Utoff

[And1Hawk]

He is the key. We go as he goes and it has been the case through out the majority of the season. He has really struggled shooting it most nights since Maryland and there's no secret that teams have gotten physical with him and been up in his space. When he is uncomfortable he's taking lots of fade aways, deferring or being indecisive. We saw this same thing agsinst ISU the second half when Thomas got up into him and we subsequently blew a big lead and he scored 2 points. It took the B1G some time to adjust to him.

Look at his shooting %'s since Maryland and compare that to our play and record. It lines up. We trailed most of the OSU game until he got going for a few minutes around the 15 minute mark of the second half scoring 6-8 points. Then he went into defer, non aggressive mode.... Falling away from the basket left handed shot as an example instead of taking to the rim with contact coming.

It's completely up to Jarod. Stop pouting and be absolutely determined to score or create for someone else all game. If by chance he gets going the rest of the team will follow but I think he has checked out.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

The entire team is void of emotion. I am sick of hearing about how cool, calm, and collected these guys are because they don't play like it in crunch time. It's too late for dramatic changes, but maybe Uthoff needs to take a matchup personally, or not downplay every big game.

No intensity from anyone other than Gesell. At some point, basketball is you wanting it more than the other guy and clearly this team lacks fire (again). Fran needs to change the culture through recruiting tougher players if he can't create that mindset, which clearly he cannot.

 

[amahawk]

He is the key. We go as he goes and it has been the case through out the majority of the season. He has really struggled shooting it most nights since Maryland and there's no secret that teams have gotten physical with him and been up in his space. When he is uncomfortable he's taking lots of fade aways, deferring or being indecisive. We saw this same thing agsinst ISU the second half when Thomas got up into him and we subsequently blew a big lead and he scored 2 points. It took the B1G some time to adjust to him.

Look at his shooting %'s since Maryland and compare that to our play and record. It lines up. We trailed most of the OSU game until he got going for a few minutes around the 15 minute mark of the second half scoring 6-8 points. Then he went into defer, non aggressive mode.... Falling away from the basket left handed shot as an example instead of taking to the rim with contact coming.

It's completely up to Jarod. Stop pouting and be absolutely determined to score or create for someone else all game. If by chance he gets going the rest of the team will follow but I think he has checked out.

I wonder if it would be better for him to come off the bench? Start Wagner or Baer. Go ahead and laugh or piss and moan. It might help and maybe not hurt anything.

 

[HaWk3Y3s]

If you want to be taken seriously, you should start by spelling the guys name correctly.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

He looks lost, 5th year Senior, Balls up Uthoff and freaking ATTACK all game tomorrow. Stop with the floater side ways shots and go at the rim.

 

[hawkfan1963]

The entire team is void of emotion. I am sick of hearing about how cool, calm, and collected these guys are because they don't play like it in crunch time. It's too late for dramatic changes, but maybe Uthoff needs to take a matchup personally, or not downplay every big game.

No intensity from anyone other than Gesell. At some point, basketball is you wanting it more than the other guy and clearly this team lacks fire (again). Fran needs to change the culture through recruiting tougher players if he can't create that mindset, which clearly he cannot.

I have said this recently only to be told I don't know what i'm talking about. But this is the root of the problem.

 

[madmustang4]

Kinda wonder if there's some friction between Utoff and some of the other players. In games where Ut lights up the scoreboard he normally doesn't look to pass off the ball. Have seen some of the other players express frustration about that.

 

[NevadaHawk]

He looks lost, 5th year Senior, Balls up Uthoff and freaking ATTACK all game tomorrow. Stop with the floater side ways shots and go at the rim.

I could not agree more. At crunch time you expect your star players to step up, lead the team and make plays. But JU seems to disappear when the team needs him the most. The whole situation including the coaching is very disturbing.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Physical style of play not good for JU. He is certainly not a banger. The last few games have been much more physical than earlier in the season.

 

[sanjosebill]

He is risking being labeled as soft

 

[goodbyebobby]

He should still be ashamed he let Jake Friggin Layman get in his head at Maryland. They have not been the same since that game, no question.

 

[rclui57]

Sadly Utoff has been playing soft. The op is correct. He had several opportunities to drive as the team left him an opening and he did not take it. He has not driven hard to the basket to either make a basket of get free throws. He has even allowed his problem (whatever) to effect his defense as he has not blocked shots the past few games as he did earlier.

 

[ICWestfan]

JU made his last basket yesterday at the 12 minute mark in the 2nd half. He scored exactly 2 more points the rest of the way on 2 FTs. I heard that in the post game and honestly couldn't remember him taking a shot the last part of the game. I'm not sure if the had Loving or Diop or someone else on him, but he surely did disappear. Part of the game plan from here on out so get used to it. Until some of the other players not named Jok step up, there is an easy way to beat Iowa.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

IMO, the attention Uthoff got led to this team's poor play. Uthoff got his shots in the flow of the offense early, then guys started deferring to him vs. getting their own looks. Fran started yammering about Uthoff needing to be selfish volume shooter, so poof, we get 5-20 Uthoff who throws up garbage shots. The only thing that slowed the train wreck was Jok going off in a couple of games, taking the ball out of Uthoff's hands.

 

[bravehawks1]

IMO, the attention Uthoff got led to this team's poor play. Uthoff got his shots in the flow of the offense early, then guys started deferring to him vs. getting their own looks. Fran started yammering about Uthoff needing to be selfish volume shooter, so poof, we get 5-20 Uthoff who throws up garbage shots. The only thing that slowed the train wreck was Jok going off in a couple of games, taking the ball out of Uthoff's hands.

Another example of poor coaching. Keep your team moving along.

 

[hawklandish]

I see a lot of hesitation lately. When JU gets the ball, he stands and holds it. When that happens, the other 4 players stand around and wait for him to do something.

He needs to play faster. Catch the ball and shoot, drive or pass and move.

 

[Curt Furence]

I just want Fran to give him this pep talk tomorrow and we are good to go.