Combs/Hausen/Sage Minutes

[NorthKCHawk]

This topic has come up on a few game threads the last few losses. Sorry, but Combs is just not producing for someone who is starting and playing starting minutes. I get that he is out there to assist with ball handling and to play D, but the former is not that hard of a job and he has been very uneven defensively the last month. He seems to have hit a wall, IMHO.

I know we are all in the honeymoon phase with BM, and McCollum has forgotten more about basketball than any of us will ever know, but its almost like he is too stubborn to tweak what he is doing. I get that defense is paramount to Ben, but we have seen what a lack of offense outside Stirtz looks like as we have come down the stretch, and I think Ben needs to try to pull an offensive lever or two.

Personally, I would like to see Sage and Hausen get some of Combs minutes. Sage is a really good defender and brings a spark on offense. Honestly, I am not sure that Hausen is that much worse of a defender than Combs at this point in time. And, with all respect to Koch, Hausen is the only dangerous outside shooter on the team after Stirtz.

I don't see this team doing much in either tourney with the current rotation that leaves such a blank page at the other guard position.

 

[trj]

Hate to be the asshole here, but isn’t Combs the likely starter at PG next year? He isn’t playing well at the moment, but I understand why BM hasn’t given up on him.

 

[Grady]

Hate to be the asshole here, but isn’t Combs the likely starter at PG next year? He isn’t playing well at the moment, but I understand why BM hasn’t given up on him.

No, Coach Mc has already announced that he'll be signing a lead PG in the portal...as a holding mechanism until a highly-touted FR 2027 recruit can come in. At least that's his plan.

 

[Grady]

This topic has come up on a few game threads the last few losses. Sorry, but Combs is just not producing for someone who is starting and playing starting minutes. I get that he is out there to assist with ball handling and to play D, but the former is not that hard of a job and he has been very uneven defensively the last month. He seems to have hit a wall, IMHO.

I know we are all in the honeymoon phase with BM, and McCollum has forgotten more about basketball than any of us will ever know, but its almost like he is too stubborn to tweak what he is doing. I get that defense is paramount to Ben, but we have seen what a lack of offense outside Stirtz looks like as we have come down the stretch, and I think Ben needs to try to pull an offensive lever or two.

Personally, I would like to see Sage and Hausen get some of Combs minutes. Sage is a really good defender and brings a spark on offense. Honestly, I am not sure that Hausen is that much worse of a defender than Combs at this point in time. And, with all respect to Koch, Hausen is the only dangerous outside shooter on the team after Stirtz.

I don't see this team doing much in either tourney with the current rotation that leaves such a blank page at the other guard position.

Hard to argue with anything in this post. Combs has some skill when he gets into the paint, but he's so deferential to Stirtz that in some ways I think that's holding his growth back. I would only add that Sage has at times been a dangerous outside shooter.

 

[HuckFinn]

Do not forget about Howard. He is the best small man we have on D. Not just my opinion, but well documented. Where does he fit in? And, don’t underestimate the value of a point guard, like Combs, to give Stirtz a break from being double teamed from the center line and physically abused when he brings the ball up.

You better have a long look at the big picture and why Mac does what he does. To be clear, I do wish Combs and Howard provided better overall value. But I want someone to tell me what happens if we take them out of the picture. Who is next?

 

[NorthKCHawk]

If BM is playing Combs, even though others would be more productive, because he is grooming him for next year, that is totally insane. You worry about next year, next year. Especially when you have a Wooden candidate and are a fringe Top 25 team. Legitimate Sweet 16 candidate teams have not proven common at Iowa.

To me, Hausen is the answer. I am not saying start him. But, he should get at least one good look in each half, and if he is producing, you give him more. He is the only guy that really could scare another team outside of Stirtz. But, he scares no one from the bench. You think an opposing coach even mentions Combs in the scouting report?

