I think we need to temper expectations

[lightning1]

Of this team. There are some glaring problems. One of those problems is the lack of development of our players. This is my first real criticism of Fran but I feel it's warranted. Can anyone here say that Basabe is a better player as a SR, than he was as a FR? What about Woody? McCabe is the one guy I can say that has actually gotten better over the past few years.
Maybe it's the depth and rotation that has made it seem like there is little to no development. Am I missing it? Are we going to be a program of bodies with no development?

 

[Travisam]

Um hi. Signed, Gabe.

 

[bcl20]

Basabe got stats on a bad team. He has a completely different role. McCabe, Woodbury, Gabe and Marble are all better than when they started.

Iowa went from a 7 seed in the NIT to a likely NCAA tournament team in two years with a lot of the same players. Players got better.

 

[Wassabbe]

Marble? He was below average as a freshmen now he's a stud.

Woodybury though is a mess. We are worse when he's in the game.

 

[Casey388]

Of this team. There are some glaring problems. One of those problems is the lack of development of our players. This is my first real criticism of Fran but I feel it's warranted. Can anyone here say that Basabe is a better player as a SR, than he was as a FR? What about Woody? McCabe is the one guy I can say that has actually gotten better over the past few years.
Maybe it's the depth and rotation that has made it seem like there is little to no development. Am I missing it? Are we going to be a program of bodies with no development?

I know I am getting trolled but here I go anyways.

Man, you are right. If only Marble, White and McCabe got better. They are all obviously the same players they were as freshman. Gabe, he is athletic, but I really wish he could add something like a 8 to 10 foot jumper and improve his free throw shooting.

 

[bcl20]

Marble? He was below average as a freshmen now he's a stud.

Woodybury though is a mess. We are worse when he's in the game.

I still think he did a wonderful job shredding the zone last night.

 

[hawkfan33]

After seeing other B10 teams, I actually feel better about our chances now then before the season started. Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin all look beatable, I think we have a great shot at finishing third in the league. Also, how in the world can you say there has been no development?

 

[Xerxes]

I do agree that people need to check their expectations. Some were inching up to the cliff in the game thread last night. Its a long season and for a team that shoots like Iowa does, there are going to be nights when shots just aren't falling at all and they're probably going to lose some games against inferior opponents.

As for the player development concern. I think many coaches/programs go through the same type of situations. Some guys really improve during their careers (Marble, McCabe, White) while others don't. Fran is the HC so its on him, no doubt. But he also deserves credit for helping a lot players get better.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Temper expectations? P!$$ on that. Iowa is a ranked team and has the potential to have a terrific year. I'm glad to finally have a team that we can be excited about and I'm going to indulge myself. Iowa just got a big win over a good team, so it seems like kind of an odd time to post something like this.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Of this team. There are some glaring problems. One of those problems is the lack of development of our players. This is my first real criticism of Fran but I feel it's warranted. Can anyone here say that Basabe is a better player as a SR, than he was as a FR? What about Woody? McCabe is the one guy I can say that has actually gotten better over the past few years.
Maybe it's the depth and rotation that has made it seem like there is little to no development. Am I missing it? Are we going to be a program of bodies with no development?

I would say this:

--Still early in the season, roughly 1/4 of the way through. We are still finding out what best rotations are needed for various situations and match-ups.

--Yes, Basabe is a better player than he was as a FR. He is also surrounded by a MUCH better group of teammates than he was then, thus, isn't playing in a glare of a single spotlight. I can barely even REMEMBER who else we had on the frontline when Basabe was a frosh.

--Woody is just a SO. He HAS shown improvement, but we have pretty much known since he came in that he wasn't going to be the amalgamation of Willis Red, Bill Russell, Wes Unseld, Wilt and Kareem. He is finishing stronger than a year ago, but still makes youthful mistakes. He didn't come from the Chicago Public League or the mean streets of New York. He was a man among boys in high school. In big-time college ball, he's just a 7-footer playing at a B1G school. Given his offers out of high school, enough people know what he will be able to do by the time he leaves.

--As a previous poster said, Gabe Olaseni. I would also add Devyn Marble. And White hasn't exactly stagnated.

--Getting Oglesby back will change the backcourt dynamic. Uthoff certainly adds a dynamic in the frontcourt.

In short, I think we need to remember that we are still just a "top 4 or 5" in our conference, not the epitome of domination some thought.

