NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
It could also be that he did not see a 7-footer (or two) on defense when he was at Drake. That sort of length can be difficult to navigate and can impact your approach even before you try to shoot.
Is Ben Still Looking in the Portal?
- Thread starter NorthKCHawk
- Start date
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
BTW, I was today years old when I found out that Cooper and Jacob Koch are not brothers. Oops.
You made me think. I thought I had missed it all this time!
SwirlinLingerie
Well-Known Member
I'd guess the Hawks are pretty much done, aside from either Banks coming back or the perfect fit at an affordable price falling into their laps.
Just spit-balling here, but hasn't it been suggested the payroll might be around $9M?
Quite possible that the two transfers are in the combined $4M range.
And I'm guessing Thompson, Cooper and Sage might all be in the $800k - $1M range. That'd be pushing $7M. There would have likely been a lot of interest in those guys.
Cam and Combs were starters that needed to be retained, too...seems like that could put them close to $8M.
Harris and Coons must be getting something, too, if Gonzaga and Creighton were offering.
I don't think there is much money left. I also don't think there is much playing time out there, at least not for a guy they could likely afford.
People seem to be sleeping on Howard some, but any two guard who comes in is going to have to play better defense than Howard (who plays exactly how McCollum wants) in order to sniff the floor. The Hawks spent big money on a Big 12 starter last season (who would have given them much needed outside shooting), and he didn't play because as McCollum said, Howard is "elite."
My guess is McCollum plans to roll with Combs, Howard and Sage in the backcourt. If Coleman can earn playing time by showing he is up to the standard, he'll get in there. (Same with possibly some Coons at off guard?).
I also don't think McKeever will be given a thing. He won't start or even play unless he can show he is up to the standard Cam has set. I'm hoping he comes in and plays a big role on this team.
But that didn't happen with Hausen or Folgueiras last year. I don't think we should be shocked if the new guys struggle again. We should probably start learning that about this coach.
Just spit-balling here, but hasn't it been suggested the payroll might be around $9M?
Quite possible that the two transfers are in the combined $4M range.
And I'm guessing Thompson, Cooper and Sage might all be in the $800k - $1M range. That'd be pushing $7M. There would have likely been a lot of interest in those guys.
Cam and Combs were starters that needed to be retained, too...seems like that could put them close to $8M.
Harris and Coons must be getting something, too, if Gonzaga and Creighton were offering.
I don't think there is much money left. I also don't think there is much playing time out there, at least not for a guy they could likely afford.
People seem to be sleeping on Howard some, but any two guard who comes in is going to have to play better defense than Howard (who plays exactly how McCollum wants) in order to sniff the floor. The Hawks spent big money on a Big 12 starter last season (who would have given them much needed outside shooting), and he didn't play because as McCollum said, Howard is "elite."
My guess is McCollum plans to roll with Combs, Howard and Sage in the backcourt. If Coleman can earn playing time by showing he is up to the standard, he'll get in there. (Same with possibly some Coons at off guard?).
I also don't think McKeever will be given a thing. He won't start or even play unless he can show he is up to the standard Cam has set. I'm hoping he comes in and plays a big role on this team.
But that didn't happen with Hausen or Folgueiras last year. I don't think we should be shocked if the new guys struggle again. We should probably start learning that about this coach.
I think McKeever was brought in to improve our rebounding, first and foremost. Good article on hawkcentral.com by Chad Leistikow. It touches on MKeever and his rebounding. Per KenPom, he ranked #2 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage. And McCollum has two years to work with him.
The article talks about how McCollum wants to build the program on development/retention and not to have to rely on transfers.
The article talks about how McCollum wants to build the program on development/retention and not to have to rely on transfers.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Bingo. Both of the portal guys have multiple years. I am hoping they were also signed for multiple years on the NIL front, but none of us really know how that shit works.
McCollum's approach is much more like the olden days (5 years ago). He is going to want to build through high school kids and supplement with portal kids to fill gaps. His approach mirror's KFs. Try not to just turn over your roster every year, but build something through multi-year players. Going against the grain like that may prove effective.
