Everyone is under the assumption that we are a "young team". Lets look at it.

[Northside Hawk]

Every year they get younger and younger. Frickin twilight zone.

I think I know what you mean. It's all perspective. It takes me about 1.5 hours to get home from the Quad Cities. But when we came home from a ten hour trip to Nashville a few summers ago that same leg of the trip seemed to take about 25 minutes.

 

[Adam]

I think I know what you mean. It's all perspective. It takes me about 1.5 hours to get home from the Quad Cities. But when we came home from a ten hour trip to Nashville a few summers ago that same leg of the trip seemed to take about 25 minutes.

Lol I meant that players graduate and new 17 and 18 year olds take their place all the while we age older and older.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Lol I meant that players graduate and new 17 and 18 year olds take their place all the while we age older and older.

.I thought you were saying that the older you get, the faster the years seem to go by, which is definitely true. There have been several references to the 2008 Penn State game and how it's hard to believe that was ten years ago already.

 

[Cydkar]

Mark my words, I'll have copy/pasted posts from people calling this year's team "young". Especially after a bad loss. It's coming. It's as certain as the "refs screwed us again" posts from Husker fans.

I've marked them.

 

[NikeHawk21]

I'm not one of these self defeatist fans. Everytime we lose a game running and screaming that we have no talent and everyone is a bum.

I think Fran has done a decent job bringing talent into Iowa. Enough talent for him to tread water for 8 years. The thing is the cupboard is full again. It was actually decently loaded last year. With the teams utter collapse last year I came to the opinion that another coach could have had much better results. I've seen Frank Martin make NCAA runs with way less talented teams.

With that said I knew this was the season that we must reach the mountain top. We have a top 3 B1G roster and we need to live up to it. Last year I decided that Iowa needed to make a coaching change. I felt it was the surest way to squeeze the ability out of this roster. The coaching change did not happen. So now we are in a prove it year. I feel Fran should be gone, but the roster is strong. Fran has this season and this season only to prove that he has the goods. The roster, the experience, the scoring capability of this team demands results. If Fran can't deliver them then I will never again lend him any of my faith. For whatever 1 fan's opinions are worth.

You’re entitled to your opinion, but in my opinion you are extremely overrating the talent level on this team.

We have some offensive talent, but there are two ends to a basketball floor. If we had all this talent you speak of we wouldn’t have trailed by double digits in every B1G road game last year. If we had all this talent we’d have at least one guy projected as a 1st team all conference player.

Our talent level is competitive this year in a down year in the conference, but stating its top 3 in the conference right now for sure is a stretch.

 

[InGoodCo]

You’re entitled to your opinion, but in my opinion you are extremely overrating the talent level on this team.

We have some offensive talent, but there are two ends to a basketball floor. If we had all this talent you speak of we wouldn’t have trailed by double digits in every B1G road game last year. If we had all this talent we’d have at least one guy projected as a 1st team all conference player.

Our talent level is competitive this year in a down year in the conference, but stating its top 3 in the conference right now for sure is a stretch.

I wouldn't say top 3, that is a stretch, but Iowa should have 3 4 star prospects on the floor most of the time this season and a PG that was on the All B1G Freshman team that will shatter Iowa's assist and 3 point record before he's done. Iowa has a lot of talent, more on one team than I can remember in a long time. The question is, can Fran make them work and coach? He emphatically showed that he couldn't last year. TC would be getting accolades this season had Iowa not been so horrible last year. It took some bad coaching and self scouting to be that bad but I honestly don't think this team is short on talent. There is no excuse for Iowa to not be good at hoops this season. It's unacceptable.

 

[Robowe]

 

[NikeHawk21]

I wouldn't say top 3, that is a stretch, but Iowa should have 3 4 star prospects on the floor most of the time this season and a PG that was on the All B1G Freshman team that will shatter Iowa's assist and 3 point record before he's done. Iowa has a lot of talent, more on one team than I can remember in a long time. The question is, can Fran make them work and coach? He emphatically showed that he couldn't last year. TC would be getting accolades this season had Iowa not been so horrible last year. It took some bad coaching and self scouting to be that bad but I honestly don't think this team is short on talent. There is no excuse for Iowa to not be good at hoops this season. It's unacceptable.