I am also not saying give up on Combs. Personally, I would not start him at this stage, but I am ok with the thought process of not upsetting the starting line-up this late. But, if he does not show that he can be a positive contributor on the offensive end you bring in guys like Sage and Hausen. We have got to become more dimensional on offense. Period.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Hell, when McCollum plays in a scrimmage, he said he picks his team based on who will help his side win that scrimmage.

I don't know his thought process with playing time right now, but I know he prioritizes winning every game he coaches.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Hell, when McCollum plays in a scrimmage, he said he picks his team based on who will help his side win that scrimmage.

I don't know his thought process with playing time right now, but I know he prioritizes winning every game he coaches.

Well gosh, with the notable exception of Ted Lasso, I think this same statement can be made about every coach above elementary school in every sport everywhere. All coaches want to win. My concern is that sometimes coaches get stubborn or fail to see the forest through the trees. I mean, I have no doubt KF wanted to win every game he could possibly win, and he actually thought his dopey son at OC was the best path to do so. I don't think he would have fired BF in 23 if Beth had not done so for him. My point is that coaches have blindspots, and I think BM's current rotation is excluding offensive options to cater to his need for perceived defensive prowess. He thinks Combs is a superior defender and is leaving him in the game despite almost no contributions on offense.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Well gosh, with the notable exception of Ted Lasso, I think this same statement can be made about every coach above elementary school in every sport everywhere. All coaches want to win. My concern is that sometimes coaches get stubborn or fail to see the forest through the trees. I mean, I have no doubt KF wanted to win every game he could possibly win, and he actually thought his dopey son at OC was the best path to do so. I don't think he would have fired BF in 23 if Beth had not done so for him. My point is that coaches have blindspots, and I think BM's current rotation is excluding offensive options to cater to his need for perceived defensive prowess. He thinks Combs is a superior defender and is leaving him in the game despite almost no contributions on offense.

I wasn't disagreeing with you. McCollum has talked about this as a potential fault of his, that he wants to win every game, including exhibitions. So there is no way he is somehow playing Combs with an eye on next year.

But I think you are a little off in your opening statement. Coaches talk all the time about bringing guys along here and there as development for an upcoming season. I recall Clem Haskins talking a lot about that. Not saying they are trying to sacrifice a game if needed, but they are willing to roll the dice in spots with an eye on development.

I think McCollum falls into a different segment, more in the bucket of a Cignetti. I think there is a laser focus on winning every weight session, every drill, every scrimmage, etc.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I wasn't disagreeing with you. McCollum has talked about this as a potential fault of his, that he wants to win every game, including exhibitions. So there is no way he is somehow playing Combs with an eye on next year.

But I think you are a little off in your opening statement. Coaches talk all the time about bringing guys along here and there as development for an upcoming season. I recall Clem Haskins talking a lot about that. Not saying they are trying to sacrifice a game if needed, but they are willing to roll the dice in spots with an eye on development.

I think McCollum falls into a different segment, more in the bucket of a Cignetti. I think there is a laser focus on winning every weight session, every drill, every scrimmage, etc.

Fair enough. Thanks for clarifying what you were thinking. I agree that there are similarities between Cig and Ben. Hopefully those similarities continue.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Fair enough. Thanks for clarifying what you were thinking. I agree that there are similarities between Cig and Ben. Hopefully those similarities continue.

I don't understand why Hausen doesn't get more opportunities either.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Last night's game did not change my opinions much. I still see Combs as a minutes eater at best. He does almost nothing on offense.

What is becoming even more acute is that Al needs to be on the court a lot more, probably at the expense of Koch, who much like Combs, is logging heavy minutes because he is playing great defense, but is adding almost no value on offense or on the boards.

 

[ingoodcompany]

Last night's game did not change my opinions much. I still see Combs as a minutes eater at best. He does almost nothing on offense.

What is becoming even more acute is that Al needs to be on the court a lot more, probably at the expense of Koch, who much like Combs, is logging heavy minutes because he is playing great defense, but is adding almost no value on offense or on the boards.

