Yes, I am sure that the difference between the worst defense in the league last year and a defense capable of hanging with Final Four contenders is a couple of freshman and a big man who blocked about 12 shots in high school.
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You as well as most don't really understand why Iowa was so "bad" of a defensive team last year and prior years.
It really comes down to a couple factors:
1. Getting destroyed on the boards by teams that they couldn't match up against and...
2. Not getting 50/50 balls and that is a combination of things like working hard and finally blocking out, but the taller player tips the ball out, or blocking out and the ball is on the ground and two Iowa players look at each other wondering who is going to get the ball.
3. Zero shot blocking ability.
The one thing that Iowa can do, is matchup against any team size-wise, not athletically yet. However, playing smart, which all indications are that Iowa's freshman do well helps and not giving up garbage tips when one has good position will eliminate some wide, wide, wide open looks other teams have gotten.
I also don't see any player on the Iowa roster who will be hesitant to go after a loose ball...well, maybe a couple, but they will remain anonymous at this point.
If you look at the games Iowa was pounded, they were severely outgunned in the front court. Also, look at the rebounding numbers for that game, Iowa was drilled during those games.
Being a strong defensive rebounding team helps out defensive stats. Think about how many loose balls on rebounding tips Iowa didn't get last year...it was a product a lot of times was a taller Center tipping it away from the combination of Basabe/McCabe.
Having at least one player with a high BB IQ playing the PG position will help as well. Gesell just by his intelligence will not just be directing on the offensieve end, but also on defense.
Will Iowa be a top 5 defensive team next season in the BIG, probably not, but I don't think they will be at the bottom and yeah, the freshman will have a huge impact on that.
