10 programs on the rise heading into*’12-’13 - nbcsports.com

[deanvogs]

Some people are forgetting to compare our conference schedule to the other teams in the big 10s conference schedule. We might be the 7th best team in the conference at best but it doesn't mean we can't finish higher then 7th because our schedule.

We had to be 10th or 11th in the Big10 as far as talent on the roster last year, but still managed to win a lot of conference games. This year we are moving up in talent level, and should help prevent some of the losses to the teams with less talent now.

 

[GhostofBTT]

Some people are forgetting to compare our conference schedule to the other teams in the big 10s conference schedule. We might be the 7th best team in the conference at best but it doesn't mean we can't finish higher then 7th because our schedule.

Look at our BoneG schedule in January.

Indiana
@Michigan
Michigan St.
@Northwestern
Wisconsin
@Ohio St
@Purdue
Penn St.

That's 5 top 25 teams in the first 8 games. Plus road games at Purdue and Northwestern, teams which Francis is a combined 1-7 against.

I don't think our schedule is going to do us any favors at all. It is possible we start 2-6 in the league, and spend the rest of the season digging our way out.

 

[RocknRollface]

Because most people, like yourself in the post I'm quoting, are comparing this Iowa team to previous Iowa teams, rather than the teams they will be facing. This team looks good compared to three years ago, but will probably finish as the 7th best team in the BoneG.

Almost no one that I have seen is predicting Iowa to do better than 6th or 7th.

Most are saying Iowa will finish 7th but look at it as a positive and its called overhyping, you make the same prediction but say it negatively and its being real? Whatever.

7th place in the conference this year should be a tourney team.

 

[RocknRollface]

I'd much prefer to be under the radar than popping up on every crappy websites "teams on the rise" or "surprise teams" columns. Especially after losing our best player and more importantly our most competent defender.

Not sure Gatens would be either of those things if he were still on this years squad.

I would certainly rather have White and Marble given the choice.

 

[VAHawkFan]

Look at our BoneG schedule in January.

Indiana
@Michigan
Michigan St.
@Northwestern
Wisconsin
@Ohio St
@Purdue
Penn St.

That's 5 top 25 teams in the first 8 games. Plus road games at Purdue and Northwestern, teams which Francis is a combined 1-7 against.

I don't think our schedule is going to do us any favors at all. It is possible we start 2-6 in the league, and spend the rest of the season digging our way out.

I agree that we are a young team, destined to have ups and downs this year. I think we have a shot at an NIT berth if our freshmen can avoid a rash of repeated mistakes throughout the seasons. None of them have to be immediate superstars, but they can't hurt us. I believe we're still a year away from seriously considering a March Madness type of season. So to some extent I agree with you, Ghost.

However, I've got to call you on the "teams which Francis is a combined 1-7 against" reasoning. When any coach is two seasons into a massive rebuilding job, they're going to have poor records against nearly everyone...that simply comes with rebuilding.

So while others may want to temper expectations simply because we're better than we have been, you may not want to put too much stock in Fran's overall record considering what he's had to work with thus far.

 

[VAHawkFan]

Not sure Gatens would be either of those things if he were still on this years squad.

I would certainly rather have White and Marble given the choice.

We have some players who may have feasibly supplanted him as the best offensive player on the team this year, Marble and White being the most likely to do so if anyone would have.

I don't think we'll have a better defender on the team than Gatens was last year. If Marble makes the same type of leap in his defensive game this year that he made on offense last year...then maybe. But he has a ways to go. Fran mentioned at some point that he thought May could be a standout defensive specialist this year. I'd like to see it, but that's still another big leap if he is to be as effective as Gatens was last season.

 

[tm3308]

Almost no one that I have seen is predicting Iowa to do better than 6th or 7th.

Most are saying Iowa will finish 7th but look at it as a positive and its called overhyping, you make the same prediction but say it negatively and its being real? Whatever.

7th place in the conference this year should be a tourney team.

This sums it all up.

 

[GhostofBTT]

Almost no one that I have seen is predicting Iowa to do better than 6th or 7th.

Basketballman in this thread.

 

[Johnnyhawkeye]

When the preseason rankings come out, we will be either 7th or 8th. 5 teams in the BoneG will be in the top 25, and one will be on the outskirts. Iowa will not be one of them. We have a young team that has never played well on the road under Fran, and we'll be facing an early BoneG schedule of battle tested premier teams. While I am cautiously optimistic, I have serious fears this season's going sideways in mid-January, and the people puffing up their chests in October will be whining about it.

I guess beating Wisconsin and Minnesota doesn't count?

 

[HawkForce]

I think a LOT of people are going to be very disappointed when this team drops some early ones...It's not going to end great relying on a freshman C and PG...

Now next year though....they might be tough.

 

[Tmoney12]

WE. ARE. BACK

 

[sportstalent]

Iowa is not getting overhyped by any means. I have yet to see anyone in the National media predict Iowa to the NCAA tournament, rather saying if Iowa can steal a couple of wins in BIG that they need, there is a shot for them to get to the tournament...calling them a sleeper is not overhyping a team.

Here is my take on Iowa this season. If Iowa wins the games they are supposed to inside and outside of conference and can split with Wisconsin and Minnesota then they will have a legit shot at the NCAA tournament. The thing about Iowa this year and the opening of the BIG schedule, it is no different than any other year and honestly, I like them facing the tough teams early. Take some licks early, but maybe knock off a team that they shouldn't.