That’s where Iowa fans have a distorted view of reality. Nearly every team in the conference including Rutgers has multiple 4 stars. I just tabbed through commitment lists for other mid to lower level teams in the conference, give it a try, you might be surprised at the “talent” level these teams bring in.

Now recruiting rankings are deeply flawed we all know that. I would agree that Iowa’s roster is probably average to above average compared to other teams in the conference this year. However last year showed that our roster was constructed with a bunch of guys who aren’t very good at defense and also don’t appear very interested in playing it.

To me this is not the most talented Iowa roster I’ve seen in some time. Give me all three tournament teams roster over this years, they ended with 4 1st team All B1G players (2 drafted) including a 2nd team AA, and several other good role guys.

 

[lightning1]

That’s where Iowa fans have a distorted view of reality. Nearly every team in the conference including Rutgers has multiple 4 stars. I just tabbed through commitment lists for other mid to lower level teams in the conference, give it a try, you might be surprised at the “talent” level these teams bring in.

Now recruiting rankings are deeply flawed we all know that. I would agree that Iowa’s roster is probably average to above average compared to other teams in the conference this year. However last year showed that our roster was constructed with a bunch of guys who aren’t very good at defense and also don’t appear very interested in playing it.

To me this is not the most talented Iowa roster I’ve seen in some time. Give me all three tournament teams roster over this years, they ended with 4 1st team All B1G players (2 drafted) including a 2nd team AA, and several other good role guys.

This roster is not very talented, when you compare it to other BIG teams. It's just not. Lots of role players that are below average in athleticism.

 

[InGoodCo]

That’s where Iowa fans have a distorted view of reality. Nearly every team in the conference including Rutgers has multiple 4 stars. I just tabbed through commitment lists for other mid to lower level teams in the conference, give it a try, you might be surprised at the “talent” level these teams bring in.

Now recruiting rankings are deeply flawed we all know that. I would agree that Iowa’s roster is probably average to above average compared to other teams in the conference this year. However last year showed that our roster was constructed with a bunch of guys who aren’t very good at defense and also don’t appear very interested in playing it.

To me this is not the most talented Iowa roster I’ve seen in some time. Give me all three tournament teams roster over this years, they ended with 4 1st team All B1G players (2 drafted) including a 2nd team AA, and several other good role guys.

Oh for sure - I definitely know that multiple 4 star talent isn't unique to Iowa. Just look at IL - that hasn't translated to success either. What I am saying and what I mean is...when's the last time Iowa had 3 - 4 star prospects on the court at the same time? None of the tourney teams did, and none of the 4 All B1G players were 1st team All B1G players until they were seniors, which isn't fair to our current roster because the guys who might qualify are all juniors or younger. On paper and by star ranking at least, this is as talented as we've been in a long time and it will be hard for you to argue that with me because we have recruiting rankings to prove it. Now I want to see that translate to wins on the court.

 

[InGoodCo]

This roster is not very talented, when you compare it to other BIG teams. It's just not. Lots of role players that are below average in athleticism.

I can't wait til Iowa gets back to winning and you mysteriously disappear from the board again.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Oh for sure - I definitely know that multiple 4 star talent isn't unique to Iowa. Just look at IL - that hasn't translated to success either. What I am saying and what I mean is...when's the last time Iowa had 3 - 4 star prospects on the court at the same time? None of the tourney teams did, and none of the 4 All B1G players were 1st team All B1G players until they were seniors, which isn't fair to our current roster because the guys who might qualify are all juniors or younger. On paper and by star ranking at least, this is as talented as we've been in a long time and it will be hard for you to argue that with me because we have recruiting rankings to prove it. Now I want to see that translate to wins on the court.

