Is there a single person on HN who watched the Exhibition?

[InGoodCo]

Thoughts? I thought Josh Dix looked really good. I was overwhelmed by all the new guys and trying to keep them straight.

I don't think this is going to be a really deep team. I think you've got your core 5 of

Harding
Dix
Ladje
Payton Sandfort
Owen Freeman

all of those guys are going to be 30 minutes a game guys

Thelwell and Dix will help cover the 1
The 2 and 3 spots will be dominated by Dix, Payton Sandfort, Pryce Sandfort
your 3-4 spots are Dembele, Koch, Traore and maybe Evan Brauns in garbage time or spot minutes
You're 5 spot is Owen Freeman mainly but can go smaller with bringing in another F.

I think Iowa is going to only end up playing 9 guys, maybe more like mostly 8 with some odd and end minutes to Braun and Mulvey.

Rebounding will be a concern with this team and size wise, we're going to be up against it. That said, I think they'll be one of the better shooting teams in the B1G.

 

[HuckFinn]

Yeah. I was at the exhibition game. Every year Iowa has a basketball game of some sort on a Friday night prior to a Saturday football game. Makes for a fun weekend.

I enjoyed the game and support Good’s analysis.

 

[PCHawk]

I forgot until after I committed to going to a movie. I remembered and watched the last 15 minutes with my phone covered by my sweatshirt with no sound. Not too much insight to give. I'm hoping I can watch the replay on big 10+ but haven't looked yet.

 

[InGoodCo]

I forgot until after I committed to going to a movie. I remembered and watched the last 15 minutes with my phone covered by my sweatshirt with no sound. Not too much insight to give. I'm hoping I can watch the replay on big 10+ but haven't looked yet.

If you get BT+ you can watch the replay. First half was close but that's because Fran played everyone. Played it a little tighter in the 2nd half. I think they will be able to consistently score better than last year where they would go through small or short stints where getting a bucket was impossible. Seem like they will be more efficient with ways to score this year. One thing was obvious, they will also be able to score a bunch in a real short period of time as they had a couple of runs where they scored like 20 pts in like 2 or 3 minutes.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

If you get BT+ you can watch the replay. First half was close but that's because Fran played everyone. Played it a little tighter in the 2nd half. I think they will be able to consistently score better than last year where they would go through small or short stints where getting a bucket was impossible. Seem like they will be more efficient with ways to score this year. One thing was obvious, they will also be able to score a bunch in a real short period of time as they had a couple of runs where they scored like 20 pts in like 2 or 3 minutes.

It's on youtube too I got to see most of it on there yesterday. And yeah Dix impressed me the most I'd say. He's just smooth and automatic with his shot. I was hoping to see Harding knock down a J or two but I don't remember him doing so. Most of the team struggled outside it seemed like. P Sandfort looked great. Freeman was good.

Defensively though... Yikes. Game 1 and all I know but I saw no intensity or anything. Guards don't seem to be able to stop dribble drives. Things start and stop there cause if the other team can get in the paint whenever they want with or without a screen it's problematic for our bigs having to help etc etc with the dominos of that. We better rebound better too at both ends

 

[HuckFinn]

If you get BT+ you can watch the replay. First half was close but that's because Fran played everyone. Played it a little tighter in the 2nd half. I think they will be able to consistently score better than last year where they would go through small or short stints where getting a bucket was impossible. Seem like they will be more efficient with ways to score this year. One thing was obvious, they will also be able to score a bunch in a real short period of time as they had a couple of runs where they scored like 20 pts in like 2 or 3 minutes.

And, Duluth has season wins on the 20’s for a number of years. And, their head coach has Iowa ties. And, Fran said he could have picked a bad team, but went with Duluth for a tougher outing.

And, Duluth is a tourist wonderland and a gateway to the North Shore. No. I kid you not!

 

[BigD]

Shooting can be streaky with any team. Lute Olson was likely the most overall successful coach Iowa has had in my life time. He went on to do a great job at Arizona. He always stressed if possible to work into the paint and take shots from there. Of course as they are the higher percentage shots. You’re just playing the numbers game there.

Also penetrating that deep into an opponents defense is going to break their post player defense down and lead to easy layups under the basket.

Living on three pointers also means dying on them also. The lack of consistency and shooting within the paint philosophy has been a disaster in March.

We better hope that we have more help down low and not having to pin all our hopes on just Freeman. He is good, really good, but he can’t do it all by himself. He won’t do much sitting on the bench with five fouls.

 

[trj]

Thoughts? I thought Josh Dix looked really good. I was overwhelmed by all the new guys and trying to keep them straight.

