With each coach comes a different "system"/method of play. If, as most project on this board, the next coach will be prone to run a more up tempo offense/pressing defense style, how do our current players/recruits fit into this type of system?
At times this past year, when the opening was there, I thought Cully did a nice job trying to push the ball a bit. With both Gatens and May being good athletes I would think they would be able to fill the lanes pretty well. I know some will say they aren't quick enough but in reality I believe basketball, even an up tempo style, requires the old adage which if memory serves me correctly was from Coach Wooden - "Hurry but don't rush". (Or something like that.) I also fondly remember the Jeff Moe years and while I dont think anybody will say he was the quickest player on the floor, I remember him filling a lane, floating to a corner and killing teams with open three's as part of the break. I could see both Gatens and May filling a role similar to that VERY WELL!!! With the incoming recruits, wouldn't Brust fill that type of role also with Marble being the player that could maybe get out quickly, fill the lane and finish high above the rim, ala Dad or the high flying Gerry Wright?? ((Off the subject, I still remember seeing Gerry Wright start at the foul line, do a cartwheel with the ball in one hand and then go up and dunk the ball all in one motion. Sorry, just recalling "the good old days".)) After watching McCabe in the 3A title game, he appears to me to be an additional wing player and I would not be completely surprised if he ended up as a redshirt with Gatens, May, Marble, Brust and himself all vying for playing time at the 2-3 positon.
Now, I think one of the other keys to operating an up tempo offensive sysystem is that you also have to control the defensive glass. If memory serves me correctly Mr. Davis's early teams did this very well and then they could get out and push the ball up the floor. Fuller showed this past year with the added muscle to be a very capable rebounder and would also fill a lane on the break well. He looks to me to be a player that would really excel in a more up tempo type game. I would love it if Cole was just a couple inshes taller. The kid has an incredible work ethic and desire. With that he does seem to understand the first rule of defensive rebounding and that is Position, Position, Position. With his strength he holds his position well and will be a good rebounder also. Brommer and Cougil will both need to add additional muscling but with the new commitment to strength training, which I assume any new coach will continue, they could both be strong rebounders, and Coug's could present matchup problems on the offensive end for the opponent if he continues to improve his outside shot. He will need to learn to bang with the big boys inside but that may come with age, better conditioning and strength. Not real sure what to expect from Archie next year, but I thought people questioned his offensive abilities coming in but considered him an athlete and a decent rebounder. If so, those would be good skills for the new style everyone seems to think is just around the corner. From what I understand of Larson, he will add additional size inside which is always a good thing.
On the other side of the ball, while quickness is always important, positioning is an absolute key to a pressing defensive style. Knowing where to be on the floor, where your teammates are is something that can be taught. On the other hand the one intangible that can't be taught is hustle and although I think there were some lapses late this past season during some of the blowouts we witnessed, this team hustled. That goes a long way on the defensive end of the floor.
I think we may actually have a group of players to run this style right away. Yes I would agree we need more athletes going forward but I think we will still see better results next year with a more entertaining style.
Will the new incoming coach use the open scholarship or put it in the bank? If he uses it, what will be the need to be filled? Personally, I think it will get used, if and it is a BIG IF, the new coach can find a highly ranked point guard to back up/challenge Cully. All this of course is based on everyone staying and all the recruits ending up in Iowa City. I base everyone staying and all the recruits ending up in Iowa City on several of the comments made regarding how some of the "leading" candidates are strong recruiters and get along well with the players along with what I perceive to be a style "most" players would prefer.
So what are others thoughts?
At times this past year, when the opening was there, I thought Cully did a nice job trying to push the ball a bit. With both Gatens and May being good athletes I would think they would be able to fill the lanes pretty well. I know some will say they aren't quick enough but in reality I believe basketball, even an up tempo style, requires the old adage which if memory serves me correctly was from Coach Wooden - "Hurry but don't rush". (Or something like that.) I also fondly remember the Jeff Moe years and while I dont think anybody will say he was the quickest player on the floor, I remember him filling a lane, floating to a corner and killing teams with open three's as part of the break. I could see both Gatens and May filling a role similar to that VERY WELL!!! With the incoming recruits, wouldn't Brust fill that type of role also with Marble being the player that could maybe get out quickly, fill the lane and finish high above the rim, ala Dad or the high flying Gerry Wright?? ((Off the subject, I still remember seeing Gerry Wright start at the foul line, do a cartwheel with the ball in one hand and then go up and dunk the ball all in one motion. Sorry, just recalling "the good old days".)) After watching McCabe in the 3A title game, he appears to me to be an additional wing player and I would not be completely surprised if he ended up as a redshirt with Gatens, May, Marble, Brust and himself all vying for playing time at the 2-3 positon.
Now, I think one of the other keys to operating an up tempo offensive sysystem is that you also have to control the defensive glass. If memory serves me correctly Mr. Davis's early teams did this very well and then they could get out and push the ball up the floor. Fuller showed this past year with the added muscle to be a very capable rebounder and would also fill a lane on the break well. He looks to me to be a player that would really excel in a more up tempo type game. I would love it if Cole was just a couple inshes taller. The kid has an incredible work ethic and desire. With that he does seem to understand the first rule of defensive rebounding and that is Position, Position, Position. With his strength he holds his position well and will be a good rebounder also. Brommer and Cougil will both need to add additional muscling but with the new commitment to strength training, which I assume any new coach will continue, they could both be strong rebounders, and Coug's could present matchup problems on the offensive end for the opponent if he continues to improve his outside shot. He will need to learn to bang with the big boys inside but that may come with age, better conditioning and strength. Not real sure what to expect from Archie next year, but I thought people questioned his offensive abilities coming in but considered him an athlete and a decent rebounder. If so, those would be good skills for the new style everyone seems to think is just around the corner. From what I understand of Larson, he will add additional size inside which is always a good thing.
On the other side of the ball, while quickness is always important, positioning is an absolute key to a pressing defensive style. Knowing where to be on the floor, where your teammates are is something that can be taught. On the other hand the one intangible that can't be taught is hustle and although I think there were some lapses late this past season during some of the blowouts we witnessed, this team hustled. That goes a long way on the defensive end of the floor.
I think we may actually have a group of players to run this style right away. Yes I would agree we need more athletes going forward but I think we will still see better results next year with a more entertaining style.
Will the new incoming coach use the open scholarship or put it in the bank? If he uses it, what will be the need to be filled? Personally, I think it will get used, if and it is a BIG IF, the new coach can find a highly ranked point guard to back up/challenge Cully. All this of course is based on everyone staying and all the recruits ending up in Iowa City. I base everyone staying and all the recruits ending up in Iowa City on several of the comments made regarding how some of the "leading" candidates are strong recruiters and get along well with the players along with what I perceive to be a style "most" players would prefer.
So what are others thoughts?