I read that Coleman was good enough for a Big 10 offer out of high school, but these days there are just a lot less schollies available to high school kids because of the portal and roster limits, so he had to go to a smaller school. I also ready he is a plus defender. Sneaky good pick. I bet he plays good minutes.
McCollum's approach is much more like the olden days (5 years ago). He is going to want to build through high school kids and supplement with portal kids to fill gaps. His approach mirror's KFs. Try not to just turn over your roster every year, but build something through multi-year players. Going against the grain like that may prove effective.
I read that Coleman was good enough for a Big 10 offer out of high school, but these days there are just a lot less schollies available to high school kids because of the portal and roster limits, so he had to go to a smaller school. I also ready he is a plus defender. Sneaky good pick. I bet he plays good minutes.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I've been wondering if the staff needs to be searching for another 7 footer to compliment the 7'3" guy from St. Mary's. I don't think two would be all too bad, especially playing in the BIG. Many teams have a couple it seems like Illinois, Purdue, etc.. Thinking of a quality big back-up if foul trouble happens or hopefully not an injury.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Not just rebounding but also just a big guy in the middle to take up space and maybe change shots. Maybe take away or contest some of those put back shots.
Gander Hawk
Well-Known Member
Iowa might have all they can afford. I read that centers are commanding the most money. Between McKeever, Manyawu, and Jirak they should be alright. They'll need to bring in another developmental center next year.
thedukeofearl
Well-Known Member
But, isn't everyone named Johnson, Miller or Jones related
thedukeofearl
Well-Known Member
I have complete confidence in Ben's ability to see the potential in players who are not highly ranked and
are available and capable
SwirlinLingerie
Well-Known Member
The starting center, while undersized, returns from last year.
Then the Hawks picked up one of the top few big men in the portal.
And as a third center, Iowa has a nearly 7 footer in only his second year, who showed some skill in his limited role last season.
Any 7 footer on the market either wouldn't be good enough to play next season at Iowa or likely command a multi-million dollar payday. Or possibly both.
BigD
Well-Known Member
I'd put my money on an offensive scoring point guard/off guard to make up for the points we got last year. I mean who is going to be that guy to make up for the twenty points we were getting out of Stirtz every game? Maybe not just one guy but two guys who can score those twenty points every game combined between the two of them.
Coleman may get ten of those points, but who will be the other guard to get ten points per game?
Last edited:
SwirlinLingerie
Well-Known Member
Yeah, the strength of the Iowa team is the 6'7" to 6'9" long armed guys who can defend and shoot.
Koch, Sage, Thompson, Harris...I don't think there will be many times next season when at least two of those four aren't on the court together at the 3 and 4. And sometimes we'll probably see three of them out there together.
BuiltLikeWilt
Well-Known Member
All those guys should average 10 + a game next year, plus a solid 10+ from the bench. That would put us in the 70 range and with our defense that should win us plenty of games .
They did play them together alot and it was what bogged down their offense against the good teams and held them back. The times that playing them together was unstoppable was pretty much against the bad teams. Other then Michigan for some reason Iowa totally had their number this yr.
Iowas womens lack of 3 pt shooting along with trying to play those two together really clogged up the paint and made things tough on themselves. I bet it'll be really rare to see Cam and Andrew out there together due to that. Andrew played 23 mpg last yr. I don't see him playing much more then 25 or so for us usually. Cam played 19 mpg this yr and that will be about what he'll do again. Anything between 15-19 seems about right.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I think Ben can find those points with the pieces he has. Hopefully Thompson is as real as they state and comes on. He's been shooting like 45% in practice. The new guard can get to the rim and create it seems. Sage came on strong and progressed well throughout the year. Koch got it going and became a deep threat by the end of the season. I also think McCombs had a solid year and could have an even more elevated ceiling. I like the makeup.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Disagree with your take on the women's team. Agree with your take on the men's.
Really? Their names are pronounced way differently. Jacobs is pronounced like Cook.