Iowa has depth this season and for the first time in about 7 years and there are no teams that are a matchup nightmare heading into this season. The three teams that look to be for real are: Indiana, Michigan and MSU. I think 4 -7 can fall in many different ways and I like the way Iowa looks, on paper. If Iowa doesn't improve defensively, then it will not matter who Iowa has and who has returned or who the freshman are.
What I like about Iowa is they are going to have a PG that is going to make great choices with the basketball and I think will be a solid defender. Iowa has a lot of size in the frontcourt, so I hope Iowa puts more pressure on the ball on the perimeter this season. Having guys that will contest shots will be huge, unlike the past few seasons Iowa will not be wasting the Center position with an undersized forward. With the added height, I expect to see Iowa not get hammered on the boards against teams that have a serviceable Center.
Defensively, I expect Iowa to be better, with the depth that they have Iowa can exert more effort and energy to stop people.
The other thing depth hopefully provide is the ability for Iowa to not have the 10:00 offensive droughts that were bound to plague them the last couple of years, even a lot last season. Maybe a kid can come off the bench and get hot, or Fran can put a defensive team on the floor that can stop the bleeding and not give up a 24-7 run.

 

[Tmoney12]

No matter what happens fans are gonna be ******. I really think we lose a game we shouldnt in the non conference. I think were gonna struggle early. We as fans have to look on the bright side and not give up on this team. Fran has us headed in the right direction. The Big 10 is gonna be a freakn dog fight but hopefully by that time we will have our confidence back. Some fans are thinking we are Tournament or bust... Lets hold back on those feelings till next year.

#itrustFran

 

[RocknRollface]

We have some players who may have feasibly supplanted him as the best offensive player on the team this year, Marble and White being the most likely to do so if anyone would have.

I don't think we'll have a better defender on the team than Gatens was last year. If Marble makes the same type of leap in his defensive game this year that he made on offense last year...then maybe. But he has a ways to go. Fran mentioned at some point that he thought May could be a standout defensive specialist this year. I'd like to see it, but that's still another big leap if he is to be as effective as Gatens was last season.

Iowa may not have anyone who is as good at staying between his man and the ball and fighting through screens as Gatens was but there will be better guys at keeping the ball handler infront of them.

Iowa should be much better at stopping dribble penetration this year. Gessel will be an improvement over Cartwright and Clemmons will be better than Gessel.

 

[MisterLucky]

I'd much prefer to be under the radar than popping up on every crappy websites "teams on the rise" or "surprise teams" columns. Especially after losing our best player and more importantly our most competent defender.

That's one of the great things about NCAA basketball. Players are constantly rotating in and out and usually, not always, but usually the departing seniors are the best players. I think it could be argued that a number of teams in the Big Ten (MSU, NW, Neb., Purdue, Ill., OSU, WI) lost their best players from last year's squad. I seriously doubt that any team in the Big Ten thinks they are not going to be improved this year even with those losses, so it's not just Iowa. I think most Hawk fans have reasonable expectations for this year's edition, with a few exceptions.

 

[BigD]

If the guards have a quick learning curve and do very well then I believe Iowa will be a very solid team. The addition of Woodbury is nothing but an improvement for the team as he will have an impact at the post from a defensive stand point. His offense may or may not be significant as far as his personal scoring goes but having a seven footer will natural create space for the rest of his team. The key will be the developement of the guards both defensively and offensively.

 

[Smarthawk]

I don't think picking Iowa to finish between 5th and 7th in the conference is overhyping in the slightest. I don't think we have any chance of competing for the championship this year but I think we have every chance to make the NCAA field. This team has got 13 guys that can play basketball. It has 3 guys 6'10" and taller, it's got 3-4 guys that can shoot the 3,8 guys that can rebound, 3 guys that can play the point. If we also play some defense, there is no way we DON'T make it in the Top 7 of the league. If we don't improve defensively then we better score 100 points a game.

 

[GhostofBTT]

I don't think picking Iowa to finish between 5th and 7th in the conference is overhyping in the slightest. I don't think we have any chance of competing for the championship this year but I think we have every chance to make the NCAA field. This team has got 13 guys that can play basketball. It has 3 guys 6'10" and taller, it's got 3-4 guys that can shoot the 3,8 guys that can rebound, 3 guys that can play the point. If we also play some defense, there is no way we DON'T make it in the Top 7 of the league. If we don't improve defensively then we better score 100 points a game.

We do not have three guys who can shoot the three.

 

[BigD]

I don't think picking Iowa to finish between 5th and 7th in the conference is overhyping in the slightest. I don't think we have any chance of competing for the championship this year but I think we have every chance to make the NCAA field. This team has got 13 guys that can play basketball. It has 3 guys 6'10" and taller, it's got 3-4 guys that can shoot the 3,8 guys that can rebound, 3 guys that can play the point. If we also play some defense, there is no way we DON'T make it in the Top 7 of the league. If we don't improve defensively then we better score 100 points a game.

SOLD!!!!!

 

[MisterLucky]

We do not have three guys who can shoot the three.

I think that Gesell, Marble, McCabe and Oglesby are all capable three-point shooters.