1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Since Iowa is having such a great season, comparable to the 1986-87 team, it got me to thinking about how this year's Iowa team would do in a fantasy matchup against that particular Iowa team. I'm assuming the 86-87 team was as it was then - Armstrong, Marble, Horton as sophomores, not Seniors.
The starting lineups:
1986-87:
Armstrong
Marble
Gamble
Horton/Wright (they both started at times, so take your pick)
Lohaus
2015-16:
Gesell
Clemmons
Jok
Uthoff
Woodbury
I've watched some of the games on YouTube of the 1986-87 Iowa team, and from what I saw, they didn't shoot a lot of threes although they had some guys that could make them. Most of their offense came in the paint, the FT line, and in transition. They led the country in rebound margin, but were also prone to turnovers.
This year's Iowa team, I believe, has better shooters overall, and the 1986-87 team often liked jam the paint with a zone D, so they would often leave outside shooters open, which could be a bad idea against this year's team.
I wonder how well this year's team would handle the 86-87 team's full court press. Get past the front line, and there are opportunities to beat them on the back end.
I believe the 86-87 team had more raw talent from top to bottom, with at least as much depth, and even more experience coming off the bench. That team was just flat out loaded.
It's an interesting matchup though IMO, with a contrast in style. I believe it would hinge mostly on how well this year's team shoots from outside, and the tempo of the game - if they got hot from downtown, they could win. Otherwise, the 86-87 team's inside game may be too much to overcome. Not sure this year's team could keep up in a 94 foot game - the 86-87 team was at its best in transition. If it became more of a half-court game, IMO that would be better for this year's team.
It's fun to think about, anyway.
The starting lineups:
1986-87:
Armstrong
Marble
Gamble
Horton/Wright (they both started at times, so take your pick)
Lohaus
2015-16:
Gesell
Clemmons
Jok
Uthoff
Woodbury
I've watched some of the games on YouTube of the 1986-87 Iowa team, and from what I saw, they didn't shoot a lot of threes although they had some guys that could make them. Most of their offense came in the paint, the FT line, and in transition. They led the country in rebound margin, but were also prone to turnovers.
This year's Iowa team, I believe, has better shooters overall, and the 1986-87 team often liked jam the paint with a zone D, so they would often leave outside shooters open, which could be a bad idea against this year's team.
I wonder how well this year's team would handle the 86-87 team's full court press. Get past the front line, and there are opportunities to beat them on the back end.
I believe the 86-87 team had more raw talent from top to bottom, with at least as much depth, and even more experience coming off the bench. That team was just flat out loaded.
It's an interesting matchup though IMO, with a contrast in style. I believe it would hinge mostly on how well this year's team shoots from outside, and the tempo of the game - if they got hot from downtown, they could win. Otherwise, the 86-87 team's inside game may be too much to overcome. Not sure this year's team could keep up in a 94 foot game - the 86-87 team was at its best in transition. If it became more of a half-court game, IMO that would be better for this year's team.
It's fun to think about, anyway.