What I love about this team

[DrewHawk33]

The fact that they seem to have a little bit of swag and perhaps even a little bit of attitude when they are on the court.

I absolutely love JBo and his cold blooded killer instincts. I go back to the Wisconsin game to make my point for him. That could have been a wet the bed moment for him and instead he showed no moment (or shot) is too big. He is the swag of this team.

Also, don't forget the rim rocking ability of Cook. He brings intimidation to the court with his vicious dunks. He had plenty of moments this past year where his enthusiasm on the court inspired others to reach that next level. I love his attitude and the stare downs of the opponents after a rim rattler! Cook brings the right amount of swag and attitude to the court.

My final example is Pemsl. He brings this, "I'm not backing down from anyone" attitude to the table. My case for this is the jump ball body slam of Haas this past year. Also, he seems to have that "I'm better than you" stare at his opponent down. I'll be honest this one scares me a little because I always feel he's just a hair away from a technical foul. But deep down I love it!!

These are only a few examples. Heck I didn't even mention Baer. My main point here is that this team just seems to have that underlying "it" factor that is hard to explain but I can just sense it's there. They expect to win big games and their ok letting you know they think so. I'm really excited to see it play out starting next year and beyond. Go hawks!!

 

[Suterman]

I agree with all of your examples. I would like to add Nicholas Baer to the list. He has a great attitude and has some swag as well. Ahmad Wagner? Yep.

 

[DanL53]

There will be no comments from small school Florida coaches for the next few years about how we must find a way to be stronger.

Personally, I feel the one lesson Fran had to learn upon arriving in the Big Ten was the Big Ten brand of basketball itself. And we now have a team that in my opinion would make Bobby Knight, Gene Keady, AND Tom Izzo proud to coach.

And we're deep! So we can just keep pounding, foul troubles or not.

 

[kceasthawk]

The fact that they seem to have a little bit of swag and perhaps even a little bit of attitude when they are on the court.

I absolutely love JBo and his cold blooded killer instincts. I go back to the Wisconsin game to make my point for him. That could have been a wet the bed moment for him and instead he showed no moment (or shot) is too big. He is the swag of this team.

Also, don't forget the rim rocking ability of Cook. He brings intimidation to the court with his vicious dunks. He had plenty of moments this past year where his enthusiasm on the court inspired others to reach that next level. I love his attitude and the stare downs of the opponents after a rim rattler! Cook brings the right amount of swag and attitude to the court.

My final example is Pemsl. He brings this, "I'm not backing down from anyone" attitude to the table. My case for this is the jump ball body slam of Haas this past year. Also, he seems to have that "I'm better than you" stare at his opponent down. I'll be honest this one scares me a little because I always feel he's just a hair away from a technical foul. But deep down I love it!!

These are only a few examples. Heck I didn't even mention Baer. My main point here is that this team just seems to have that underlying "it" factor that is hard to explain but I can just sense it's there. They expect to win big games and their ok letting you know they think so. I'm really excited to see it play out starting next year and beyond. Go hawks!!

Actually the one I'm concerned about getting T'd up is Cook. Those dunk stare downs are classic examples of what they usually call for unsportsmanlike fouls on. I was pretty suprised on a couple of those last year when he didn't get rung up.

 

[DodgerHawki]

The fact that they seem to have a little bit of swag and perhaps even a little bit of attitude when they are on the court.

I absolutely love JBo and his cold blooded killer instincts. I go back to the Wisconsin game to make my point for him. That could have been a wet the bed moment for him and instead he showed no moment (or shot) is too big. He is the swag of this team.

Also, don't forget the rim rocking ability of Cook. He brings intimidation to the court with his vicious dunks. He had plenty of moments this past year where his enthusiasm on the court inspired others to reach that next level. I love his attitude and the stare downs of the opponents after a rim rattler! Cook brings the right amount of swag and attitude to the court.

My final example is Pemsl. He brings this, "I'm not backing down from anyone" attitude to the table. My case for this is the jump ball body slam of Haas this past year. Also, he seems to have that "I'm better than you" stare at his opponent down. I'll be honest this one scares me a little because I always feel he's just a hair away from a technical foul. But deep down I love it!!

