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WBB summer 2015

Other stat lines:
Alexa had 36 points , including 6 threes, and 6 assists.
Nicole had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.
Carly had 30 points and 17 rebounds.
Kali had 23 points and hit 3-7 from three.
Hannah had 19 points and 9 rebounds.
 
Thanks for the updates oak. That Whit/Tania game was a wild one it sounds like.
 
That game had the crowd oohing and aahing all game long. Big round of applause afterward.
The great thing is they play again on the 15th in an Exhibition on their playoff bye week. And then could meet again in the finals. Just a really fun match up to watch. Whit and Tania are two amazing guards that can do it all.
 
oak - do you foresee Whitney and Tania playing in the backcourt together or sharing time at PG? Could be a little of both, I guess, but could Whitney move to SG?
 
The way they are playing, it would be hard to keep either one out of the lineup. Whit played both last year. But Tania could do either also. I would prefer Whit at SG and Tania at PG but with the offense they run they could switch off depending on the defenders.
 
Whit played SG in GTL, and Tania played PG. They did guard against each other in yesterday's game. I think they will play together and switch positions depending on the game flow and the defense, or to throw the opponents off. They are pretty similar, so the switch will not be a strategic move, but rather to exploit the imbalance in the defense at any moment. I do see more pull up jumpers from Whit, though. And as of now, it seems to me Whit has better stamina than Tania.
 
Yesterday Tania had several collisions. A big one knocked a wound on her head and she had to be bandaged. I wonder if at that moment Randy Larson was thinking of the wrath that Coach Bluder would unleash on him:)
 
Whit took a couple of hard hits too, Just kept thinking "Nobody get hurt. nobody get hurt"! Tania fell really hard on her side at one point, but popped right back up.
 
In the last podcast coach Jensen was on she was asked the question about Tania & Whitney playing together. She said they would be awfully small in the back court & wasn't sure how that would work. It sounded like coach Bluder wasn't as concerned about it & just loves both Whitney & Tania. I think they both will start, but there will have to be more defensive on ball pressure using their quickness - maybe even full court at times. I am looking forward to seeing how this team is defensively with their depth, quickness, & size this could be one of Bluders better defensive squads.
 
jockos said:
In the last podcast coach Jensen was on she was asked the question about Tania & Whitney playing together. She said they would be awfully small in the back court & wasn't sure how that would work. It sounded like coach Bluder wasn't as concerned about it & just loves both Whitney & Tania. I think they both will start, but there will have to be more defensive on ball pressure using their quickness - maybe even full court at times. I am looking forward to seeing how this team is defensively with their depth, quickness, & size this could be one of Bluders better defensive squads.
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Good observation Jockos.

There is no denying Tania's athleticism, but everyone needs to remember she (and all the Freshmen) still need to learn the playbook. By Whitney's own admission she made a lot of mistakes early last season and wasn't really comfortable in the offense until well into Big Ten play. If there is one position a coaching staff needs to be confident in who they put on the court, it's the point guard.

At the defensive end, both Jennings and Davis would be extremely quick, but I can think of 3-4 conference teams before the season even starts where having both on the floor at the same time could create some bad defensive matchups for Iowa in the half court.

This is a perfect summer for the team to make its overseas trip. Everyone (especially the freshmen) will get a chance to experience real games and not just situations set up in practice. Hopefully they can hit the ground running when they get back to campus.
 
Some teams will bring 5' 11" PG and 6 foot SG. It will be pretty hard for Iowa to play both Davis and Jennings at same time for defensive reasons. Both can get posted up and good shooters can launch over the top. They would have to literally stop ALL penetration by guards and be extremely effective ball hawkers to make up for height issues on D.
 
Tania has a very high basketball IQ. She really sees the court and knows what to do. In the read and react offense she will need to learn the reads and where players will be after the reads. That will take some time but I have no doubt that she will figure it out. On the defensive end I'm sure teams will try to post them up. So they will need help. But a player like Kelsey Mitchell, for example, is most bothered when a quick guard disrupts her dribble. So I'm hoping it all balances out.
 
First time for me this year at the GTL Wednesday night, but yeah the late game was something else. I don't pay a lot of attention to recruiting in any sports, as I've seen too many surprises, for both good and bad. So I basically knew nothing of Gustafson. Wow, she looks as at least as B10-ready as Doolittle and Morgan Johnson did when they were freshmen, perhaps more so, definitely stronger than they were. Till couldn't stop her in the first half, but did better in the 2nd. Also, Till played a lot of minutes (and hit the floor almost as much as Davis), so hopefully the knees are now 100%.