I don't think this is going to be a really deep team. I think you've got your core 5 of

Harding
Dix
Ladje
Payton Sandfort
Owen Freeman

all of those guys are going to be 30 minutes a game guys

Thelwell and Dix will help cover the 1
The 2 and 3 spots will be dominated by Dix, Payton Sandfort, Pryce Sandfort
your 3-4 spots are Dembele, Koch, Traore and maybe Evan Brauns in garbage time or spot minutes
You're 5 spot is Owen Freeman mainly but can go smaller with bringing in another F.

I think Iowa is going to only end up playing 9 guys, maybe more like mostly 8 with some odd and end minutes to Braun and Mulvey.

Rebounding will be a concern with this team and size wise, we're going to be up against it. That said, I think they'll be one of the better shooting teams in the B1G.

They were a bad rebounding team last year, so I do not think it can get any worse this year. Freeman and Payton Sandfort tied for the team lead in rebounding last year. It is a MUST that Freeman stays out of foul trouble this year. His 6.6 rebounds per game needs to go up to the 8-9 range. Hopefully, they aren’t so dependent on Payton rebounding, that he can get out in transition and get open looks.

Full disclosure…I didn’t watch the game I am basing my thoughts on people that did.

It sounds like Harding struggled with his shot. You can’t have the guy guarding Harding playing “free safety”. By January of last year, the scouting report was out on him, that you didn’t have to guard him. Credit to Harding, late in the year, he hit enough buckets that you had to respect it. That needs to continue.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Went last minute. Barely any live bodies there so loved moving to row 12 for an eye-level view of action.

Bigs:
Freeman had his way. As mentioned ... foul trouble will be his biggest obstacle.

I like potential of Dembele / Traore / Brauns. Athletic, high-energy but undersized will cause challenges.
Hoped to see Tadjo??

3's / Guards:
Harding had a VERY poor game. Just seemed out of sorts and to struggle in all aspects. Disappointed in this particular performance, against what should've been easy opponent, given what thought was some good steps forward at end of last year. Feel a lot of it is simply being really small.

Given above, Fran went with Brock way too long. Wanted (and needed) to see more Thelwell as I'm expecting mature direction and consistent contribution from him as team gels and season rolls on.

Peyton shot poorly from 3, too. No shock. He is what he is there but more than made up for it with 2-point offense and effort.

Dix sluggish start but - as obvious from box - he came around for a solid all-around game. Doubling his box score (consistent 16 - 5 - 5) is gonna be crucial.
Always looks like he's less than happy / unsure? He'll have off nights and hope it doesn't disrupt how he can contribute in other ways.

Coop is gonna be good. Bad shooting night but looked like he belonged / not intimidated and played the game opportunities.

Young Sandfort had a solid night. At times, felt he pressed untimely / inopportune shots last year. We all be thrilled if he can repeat this box most nights when called upon.

Overall:
Tough challenge for Hawks. Yes, they won handily but Minn-Duluth worked hard and was quick enough to disrupt Hawks' passing and guard play.

Rebounding was VERY underwhelming (disappointed in that). Do believe it will be a strength.

As always - defense is gonna be mostly below average to bad.

3-shooting was weaker than expected. Iowa compensated by being able to wear them down and attack interior. It's definitely gonna be the Freeman - Sandfort - Dix show (in that order) and those 3 are versatile enough to score in / out / at the line.
Fouls have to be addressed. It's a drop off from top 5 to next - especially inside.

Saw enough to support exactly what I expect for this year ...
- Always competitive and a shooter's chance for a good upset.
- Still generally undersized and very thin at PG and 5.

I see 19 W's and a good NIT team.
X-factor will be Harding, how much Pryce / Cooper contribute, fouls and consistency from the main 3.

 

[Hawkboys]

I'm not an exhibitionist!

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I am just not ready to transition to basketball yet. It was 82 degrees yesterday, dammit.

KF needs to break my heart another time or two and then I will turn to Fran breaking my heart in completely opposite ways.

 

[thedukeofearl]

It's on youtube too I got to see most of it on there yesterday. And yeah Dix impressed me the most I'd say. He's just smooth and automatic with his shot. I was hoping to see Harding knock down a J or two but I don't remember him doing so. Most of the team struggled outside it seemed like. P Sandfort looked great. Freeman was good.

Defensively though... Yikes. Game 1 and all I know but I saw no intensity or anything. Guards don't seem to be able to stop dribble drives. Things start and stop there cause if the other team can get in the paint whenever they want with or without a screen it's problematic for our bigs having to help etc etc with the dominos of that. We better rebound better too at both ends

One would have thought that Brock would have been shooting hundreds of threes, 7 days a week last Summer

Hell, I would have driven from DM to rebound the ball and pass it to him immediately so he could
catch and shoot

 

[thedukeofearl]

They were a bad rebounding team last year, so I do not think it can get any worse this year. Freeman and Payton Sandfort tied for the team lead in rebounding last year. It is a MUST that Freeman stays out of foul trouble this year. His 6.6 rebounds per game needs to go up to the 8-9 range. Hopefully, they are
endent on Payton rebounding, that he can get out in transition and get open looks.


