Highlights From The Hawkeyes’ Open Practice On July 15

I read Chad Lestikow's article and a few other media takes.

Color me excited about this upcoming season. We will be 10 deep with players that are Big10 caliber across the board. A lot of experience returns, but the fresh faces will make an impact. This team will be way different than the Stirtz plus 4 show from last year. Faster, longer, and more athletic. I think Ben may let these ponies run a bit more this season than is his norm. But, defense and ball control will remain mission critical. As Ben noted, where Stirtz will be missed most is in crunch time both shot clock wise and end of game times. That is the biggest question mark. But, this team is going to be really good.
 
Curious if Tavion Banks ever got granted his 5th year or still tbd. I know he declared for draft & transfer portal, just curious what came of it all.
 
nilekinnick said:
Curious if Tavion Banks ever got granted his 5th year or still tbd. I know he declared for draft & transfer portal, just curious what came of it all.
Click to expand...
He has not. There is a legal challenge to the new rule in Colorado that could theoretically end in an injunction as to the new rule as it relates to kids who exhausted eligibility under the old rule. That could apply to Banks. But, honestly, I think he should move on and take a shot at playing overseas. Even if he gains another year, it may be best to play elsewhere. Iowa is pretty loaded in the post and small forward. I think there are already too many good players for minutes available. The team is 11 deep and Ben is not going to have that big a rotation. The team is already gelling as is. Adding Banks back in this late might not sit well with everyone that is already on the boat.
 
Got a buddy who has golfed with one of the assistant coaches. According to the coach, the feeling on the staff was that it might be better for Banks to move on (this was from late spring). Now, I don't know that they wouldn't take him if he begged to come back. But it sounded like the staff thought he was ready to be done at Iowa and they thought it was best for the younger guys' growth if Banks moved on.
 
SwirlinLingerie said:
Got a buddy who has golfed with one of the assistant coaches. According to the coach, the feeling on the staff was that it might be better for Banks to move on (this was from late spring). Now, I don't know that they wouldn't take him if he begged to come back. But it sounded like the staff thought he was ready to be done at Iowa and they thought it was best for the younger guys' growth if Banks moved on.
Click to expand...
I don't know if Tavian will fit schematically in Iowa's 2027 squad or not.
But after rewatching the Iowa-Florida tourney game, there's no way they beat the Gators without him, that's for sure.
 
Word on the street is that Tate Sage has really exploded and may be our best player going into the season. Also, Jirak apparently has made big strides with S&C, and with his game.

With regards to Banks, I've got mixed feelings there.

I totally understand players entering the portal if they're seeing much PT and have talent in front of them, but when a player is a starter or a major part of the rotation, I'd be a little turned off if I was the coach or a player.
 
#1DieHardHawk said:
Word on the street is that Tate Sage has really exploded and may be our best player going into the season. Also, Jirak apparently has made big strides with S&C, and with his game.

With regards to Banks, I've got mixed feelings there.

I totally understand players entering the portal if they're seeing much PT and have talent in front of them, but when a player is a starter or a major part of the rotation, I'd be a little turned off if I was the coach or a player.
Click to expand...
Sage quickly became my "next star" last year. Really thot he shoulda played more (at times) over Banks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Latest posts

Share this page



Top