Fran got beat by Izzo

[PCHawk]

I said multiple times that I am not Fran bashing. He is my favorite Iowa coach in my lifetime. That also doesn't mean that I can't accurately assess any perceived successes or failures. IMO in regards to this 1 game. The MSU game. Fran has some ownership in that loss. If we shot poorly and got routed like ILL or Northwestern I would say players own those loses. The MSU game we were in and our lack of defensive variation cost us the game as much as anything. How is Fran not culpable for that? Do the players choose the defense? You should be able to distinguish the difference between games that the team lost from games that coaches lose. I posted this thread so that people would not get down on the players for the loss. They aren't totally at fault. Fran could have done more that is all.

You're not coming off as bashing at all and it's a good thought that may be right. I just disagree. I think it was a great effort by coaches and players to stay in that game. Then again, the main reason they were in it is because MSU was sucking bad.

 

[PCHawk]

Yes you could. Although I do attribute the half time lead to MSU's proclivity for turnovers more so than anything coaching scheme wise, but ya if he takes any blame for the loss I will also give him the credit for having us in it. I will give him big credit for figuring out and fixing whatever it was that had us starting games flat and unorganized.

I'm not sure what's up with Jok struggling so bad in first halfs. Is it because other teams are putting so much into stopping him and they let up as the game goes on, or is it a mental thing with Jok?

 

[Adam]

I'm going to have to agree with this. This game played out exactly how I thought with one exception. MSU played terrible in the first half. We had absolutely nothing for them but for half the game, MSU had nothing for us either. He press worked great against Minnesota. Without it we don't make a comeback. The only way to know it wouldn't work against MSU is hindsight. Also if we lose the game with Fran never even trying anything different, people would say he was too predictable.

Press is not our only defensive set. I have seen Fran deploy 4 different zone sets. Then there is also Man and Man switch. You can also change the set from zone to man or vice versa during the opposing teams possession. There is plenty we could have went to defensively with out being predictable.

 

[Adam]

You're not coming off as bashing at all and it's a good thought that may be right. I just disagree. I think it was a great effort by coaches and players to stay in that game. Then again, the main reason they were in it is because MSU was sucking bad.

I can respect your POV on this. It is actually how I felt after watching it live. I of course watched it 3 more times on the ole Tivo. I ended up coming to the conclusion that lead to me posting this thread.

 

[Adam]

I'm not sure what's up with Jok struggling so bad in first halfs. Is it because other teams are putting so much into stopping him and they let up as the game goes on, or is it a mental thing with Jok?

Joks knees are not good. He has gotten a little slower as the season has gone on. His Asthma is also not helping him any. If there are even more issues, we aren't being told about them.

 

[Adam]

I'm going to have to agree with this. This game played out exactly how I thought with one exception. MSU played terrible in the first half. We had absolutely nothing for them but for half the game, MSU had nothing for us either. He press worked great against Minnesota. Without it we don't make a comeback. The only way to know it wouldn't work against MSU is hindsight. Also if we lose the game with Fran never even trying anything different, people would say he was too predictable.

Yup not saying you don't go back to the well in the second half, but you had to think that MSU was going to crack it sooner or later. Once they did I wanted to see us change our set on them again. I still feel adamantly that it would have reshaped the game and given us a better opportunity at the end. It's X's and O's though so you are never right until your right. Which I will never be since I am armchair coaching.

 

[WindsorHawk]

I'm not sure what's up with Jok struggling so bad in first halfs. Is it because other teams are putting so much into stopping him and they let up as the game goes on, or is it a mental thing with Jok?

I would like to think Jok is trying to get the other guys into the flow of the game and then starts to assert himself as the game progresses. This may not be the case but it is a good team first approach if true. He's definitely becoming a better passer than I ever imagined.

 

[Robowe]

I would like to think Jok is trying to get the other guys into the flow of the game and then starts to assert himself as the game progresses. This may not be the case but it is a good team first approach if true. He's definitely becoming a better passer than I ever imagined.

I agree with this. Also, it may take some game time for Jok to get into the game if his back is still an issue. You can stretch all you want, but sometimes you need to play a bit and get a feel for the game to know what your body will allow you to do in a game. His passing has been much improved as well.

 

[Adam]

I would like to think Jok is trying to get the other guys into the flow of the game and then starts to assert himself as the game progresses. This may not be the case but it is a good team first approach if true. He's definitely becoming a better passer than I ever imagined.

This makes the most sense and one would imagine that this would be something the coaches are pushing for. 1 player scoring 30 does not win games but 7 or 8 scoring 10 does.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Hawk, I am not so much talking about how much Peter got mugged as I am talking about your judgement of him for "making excuses." That seemed unfair to me, given his responses during previous losses. I watched the game too and my biased view was that he got beat up a lot. I think that has happened to him virtually all season in the Big Ten. I will admit that I am old fashioned and would like to see the physical play allowed by officials toned down considerably. I like a finesse game, not hockey with a ball. Call it like you see it is fine with me.

That's fair. I have nothing against Jok and my use of the word excuse was probably the wrong word.

 

[atomicblue224]