Apathy

[ICAlumni]

I haven't left a Hawkeye event early in years. In fact, can't remember the last time I did.
I go to sporting events because I enjoy them, win or lose. And I enjoy this team and their effort.

But tonight, I simply couldn't stand it. When they got the intentional call and Marble had 4 straight FT misses... the Hawks were looking at cutting the lead to the 15 pt range. They scrambled and bumbled the game away back to where it had been before their decent stretch.

The team's effort tonight was sad, just sad. I told my buddy that the most interesting thing about this game would be if you could listen to Fran's halftime talk. He either had to be blowing a gasket or telling the team how pathetic they looked.

Honestly, if I were him... I would have played Stoermer, and the walk-ons for the second half. Cartwright played his *** off but the rest of the team (Gatens too) looked downright awful.

- Something is wrong with May and until he's right... we're done. We have no outside options other than Gatens without him.
- McCabe is struggling right now. He's going to be good but he's gotta keep working.
- Cartwright is excellent and plays hard but not having Cully to split time with is killing him.
- Gatens is a pure scorer and he's going to get his, but his lack of defense, lack of hustle trying to get open for a shot and the fact that he never follows a shot but stands and looks at it all drive me nuts.
- Cole was horrid tonight. The guy has been solid all year and is usually the rock that provides us A+ effort but he just didn't have it.

Worst Iowa basketball game i've seen in years.

I hope Fran can get things back on track.

 

[HawkeyeBA]

You can tell this team is very raw and young. Transitioning from a different kind of basketball is never an easy thing but tonight was downright awful.

One thing I can't understand is why they all shot fake. Even when they are open they shot fake and then the defender closes in on them and their stuck. When they do shot fake and a defender is on them it never (well rarely) works. Really bothers me. They aren't confident and don't take wide open shots when they should. Always second guessing their shot.

There isn't one area this team is good/great in. New system. Not Frans players. Going to have to give it time. We've all heard this before I know.... just got to have hope I guess.

 

[iowamike21]

I've seen Iowa basketball from Ralph Miller and Dick Schultz to Lute Olson, Tom Davis, Todd Lickliter and now Fran. It's a pretty long stretch, and it's no fun to say it but the last two games Iowa looked as bad as I've ever seen...and that includes woeful teams under Schultz and the miserable times under Lickliter.

The thing is, effort means a lot in basketball. Sure, talent is talent and Iowa doesn't have much of it right now. But basketball is such a simple game. Iowa was outworked and outhustled at home tonight by a good, but certainly not great, NW team. The Hawkeyes were standing around on the defensive board allowing NW second shots they never should have had.

When Lute came in, he didn't inherit much talent either, but those teams played maniacal defense. They were inside the other guys' jerseys all night long, and they were aggressive on the boards and knew how to block out.

Where's the Davis-style full court press? Where are the ball traps? What hurts most about these two embarrassing lack of efforts is the heartless defensive effort. If ya can't make shots, if ya can't even make a FT here and there, at least make sure you give the other guy fits trying to score.

I don't know what to make of it. As others have noted, Eric May has disappeared. Gatens can't play defense or rebound and often passes up open shots. Cartwright played like a whirlwind tonight. Give him credit. And the walk-on, Jason Stoermer played hard and shot well. Otherwise, wow...

Maybe give Archie and Stoermer starts next time. At least we need to have people on the floor wearing IOWA uniforms who will play hard. Playing hard requires no talent and no experience. It is the one unforgivable element in sports.

Fran needs to apply the Davis-style full court press from the opening tip on Sunday until the final tick. And he needs to play everybody who's willing to play hard. Rotate 'em in and out and at least leave Minnesota with a bunch of bruises from a swarming defensive effort if we can't do anything else.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

I agree 100%%%%. I love seeing some pressing.....that 3/4 quarter stuff over nothing. But, I would really love to see the Full Court Press that Mr. Davis ran implemented. Let these guys fight and scrap the other team and try to force some more turnovers. It is not like it can get any worse after these 2 games. Unless maybe you get 30-50 pointed.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

I haven't left a Hawkeye event early in years. In fact, can't remember the last time I did.
I go to sporting events because I enjoy them, win or lose. And I enjoy this team and their effort.

But tonight, I simply couldn't stand it. When they got the intentional call and Marble had 4 straight FT misses... the Hawks were looking at cutting the lead to the 15 pt range. They scrambled and bumbled the game away back to where it had been before their decent stretch.

The team's effort tonight was sad, just sad. I told my buddy that the most interesting thing about this game would be if you could listen to Fran's halftime talk. He either had to be blowing a gasket or telling the team how pathetic they looked.

Honestly, if I were him... I would have played Stoermer, and the walk-ons for the second half. Cartwright played his *** off but the rest of the team (Gatens too) looked downright awful.

- Something is wrong with May and until he's right... we're done. We have no outside options other than Gatens without him.
- McCabe is struggling right now. He's going to be good but he's gotta keep working.
- Cartwright is excellent and plays hard but not having Cully to split time with is killing him.
- Gatens is a pure scorer and he's going to get his, but his lack of defense, lack of hustle trying to get open for a shot and the fact that he never follows a shot but stands and looks at it all drive me nuts.
- Cole was horrid tonight. The guy has been solid all year and is usually the rock that provides us A+ effort but he just didn't have it.

Worst Iowa basketball game i've seen in years.

I hope Fran can get things back on track.

Really???

You must be kidding. Honestly you can't be serious.. Iowa basketball the previous 2 years was completely unwatchable. Tonight they were extremely sad, but they never quit. Teams under Lickliter would just quit. I honestly can't believe what I just read. You must have been asleep for 3 years and just woke up.