Big Game Today

GAME!
Expected loss. Debby was a huge, unexpected W. Still on track for 2-2 last 4. At large 10-seed.
Not bad for transition year. Gonna take a big step back next year after losing Stirtz, unless Koch can step up, which looks VERY unlikely.
 
Fryowa said:
Iowa’s ceiling is an 8-9 seed until they get more size, period. And we all know that’s a death sentence in the round of 32
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Yeah, was hoping for them to get a 6 or 7 seed, but don’t think the resume will be good enough.

Long term, you are crossing your fingers that Sage/Jirak can take the next step.
 
Why does the Badger get 3 free throws

And why do the call a foul almost all the time down court

Blatant bias

Filthy players and colossal Aholes

Did Garde say something nasty to Ben
 
People give me shit for saying Iowa can’t compete without size. And it’s not just now it’s been for decades and multiple coaches.

But…the best predictor of wins in basketball is rebounding margin, just like turnover margin in football (although it’s not quite as lights out).

Go look at rebounding margin in Iowa’s losses

Size isn’t just about getting beat in the paint on defense and out muscled down low on offense. It’s rebounding and rebounding I will argue is even more important. If you get 8 fewer possesions because you got out rebounded, take that number times your team’s points per possession and do the math.

If you’re that kind of team you have to live and die by shooting percentage. You’re a one-trick pony, so to speak. It can work sometimes, but over the long run it doesn’t.
 
My observations:

Started off about as well as they can play

BUT

They lose both offensive and defensive intensity, and three point shooting goes flat, when they can only go seven deep. Koch in particular was two different players out there today. They MUST find an eighth player who can go 15-18 minutes and perhaps even briefly spell Stirtz.

Boy could we use a guard like Boyd. We haven't had one like that since perhaps Andre Woolridge and if we did Fran ran him off or he wasn't coming here in the first place with Connor in the backcourt. Boyd controlled the game, the juice, and Gard did a good job of using media timeouts to get him just enough rest.

Stirtz would be more effective if he got a couple brief blows a Game. The energy he expended Wednesday night chasing Sandfort was difficult to duplicate two nights in a row.

Sage should be starting.

Ben was (rightfully so) as pissed with his team's defense as he's been all season. And it had to be doubly frustrating both after the heroic effort vs Nebraska and looking at the tea s position in the standings (and UCLA's win last night didn't help)

Ben and Greg had additional words near midcourt well after the handshake line and they didn't look friendly. BTT beware if Hawks and Badgers tangle again.
 
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Fryowa said:
People give me shit for saying Iowa can’t compete without size. And it’s not just now it’s been for decades and multiple coaches.

But…the best predictor of wins in basketball is rebounding margin, just like turnover margin in football (although it’s not quite as lights out).

Go look at rebounding margin in Iowa’s losses

Size isn’t just about getting beat in the paint on defense and out muscled down low on offense. It’s rebounding and rebounding I will argue is even more important. If you get 8 fewer possesions because you got out rebounded, take that number times your team’s points per possession and do the math.

If you’re that kind of team you have to live and die by shooting percentage. You’re a one-trick pony, so to speak. It can work sometimes, but over the long run it doesn’t.
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AMEN! I've said it for years, too, while all these bloviates go, "Oh, it's all about guard play..."
BBall is a game of athleticism, proper rebounding effort and positioning (i.e. a little basic physics knowledge) and SIZE! Damn gnats might get all the kudos but they'd b nowhere without someone to pad their assists.
 
We could possibly go 2-2 the last four games regular season

We should beat Ohio State at Carver and Penn State at their house

However top ranked Michigan plays at Carver and the last game is at Nebraska, probably 2 losses

That would give us an 11-9 record in the Big Regular Season, should be good enough to make the Dance
 
Northside Hawk said:
My observations:

Started off about as well as they can play

BUT

They lose both offensive and defensive intensity, and three point shooting goes flat, when they can only go seven deep. Koch in particular was two different players out there today. They MUST find an eighth player who can go 15-18 minutes and perhaps even briefly spell Stirtz.

Boy could we use a guard like Boyd. We haven't had one like that since perhaps Andre Woolridge and if we did Fran ran him off or he wasn't coming here in the first place with Connor in the backcourt. Boyd controlled the game, the juice, and Gard did a good job of using media timeouts to get him just enough rest.

Stirtz would be more effective if he got a couple brief blows a Game. The energy he expended Wednesday night chasing Sandfort was difficult to duplicate two nights in a row.

Sage should be starting.

Ben was (rightfully so) as pissed with his team's defense as he's been all season. And it had to be doubly frustrating both after the heroic effort vs Nebraska and looking at the tea s position in the standings (and UCLA's win last night didn't help)

Ben and Greg had additional words near midcourt well after the handshake line and they didn't look friendly. BTT beware if Hawks and Badgers tangle again.
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I keep looking for solid screens for Stirtz

He is the one you want launching threes
 
haydensly said:
Cooper Koch going 2 of 10 today is a killer. I think he will improve but he seems to have hit the wall the second half, at least shooting-wise. But acknowledging your point, he is not alone.
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Said before, Sage needs to take Koch's and / or Howard's mins.
Least Ben seeing it today with Sage over Howard. Now, who for Koch?
I'll go with Hausen and even a flyer with Jirak!! ZERO drop off splitting his mins over those 2.
 
Looked like Garde had words with Ben at the end of the game in the lineup

Might have been pissed that the Hawks gave it back royally
 
thedukeofearl said:
We could possibly go 2-2 the last four games regular season

We should beat Ohio State at Carver and Penn State at their house

However top ranked Michigan plays at Carver and the last game is at Nebraska, probably 2 losses

That would give us an 11-9 record in the Big Regular Season, should be good enough to make the Dance
Click to expand...
Duke, 2-2 is the BEST they'll do.
If OSuck gets hot in Carver and Hawks have typical struggles in Happy Valley, could b 0-fer.
Stirtz and their D won't let that happen ... 2-2 it will b but sucks that Stirtz' Sr game will b ruined by a 20+ point loss to the Michiscum.

Regardless, their gonna dance at #9 or 10. #9 and win 1, #10 and go home.
 
Boyd and Stirtz are both likely to have long NBA careers.

Listening to McC's postgame interview, I think he's underestimating -- or at least not openly acknowledging the impact -- of Iowa not having a Guard who can keep the other team's best Guard from penetrating. One would think Combs would be that designated player, but there's clearly no one who can stop a quick guard from breaking down Iowa's D. Which obviously creates all sorts of problems, as it did today. Ohio St. has a stud Guard too who likes to drive and who is stronger than Boyd...I think we know what the Buckeyes will be doing on Thursday.

That game is gonna be an absolute rock fight. Both teams feel like it's a 'must win' for their NCAA tourney hopes, both believe they can beat the other team, it's gonna be a slugfest. May put a few buck on the Under.
 
I'm a huge fan of McCollum, but any forum labeled "Basketball" on a Hawkeye message board should obviously be about the women's squad.

That team is a joy to watch and the jewel of the Iowa athletic department.
 
Right now, we need more help from Howard and Combs, on both O & D. I would say more on D than O. Problem is, if we reduce their minutes, who is going to guard the opponents drivers? Howard still seems to be our best bet, right?
 
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