Jennings displayed maybe the softest shooting touch I've ever seen, with a variety of shots. Not only that, but her overall court awareness & efficiency of movement was on another level. And her entire team fed off that in the 2nd half. Ex-UNI and current Luther Norse Moran Lonning also had a very strong game. I used to watch a lot of D-III and NAIA hoops when I lived in Missouri, and it's amazing how good some of the talent is on that level.

As good as Jennings and her team were, I thought Davis's 3 hard falls might have been the difference in the game. She kept playing, but her scoring trailed off, and although she also had a lot of talented teammates around her, it wasn't quite enough. But yeah, to me starting both Davis and Jennings is a no-brainer. Yes, there will be defensive match-up problems with some teams, can't be helped; they are still the two best guards on the roster.

I had to split the first two games of course. I though Peschel was off, but did not realize it was her first game. Actually I thought I'd read she was studying in Spain, so I was surprised to see her there at all. Mohns looked good, better than I'd expected and I'd sure think she'll be in the mix for playing time. Stewart looked OK, but not as good as Gustafson. Kastenek must have gotten her points in the half I didn't see, did not score much while I was watching. Coley still looks like she needs to add strength IMHO.

So to me Jennings, Davis, Disterhoft and Gustafson are locks for starters, but #5 is unclear. Would be nice to have a true power forward to go with Gustafson, if we did I'd think another Sweet 16 would be a possibility. Peschel played well enough last year to earn the 5th starter spot this year, but she might be more valuable as first player off the bench. Nicole Smith might see some time and would add a 2nd big to the lineup, but still does not seem to run the floor as well as Iowa would like. Till could be the 5th starter if she's capable of of more minutes (as it now appears). Would not be surprised if the issue doesn't get settled until the start of conference play, and maybe not even then.

Apart from the Hawks, my suggestion to any Quad Cities area people would be to check out St Ambrose this winter. Seemed like they had almost their entire roster in the GTL, and most of them played well Wednesday night.
 
Tania in many ways reminds me of Whit last year. Obvious talent, quick, can pass and score but would dribble into trouble or collisions at times. Whit with a year is more polished and pulling up for a shot avoiding double teams and those collisions with the bigs. Tania will learn, neither is built to bang
 
No, and it seems the women's game keeps getting more physical each year. A couple of years ago, we were having Alexander bring the ball upcourt against certain teams, because they were just beating the crap out of Whalin. I fear we'll keep seeing that against our PG's.
 
Row55 said:
First time for me this year at the GTL Wednesday night, but yeah the late game was something else. I don't pay a lot of attention to recruiting in any sports, as I've seen too many surprises, for both good and bad. So I basically knew nothing of Gustafson. Wow, she looks as at least as B10-ready as Doolittle and Morgan Johnson did when they were freshmen, perhaps more so, definitely stronger than they were. Till couldn't stop her in the first half, but did better in the 2nd. Also, Till played a lot of minutes (and hit the floor almost as much as Davis), so hopefully the knees are now 100%.

Jennings displayed maybe the softest shooting touch I've ever seen, with a variety of shots. Not only that, but her overall court awareness & efficiency of movement was on another level. And her entire team fed off that in the 2nd half. Ex-UNI and current Luther Norse Moran Lonning also had a very strong game. I used to watch a lot of D-III and NAIA hoops when I lived in Missouri, and it's amazing how good some of the talent is on that level.

As good as Jennings and her team were, I thought Davis's 3 hard falls might have been the difference in the game. She kept playing, but her scoring trailed off, and although she also had a lot of talented teammates around her, it wasn't quite enough. But yeah, to me starting both Davis and Jennings is a no-brainer. Yes, there will be defensive match-up problems with some teams, can't be helped; they are still the two best guards on the roster.

I had to split the first two games of course. I though Peschel was off, but did not realize it was her first game. Actually I thought I'd read she was studying in Spain, so I was surprised to see her there at all. Mohns looked good, better than I'd expected and I'd sure think she'll be in the mix for playing time. Stewart looked OK, but not as good as Gustafson. Kastenek must have gotten her points in the half I didn't see, did not score much while I was watching. Coley still looks like she needs to add strength IMHO.

So to me Jennings, Davis, Disterhoft and Gustafson are locks for starters, but #5 is unclear. Would be nice to have a true power forward to go with Gustafson, if we did I'd think another Sweet 16 would be a possibility. Peschel played well enough last year to earn the 5th starter spot this year, but she might be more valuable as first player off the bench. Nicole Smith might see some time and would add a 2nd big to the lineup, but still does not seem to run the floor as well as Iowa would like. Till could be the 5th starter if she's capable of of more minutes (as it now appears). Would not be surprised if the issue doesn't get settled until the start of conference play, and maybe not even then.

Apart from the Hawks, my suggestion to any Quad Cities area people would be to check out St Ambrose this winter. Seemed like they had almost their entire roster in the GTL, and most of them played well Wednesday night.
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Would Carly Mohns be in good position to start this year? Her performance in GTL certainly helps that argument.
 
