Fran coached an excellent game!

[echo44]

I thought the coaching was great during this game.
The substitutions were outstanding.
He definitely got all the players good rest so at the end of teh game they
could turn up the intensity. Love this team as they really play with heart.
It also seems the team chemistry is much better than last year even when they loose you can see they
stay positive with each other

 

[HaydenHawk56]

I agree....best coached game of the year. Perhaps the best all around team effort of the year as well.

 

[revkev73]

Concur

 

[Bordone]

I agree. But I also think that this team has something that Fran hasn't had with some of his other teams at Iowa. Toughness, physical and mental.

 

[CarfinoFan]

Fran actually called a time out with less than 2 minutes. It was amazing. Jordan Bohanon just has ice water in his veins, rolls his ankles and fights through the pain.

 

[DJL]

Fran actually called a time out with less than 2 minutes. It was amazing. Jordan Bohanon just has ice water in his veins, rolls his ankles and fights through the pain.

I know some have disagreed with the timeout thing in the past. But I think last night the theory was proven to be correct. He called a timeout, got the guys a quick break, drew up a nice play that led to 2 free throws, and we went on to win the game. With all that said, I'm glad we had 2 timeouts to get the ball in at the end of the game.

 

[1hawkeye1]

Could not agree more. I thought his game plan with the Jok/Cook 2man pick and roll game was excellent.
Well done, Fran.

 

[PawkHawk1]

Best coaching by Fran this, no doubt.

 

[SteveGarvey1]

We're winning close games now and the coach looks good when that happens. When we lose close games, the coach looks bad. It happens.

 

[bogeyman]

Agreed. Great play drawn up out of the one timeout when Bohannon got it to Cook. Also helps to have our PG hit his free throws at the end, since he's the one with the ball many times. Well coached game, and good call not being afraid to put Kreiner in, you have to trust your guys.

 

[HawkGold]

This was Fran's best coached game at Iowa ever.

 

[revkev73]

Fran showed some depth in his coaching last night...kids are learning...smell blood...

 

[revkev73]

I don't think the effect of this big win can be over-estimated...it was big for a lot of reasons, gaining confidence, showing the players what can be done with "Baer-like" effort for an entire game.

Could be a watershed game for the coaches and team...and for fan interest and attendance at the games.

Jok will be missed a lot...but can't wait to see the team next year and the following...

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I just hopped o this morning and was wondering if anyone was going to say such a thing. Couldn't agree more. They played hard both teams did. It was a clean game yet really physical. That was a fun game to watch as frustrating as the missed free throws early were. As good as Jok was and is this isn't a one man team at all. Which is something I was afraid of coming into the year. They are only getting better. Fran isn't as bad as he gets ripped on for being that's for sure

 

[sioux34]

Fran actually called a time out with less than 2 minutes. It was amazing. Jordan Bohanon just has ice water in his veins, rolls his ankles and fights through the pain.

I was so shocked by Fran calling that time out that I actually commented on it to my wife. She was also amazed. As others have said great coaching job by Fran. The two man game used so much in the first half was a brilliant variation designed specifically to attack purdues personnel.

 

[WindsorHawk]

Having hard working players with talent, self confidence and basketball IQ makes coaches so much smarter and better IMO.

 

[thedukeofearl]

More than likely Fran's very best game. He finally has handpicked players that can play FranBall. Very talented and coachable. He and the staff have done wonders with the Lads. The improvement from the first few games is dramatic. Everyone has developed quickly and capably, individually and as a Team. The chemistry is certainly getting better every game.....

The defense has improved immensely. Peter has returned to last season's form. Becoming an accomplished thief once again. He and Baer will be picking pockets the rest of the season.....

Peter has become the team leader in every way. He and Baer provide excellent leadership, especially directing the Lads on defense. The second half in the Purdue game, the Hawkeye D was swarming and quite bothersome to the hapless boilermakers, other than Cline matching threes in the second half.....

Fran captured a ton of national attention last season during the January run when the Hawks acquired the number one ranking in KenPom. And this season the announcers are now heaping praise on the Hawks despite their record. Most had the Hawks fighting for the B1G basement. Now they project the middle of the conference which does seem within reach now. They are quite impressed by the vast improvement and Heart of this team. Fran has done a remarkable job this season, and I do believe this will continue.....

Despite my criticism, Fran is letting the Lads finish the game very well, enabling them to gain valuable gametime exerience at crunch time. This will pay vast dividends down the road.....

Life is good.....

 

[hawkeyemark]

More than likely Fran's very best game. He finally has handpicked players that can play FranBall. Very talented and coachable. He and the staff have done wonders with the Lads. The improvement from the first few games is dramatic. Everyone has developed quickly and capably, individually and as a Team. The chemistry is certainly getting better every game.....

The defense has improved immensely. Peter has returned to last season's form. Becoming an accomplished thief once again. He and Baer will be picking pockets the rest of the season.....

Peter has become the team leader in every way. He and Baer provide excellent leadership, especially directing the Lads on defense. The second half in the Purdue game, the Hawkeye D was swarming and quite bothersome to the hapless boilermakers, other than Cline matching threes in the second half.....

Fran captured a ton of national attention last season during the January run when the Hawks acquired the number one ranking in KenPom. And this season the announcers are now heaping praise on the Hawks despite their record. Most had the Hawks fighting for the B1G basement. Now they project the middle of the conference which does seem within reach now. They are quite impressed by the vast improvement and Heart of this team. Fran has done a remarkable job this season, and I do believe this will continue.....

Despite my criticism, Fran is letting the Lads finish the game very well, enabling them to gain valuable gametime exerience at crunch time. This will pay vast dividends down the road.....

Life is good.....

I've written critically about Fran's coaching on this board and others and want to go on record as agreeing with pretty much all the very good comments in this thread especially this well written one. Fran has put together a really mentally tough group of kids which I think jumpstarts this whole process. And I see him evolving and adapting to the Big Ten over time as well. The physicality we played with the other night I found especially eye opening. You certainly can't call this bunch a finesse team and yet they get up and down the floor when they can and feed off playing good defense. The future indeed looks bright especially if we can develop another point guard which I think will come between Connor and Dailey.