Dom Uhl to backup the 5?

Woodbury won't be able to play 35 a game simply based on his propensity to get in foul trouble.
 
Dom has bulked up considerably. That said, we are thin at the 5 but return a 3 year starting senior center who's going to play now or never. FM is going to play Woody a lot and why not?
 
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How many games has Woody fouled out of? Just curious, is that even something that can be looked up?
 
InGoodCo said:
How many games has Woody fouled out of? Just curious, is that even something that can be looked up?
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I don't know if you can find that or not. I'm also not sure he's even fouled out of a whole lot of games only because Fran limits his time once he picks up a couple of quick fouls.
 
Uhl looks much bigger in just the team picture that I saw. Any idea how much weight he's put on?
 
This is weirdly a decision that I actually kind of agree with. It's not like this is a surprise.... somebody was going to have to play out of position at the five to spell Woody.

With extreme exceptions (Purdue) notwithstanding, most teams that we play don't have skilled big men coming off their bench. Dom really has committed himself to getting stronger and I think he can hold his own.

Last year, there were times when Dom was able to beat B1G GUARDS off the dribble. It'll be interesting to see how his weight gain will affect him off the dribble. It could add another dimension to the offense.

It's a proactive decision. I like it.
 
HawkAssassin said:
With extreme exceptions (Purdue) notwithstanding, most teams that we play don't have skilled big men coming off their bench.
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^ this, so much this. Hell, there aren't a ton of teams we play this season with skilled centers starting let alone coming off the bench. The whole *Yikes* thing is true troll worthy stuff. The center depth is a concern, but we're starting a pretty solid player at that spot.
 
I was thinking because of his fouls alone it will be hard to him to log that many minutes. Every team is going to come in with a gameplan of getting him in foul trouble right away and out of the game, I imagine.
 
Not worried about this at all. Uhl is now listed on the official roster at 6' 9" 216 lbs.. Not that unusual for a backup 5. Last year he was listed at 195 lbs. so he has put on 21 lbs. of bulk. He will also be a tough match up defensively for opposing centers who will not have his quickness.
 
InGoodCo said:
How many games has Woody fouled out of? Just curious, is that even something that can be looked up?
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From what I can tell, he fouled out once as a Fresh (Indiana), twice as a Soph (Xavier & ISU), and 3 times last year (Gonzaga, Minn, Purdue).

But, he averaged 16.5, 16.9, and 20.5 for minutes, so that number of DQs would have to go up just because.

Iowa is 1-5 in games he fouled out, with the only win being Xavier in OT.
 
It would be a match up nightmare though depending who else Iowa has in. Could go with a really quick group and spread the floor just have Uhl run baseline.
 
Woody is going to average about 25 minutes and 4 fouls a game. Spelling him 5 minutes a game shouldn't be a problem. We go zone on defense and the talent we bring on the offensive end will create mismatches for opposing centers.
 
ibahawkeye said:
Uhl looks much bigger in just the team picture that I saw. Any idea how much weight he's put on?
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It looked to me like he put on 20 lbs or so, when I saw him in the PTL. Filled out nicely and it helped his inside scoring too. That's the PTL we're talking about, so I'm not sure how well that's going to translate to BIG play.
 
As bad as the Iowa program was when Fran arrived, he is averaging 19.2 wins per year with steady improvement. If he says Woody is going to play lots more minutes, I believe him.

That said, Iowa is well equipped to play without a true big man, and I think this is the future Fran foresees for Iowa basketball. Lots of length, good shooting, fast paced O, interchangeable parts.

Two side lights: 3 of Iowa's new recruits are from Illinois, with 2 of them from Chicago.

Uhtoff has gained 20 pounds of muscle and says he feels faster. He is 6'9"...play the 5? He would be a nightmare matchup as was a center from the Badger program. Kaminisky. Ring a bell?
 
Fran is transitioning this team away from a traditional 5 man. The future of the game is to play 5 athletes instead of 4 athletes and Frankenstein standing on the block.
 
1hawkeye1 said:
Fran is transitioning this team away from a traditional 5 man. The future of the game is to play 5 athletes instead of 4 athletes and Frankenstein standing on the block.
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Exactly. Teams just don't utilize true centers as much anymore. Uthoff and uhl are lengthy dudes
 
The traditional big is indeed scarce these days. Most teams go smaller not just out of necessity but for strategy as well.

Given what Fran has setup roster wise the next few years I would imagine Cook will get a chance for quite a bit of playing time at the 5. If Uhl continues to bulk up he could also play more than spot time there. Throw in Pemsl and Kriener too and things will definitely be interesting to see what Fran does.

As for this year, Uthoff and Uhl will probably both see time in the middle. Hopefully the majority of that time isn't to Iowa's disadvantage. Like others have pointed out, unless playing Purdue, that really shouldn't be too much of a problem.
 
I think Fran is prepared to go without Woody this year especially if his reputation brings the quick whistle from the refs this year. I have no problem with how many minutes Woody plays just as long as they're quality minutes. This might be the year we see 5 shooters spreading the court. Have a feeling one or two of the freshman guards will be pushing hard for a starting spot. Really looking forward to seeing the "new kids". CUBS WON¡¡
 
Woodbury averaged 5.3 fouls per 40 min last year, less Thani thought which would lead you to believe he could easily play 30 mpg.
 
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