Huge Win

NikeHawk21

Well-Known Member
What a win. Huge for this young team to win a close one against a good opponent. While the NCAA tournmant is probably unlikely, we aren't dead yet! Couple thoughts.

-Jok and Bohannon were awesome offensively tonight. Having two guards who can stroke it like that puts so much pressure on the opposing teams defense.

-Baer did what we've come to expect from him. Making tons of momentum type plays and playing hard. If he gets his confidence in that 3pt shot back like he did tonight, lookout.

-Moss had a nice 1H. I wish he would shoot a few more times a game actually. He's still having a little bit of trouble using screens to get himself open.

-Cook. I kept saying we need to throw him the ball in the post a few times. Finally when we fell behind in the 2H we did and got scores. He still needs to learn when to shoot it and when to pass it back out and re-post. Athletically, he is going to be superior to just about anyone who guards him this year. Defensively he is still a major work in progress. He's made some strides there even in the two games since he's returned. You can tell he wants it, so I think it will come. He mixed it up on the boards a little bit better this game. Still needs to learn to box out.

-Pemsl had an off night. Missed three or four close ones that he normally makes. It's going to be tougher in the Big10 with stronger longer players, but I still like what he brings to the table. He needs to continue to focus on defense and boxing out. We gave up too many offensive boards tonight. He's a really good passer and I think we can get some Big to big passing between him and Cook going as the season progresses.

-Fran. I wasn't sure why we were zoning Michigan because they have a lot of shooters but we won the game so I'm not going to complain too much. I think he likes the zone because it keeps Jok fresh and keeps our bigs out of foul trouble.

If we can continue to improve our defense and rebounding as the season progresses I think we can be a pretty solid team. Let's go get the Huskers!
 
It's just nice to see a young team like this execute down the stretch and seal out a win. That's been the Hawks weakness for years. They'd outplay opponents all game and then disappear down the stretch. That's two big games this year where they haven't let that happen (ISU and now Michigan). It's very encouraging because of how young they are. Bohannon, Cook, Baer, and Pemsl have all played huge roles. Obviously Jok's play has been crucial, but the future is bright with the core of young talent the Hawks have. I think everyone would agree they are much further along than anyone would have reasonably expected.
 
Some if's here, but if Minnesota holds on, if Illinois beats OSU, and if Indiana beats Wisconsin, only two Big 10 teams will make it to 2-0 and one will be Nebraska.
 
The other scores around the league show you that you can't chalk any game up as a win. Every team has talent. Most thought Nebraska was probably two easy wins, now not so much. I think Jok will be the difference Thursday night.
 
The other scores around the league show you that you can't chalk any game up as a win. Every team has talent. Most thought Nebraska was probably two easy wins, now not so much. I think Jok will be the difference Thursday night.

Yep. Minnesota with a big win at Purdue.
 
Highlights from Iowa-Michigan game. I would like to point out Baer's bow tie is quite awesome.

 
A gutsy W. I find myself liking this team more with each game. Tho frustrating young mistakes, I see every guy (except Uhl) play with great confidence, a short memory and grit. Quite refreshing after the last few seasons where it seemed there were lapses in effort and, sometimes, outright quit.

I still expect the February swoon and, as stated well before the season, there's no way this team will go dancing. Even NIT will be huge feat. However, it will be more acceptable this time because it will be due to youth hitting the wall, not lack of toughness, or, chemistry issues, or, the team deferring to "stars" only to see them go awol down the stretch.

So, the #1 goal this season is to fight and learn. As a fan, I'll just try to stay tempered and look forward to the rewards that will come as early as next season and be in full bloom in 18 - 20.
 
A gutsy W. I find myself liking this team more with each game. Tho frustrating young mistakes, I see every guy (except Uhl) play with great confidence, a short memory and grit. Quite refreshing after the last few seasons where it seemed there were lapses in effort and, sometimes, outright quit.