Combs defense on Bruce Thornton was phenomenal last night. I think D comes first with BM and locking down a guy who's been playing like Thorton has the last month was super impressive. He's probably been the POTY for the last month in the league. When Thornton played off the ball, Combs “top locked” him, meaning he positioned himself in between Thornton and the off-ball screener, which disrupting Thornton’s ability to get free and receive a pass.

Combs gets his minutes because he's one of our best defenders. He played 38 minutes last night and Iowa couldn't afford to take him out.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Combs defense on Bruce Thornton was phenomenal last night. I think D comes first with BM and locking down a guy who's been playing like Thorton has the last month was super impressive. He's probably been the POTY for the last month in the league. When Thornton played off the ball, Combs “top locked” him, meaning he positioned himself in between Thornton and the off-ball screener, which disrupting Thornton’s ability to get free and receive a pass.

Combs gets his minutes because he's one of our best defenders. He played 38 minutes last night and Iowa couldn't afford to take him out.

I thought Combs had his best defensive game in a month last night. So, I don't mean to diminish your point, but I actually thought the key to shutting down Thornton was the scheme Ben put in place of doubling him and forcing the ball out of his hands. Combs did a nice job of keeping the ball away from him as well. Great concept and execution by Combs and the entire team IMHO.

Look, if Al is playing the way he was last night, we can probably beat a good team with Combs in there as a lock down defender. I just don't see us beating a good team with only one scorer.

 

[InGoodCo]

I thought Combs had his best defensive game in a month last night. So, I don't mean to diminish your point, but I actually thought the key to shutting down Thornton was the scheme Ben put in place of doubling him and forcing the ball out of his hands. Combs did a nice job of keeping the ball away from him as well. Great concept and execution by Combs and the entire team IMHO.

Look, if Al is playing the way he was last night, we can probably beat a good team with Combs in there as a lock down defender. I just don't see us beating a good team with only one scorer.

oh yeah, this team has tons of deficiency, especially in the post and I don't really expect a deep run at much of anything with their make up. That said, a break here, a break there, never know, might slip into that elusive sweet 16 with a good path....and that's because this team can play efficient D. I personally think Combs is one of our top 5 players and while he provides little as far as offense, I understand why he plays the minutes he does.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

oh yeah, this team has tons of deficiency, especially in the post and I don't really expect a deep run at much of anything with their make up. That said, a break here, a break there, never know, might slip into that elusive sweet 16 with a good path....and that's because this team can play efficient D. I personally think Combs is one of our top 5 players and while he provides little as far as offense, I understand why he plays the minutes he does.

You can have one defensive stopper in the starting line-up. Maybe two. We have 3 1/2.

 

[InGoodCo]

You can have one defensive stopper in the starting line-up. Maybe two. We have 3 1/2.

Hey now, one of 3.5 is averaging 20 points a game.

IMO, this isn't how Ben's teams are going to look going forward, it's what it looked like when he moved from D2, to the Valley to the B1G in a 3 year span with mostly the same players. His future teams will have more scoring prowess and he will have more to sell good players with NIL and, now success. IMO this year is a "set the foundation, get as far as you can, set precedent w/what it takes to play at Iowa for Ben" kind of season. I didn't expect this roster to finish .500 or better in the B1G. The fact that it's going to is pretty remarkable when you see that we really don't have a 5, we really don't have a 2 and only 2 players on the team average double digit scoring.

It kind of is what it is and IMO, Combs plays because he's one of our top 5 players, is our 2nd best ball handler and because he can lock down his offense assignment.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Hey now, one of 3.5 is averaging 20 points a game.