But you are in essence killing your argument in the same breath in this post.

Recruiting rankings go out the door as soon as you step foot on campus. That’s why Illinois has been garbage.

So you want to say this is the most talented Iowa team you’ve seen in a while because of recruiting rankings, but the same core group of players tied for the worst conference season in school history last year? It doesn’t add up.

 

[InGoodCo]

But you are in essence killing your argument in the same breath in this post.

Recruiting rankings go out the door as soon as you step foot on campus. That’s why Illinois has been garbage.

So you want to say this is the most talented Iowa team you’ve seen in a while because of recruiting rankings, but the same core group of players tied for the worst conference season in school history last year? It doesn’t add up.

I agree that recruiting rankings go out the door - I don't put much stock into them to begin with. U aren't following me at all, so I will say it again. On paper and by recruiting rankings, this is the most talent Iowa has had in a long time. I don't remember the last time Iowa had 3 legit 4 stars at the same time. Do you? Cook has the athleticism and offensive game of no other power forward I've watched play for Iowa. Garza has the potential to be one of the best 5's to play here. His frosh #'s were off the charts and with some rare company for that position at the school. Joe W, no clue, too early to tell. You mix in guys like Connor and Nunge, who were both top 150 guys and Jordan Bohannon who has already played so far above his projections and you've got a pretty talented team. I didn't say that meant that the talent played well together, it's pretty obvious they didn't last year. I would take the 3 tournament teams over last years team too. Ya know, cause they won and stuff and last years didn't. My point is, on paper, with recruiting rankings, this has all the potential to be one of Iowa's most talented teams in decades. I think we should let em play it out before we say they aren't talented, but that's just me. Who's to say Iowa won't have another string of 1st team All B1G caliber players on this team? They very could, cause none of those other teams had that guy until they were seniors.

 

[lightning1]

But you are in essence killing your argument in the same breath in this post.

Recruiting rankings go out the door as soon as you step foot on campus. That’s why Illinois has been garbage.

So you want to say this is the most talented Iowa team you’ve seen in a while because of recruiting rankings, but the same core group of players tied for the worst conference season in school history last year? It doesn’t add up.

Some people have no clue what basketball "talent" is. That's why some opinions don't add up. Basketball "talent" is a combination of skill, effort and athleticism. Too much of 1 and not enough of the other 2 = below average D-1 basketball talent. Or a role player at best. Role players are good. Every team needs them. If you have too many role players, they better play as a team and give maximum effort or they won't get you very far.

 

[BryceC]

I'll keep a running list as the season goes on. It won't be short.

Your first post said that everyone is ALREADY calling the team young. It's not, and nobody is calling them young. If you want to say we aren't young anymore and no one can use it as an excuse, that's valid, but nobody is doing that now.

 

[NikeHawk21]

I agree that recruiting rankings go out the door - I don't put much stock into them to begin with. U aren't following me at all, so I will say it again. On paper and by recruiting rankings, this is the most talent Iowa has had in a long time. I don't remember the last time Iowa had 3 legit 4 stars at the same time. Do you? Cook has the athleticism and offensive game of no other power forward I've watched play for Iowa. Garza has the potential to be one of the best 5's to play here. His frosh #'s were off the charts and with some rare company for that position at the school. Joe W, no clue, too early to tell. You mix in guys like Connor and Nunge, who were both top 150 guys and Jordan Bohannon who has already played so far above his projections and you've got a pretty talented team. I didn't say that meant that the talent played well together, it's pretty obvious they didn't last year. I would take the 3 tournament teams over last years team too. Ya know, cause they won and stuff and last years didn't. My point is, on paper, with recruiting rankings, this has all the potential to be one of Iowa's most talented teams in decades. I think we should let em play it out before we say they aren't talented, but that's just me. Who's to say Iowa won't have another string of 1st team All B1G caliber players on this team? They very could, cause none of those other teams had that guy until they were seniors.

