After watching most of the NCAA games, I am convinced

[hawkeye12345]

That Iowa isn't even close to being able to compete with ANY of the teams that made the show this year and that firing Lick was the best thing our program could have done for our future.

These teams are athletic. They run the court. They can get after the ball on defense. The undersized teams run some (if not more than some) zone to mitigate their weaknesses.

Very few teams were relying on jacking up 3s and the one's that were are no longer in the tournament.

Thank you Gary Barta.

 

[woodyk1]

Agreed. Flexibility (like being able to play a zone) is needed during certain games and certain opponents.

St. Mary's proves they can play 'old-time' basketball with good backdoor cuts, unselfish passing, and 3 pointers (they are 5 of 10 so far against Villianova). However, their big man (Omar Samhan) inside helps make their offense effective. I would say they are the exception, not the rule. But they are fun to watch.

 

[HawkeyeState81]

All I know is I'm fed up with not having our beloved Hawkeyes in the tourney. I am sick and tired of it! Thanks UNI for giving me a sniff of what it is like having a team you want to win make it to the first weekend at least. I can't take many more march's without the Hawks being in the picture....

 

[glidinghawk]

It's amazing how much speed and quickness most of the NCAA tourney teams have, especially in the backcourt. Most teams have 3 or 4 very speedy guys and their big guys are quick too. Not only that, most of them are good ball handlers with great footwork to go one-on-one or to get in good position to receive passes. And they also have great positioning on defense.

Except for Payne, Iowa has no speed at all. And Payne's speed is not super speed. Gatens, May, Cole, Fuller. Brommer, and Cougill would be eaten alive by most tourney teams, including many of those seeded in the 13 through 16 slots.

 

[shada]

the big ten is 4-1. i think we could win some games.

 

[HawkeyeBench]

except we couldn't win games in the big ten either.

 

[blkngoldUofI]

A big part of our problem is the lack of depth on the team. With the incoming recruits (i hope they all stay on) that shouldn't be a problem. Iowa did show at times they can play with the big boys' and other times they looked terrible. Depth and being consistent will help out. The one thing I hope we see is an up tempo style because under Lick we limited our number of possesions, in an up tempo system we will hopefully have more shot attempts and by shot attempts I'm hoping for easy baskets not launching 3's as the shot clock runs down.

 

[ibahawkeye]

A big part of our problem is the lack of depth on the team. With the incoming recruits (i hope they all stay on) that shouldn't be a problem. Iowa did show at times they can play with the big boys' and other times they looked terrible. Depth and being consistent will help out. The one thing I hope we see is an up tempo style because under Lick we limited our number of possesions, in an up tempo system we will hopefully have more shot attempts and by shot attempts I'm hoping for easy baskets not launching 3's as the shot clock runs down.

Ohio State doesn't sem to have a problem with lack of depth because they have talent.

Talent is the issue....athletes who can run fast, jump high and make shots.

 

[blkngoldUofI]

Ohio State doesn't sem to have a problem with lack of depth because they have talent.

Talent is the issue....athletes who can run fast, jump high and make shots.

I disagree, OSU also plays a different style of "the Butler way". In any sport your IQ will help a ton. These kids were in a boring style of play that they didn't fit and didn't like. Let them get out and run and shoot the ball more and the results will be there. Our starting five are more than able to run a fast break but it wasn't allowed or looked for. I don't mind calling out the coaches or a system but calling out these kids for a lack of talent is not doing any good. Payne, Fuller, Gatens, May and Cole have at times shown they can contribute in a big way, now they have to be consistent and will have a better oppurtuinty to showcase their skills.

 

[ibahawkeye]

I disagree, OSU also plays a different style of "the Butler way". In any sport your IQ will help a ton. These kids were in a boring style of play that they didn't fit and didn't like. Let them get out and run and shoot the ball more and the results will be there. Our starting five are more than able to run a fast break but it wasn't allowed or looked for. I don't mind calling out the coaches or a system but calling out these kids for a lack of talent is not doing any good. Payne, Fuller, Gatens, May and Cole have at times shown they can contribute in a big way, now they have to be consistent and will have a better oppurtuinty to showcase their skills.

Wisconsin does fine with a slowed down "system" in the Big 10.

I don't buy the system argument. The players probably weren't happy because they weren't winning.

OSU could win games with Lick's system because they have talent.

 

[clicheusername3]

Wisconsin does fine with a slowed down "system" in the Big 10.

I don't buy the system argument. The players probably weren't happy because they weren't winning.

OSU could win games with Lick's system because they have talent.

Or not trying to do anything about not winning for example not changing something that is obviously not working i.e. Lick's system.

 

[hawkeye12345]

the big ten is 4-1. i think we could win some games.

The only team to lose was Minny as an 11 seed. No chance Iowa wins a game in the tournament and to be honest, I think the only reason that the Big10 won any of their games was because of their seedings.

I've gone on record as saying NO Big10 team will make the Sweet 16. Now that the 1st round is over, I could see Wisky maybe making it in but that's about it.

 

[ibahawkeye]

Or not trying to do anything about not winning for example not changing something that is obviously not working i.e. Lick's system.

We'll see what happens with the new coach but I think the next couple of years are still going to be bad for Iowa basketball no matter who the coach. I think it will take time for the new coach to bring in new talent.

 

[tm3308]

Or not trying to do anything about not winning for example not changing something that is obviously not working i.e. Lick's system.

Right, go and find me a coach that will willingly throw out the "system" that they've built their success on just because they aren't winning at the time. Lickliter has used that "system" for years, and it worked just fine until he got here. I don't fault him for continuing to run it. If it doesn't work, then that's on Barta, not Lickliter. Lickliter and his "system" were brought in, and if it doesn't work then Barta misjudged how that "system" would fit in the Big Ten. Any "system" will work if you've got the right blend of talent.

But no coach is going to overhaul their philosophy if that philosophy has been very successful for them for years. They have ultimate faith in that philosophy. They have to, otherwise it would be their philosophy at all.

 

[tm3308]

The only team to lose was Minny as an 11 seed. No chance Iowa wins a game in the tournament and to be honest, I think the only reason that the Big10 won any of their games was because of their seedings.

I've gone on record as saying NO Big10 team will make the Sweet 16. Now that the 1st round is over, I could see Wisky maybe making it in but that's about it.

Ohio State will make it to the Sweet Sixteen, at least. I've got them in the Elite Eight, and they are certainly good enough to beat Georgia Tech. Wisconsin I think will make it, and Purdue/MSU are less likely, but I could see them making it as well.