Email
n’t so dep
Full disclosure…I didn’t watch the game I am basing my thoughts on people that did.

It sounds like Harding struggled with his shot. You can’t have the guy guarding Harding playing “free safety”. By January of last year, the scouting report was out on him, that you didn’t have to guard him. Credit to Harding, late in the year, he hit enough buckets that you had to respect it. That needs to continue.

Dembele looks like he will contribute on D and rebounding

He looks more solid, and his shooting has improved considerably

 

[Grady]

It's on youtube too I got to see most of it on there yesterday. And yeah Dix impressed me the most I'd say. He's just smooth and automatic with his shot. I was hoping to see Harding knock down a J or two but I don't remember him doing so. Most of the team struggled outside it seemed like. P Sandfort looked great. Freeman was good.

Defensively though... Yikes. Game 1 and all I know but I saw no intensity or anything. Guards don't seem to be able to stop dribble drives. Things start and stop there cause if the other team can get in the paint whenever they want with or without a screen it's problematic for our bigs having to help etc etc with the dominos of that. We better rebound better too at both ends

This post gave me a good chuckle. Change a few names and this post could easily have been written to describe any of Iowa's past 10 seasons! Especially the part about guards not stopping dribble drives and rebounding. Ha. Same as it ever was, I guess.
(Am I the only person in Iowa who feels like like Pryce is overrated? His production per minute up to this point in his career has been pretty disappointing. Everybody keeps saying he's going to be better than his brother...could be, but certainly hasn't shown progress toward being that yet.)

 

[PCHawk]

This post gave me a good chuckle. Change a few names and this post could easily have been written to describe any of Iowa's past 10 seasons! Especially the part about guards not stopping dribble drives and rebounding. Ha. Same as it ever was, I guess.
(Am I the only person in Iowa who feels like like Pryce is overrated? His production per minute up to this point in his career has been pretty disappointing. Everybody keeps saying he's going to be better than his brother...could be, but certainly hasn't shown progress toward being that yet.)

To be fair, he's played one season and an exhibition game.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

One would have thought that Brock would have been shooting hundreds of threes, 7 days a week last Summer

Hell, I would have driven from DM to rebound the ball and pass it to him immediately so he could
catch and shoot

Yeah and it's so odd. In HS he was hitting all kinds of shots. Not sure what it is with him but if he has another rough shooting yr like last yr....

 

[Hawkfnntn]

This post gave me a good chuckle. Change a few names and this post could easily have been written to describe any of Iowa's past 10 seasons! Especially the part about guards not stopping dribble drives and rebounding. Ha. Same as it ever was, I guess.
(Am I the only person in Iowa who feels like like Pryce is overrated? His production per minute up to this point in his career has been pretty disappointing. Everybody keeps saying he's going to be better than his brother...could be, but certainly hasn't shown progress toward being that yet.)

No doubt and I'm aware it's the first time they took the floor so I'm not killing em yet.

I'm not going to be too tough on Pryce yet. He was skinny skinny last yr. I'm curious to see how he looks with a larger role this yr after having spent a yr in the weight room and everything. Kid can shoot but can he get open take good shots and play D at all? We'll see. Shot selection is such an under talked about thing. Everyone can look at box scores but taking good open looks in rhythm and not forcing up bad ones is a skill too that can take time to get a feel for

 

[thedukeofearl]

No doubt and I'm aware it's the first time they took the floor so I'm not killing em yet.

I'm not going to be too tough on Pryce yet. He was skinny skinny last yr. I'm curious to see how he looks with a larger role this yr after having spent a yr in the weight room and everything. Kid can shoot but can he get open take good shots and play D at all? We'll see. Shot selection is such an under talked about thing. Everyone can look at box scores but taking good open looks in rhythm and not forcing up bad ones is a skill too that can take time to get a feel for

Pryce started out a bit slow but he adjusted quite well nailing some tough shots later as the game
went on

He nailed threes last season and can be a clever passer

I remember one particular pass underneath the opponents basket last year, no look pass for a FG

 

[PCHawk]

Pryce started out a bit slow but he adjusted quite well nailing some tough shots later as the game
went on

He nailed threes last season and can be a clever passer

I remember on particular pass underneath the opponents basket last year, no look pass for a FG

I agree. The second half of the year he was at least an average shooter. I'd be curious to see his percentages during both halls of the season.

 

[Grady]

Interestingly, Peyton and Pryce both played in about the same number of games as Freshmen (34 and 32). Peyton doubled up pretty much everything over Pryce from a stat standpoint, and Peyton shot FTs at a 94% clip -- Pryce 66%.