He arrived stateside before the 2017-18 season. I believe this is a post-grad season or he repeated a year after coming from London, so he's at least a year older than most high school seniors.
He plays a well-scouted school in Massachusetts and plays for a Nike EYBL program in Boston. I don't think he's been under the radar but more a late bloomer, which isn't uncommon for kids coming across the pond.
One thing that stuck out to me that I did not include in the story was when I asked about how well he runs the floor. He told me he can run the floor when he’s conditioned and help in transition. I think he prefers the half court game.
They want both. That’s why they visited on the same weekend and talked about playing together. Xavier isn’t necessarily a banger down low.Is he a backup plan to Foster or will Fran want both? Kinda a Garza/Nunge combo kinda thing? I'm not sure how our scholly #s going forward are looking
One thing that stuck out to me that I did not include in the story was when I asked about how well he runs the floor. He told me he can run the floor when he’s conditioned and help in transition. I think he prefers the half court game.
Garza is really more of a half court player as well. Iowa isn’t as uptempo as we really put on. KenPom had us at 84 in adjusted tempo last year. We like to run but still play a lot in the half court, it just depends on your roster.If true that’s not a good sign.
In 2016 Iowa was 131 in adjusted tempo. In 2015 they were 209.Fran prefers to run and press. That's when his teams are at their best, IMO. I don't think his strength is coaching in the half court on either end of the floor.
His best teams here at guys like Woodbury, Uthoff, Olaseni and White up front. Guys that could press, outlet the ball and run.
I agree the roster makeup has changed. I'm not so sure that's for the best.
In 2016 Iowa was 131 in adjusted tempo. In 2015 they were 209.
Woody was a good defender in man or zone or or press, but he wasn’t a fast tempo offensive player. He was simply a screener and rebounder on offense.
I’m not looking to argue, and your point likely has some validity. I’m just of the school of thought in basketball get as much talent as you can and then figure out the rest. For instance Iowa was still a very efficient half court team last year, because they had talented offensive weapons. On the flip side, they’ve sucked on defense the last several years, because they have poor defensive talent.