Per ESPN - Slow starters that can make the tourney

[golfingwags]

Minus the slow starters pretty good write-up.

[h=3]"Iowa Hawkeyes[/h]Despite their 11-2 record, the Hawkeyes don't yet have a marquee win that will impress the NCAA selection committee. Their wins against in-state rivals Iowa State and Northern Iowa are potential top 100 wins, but they have more work to do if they are going to earn their first bid since 2006. The good news is that as they enter Big Ten play, there will numerous opportunities for the Hawkeyes to earn the quality wins they need. And this Iowa team has a unique mix of youth and experience that should enable them pick up those wins.

The reason I am so high on the Hawkeyes is because of the scoring ability of junior Roy Devyn Marble, the versatility of sophomore Aaron White and the growth of freshman point guard Mike Gesell. But the biggest key for coach Fran McCaffery's team might be the consistent play of 7-foot-1, 235-pound freshman Adam Woodbury. Woodbury, the marquee recruit for Iowa's 2012 recruiting class, has the potential to be special. He runs the floor, has good hands and is stronger than he looks. The question for Woodbury is how his body will hold up during the grind of the Big Ten season.
My two concerns for Iowa is whether it will get more consistent play out of junior power forward Melsahn Basabe, and if the Hawkeyes can improve upon their .317 3-point field-goal percentage. If they can resolve both of those issues, they'll be dancing come March."

 

[smhawk]

Good sound right up. Although I do think they should have mentioned the surprising play of Sapp Clemmons.

 

[GhostofBTT]

Good sound right up. Although I do think they should have mentioned the surprising play of Sapp Clemmons.

I don't think it has been that surprising. He's been pretty good, but not so great that people should be singling him out.

Also SMH, I caught the "Sapp Clemens" before you edited it and lol'd!

 

[smhawk]

I don't think it has been that surprising. He's been pretty good, but not so great that people should be singling him out.

Also SMH, I caught the "Sapp Clemens" before you edited it and lol'd!

lol. Too quick Ghost. Dang. I throw in the nickname and can't spell his last name. But ESPN, you should mention him EEERRR.

Your right. But as is stands, is Clemmons having more of an impact in the team winning than Gesell?

 

[wundergrape]

lol. Too quick Ghost. Dang. I throw in the nickname and can't spell his last name. But ESPN, you should mention him EEERRR.

Your right. But as is stands, is Clemmons having more of an impact in the team winning than Gesell?

This is a joke, right? Sapp has been good, but it's not even close. Gesell's scoring alone puts him over the top. Add to that his defense and passing...not even close.

 

[smhawk]

This is a joke, right? Sapp has been good, but it's not even close. Gesell's scoring alone puts him over the top. Add to that his defense and passing...not even close.

Actually it is close. Scoring and defense go to Gesell. But the offense has ran smoother under Clemmons, who now is starting at one. The question is it fair to compare ISU/UNI vs. WSU/Vtech. What has more an impact on winning, nearly averaging double digit scoring, or improving the teams overall offensive productivity.

 

[wundergrape]

Actually it is close. Scoring and defense go to Gesell. But the offense has ran smoother under Clemmons, who now is starting at one. The question is it fair to compare ISU/UNI vs. WSU/Vtech. What has more an impact on winning, nearly averaging double digit scoring, or improving the teams overall offensive productivity.

No, it isn't. Mike averages twice as many points, twice as many rebounds, the same amount of assists, three times more steals, gets to the line twice as often and makes four times more free throws when he gets there.

The only advantages that Clemmons has are in turnovers (although Sapp's are trending up), and three point shooting (which is negligible because Sapp has only taken a third as many as Mike, which Mike has made double the number Clemmons has). I agree that Clemmons starting at the 1 has been a good thing, but to say that Clemmons has more of an impact on this team than Gesell does is ludicrous.

Don't get me wrong, Clemmons is good. Mike's a stud, though.

 

[GhostofBTT]

Like I said, Clemmons has been good, but nothing to single out. The offense runs well with him at the point, but I think part of that is since Clemmons took point, McCabe stopped starting, and May stopped playing as much as they had earlier in the season. I think Gesell moving to the shooting guard spot reduced Oglesbrix's minutes, which has helped the offense.

