Could a position change be in the cards for Iowa’s Gabe Olaseni? - NBCSports

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcspo...hange-be-in-the-cards-for-iowas-gabe-olaseni/

From article:

That would be another first. Olaseni never has played a second at any position other than center in a game at any level, but he’s excited at the prospect of being a four instead of a five.

“I think I can definitely play the four,” he said following a game in the Prime Time summer league. “I know I can guard fours. I just need to show offensively that I can space the floor and hit the mid-range shot, stuff like that.”

 

[LASBUR]

I think he will have to play two positions this year. Backing up the 4 & 5 Will be fun watching him and Woody in togather about 10 min a game

 

[BryceC]

I think he could be deadly coming on the help side for blocks.

 

[ibahawkeye]

I'm really torn on Gabe playing the 4. I just think the game has changed and you need shooters on the floor that can space it.

On the other hand... it would make for an advantage on D and reboudning with that kind of size.

 

[jacknicholson]

I think he will have to play two positions this year. Backing up the 4 & 5 Will be fun watching him and Woody in togather about 10 min a game

I can see him playing two positions, he did show signs of hitting the mid-range jumper last season. I believe it would help on interior defense with Woody in the middle and Gabe on the side. Could make it hard to score inside, Aaron, in the meantime gets a lot of rebounds, leading rebounder with 220 last season.....

I like the idea. We definitely need some things to change and that would be a positive move in my opinion.....

 

[LASBUR]

Jack I just see it as something we will need to do to get our best players on the court. Woody and White each get 25 Min. Gabe backs up Woody 15 min and white 10 min. That just leaves 5 min. You can hide a Freshman for 5 min But its tough when you try to play them 15-20. I also agree having the two Bigs in at once will cause teams some match up problems

 

[JG10Hawk]

White will get around 30 minutes a game. Woody will probably get around 25 a game. If spread out, Gabe could get around 25 a game. This team will be very thin in the post unless Uhl proves to be able to play the 4. I just don't see Uthoff as a 4 but I suppose he could guard an opponents 4 for small stretches...

 

[jacknicholson]

Uthoff is one of those players who don't look like they are contributing. However when the game is over, the stats show otherwise. He is very talented and versatile, and could play the 4 for short periods, perhaps more.

His stats from last season are rather impressive considering the time he was on the court. He shot .500 from the field, almost 50% from the three, 17 out of 40, 81% from the free throw line, 152 rebounds and had 25 blocks. I wanted him to shoot more, same as Josh. Our half court game might have been better.

Not certain how much time he will spend at the four....

 

[franstheman]

What if white is hurt or woody and gabe are in foul trouble. Were deathly thin in the post.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcspo...hange-be-in-the-cards-for-iowas-gabe-olaseni/

From article:

That would be another first. Olaseni never has played a second at any position other than center in a game at any level, but he’s excited at the prospect of being a four instead of a five.

“I think I can definitely play the four,” he said following a game in the Prime Time summer league. “I know I can guard fours. I just need to show offensively that I can space the floor and hit the mid-range shot, stuff like that.”[/QUOTE]

Come on, Aaron, you gotta do this ^ If you don't and Gabe does, then you become the backup. An 85% free throw shooter can at least be respectable from mid-range and keep your driving lanes open.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I think Gabe can for sure. There are plenty of 4s that aren't the greatest at hitting 18 plus footers consistently. It'd be fun to see him and Woody on the floor at the same time for a stretch. However I'd find that scenario more likely if there was another 5 on the roster to backup Woody.... With the two of them being the only 5s on the roster either Iowa plays small for stretches (which i think would be great) or keep doing what they are doing. Depending on how things go I don't look for Fran to use them both at the same time much. But he might experiment depending on the matchup of who they are playing against.