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OatesStache
Guest
They have more talent.
Big Ten Power Rankings: Offseason edition
- Thread starter HawkeyeHypnosis
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They have more talent.
sportstalent
Well-Known Member
And that matters why? Not all the time does talent win over coaching and discipline.
If it were the case Iowa would have lost to Minnesota last season, as well as, Wisconsin and not competed and split with Indiana and Illinois.
Tubby had tons of talent at Kentucky, won a title with Pintino's talent, but did little to nothing with his talent. Coaching does have some say in it when all is said and done.
When you put a load of elite talent on the floor as Kentucky does year in and year out it is a different story, but not always.
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OatesStache
Guest
I didn't say that Minnesota is a better team, he asked how anyone could possibly pick Minnesota over Iowa, and I gave a reason why.
BigD
Well-Known Member
BINGO!!!
BigD
Well-Known Member
Another bullseye!!!!
Sorry to respond so late to some of the comments but I work seven days a week and am crushed time wise keeping up with work and family.
sportstalent
Well-Known Member
Understood, but given Iowa swept them last season and has the same favorable schedule as last year, using talent as your only reason is weak. Iowa has been less talented than any team they have played thus far in the BIG since Fran has been there. Iowa is improving and has been competitive, save for MSU/OSU. Tubby has a lot of issues in his program; he has players leave like a former Iowa coach and not the one just before Fran. Minnesota has a lot of issues and even if Mbakwe comes back full strength, is there enough around him in the post? Ralph Sampson III was very overrated, but he was a much better player with Mbakwe in the lineup and Mbakwe benefitted from him. Rodney Williams ins't the answer there and if Mbakwe isn't fully healthy then I don't see Minnesota doing a whole lot next year. They have some decent guards, but they did well against teams that didn't defend. Expect to continue to see roster turnover at Minnesota as long as Tubby is there, it happened everywhere else he has been. You see a team that could be great and then two, three players leave...
jacknicholson
Well-Known Member
You can respond any time you want, BigD......
NIght or day.....
May could very well be the X factor this season. Just his Big Ten experience will help things. As has been mentioned before, he helped quite a few times last season, when we were in trouble, May came in and settled things down even helped bring the ball downcourt when we are in trouble. If, a very big IF, he is healthy, we will be a better team. I do realize that many fail to see his value, but it is there. Some of the most exciting moments in his career have been his running the floor for an outstanding alley oop. I hope to see many more this year.......
jacknicholson
Well-Known Member
Excellent, Sportstalent, and not only that, we are a different team than the one that beat Minnesota twice last year. There is a ton of raw talent that compliments the team this year and it will not take long for the rest of the Big Ten to take notice......
RocknRollface
Well-Known Member
Even though Im encouraged by what I saw out of May in the PTL I would say that Gessel, Basabe, McCabe, Olesani, Woodbury, Ogelsby and possibly Clemmons will all be more important factors than May.
White and Marble are a given.
What Im hopping for out of May is that he can at least stay healthy and can get up and down the court when Iowa is running and throw down at least one highlight dunk a game and then play good D and rebound.
White and Marble are a given.
What Im hopping for out of May is that he can at least stay healthy and can get up and down the court when Iowa is running and throw down at least one highlight dunk a game and then play good D and rebound.
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DFaceHawkeye
Well-Known Member
I think that makes him an x-factor. Not looking for him to set the world on fire. Just to contribute positively and that can have a major effect on this team. One more very athletic defender will help.
sportstalent
Well-Known Member
How does asking a kid go out and play basketball make him an X-Factor?
In a year where he is at best the 8th man in the rotation, I am not sure that he can be considered an X-Factor.
When you take a look at May as a whole, he does one thing well...run the floor. He is hesitant with the ball and is not a reliable shooter unless he is the only one in the gym.
Defensively, May is not what he is made out to be healthy or not...he can defend in-line, but not side to side.
The biggest X-Factors on Iowa's roster are in order: Gesell, Clemmons, McCabe and Ingram.
Gesell will start, but the other three could be the core of a really, really good bench. That is what Iowa's true X-Factor is going to be this season, when Iowa has to turn to its bench can they maintain a lead or cut into a deficit?
Iowa has had no bench for the last 5 seasons, starters have been overplayed and overworked...it is going to be nice to see Iowa turn to a bench.
Look you can think I dislike May, I really don't, my first blog was about how excited I was on he and Payne. I hope that a healthy May can give me the middle finger on this, but I just don't see it happening. May can be a great leader without having to see a ton of playing time, he may have to come to accept it, but it isn't out of the realm of possibilities.