 

[RocknRollface]

This is a joke, right? Sapp has been good, but it's not even close. Gesell's scoring alone puts him over the top. Add to that his defense and passing...not even close.

I would say its close at least in some games. Overall on the season not as much.

Clemmons has had some great assist to turnover numbers since becoming a starter and Clemmons is the better defender of the two.

Steals don't equal defense staying in front of your man does.

 

[deanvogs]

The best thing Clemmons did when he entered the starting lineup, was free up White to be at the 4 spot. White at the 3 just wasn't working, and it was a HUGE upgrade removing McCabe from the lineup, and getting a true PG in that can handle and dish the ball. Plus he is much more physical than Gesell and is a better defender at the point.

 

[storminspank]

This is a joke, right? Sapp has been good, but it's not even close. Gesell's scoring alone puts him over the top. Add to that his defense and passing...not even close.

I'd have to agree. Sapp has been a nice surprise, but Gesell has been much more important for Iowa.

 

[GhostofBTT]

I'd have to agree. Sapp has been a nice surprise, but Gesell has been much more important for Iowa.

Clemmons was literally the only option. I think if Oglesby could hit the broad side of a barn, Gesell would have stayed at point.

 

[storminspank]

Clemmons was literally the only option. I think if Oglesby could hit the broad side of a barn, Gesell would have stayed at point.

Mike still plays point, though.

 

[redhawk55]

Clemons, Gesell, Marble = the best combo of ball handlers
this is the biggest asset that Clemmons gives this team, his scoring is a big plus, that very few counted on
this early 4.2 ppg 3.8 apg is very good at 17.3 mpg. this is in comparison to what Cartwright brought
6.0 ppg 4.8 apg in 23.7 mpg
this plays abig role in Gesell getting 9.4 ppg to replacing Gatens 15.2 ppg

 

[redhawk55]

another thought
Clemmons 3.8 apg
Gesell 3.4 apg
Marble 2.9 apg
with this Iowa 17th in the country in Team apg at 16.9
and is 19th at 41.6 rpg and 40th in scoring at 76.9 ppg
that's a very big improvement over last year, 177th at 34.4 rpg
this team is so much better from last year there is no comparing them

 

[GhostofBTT]

another thought
Clemmons 3.8 apg
Gesell 3.4 apg
Marble 2.9 apg
with this Iowa 17th in the country in Team apg at 16.9
and is 19th at 41.6 rpg and 40th in scoring at 76.9 ppg
that's a very big improvement over last year, 177th at 34.4 rpg
this team is so much better from last year there is no comparing them

Well, there really isn't any comparing them, at this point, because this year's Iowa team hasn't played anyone. I am sure the scoring and rebounding averages will drop once we start conference play.

 

[BasketballMan]

Well, there really isn't any comparing them, at this point, because this year's Iowa team hasn't played anyone. I am sure the scoring and rebounding averages will drop once we start conference play.

Yep. Exactly what happened to White last year.

 

[mbchawk]

Clemmons is a better ball handler than MG and has been a big help to MG when he has struggled against good defenders. It is likely that MG will handle pressure better as he gets more experience and matures, but right now, he is not as solid under pressure at getting the ball down the court as Anthony has been. Sapp already is a guy with outstanding ball handling and defensive skills, imo, and he is only going to get better. Very seldom is anyone going to be able to take the ball away from Anthony by themselves.

 

[smhawk]

Yeah Im not trying to argue who I think is a better overall player. Cause I believe that is Gesell,just in the performance at PG against quality teams, Sapp has struggled less. But part of this might have had to do with who else was on the quart with Gesell and how exactly they were preformaning.

 

[GhostofBTT]

Clemmons is a better ball handler than MG and has been a big help to MG when he has struggled against good defenders. It is likely that MG will handle pressure better as he gets more experience and matures, but right now, he is not as solid under pressure at getting the ball down the court as Anthony has been. Sapp already is a guy with outstanding ball handling and defensive skills, imo, and he is only going to get better. Very seldom is anyone going to be able to take the ball away from Anthony by themselves.

Maybe I don't remember right, but I don't recall Gesell having ball-handling problems like you're implying here.