These are only a few examples. Heck I didn't even mention Baer. My main point here is that this team just seems to have that underlying "it" factor that is hard to explain but I can just sense it's there. They expect to win big games and their ok letting you know they think so. I'm really excited to see it play out starting next year and beyond. Go hawks!!

We shall see. Guarded optimism here on the future of this team. A lot of things about this team to like. They competed and played unselfishly, which is fun to watch. Can they find a way to play defense? Answer that positively and big things in store.

 

[wcbtee]

Pemsl had back issues correct? Is he back to 100%?

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Pemsl had back issues correct? Is he back to 100%?

Missing PTL this summer because of sports hernia surgery. Not sure but sounds like he will be able to participate in the foreign trip in August but not sure how much he will be able to at.

 

[wcbtee]

We need to get him back healthy, he has a very nice skill set.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Agree with the OP ... We have leaders on the court ... I haven't been this excited about Iowa basketball since the Ed Horton, Marble, Armstrong days ... Should be a fun ride these next few years.

 

[bagdropper]

I like the fact that guys like Uhl, Ellingson, and Dailey would most likely be the best players on any given Lickliter squad.

 

[DrewHawk33]

I agree with all of your examples. I would like to add Nicholas Baer to the list. He has a great attitude and has some swag as well. Ahmad Wagner? Yep.

I love Baer because he's that pesky guy that just irritates the other team like a gnat. He keeps coming at you and doesn't let up. He's not shy about making a big play and celebrating about it too. You can tell the rest of the team loves his go, go, go work ethic. He's the guy that will keep this team grounded and working hard when the swag or attitude of others might go off the rails a little. This team seems to have several dimensions that will take them to heights that haven't gone before.

 

[TJHawkeye]

Actually, Cook's staredowns are likely to provoke a shove by an opposing player which will be called.

 

[perryhawk]

Confidence, this group knows they can beat any team on any given night and they aren't going to take any crap from anybody in the process.

 

[DrewHawk33]

Confidence, this group knows they can beat any team on any given night and they aren't going to take any crap from anybody in the process.

That's exactly what I'm talking about!! I love it!!!

 

[seer_hawk]

We need to get him back healthy, he has a very nice skill set.

The last BBall player I recall having a sports hernia surgery, was demoted then transferred! Of course it was Cully Payne and Fran was just getting started at Iowa.

Hopefully Pemsl is fully ready next season. He's definitely paid his dues when it comes to injuries, and he's shown some outstanding potential when healthy. He could be a key cog in some banner seasons (knock on wood).

 

[bagdropper]

Another thing regarding the depth...

Say Pemsl cannot play this year. Iowa has guys that can take his spot. And if the incoming kids are as good as we hope they are, Iowa won't miss a beat.

 

[DrewHawk33]

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/nbpa-top-100-four-programs-that-should-feel-good

"...he plays with a bit of a mean streak."

This is the type of attitude we need and this is exactly why I believe Hawkeye basketball is going to reach levels of success we haven't seen in years.

 

[hawk-i bob]

Good thread OP. The Fran-Fit players we have are reflective of the coach and somewhat the time it took to fully collect them. (and of course gaining the smarts 'experience').

 

[terrehawk]

Good thread and observations. Now if fans and students can just hold up their end of the bargain and fill that place every single game and make it near impossible for opposing teams.

It's pretty baffling how poorly attended most games are

 

[DrewHawk33]

Good thread OP. The Fran-Fit players we have are reflective of the coach and somewhat the time it took to fully collect them. (and of course gaining the smarts 'experience').

Yeah no better Fran type player than his own son. He's been able to "coach him up" since birth. It's really no surprise that Patrick would have a little edginess to his game knowing how competitive both of his parents are.

 

[Steve Waite]

Our front court depth is just awesome! We are going to wear down teams with our height, bulk and
depth. I still want a backup pg and really hoping that we can get AJ Green to come next year.
Fran needs to hire his Dad and get ur done