You say you don’t put much stock into them but yet the entire premise is based on recruiting rankings. Whatever I’m moving on from that. Here is how I rate our players based on all the information we have available.

JBo - C+ / B- (Offensively he’s very good but unfortunately the Defensive shortcomings hold him back)

Moss - C+ (Good shooter, good athlete, unfortunately has a terrible basketball IQ)

Weiskamp - ?? B (I’m thinking this kid will be solid)

Cook - B+ (I can’t give him any higher until he commits to playing hard on defense and on the boards. His basketball talent is potentially the best we’ve had at Iowa)

Garza - B (His motor allows him to play above his basketball “talent”. He’s solid. Unfortunately he’s pretty slow of foot and not particularly strong)

Nunge - B- (I’m higher on this kid than most. He has a ton of untapped potential)

Baer - C+ (plays his tail off)

Dailey - C+ (I actually think he will surpass Moss, he does have some potential)

Kreiner / Pemsl - C (serviceable bigs)

Cmac - C- (I’m lower on him than others. I think he’s a mid major player)

Frederick - ??? (No clue - redshirt)

Overall roster grade - B- / C+

Strong frontcourt but very light in the backcourt. Overall lack of defensive ability in the front and back courts.

The excitement for me this year lies in the potential development of Cook, Nunge, Dailey, and the addition of Weiskamp. The rest of the bunch I think we pretty much know what we will get at this point.

 

[lightning1]

You say you don’t put much stock into them but yet the entire premise is based on recruiting rankings. Whatever I’m moving on from that. Here is how I rate our players based on all the information we have available.

JBo - C+ / B- (Offensively he’s very good but unfortunately the Defensive shortcomings hold him back)

Moss - C+ (Good shooter, good athlete, unfortunately has a terrible basketball IQ)

Weiskamp - ?? B (I’m thinking this kid will be solid)

Cook - B+ (I can’t give him any higher until he commits to playing hard on defense and on the boards. His basketball talent is potentially the best we’ve had at Iowa)

Garza - B (His motor allows him to play above his basketball “talent”. He’s solid. Unfortunately he’s pretty slow of foot and not particularly strong)

Nunge - B- (I’m higher on this kid than most. He has a ton of untapped potential)

Baer - C+ (plays his tail off)

Dailey - C+ (I actually think he will surpass Moss, he does have some potential)

Kreiner / Pemsl - C (serviceable bigs)

Cmac - C- (I’m lower on him than others. I think he’s a mid major player)

Frederick - ??? (No clue - redshirt)

Overall roster grade - B- / C+

Strong frontcourt but very light in the backcourt. Overall lack of defensive ability in the front and back courts.

The excitement for me this year lies in the potential development of Cook, Nunge, Dailey, and the addition of Weiskamp. The rest of the bunch I think we pretty much know what we will get at this point.

I think this is a fair take. I don't know how much we will get to see Dailey develop. I don't see him ever getting meaningful minutes, barring injury to other players.

 

[InGoodCo]

You say you don’t put much stock into them but yet the entire premise is based on recruiting rankings. Whatever I’m moving on from that. Here is how I rate our players based on all the information we have available.

JBo - C+ / B- (Offensively he’s very good but unfortunately the Defensive shortcomings hold him back)

Moss - C+ (Good shooter, good athlete, unfortunately has a terrible basketball IQ)

Weiskamp - ?? B (I’m thinking this kid will be solid)

Cook - B+ (I can’t give him any higher until he commits to playing hard on defense and on the boards. His basketball talent is potentially the best we’ve had at Iowa)

Garza - B (His motor allows him to play above his basketball “talent”. He’s solid. Unfortunately he’s pretty slow of foot and not particularly strong)

Nunge - B- (I’m higher on this kid than most. He has a ton of untapped potential)

Baer - C+ (plays his tail off)

Dailey - C+ (I actually think he will surpass Moss, he does have some potential)

Kreiner / Pemsl - C (serviceable bigs)

Cmac - C- (I’m lower on him than others. I think he’s a mid major player)

Frederick - ??? (No clue - redshirt)

Overall roster grade - B- / C+

Strong frontcourt but very light in the backcourt. Overall lack of defensive ability in the front and back courts.