Carly reminds me of Johanna Solerson. She has size, speed , and athletic ability. But she gets going too fast. I think she could be a valuable player at a forward spot. Not sure if she would start. She might be behind SR Kali Peschel. They could certainly use Carly's rebounding and defense. And her offense is also on the upswing.
Many years in the past the starting five was pretty obvious. This year it could go in many different directions. I think the bench depth will be a big factor.
If I had my druthers , I would press full court and really pressure the ball. That hasn't been Iowa's style but with all the players I think they could do it. Tales time off the clock for the opponents sets, less time to try to post up smaller guards, more chances for 10 calls with the new rules, speed up the game flow to take advantage of Iowa's speed pushing the ball down court.
 
Agteed. I think this year's team will need to play a very up tempo game
 
Normally I'd agree but to my eyes (after seeing one GTL game) Davis brings more than Kastanek, especially if you want to have Jennings as a shooting guard. Not that Kastanek doesn't deserve and won't get minutes. They'll be games where we'll need to go with a bigger guard, and Kastanek is not only taller, she's clearly been putting time in the weight room.
 
Spoke to a couple of the coaches this week about some potential recruits and also asked them about the current players.

If they had to put a starting lineup together right now: Jennings, Kastanek, Disterhoft, Peschel, Coley. That's not to say others can't and won't get minutes as well as possibly beat out a team mate for a spot. Remember the first "real" game isn't until November. A lot could happen between now and then, but the freshmen need to learn the playbook.

It's a safe bet Davis will probably start sooner than later and Gustafson is already pushing Coley (especially in the weight room). Coley knows she will have to earn a starting spot and is going lights out. Whoever wins the starting job at center, there should be plenty of minutes to go around. Nicole Smith is a good teammate and practice player, but she will not see the court unless it's mop up time.

From time to time I have been able to see a practice. Second only to Logic, Mohns was the strongest physically on last year's roster. She had trouble getting her bearings in the continuity offense and quickly saw her minutes go to Coley. She could play either the 4 or 5 (if needed) but her footwork and ball handling are somewhat limited beyond 15 feet. It will be interesting to see her improvement in her sophomore season.

In the past Iowa has been lucky to have two of best rebounding guards to ever suit up in Alexander and Logic to help pick up slack on the boards. That won't be the case this year. Coach Bluder has gone on record as not being a fan of the 10 second rule. This year, she may have to stretch the court defensively as a matter of necessity. The roster depth is there this season. It's now a matter of finding the right combination of players. Depending on the opponent, a position or two could see a different starter from time to time.
 
That's the lineup I thought would start out, but I have a feeling it will change early. Lisa has lots of options with Gustafson, Stewart, Mohns and Buttenham and Davis and Larson. Looking forward to it.
 
Thats not going to be the starting lineup come big ten season- not enough physicality or rebounding in that starting lineup.

I believe Megan will be starting ahead of Coley or with Coley- with Coley playing the 4. Mohns will see significant time at the 4 for her defense and rebounding alone.

Davis will obviously see significant minutes.

Stewart minutes will depend in part in her willingness/ability to play the 4 and it wouldn't surprise me to see Larson redshirt as we have a lot of options/depth at the 3 spot.
 
The start of the season and the start of Big Ten season are two different things.

The one position that has the least amount of flexibility in the offense Iowa runs is the center. It is unlikely Coley will be moved to the 4 if Gustafson becomes the starter, especially with the depth they will have at forward. Hopefully Mohns will be able to raise her level of play, but with Peschel and Till both available there is going to be competition at that spot.

It's not going too far out on a limb that Davis will eventually be a starter, whether it's at that point or off guard.

It's rare and unlikely that Larson will redshirt. There is very little of that done in the women's game unless eligibility or injury are involved.
 
Agree to a point on the center spot but I disagree with Larson. You have Kastanek, Disterhoft, Peschel and Buttenham likely ahead of her at the 3 spot. If she sees the court as a true freshman, then she is a very talented player

Time will tell. A lot of depth in front of her at the 2/3 spot especially if Whitney and Davis end up on the court at the same time.
 
It's okay to agree to disagree 91. ; )

Depth is a good problem to have. But Kastanek will be an off guard and Peschel will be a stretch 4.

Unlike the men's game the women don't leave to go pro early, so redshirting just is a rarity. Larson will have to be exceptional to see the court at the 3, but if Iowa extends the court defensively like I believe they will this season she could see some spot minutes.

I had the chance to talk to coaches at both Nebraska and Ohio State last week. If Iowa elects to go small, they both think Buttenham is the "X Factor" this season.
 
I'd been forgetting about Buttenham. LOTS of players competing for forward minutes this year.