BigD
Well-Known Member
Lol, May may give me the middle finger...... That did make me laugh. Look I agree with the fact of who will be the prominent players, but if we have a player shine that is not expected to, then that could give us the edge we need to win games we may not have won otherwise. Also remember freshmen are freshmen and have a learning curve they have to go through sometimes. Basketball is such an unpredictable sport sometimes. It has it's ups and downs. White was an unexpected up his freshman year. I hope the new freshmen can duplicate it and even exceed it. If that happens, well to quote an old football announcer...... "whoa nelly!!!!"
RocknRollface
Well-Known Member
IMO, if theres an X factor its Basabe.
Hes the guy thats already proven he can play at a high level but we don't know exactly what to expect from him. If he brings what he did against IU every time out Iowa will be a different team.
Olesani could be another.
Hes the guy thats already proven he can play at a high level but we don't know exactly what to expect from him. If he brings what he did against IU every time out Iowa will be a different team.
Olesani could be another.
dmShortSaledude
Well-Known Member
I'll take this. Basabe is the one that can put us on top. IF he plays at the high level he is capable of doing. He has done it before. He just needs to bring it, and bring it every night. We can still do it without Mel, but man when his game is on...
Olesani will be interesting and exciting to see this year. He will have a big jump from last. Huge on talent and only his 5th year of basketball. Fran has to love being able to develop this guy. Gabe will have a good Hawkeye career. I think a memorable one.
Eric May will have a good year, IF he can stay healthy. But Mel is our X factor, he needs to bring it. White & Roy will be there night in & night out. Mel needs to on... He has the talent.
Husky28
Well-Known Member
I really agree with this... If they play up to their potential, that really takes the pressure off the incoming big guys. While its nice to have a freshman come out of the gates swinging, it's even nicer when you don't have to depend on a freshman to fill a major need and come in and be in more of a support role... this will allow them time to develop accordingly. That being said, there will be times when the freshmen will have to step up their game...
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OatesStache
Guest
Iowa was playing really good basketball down the stretch last year, and if it wasn't for giving up 160 points to Oregon, the taste in my mouth would be that much better.
Iowa wasn't very big, not deep, not supremely athletic, lacked perimeter shooters in many ways... And still was a decent team/ fun to watch and root for. It was great for many reasons, but the way they grew as a team and started playing good team basketball was the most fun to see. I think Gatens and a healthy Cartwright were big factors in that.
Now, Fran has shown some nice recruiting, and they look to be improved in most or all of the areas. But can they play that high level of team basketball like last year?
Essentially, last year was under-talented and played great bball. This year, they have more talent, how will they be as a (young) team?
Therefore, I think their one senior, May, is a huge x-factor.
Either way, it was great to finally see a team that actually got better over the course of a season. Anyone in here that's ever played serious bball before can probably relate to the grind of a bball season, and when you learn about your teammates, and learn how to play together, you can start winning games. And it's a beautiful thing
Iowa wasn't very big, not deep, not supremely athletic, lacked perimeter shooters in many ways... And still was a decent team/ fun to watch and root for. It was great for many reasons, but the way they grew as a team and started playing good team basketball was the most fun to see. I think Gatens and a healthy Cartwright were big factors in that.
Now, Fran has shown some nice recruiting, and they look to be improved in most or all of the areas. But can they play that high level of team basketball like last year?
Essentially, last year was under-talented and played great bball. This year, they have more talent, how will they be as a (young) team?
Therefore, I think their one senior, May, is a huge x-factor.
Either way, it was great to finally see a team that actually got better over the course of a season. Anyone in here that's ever played serious bball before can probably relate to the grind of a bball season, and when you learn about your teammates, and learn how to play together, you can start winning games. And it's a beautiful thing
sportstalent
Well-Known Member
Completely understood your point. You made the point of talent to put Minnesota ahead of Iowa and gave I you multiple reasons why talent at Minnesota along with coaching among other woes Tubby has had is not a very good reason to think about putting them ahead of Iowa.
sportstalent
Well-Known Member
Iowa doesn't beat Wisconsin both times or Indiana if Basabe doesn't show up the way he did on the boards.
I agree with you totally that he is the X-Factor for the Hawks if he plays well Iowa is clearly a much better team. Basabe is a different kind of forward than what Iowa has had. He isn't the biggest guy, but when he plays with high energy and can develop one move and a jump shot, Iowa will not blow games like they did against Nebraska, NW and Purdue.
jacknicholson
Well-Known Member
Hey, Sportstalent, I don't think you dislike May. I feel the same way about him. He was my favorite Hawk his freshman year, and for various reasons, coaching changes, injuries and other things, he never got to that level the next two years. I would love to see him get back on track. As far as X factors are concerned, I believe it is possible to have more than one, and I think the Hawks have a few. In fact this season the entire team might be the X factor.....
Really enjoy your espertise and posts....
Really enjoy your espertise and posts....