The excitement for me this year lies in the potential development of Cook, Nunge, Dailey, and the addition of Weiskamp. The rest of the bunch I think we pretty much know what we will get at this point.

I'm not speaking a foreign language here. I can say both things. I don't care about the rankings, they have to prove it...who cares what some dick thought they were going to be when they were 16. It doesn't matter....but Cook and Garza have the potential to be All B1G caliber players before their careers are over. Do you agree? I'd say so far, they've both lived up to a 4 star ranking even if the team has lacked success. I think they've both proven they are capable of it, they've shown enough flashes that by the time they are seniors, with development, they can reach the bar that Marble, White, Uthoff or Jok did. (I know Cook is likelyy gone, so save that hot take). How do you know what you're going to get from Garza already? He was arguably Iowa's best player down the stretch last season as a freshman. Doesn't seem like a fair assessment, but again, that's just me. I think he has a lot of development in front of him. Now, add in another 4 star with them that is the highest rated kid to come to Iowa in some time. Most people think he's a immediate impact guy who will start immediately and contribute. I can't speak to Joe or what I think he is or isn't, haven't seen him play. I can't rank Connor a C before he's played any meaningful minutes on the team while healthy. I know they haven't shown it yet, but there appears to be as much "talent" on this team as any I can remember. When Marble was a Senior, no one knew who Aaron White was or how good he'd be? When White was a Senior, Uthoff wasn't considered All B1G worthy. When Uthoff was a senior, no one knew Jok was going to lead the B1G in scoring the next season. It's easy to say in hindsight is all I am saying.

 

[Adam]

You’re entitled to your opinion, but in my opinion you are extremely overrating the talent level on this team.

We have some offensive talent, but there are two ends to a basketball floor. If we had all this talent you speak of we wouldn’t have trailed by double digits in every B1G road game last year. If we had all this talent we’d have at least one guy projected as a 1st team all conference player.

Our talent level is competitive this year in a down year in the conference, but stating its top 3 in the conference right now for sure is a stretch.

I might be over rating our talent level. Completely plausible.

I also don't believe Defense reflects on talent. Defense is an effort thing in my experience. I have seen bums from rec leagues that could contain Kobe 1 on 1. The only deviation from that would be size. Anthony Davis has a unique frame and wingspan that makes his defensive abilities hard to duplicate with effort. Certainly not impossible though.

I suppose I could get on board with a thought along the lines of saying that someone who already applies excellent effort to the defensive end would be a defensive talent. In that perspective you would be correct Iowa is fairly devoid of proven defensive talent. On the same hand though I reject the idea that a guy could be talented on offense, but has zero chance to be talented on defense. That simply doesn't follow logic. It still requires maximum effort. That is what we haven't seen applied to the defensive side of the court. If this squad miraculously starts to provide that this will be every bit of a top 3 roster in the B1G.

 

[NikeHawk21]

@InGoodCo

When Marble was a senior White averaged nearly 13/7 on over 60% FG from the floor...

When White was a senior JU averaged over 12 on 37% from 3...

When JU was a senior Jok averaged over 17 PPG in conference play...

So now that we are past that “hot take” let’s move on. Yes Cook will probably be 2nd team all conference this year and Garza will get there eventually.

Garza will continue to improve some but he is fairly close to his basketball ceiling. I said the same about Pemsl when everyone was thinking he’d be even better as a sophomore “injury free”. Now don’t get me wrong I like Garza an he will be a solid player for us moving forward, but there just isn’t a whole lot of room to grow.

That’s my analysis of the roster as it stands. You might disagree. I’m as excited as anyone to watch the season, but I in no way shape or form think this is the most talented team we’ve had in the Fran era.