This is a good team. We will make noise in B1G, and our question in March won't be "Will we make it?", but rather, "How does our draw look?"

 

[theboat]

McCabe is better and has a more defined role, Basabe is better just has a smaller role, Marble is lightyears better.

Olaseni couldn't play basketball when he showed up, and has become one of the most improved players in a while.

I am also happy with the improvement of Gessell and Clemmons too. Woodbury doesn't look as lost as last year, but he does still look lost. I don't think it is Fran's fault that Woody can't be taught to jump higher than two inches.

 

[Husky28]

Fran and staff hasn't developed any players? WOW! Dude, go troll somewhere else... or at least learn a little about basketball...

 

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

Of this team. There are some glaring problems. One of those problems is the lack of development of our players. This is my first real criticism of Fran but I feel it's warranted. Can anyone here say that Basabe is a better player as a SR, than he was as a FR? What about Woody? McCabe is the one guy I can say that has actually gotten better over the past few years.
Maybe it's the depth and rotation that has made it seem like there is little to no development. Am I missing it? Are we going to be a program of bodies with no development?

Yes. End thread.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Basabe got stats on a bad team. He has a completely different role. McCabe, Woodbury, Gabe and Marble are all better than when they started.

Iowa went from a 7 seed in the NIT to a likely NCAA tournament team in two years with a lot of the same players. Players got better.

It's kind of like how people looked at Eric May's freshman season and thought he was going to be all Big 10. He was never going to be an NBA talent and he scored what he did as a freshman because he was playing tons of minutes purely out of necessity.. Who else was going to carry the load?

By the time May was a senior, he had a totally different role and was actually a much improved player IMO although he wasn't necessary playing/scoring as much as when he was a freshman. I think it's basically the same thing with Basabe.

Besides, Fran's tenure at Iowa has basically been: 11 wins, 18 wins, 25 wins, and now 8-1 and ranked. Yep, no development at all.

 

[theboat]

think of it this way and play this game in your head.

2011: Olaseni FR, Basabe SO, McCabe SO, White FR, Marble SO

against

2013 Olaseni JR, Basabe SR, McCabe SR, White JR, and Marble SR

Now, if you think that the 2011 versions of these guys would be within 30 points of the 2013 versions than you are prolly an idiot.

 

[ssckelley]

Yes. End thread.

^ this

You guys are getting trolled, the OP threw this thread in and logged out. I am sure the next time he logs in he will be laughing his butt off at all the responses. Anybody that has watched this team over the past 4 years knows that his post is WAY off.

 

[tubahawk]

Temper expectations? P!$$ on that. Iowa is a ranked team and has the potential to have a terrific year. I'm glad to finally have a team that we can be excited about and I'm going to indulge myself. Iowa just got a big win over a good team, so it seems like kind of an odd time to post something like this.

Certainly enjoy the season. We have a good team and they will be fun to watch. We should be excited. But don't get too carried away with expectations. My worry is people will work (or have already worked) themselves into a frenzy thinking this team should make the sweet sixteen or else it's a failed season. While I think the possibility of making the second weekend of the NCAA tourney does exist, it is by no means an expectation at this point of the seaaon.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Certainly enjoy the season. We have a good team and they will be fun to watch. We should be excited. But don't get too carried away with expectations. My worry is people will work (or have already worked) themselves into a frenzy thinking this team should make the sweet sixteen or else it's a failed season. While I think the possibility of making the second weekend of the NCAA tourney does exist, it is by no means an expectation at this point of the seaaon.

There's nothing easy or automatic about making the Sweet 16, that's for sure. Except for maybe an occasional 16 seed with a losing record who just got hot at the right time and won their conference tournament, every team is in that tournament for a reason and can't be taken lightly. Losing in the first or second round doesn't mean the year was a failure.. That stuff happens. But I DO expect Iowa to be a part of the party this year. NIT this year = failure IMO.

That said, I don't see any reason why Iowa CAN'T make the Sweet 16 although that doesn't mean I DEMAND it, and I do agree that kind of talk is putting the cart before the horse. Conference play hasn't even started yet.

 

[LG210]

Either this is a troll or the OP has a bad recollection of where these players were just a year ago.

 

[LawVHawk]

Iowa was outscored 50-46 in the second half last night. Yes, Iowa won. But the second half imbalance in offense/defense has to concern Fran and the staff a bit.