IMO, this isn't how Ben's teams are going to look going forward, it's what it looked like when he moved from D2, to the Valley to the B1G in a 3 year span with mostly the same players. His future teams will have more scoring prowess and he will have more to sell good players with NIL and, now success. IMO this year is a "set the foundation, get as far as you can, set precedent w/what it takes to play at Iowa for Ben" kind of season. I didn't expect this roster to finish .500 or better in the B1G. The fact that it's going to is pretty remarkable when you see that we really don't have a 5, we really don't have a 2 and only 2 players on the team average double digit scoring.

It kind of is what it is and IMO, Combs plays because he's one of our top 5 players, is our 2nd best ball handler and because he can lock down his offense assignment.

I wasn't counting Stirtz as a defensive stopper even though he is an excellent defender and that is what is going to get him drafted in the first round. A defensive stopper to me is someone who is in the game just to play great D and not expected to contribute much on offense. I think we have at least 3 of those in our starting line-up. Banks can be a decent scorer at times.

I agree that this is not the team McCollum's wants to have. I think he knows he is talent deficient in a lot of areas and is just going to ride Stirtz as far as he can take him. At times, it turns into a junk offense of basically 1 high 1-1 affair. He wants to run a motion offense with better players I am sure. As he improves his talent, we will see more of what he truly is as a coach.

That all said, I think he has placed a bit too much emphasis on playing just the great defenders. Al and Hausen and Tate need more minutes, IMHO. Hell, Hausen just needs some minutes.

 

[InGoodCo]

I wasn't counting Stirtz as a defensive stopper even though he is an excellent defender and that is what is going to get him drafted in the first round. A defensive stopper to me is someone who is in the game just to play great D and not expected to contribute much on offense. I think we have at least 3 of those in our starting line-up. Banks can be a decent scorer at times.

I agree that this is not the team McCollum's wants to have. I think he knows he is talent deficient in a lot of areas and is just going to ride Stirtz as far as he can take him. At times, it turns into a junk offense of basically 1 high 1-1 affair. He wants to run a motion offense with better players I am sure. As he improves his talent, we will see more of what he truly is as a coach.

That all said, I think he has placed a bit too much emphasis on playing just the great defenders. Al and Hausen and Tate need more minutes, IMHO. Hell, Hausen just needs some minutes.

What has Hausen done with his minutes that make you believe he should play more? I just don't see it I guess. He's done nothing for me to think he deserves to play more over anyone else and I tend to already trust Ben's decisions based on his success year 1 with a bunch of D2 players. I love that we're really only playing 8 guys and if you're going to play someone more down the stretch, I hope it's Jirak for his size. Hated when Fran played 10+ and it didn't let guys get into the flow of the game.

I agree with AF and TS deserve more minutes, personally I think you should start AF for Koch and have a bigger starting line up to start games. AF has earned it and I want to see more of it because at times, he's been able to impact the game. I just have seen absolutely 0 from Hausen that makes me think "Man we need more of that and if we just got it, things would be better".

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Neither here nor there, but I think there are only two players on this roster who played D2. I could be wrong, but I actually looked it up at one point.

I can see both sides on Hausen. But I will say this, when I watched the Washington game from behind the Iowa bench, I came away with just how physical and aggressive Iowa's guys played on D. I didn't fully appreciate it until seeing them come off the court exhausted. And it's not that Hausen doesn't commit to D, he just doesn't have the talent defensively that some of the others do. I think that's the way to think about it - a talent of getting up in a guy, and how to physically impose yourself on him over the better part of 40 minutes so that he increasingly wears down as the game progresses.

I'm thinking Ben is even having guys rest a little on offense if needed, because at the end of most possessions the team is still getting the shots he is satisfied with. In my opinion, Ben has done all the calculations, and settles on the fact that his team can best outscore the opponent by leaning into their defensive talent...that's what make this group the best team.

All that said, I totally don't understand why you don't try to work Hausen in for 3 minutes of the second half when you are up 15 against Ohio State. If for no other reason than he is a hard working senior and seeing him hustle out there might be energizing to his teammates and give them a little juice, too.