storminspank
Justin VanLaere
Said he's going to be Iowa's 6 man this year.
Coach McCaffery confirms Basabe coming off bench
- Thread starter storminspank
- Start date
superfan12
Well-Known Member
So who's starting? Woodbury or Olesani?
franstheman
Well-Known Member
I'm gonna say Woodbury. I love his game. A lot of people think he won't be an impact player this year but you could see how he affected shots on defense and was able to hedge the ball screen very well on defense during the exhibition. What I love about him though is how composed he is as a freshman facing the double team and how he's able to find the open man with the pass. When it's a tight game and Iowa needs a bucket look for Woody to be in there a lot. The half court worked so well with him vs. Quincy. He's a perfect compliment to White who likes to move with out the ball and cut to the basket.
bpiercehawks
Well-Known Member
I tweeted the other day that I think Mel is key for us making the Big Dance. You can't put it on one player, and I'm not, sort of, but that's how big he will be. If we get the consistent Basabe that rebounds, blocks shots, hits the kiss off the glass from the low post, we will make the tourney. I guarantee it. If he buys into his role of coming off the bench, and flourishes with it, we will be very strong. Go Hawks!
Section136
Well-Known Member
lulz...I'm sure your dozens of followers were enthralled.
franstheman
Well-Known Member
I like that Fran has decided on one guy so that Basabe doesn't have to worry about starting. I think he did better last year off the bench than he did starting.
This is a good role for Basabe. He's the type of player who is easy to shut down when he's the focus of other team's game plans. With most of the defensive attention on White, Marble and Gesell this year Basabe will be able to get his points on cuts and garbage points much like his freshman year.
bpiercehawks
Well-Known Member
Good lord. I will ask you permission when I post something. My guess? I know basketball. You don't.
Section136
Well-Known Member
U mad.
bpiercehawks
Well-Known Member
Nope.
storminspank
Justin VanLaere
Woodbury.
atomicblue224
Well-Known Member
It doesnt matter But what matters is the players is the players getting along and being part of something special and be willing to play hard and having fun.
GhostofBTT
Banned
Of course Basabe's coming off the bench. There are more talented players in front of him. That's why he only started 60% of the games last year.
Woodbury starts and is a more physical player as a freshman than Gabe. Gabe still gets pushed around in a crowd in the paint area. Eventually, Gabe will probably develop physically enough to do a better job of holding his position in the paint against the other big bodies.
1hawkeye1
Well-Known Member
The game of basketball has evolved. It's no longer my five vs your five with an occasional substitute.
Don't get all wrapped up in who "starts." This always drives me crazy. It's very common for a "bench" player to get as many or more minutes than a "starter."
Some players play better coming off the bench. MB is one of them. Doesn't make him a less talented player.
Don't get all wrapped up in who "starts." This always drives me crazy. It's very common for a "bench" player to get as many or more minutes than a "starter."
Some players play better coming off the bench. MB is one of them. Doesn't make him a less talented player.
GhostofBTT
Banned
It does and it doesn't. For instance, he's coming off the bench because there are more talented players ahead of him. He'll get fewer minutes because he's undersized for his position, and he can't play at a bigger weight. He needs bangers around him to be effective, and we don't have a bunch.
hawkfarmer
Well-Known Member
What excites me about this is not that Basabe is moved to the bench, but only 2 years ago he was considered our top player, now he is behind a few guys. I'm not saying he isn't good, but if he was still our best player you would start him, period. That just shows me the upgrade in talent Fran has made.
GhostofBTT
Banned
I think it is a factor of the talent improving and Basabe regressing. He and McCabe were in the same class, and three years ago McCabe was a walking disaster and Basabe was a stud, but today I think ZM's a better option than Basabe. Basabe will have his situations, but I think over-all, Zach is the better player now.
hawkfarmer
Well-Known Member
I don't think he's regressed, just has not improved very much. He's kind of a one trick pony on both ends of the floor. Dunks and blocks. Not a bad rebounder, but not very good at boxing out, and he has nothing outside of bunnies on the offensive end. ZM is just more versatile and more willing to stick his nose where it probably doesn't belong.
GhostofBTT
Banned
Fair enough. I think losing Cole exposed Basabe, because all of the big bodies went after him. Maybe having a couple of trees under the iron will free him up again, although neither Woodbury or Olesani are Cole-type space eaters/bangers.
