]

I am guessing that we will see more of the bench during this stretch of games over the next couple of weeks....that is assuming that the starters aren't just really playing high level basketball at the time. Our depth seems really important during this stretch and Fran has obviously shown that he will use them as needed.

I disagree that the use of them this year is a bad look for Fran....I think that he has done a great job with the rotation and using them when and as needed.

 

[Jizzer]

Go ahead and release the slings and arrows, but Ulis and Perkins not playing more this season is inexcusable given the glaring needs of the team to play better D and create something other than Garza or stagnancy on offense. It's just a bad look for Fran on a number of levels. We aren't talking about the major project kids Fran has historically had on the bench---these guys are ballers. Now Fran has to man up. Either play these guys more and swallow his pride our double down on the status quo.

EVERY SINGLE POST YOU RIP FRAN! Every one.

 

[Jizzer]

I watched that MSU game again tonight....much more fun to watch when I knew we were going to win.

Watching Ulis in his short stint last night and then what he did at Rutgers.....the kid is just textbook. He comes into primetime B10 games against High Quality opponents when the game matters and he just performs flawlesly. He isn't spectacular. He isn't high level athletic.....he just does EXACTLY what the PG should do. I am really really impressed with this kid.

That said, in watching the game a second time....the bench was every bit as good if not better than what they appeared to be in live action. Joe T was tremendous. He has really good shot form and when he takes it in rythym he is very accurate. Nunge was outstanding. Patrick...Keegan....

Ulis rebound at the end of the half was a huge play, and he's shown he's an excellent FT shooter. He and Joe will split the PG duties next year quite well.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

EVERY SINGLE POST YOU RIP FRAN! Every one.

When Fran does something in March, I will change my tune. To be clear, by "something" I am simply asking to compete in a 2nd round NCAA tourney game. Don't care about big ten championships or BTT titles but he is the one who came to IC talking about deep March runs and the importance of great guard play. Neither has been sighted to date.

I will say I admire Fran's hairstyle and he is a pretty snappy dresser--there you can't say I rip him in every post.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

I like both Ulis and Perkins and see lot of potential. Big thing is when they come in they don't play too hesitant for freshman. Most any other year they'd both see more minutes however this year is different. One of my biggest issues with Fran in the past is I wasn't a fan when he had have larger rotations and went to deep in the bench and there was a drop off in production when we found ourselves with 4 bench guys in the game. Right now with 9 man as Iowa has been playing has worked well. With CJ's injury makes sense to give these guys a few minutes along with 3 games in 6 days. However come tourney time when I feel like you need to shorten that rotation back to 8-9. However if another injury or foul trouble it's nice to know we have quality players like these 2 as our 10th and 11th guys in the rotation.

My only worry is neither gets too impatient after this year or next and leaves due to lack of minutes with a crowded backcourt. Because I see them both being really quality Big 10 players as upperclassman.

 

[relishingwinning18]

Go ahead and release the slings and arrows, but Ulis and Perkins not playing more this season is inexcusable given the glaring needs of the team to play better D and create something other than Garza or stagnancy on offense. It's just a bad look for Fran on a number of levels. We aren't talking about the major project kids Fran has historically had on the bench---these guys are ballers. Now Fran has to man up. Either play these guys more and swallow his pride our double down on the status quo.

Are you chris hassel?

 

[Jizzer]

When Fran does something in March, I will change my tune. To be clear, by "something" I am simply asking to compete in a 2nd round NCAA tourney game. Don't care about big ten championships or BTT titles but he is the one who came to IC talking about deep March runs and the importance of great guard play. Neither has been sighted to date.

I will say I admire Fran's hairstyle and he is a pretty snappy dresser--there you can't say I rip him in every post.

Baby steps I guess. I don't know how after last year and this year so far, you can continue to criticize Fran for so many things.

 

[walleye hunter16]

I wish Fran would mix in these freshmen more with the shooters, instead of just the whole 'line change'. The bench definitely provided a spark, now let see if they can create for our shooters when the open looks are getting seemingly harder to come by.

I agree. JW and Jordan would benefit from the D having to account for the driving ability of JT , Ulis and Tony.
This team has a lot of weapons.
CM needs to be able to shoot FTs and 3PT shot like an assassin so he earns his time on the court.
No one should be surprised how teams have negated what some of Iowa's starters do. They have plenty of tape to break down and are adjustments.
The younguns fill a different role and it screws teams up when they have a plan for the starters in place.

 

[desihawk]

It was Luka and the bench that took care of that game.
Ulis has been solid in his limited minutes. He's quick enough that he doesn't get embarrassed on D, has dependable handles and can create.

As someone who hasn't seen ulis play yet your description has me imagining him as a clone of andre woolridge

 

[HawkRugged17]

When Fran does something in March, I will change my tune. To be clear, by "something" I am simply asking to compete in a 2nd round NCAA tourney game. Don't care about big ten championships or BTT titles but he is the one who came to IC talking about deep March runs and the importance of great guard play. Neither has been sighted to date.