Again my sample so far has been one GTL game (plus watching Coley play last season), but the apparent difference between Coley and Gustafson makes it hard for me to believe that Coley will be starting come November. I think it's possible MG will be seen as the best combination of size, strength, quickness and basketball skills to play center in the Bluder era (and I'm a big fan of the last two centers).
 
On the podcast I mentioned in my last post, coach Jensen said of all the players they looked at for this season Gustafson had the most upside out of all of them. She said it was a huge commitment & was thrilled to have her on the team. If Coley gets pushed around & cannot bring the physicality she could take that spot once she settles in & learns the system.
 
Chase doesn't have a post build. I think she would fit better as a stretch 4. Megan and Chase in a Doolittle/Johnson But I think the coaches are worried about post depth.
 
I said from day 1 that Chase was not a 5. The strength/build simply isn't there.

I think Mohns has more strength to guard a 5 than Chase. Chase would be better guarding against 4s and providing that weak side help and potential to block shots.

This is why I expect the coaches to continue to recruit a 5 for 2016. As you said Oak, depth isn't there. If Megan were to get injured, we would be in big trouble.

Really sucks we didn't get White or Lorenzen.
 
Should something occur with the depth at center, they can go small like the last two years with Till - or Mohns could help too.
 
According to Canada's official roster, Christina has shrunk to 5' 9".

Think some of you are putting too much on Megan at this point. At 6'3" she's shorter than our last 3 centers and it might be a bit early to describe her as quick.
 
"I think it's possible MG will be seen as the best combination of size, strength, quickness and basketball skills to play center [compared to other Iowa centers] in the Bluder era." Row55

"Think some of you are putting too much on Megan at this point. At 6'3" she's shorter than our last 3 centers and it might be a bit early to describe her as quick." hawkfan55

Let me try to paraphrase. Megan is not as quick as Chase (for example, since they are the same height), but what she lacks in relative quickness, she makes up for in relative strength. The real debate is how will she match up to opposing centers in her career, and I believe it's possible she could have as much success as any center Lisa has had at Iowa. I say let's just hope for the best.

Also, I met Christina after the game at Maryland (as well as Samantha and Melissa) and I would guess her to be 5'11".
 
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We'll agree to disagree. MG looked much quicker to me, although I have not seen them go head-to-head. Also looked like she was a good 4" taller that Till, so if MG is only 6'3" than Till must be under 6'0". That said, Coley did a nice job in her minutes last season so it's not like I'm rooting against her.

Anyway, it's fun to discuss this in the offseason. I had been expecting a rebuilding year following the departure of the seniors, and I now think there is potential for better than that.
 
oakhawk said:
Chase doesn't have a post build. I think she would fit better as a stretch 4. Megan and Chase in a Doolittle/Johnson But I think the coaches are worried about post depth.
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I agree. I believe Chase may be better suited as a stretch forward but Lisa has many other options (Kali, Carly, Claire, Hannah, Tagyn & even Ally) at the '4'. On the other hand, Lisa is relatively limited at the '5'. Although Carly and Hannah played post in HS and Claire played backup last year, those options may be even less desirable than Chase. Regardless, it may not matter so much who plays what position, especially on offense because the roles (4 and 5) can be interchanged (with the probable exception of Megan) depending on the match-ups and game situations. Defense is a little different because Iowa can play a zone or switch schemes if neccesary against a dominant center.
 
Row55 said:
We'll agree to disagree. MG looked much quicker to me, although I have not seen them go head-to-head. Also looked like she was a good 4" taller that Till, so if MG is only 6'3" than Till must be under 6'0". That said, Coley did a nice job in her minutes last season so it's not like I'm rooting against her.

Anyway, it's fun to discuss this in the offseason. I had been expecting a rebuilding year following the departure of the seniors, and I now think there is potential for better than that.
Click to expand...

"I think it's possible MG will be seen as the best combination of size, strength, quickness and basketballskills to play center [compared to other Iowa centers] in the Bluder era." Row55

"Think some of you are putting too much on Megan at this point. At 6'3" she's shorter than our last 3 centers and it might be a bit early to describe her as quick." hawkfan55

Let me try to rephrase (in the context of both quotes). Megan may or may not be as quick as Chase (for example, since they are the same height), but what she may lack in relative quickness, she makes up for in relative strength.

The real debate is how will she match up to opposing centers in her career, and I believe it IS possible she could have as much success as any center Lisa has had at Iowa. I say let's just hope for the best.

So, to be clear, I do not disagree with your original quote. In fact, I support your contention that Megan will eventually compare favorably to other Iowa centers who have played for Lisa. :)
 
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I thought that Christina was in Spain competing in a few exhibition games before the FIBA World Championships that begin this Saturday (the 18th) in Russia, but according to this announcement from basketball.ca she is not on the roster.
 
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