25 per game when you don't start is a lot harder to do than 25 when you do start. You're basically playing 12 and a half minutes per half without playing the first 4. That's all but 3 and a half minutes of the last 16 minutes of each half. It probably hurt his game sitting out the first 4 of each half, then playing starter minutes.
Baer is the starter at the 3 spot
- Thread starter deanvogs
- Start date
25 per game when you don't start is a lot harder to do than 25 when you do start. You're basically playing 12 and a half minutes per half without playing the first 4. That's all but 3 and a half minutes of the last 16 minutes of each half. It probably hurt his game sitting out the first 4 of each half, then playing starter minutes.
I want the best players to start and I think Baer deserves to start.
I bet Baer ends up starting... Who ends up with that 5th spot will be interesting to say the least. My only guess will be that whomever that ends up being it won't stay that way all year. I bet he'll tinker with it till he finds the best group. I could see even see Kreiner getting it. That dude has only gotten better and he's clearly got some skills. Nothing would surprise me amongst that group other then if Uhl was starting. I can't see him being on the floor nearly as much this year...
I think Nunge has maybe outgrown the 3 spot. At first it sounded like when he was closer to 6'9 he'd be a 3 sometimes. Now that he's a legit 6'11 and he's probably going to be over 230 lbs I think he'll be an athletic 4 man and quite the mismatch for just about whomever he's up against.
What if Nunge played some 3 with Garza and Kriener at the 4 and 5? You could really spread the floor and let Nunge get into the lane with a mismatch. The other team would just go zone right away. But if Bohannon and Elligson were out there too, that would be a good thing.
I'd love it. The options for them to play big are certainly out there. The thing about that group is any of them can shoot outside really.
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
I want the best players to finish. I don't give a rip who starts.....
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I'll concede this. The only way I could see Baer losing the starting 3 spot was if Nunge was a starter. It was certainly wishful thinking to think that Nunge could handle playing the 3, at least defensively. If he can't, I don't see anyone taking Baer out of the starting lineup.
mopkins
King Kong
I don't like Baer starting. He's the best 6th man I can remember at Iowa. He also hustles so much that he flames out pretty quickly. I remember a few games last year where he was just out of gas and you could tell.
Last season Baer started the first 8 games and performed very poorly...and so did the whole team. After the Omaha loss Fran mixed it up and brought Baer off the bench and they immediately started winning. Not saying that is all Baer's fault at all, but Baer brings that spark off the bench and has immediate impact and energy.
Last season Baer started the first 8 games and performed very poorly...and so did the whole team. After the Omaha loss Fran mixed it up and brought Baer off the bench and they immediately started winning. Not saying that is all Baer's fault at all, but Baer brings that spark off the bench and has immediate impact and energy.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
Some guys play better once they've had a chance to watch the flow of the game - but you're right - Baer started early and wasn't nearly as effective last season. He settled down and played a huge role after going back to the bench. I also think that can also come with maturity. The older he gets, the more comfortable, the easier it is for him to get into rhythm etc.
mopkins
King Kong
Yeah I think there's that small window about 5 minutes into each half when the starters start getting tired/lazy and Baer steps in with his hustle and snatches up rebounds, steals and blocks that might not be there at the beginning. I dunno...I just really love Baer off the bench.
FirstDownHawkeyes
Well-Known Member
This is exactly correct regarding Baer! It's rare to be able to come in a game cold like he does and be so effective. I'm not sure why FM would mess with that formula for success.
For the rest of the lineup, there is not a huge drop off at any position except for JBo. JBo will play 32+ in the B1G unless up big. The rest of the team who know. FM finally has a roster that can really allow him to brutalize teams with a relentless press and furious pace. That's the only way he will be able to go really deep and be effective. Cook will get his 25+ min. Baer will be next but just below Cook. After that, it's hard to say.
BrueCrew3
Well-Known Member
I don't disagree, but some guys are just better off the bench. Last year, Baer was one of them. IIRC he even admitted he was better that way and never complained when his role was changed.
Will 2017-18 be the same? Who knows, but we'll find out soon enough.
I also agree with with Spider with one minor change.
I want the best players that night on the court at the end.
Just my 2¢ .. .. GO HAWKS!!!
I want the best players sitting at the end of the bench cheering on walk ons at the end of games.
With this much depth, I sure hope they press a lot to wear down opponents.
I don't think Uhl should play much. If they new bigs send other guys to the bench, nothing wrong with letting them ride pine.
Too much subbing just so guys get a few minutes screws with continuity.