I will say I admire Fran's hairstyle and he is a pretty snappy dresser--there you can't say I rip him in every post.

Didn't Iowa lose in overtime (vs Tennessee) in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament the last time they were there?

Iowa vs. Tennessee Box Score (Men), March 24, 2019 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Iowa vs. Tennessee Box Score (Men), March 24, 2019

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Ronman]

It's amazing we've gone from "Why can't McCaffery recruit better players?" to "Why aren't these freshmen starting?" in just a little over a year. Keegan has been a very pleasant surprise and both Ulis and Perkins obviously have shown tremendous ability to come in and hold their own, but it's the starters that got us into the Top Ten all year. I still think McCaffery has done a decent job mixing and matching lineups and recognizing when certain groups are clicking. We are still highly ranked in all the various services, but to some, McCaffery gets no credit, but only the blame when something goes awry.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Didn't Iowa lose in overtime (vs Tennessee) in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament the last time they were there?

Iowa vs. Tennessee Box Score (Men), March 24, 2019 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Iowa vs. Tennessee Box Score (Men), March 24, 2019

www.sports-reference.com

View embedded media

That doesn’t count because *checks notes* Tennessee let their foot off of the gas.

 

[RocknRollface]

HATE the line change, but Fran likely knows more about basketball and his kids than I do.

I think he does it too change the flow.

Im not a big fan of it either. Mostly because I don't like the starting 4 guard look all that much.

 

[RocknRollface]

I agree. JW and Jordan would benefit from the D having to account for the driving ability of JT , Ulis and Tony.
This team has a lot of weapons.
CM needs to be able to shoot FTs and 3PT shot like an assassin so he earns his time on the court.
No one should be surprised how teams have negated what some of Iowa's starters do. They have plenty of tape to break down and are adjustments.
The younguns fill a different role and it screws teams up when they have a plan for the starters in place.

Nail on the head.

Big ten scouting is the best.

By this time of the year all of your starters strengths, weaknesses and tendencies are know and planed for.

You can tell when Perkins and Ulis come in the defense is not aware of them.

Its so much harder to defend a player you haven't seen.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I disagree that the use of them this year is a bad look for Fran....I think that he has done a great job with the rotation and using them when and as needed.
[/QUOTE]

Didn't Iowa lose in overtime (vs Tennessee) in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament the last time they were there?

Iowa vs. Tennessee Box Score (Men), March 24, 2019 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Iowa vs. Tennessee Box Score (Men), March 24, 2019

www.sports-reference.com

View embedded media

I don't remember but wasn't that some weird play in game or something? I remember the General, Admiral or Commodore--whatever his name is had a great game. Admiral Schofield? Ok, well if that's the case, then I change my mind and will now only settle for a national title.

 

[HawkRugged17]

I disagree that the use of them this year is a bad look for Fran....I think that he has done a great job with the rotation and using them when and as needed.

I don't remember but wasn't that some weird play in game or something? I remember the General, Admiral or Commodore--whatever his name is had a great game. Admiral Schofield? Ok, well if that's the case, then I change my mind and will now only settle for a national title.
[/QUOTE]

The play in game was 2014. This game happened all the way back in 2019. And yes, Iowa was down 21 to the Admiral, and then ... overtime.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

As someone who hasn't seen ulis play yet your description has me imagining him as a clone of andre woolridge

Woolridge is one of my favorite Hawks of the past 30 years. The NCAA tourney game that he almost single-handedly kept them in against a good kentucky team is a memory of his individual talent(even though they lost). That and him getting robbed of B1G POY when he led the conference in scoring and assists are what always come to mind for me when I think of Andre.

Ulis is bigger than Andre. I don't think he's as quick as Andre, but he has so far looked to be athletic enough to compete at the B1G level. Not nearly enough info yet to know if he can be anywhere near the scorer that Andre was. If Ulis comes even close to what Woolridge gave the Hawks for his career, then he'll be recognized as a special player.

 

[walleye hunter16]

Woolridge is one of my favorite Hawks of the past 30 years. The NCAA tourney game that he almost single-handedly kept them in against a good kentucky team is a memory of his individual talent(even though they lost). That and him getting robbed of B1G POY when he led the conference in scoring and assists are what always come to mind for me when I think of Andre.

Ulis is bigger than Andre. I don't think he's as quick as Andre, but he has so far looked to be athletic enough to compete at the B1G level. Not nearly enough info yet to know if he can be anywhere near the scorer that Andre was. If Ulis comes even close to what Woolridge gave the Hawks for his career, then he'll be recognized as a special player.

Ulis would ha e to develop that strong chest in the defender drive and finish that Andre had.
IMO he is certainly capable