I still expect the February swoon and, as stated well before the season, there's no way this team will go dancing. Even NIT will be huge feat. However, it will be more acceptable this time because it will be due to youth hitting the wall, not lack of toughness, or, chemistry issues, or, the team deferring to "stars" only to see them go awol down the stretch.

So, the #1 goal this season is to fight and learn. As a fan, I'll just try to stay tempered and look forward to the rewards that will come as early as next season and be in full bloom in 18 - 20.

I want the tourney so bad, but it's pretty unlikely. Either way I really like this team. Good 3pt shooting, athletic, and good post play. If we were "average" at defense and rebounding we'd be a really nice team.

I do think we have enough depth where maybe some other guys step up, if some of these freshman hit a wall. Maybe Dale Jones can bring a spark?
 
With Nebraska shocking the world on the road twice in a row, suddenly the upcoming schedule is pretty daunting.

@Neb
Rutgers
Purdue
@NW
Maryland
@Illinois
Ohio State

Iowa could end up being underdogs in all of those except the Rutgers game. If they can gut out a win in Nebby and run off 3 wins in a row you never know what could happen.

This team is definitely coming together in a hurry and are a lot of fun to watch. Unfortunately the B1G is looking pretty weak nationally this year which sucks for Iowa
 
With Nebraska shocking the world on the road twice in a row, suddenly the upcoming schedule is pretty daunting.

@Neb
Rutgers
Purdue
@NW
Maryland
@Illinois
Ohio State

Iowa could end up being underdogs in all of those except the Rutgers game. If they can gut out a win in Nebby and run off 3 wins in a row you never know what could happen.

This team is definitely coming together in a hurry and are a lot of fun to watch. Unfortunately the B1G is looking pretty weak nationally this year which sucks for Iowa

Almost every game on the schedule is a 50/50 type game, give or take. The problem is, 9-9 won't do it. We need to do better than 50/50 by at least two games.
 
With Nebraska shocking the world on the road twice in a row, suddenly the upcoming schedule is pretty daunting.

@Neb
Rutgers
Purdue
@NW
Maryland
@Illinois
Ohio State

Iowa could end up being underdogs in all of those except the Rutgers game. If they can gut out a win in Nebby and run off 3 wins in a row you never know what could happen.

This team is definitely coming together in a hurry and are a lot of fun to watch. Unfortunately the B1G is looking pretty weak nationally this year which sucks for Iowa

I actually think it's a good thing that Nebraska is 2-0. I like our chances more. If they were 0-2 this game would really scare me. That sounds funny but just how I feel. I expect to win Thursday but wouldn't be surprised if we lost.
 
I actually think it's a good thing that Nebraska is 2-0. I like our chances more. If they were 0-2 this game would really scare me. That sounds funny but just how I feel. I expect to win Thursday but wouldn't be surprised if we lost.

I actually feel the same way. Tough to win 3 games in a row. But if they started 0-2, it would have been a must win of them. Also it's easier for our players to get up for this game now.
 
I personally witnessed Iowa losing a 19 point @ Nebby a couple of years back and losing. No easy games anywhere in this league.

With that said, I agree with the above posters....I think this team is learning to win. You can't really 'teach' that...it has to come from within. And I think this group of very young players have 'it.'

I hope Cook isn't one and done.
 
We still need to improve defensively, but you are never out of games when you can shoot the three like Iowa can. We get Jones back and you have another guy that can shoot above 40% consistently. There are alot of teams that have physical players underneath and that concerns me because second chances kill you in this league...or anywhere for that matter. Pemsl and Cook need to become alot more technical in their protection of the defensive glass. We don't put a body on people with enough consistency and that's going to be an issue.
 
I rewatched the 2H and OT this morning. I gotta say our defense is still really really bad. I've never seen a team give up so many wide open 3s. I'm still not a fan of the zone against good teams because it's so easy to get a good shot against. In man we just get ourselves out of position so much. Way too much over-helping and over-hedging. We have a long way to go there.
 
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