Freshman Expectations: Mike Gesell

I have a strong feeling that Mike G will surprise even those who think he will do very well. He is a natural basketball player, who is very skillful in many aspects of the game. He can score from afar, midrange and can take it to the hole almost any time he wants to, all the while being more than capable at passing the ball. While playing healthy he will drive this team the way Fran wants. He now has the tools to implement his uptempo game. Every player on the floor will benefit from Mike's game.....

I haven't seen much video concerning his D, but in the tournament in Arizona, his D was very good at times. He is very quick in transition, and has the players to compliment his style. Mel and Bryce had a solid relationship on the court and Mel benefited from BC's passing many times. I believe Mike will have the same effect on the rest of the team. Aaron, Devyn, Mel, McCabe and yes even Adam Woodbury will profit from Mike's floorplay, quickness and passing. The opposition will have to stay with him when he has the ball or he will nail a jump shot from anywhere on the court.....

I believe he averages over ten points a game with 4/5 assists to a pair of turnovers a game. As time goes on he should get at least two steals a game.....

We have a good one who will only get better as the season goes on, and will improve each and every season. One aspect of Fran's expertise, with the able assistance of the staff, is player improvement, barring injuries.....

Literally can't wait for the season to start. I really can't see this team having the problems experienced at the beginning of last season.....

With fingers crossed and rosary beads firmly embedded in my hands, I pray that we are healthy and have no mental difficulties starting the season.....

Once again merely idle speculation and only my opinion that is, of course, biased and one-sided.....

:)

Nice post Jack
 
He will be the all time assist leader when he is through and will break the freshmen record for assists. Not sure how tall he is but he can effortlessly dunk the basketball. He will be a very good player for us right away.
 
With as much hype as Gessell is getting and if he lives up to it, is he going to leave for the NBA early?
 
One advantage Gesell will have is that Marble can handle the ball for stretches too. Having an extra ballhandler can relieve a lot of the pressure on a freshman. Hopefully Clemmons will be able to give Iowa 10-12 solid minutes a game to keep Gesell fresh. Some other frosh PGs at Iowa haven't had those kinds of luxuries.


I am counting on Clemmons to get some good minutes. Especially if he has the D that people say he has. We know he knows how to handle the ball. If he can get a good shot that is quick, he will play...

One other unknown - Ingram. He was recruited by some to play the PG position. We have not heard much about him, as he is not in the PTL this summber, but rather some league in Indiana. He could log some minutes.

As for Roy, he is good at the PG position. He really does look like a natural at it. Especially considering he hasn't even played the position 2 years! That could be a position for him at the next level. IMHO...
 
Gesell just has to come in and run the team, nothing more, nothing less. On paper he is better than the PG, DS, at Northwestern coming in. If Gesell can come in and run the show, not force anything he will have the impact on Iowa that Aaron Craft did as a freshman, he provided stability at a point of weakness. Craft is a better defender than Gesell, but I don't expect Gesell to be a liability there either. Gesell will be a better scorer and shooter, which is what Iowa needs from that position as well.
When all said and done if Gesell averages 9.0 ppg, 3.2 apg, 3.5 rpg and 0.9 spg, I will be very excited. I don't see Clemmons having an impact this year and i really think he will redshirt. Yes, Iowa needs some help defensively, but he also can't be a liability on the floor, he turns the ball over too much right now, just on what I have seen. Athletically, he is well above average, but I think he needs a year to get better in his overall game. It wouldn't surprise me to see Ingram redshirt either, both will be key pieces to Iowa basketball in the future, not sure about next year though.
 
Gesell just has to come in and run the team, nothing more, nothing less. On paper he is better than the PG, DS, at Northwestern coming in. If Gesell can come in and run the show, not force anything he will have the impact on Iowa that Aaron Craft did as a freshman, he provided stability at a point of weakness. Craft is a better defender than Gesell, but I don't expect Gesell to be a liability there either. Gesell will be a better scorer and shooter, which is what Iowa needs from that position as well.When all said and done if Gesell averages 9.0 ppg, 3.2 apg, 3.5 rpg and 0.9 spg, I will be very excited. I don't see Clemmons having an impact this year and i really think he will redshirt. Yes, Iowa needs some help defensively, but he also can't be a liability on the floor, he turns the ball over too much right now, just on what I have seen. Athletically, he is well above average, but I think he needs a year to get better in his overall game. It wouldn't surprise me to see Ingram redshirt either, both will be key pieces to Iowa basketball in the future, not sure about next year though.

I don't think there is anyway that they both redshirt. May's back is to much of a ? mark to redshirt both.
 
I don't think there is anyway that they both redshirt. May's back is to much of a ? mark to redshirt both.

Honestly, I am not sure that will be a factor...I think the chances of Clemmons redshirting are greater than Ingram. The possibility for both is great I think, not out of the question.

If May is playing significant minutes for Iowa this season, there better be injuries. Injuries or not, he just has not progressed in his career.
 
I don't think there is anyway that they both redshirt. May's back is to much of a ? mark to redshirt both.
Honestly, I am not sure that will be a factor...I think the chances of Clemmons redshirting are greater than Ingram. The possibility for both is great I think, not out of the question. If May is playing significant minutes for Iowa this season, there better be injuries. Injuries or not, he just has not progressed in his career.

How do you think the Guard minutes break down then if they noth redshirt??
 
I don't think there is anyway that they both redshirt. May's back is to much of a ? mark to redshirt both.
Honestly, I am not sure that will be a factor...I think the chances of Clemmons redshirting are greater than Ingram. The possibility for both is great I think, not out of the question. If May is playing significant minutes for Iowa this season, there better be injuries. Injuries or not, he just has not progressed in his career.

clemmons wont redshirt...we cant get through another season with only 1 pg...marble isnt a pg he struggled against good teams at the point. he is serviceable but a true pg would be better. marble will probably be playing 30+ min and those min should be at the wing (most if not all of them). i dont see mg playing more than an average of 25 min a game...therefore we need 15 min for someone at the point. that leaves clemmons and i believe he is more than serviceable as a 15 min a game back up. turnovers are part of the game for uptempo teams. he will be fine...fran kind of knows how to coach pg (you know since he was one).
 
Honestly, I am not sure that will be a factor...I think the chances of Clemmons redshirting are greater than Ingram. The possibility for both is great I think, not out of the question.

If May is playing significant minutes for Iowa this season, there better be injuries. Injuries or not, he just has not progressed in his career.


I don't know how good Gesell is defensively, he is athletic, but so was Cartwright and Bryce was a horrible defender.

Marble will hopefully be better but he was still a weak defender last year, he can't stay in front of most point guards but he should do better against guys who closer to his own size.

A team that was probably the worst perimeter defensive team in the league last year, Iowa, IMO cannot afford to redshift the two guys who will most likely be the best perimeter defenders on the team. Certainly not both.

If Iowa can't get significantly better on perimeter D its going to be a similar outcome to last year.

I agree on May, don't see him playing much.
 
I can definitely see scenarios where Gesell and Clemmons are on the floor together with Marble against some of the smaller quicker teams.

Asking Mike to guard the other teams best ball handler all game could have to much of an impact on his offense.
 

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