Last night a predictor of more Iowa games this year?

homes

homes

Well-Known Member
Given the personnel this year, do you see more games like this, heavy on defense, slowing down the pace, as opposed to trying to score quickly? Or was that just a function of that particular game where Fran didn't want to get into a track meet with UNC?
 
I don't think so. I think Fran still likes to get up and down and that philosophy isn't going to change after 1 big win.

But having a shot blocker at the 3, Uthoff, in addition to a 7 footer protecting the hoop is a huge advantage. The D has been stellar all year and will continue to be.
 
It was a situational adjustment to a bad shooting night. Fran realized the ball wasn't dropping and needed D to stay close / have a chance to win. He adjusted his game plan and his personnel decisions (shortened his bench / reduced sub minutes in the second half), in order to have his best defenders and / or his defensive size on the floor as much as possible.

Shocking what competent coaching adjustments in response to actual performance and game-flow can do for your team's chances to succeed. Crazy, I know, but when you maximize your strengths (size), attack your opponents weaknesses (i.e. forcing NC, an avg to below-avg outside shooting team, into a perimeter game) you tend to put your team in the best position to win.

Great to know that Fran's strategy will be to run and score, first, but, if the scoring is challenged, he's prepared to make strategical and personnel adjustments to still try to win the game, ya know, rather than just throw up his arms and let the game overwhelm him because, "That's basketball."

http://firekirk.com
 
homes said:
Given the personnel this year, do you see more games like this, heavy on defense, slowing down the pace, as opposed to trying to score quickly? Or was that just a function of that particular game where Fran didn't want to get into a track meet with UNC?
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I think you are spot on. This team doesn't seem as explosive on the run game as they were the last 1-2 years. Part of that, I believe, is that the word is out that if you stop the Iowa transition game, you stop Iowa. Since we consistently go on offensive droughts each game. It's awesome to see the boys adjust to that and win a good one on the road, even if it was an ugly one. Still got the "W".
 
Yes it is a predictor against good teams

Against rated teams Iowa has scored 57 - 63 - 60.
Against bad teams: 92 - 90 - 87 - 77
Others with a pulse: 72 - 70.

There is the hawk identity. And I am good with that (as long as the end-of-game play is done well)
 
yes, this team is way more defensive minded than last years. I think we are going to see a lot of slow boring bb games this year. Not real exciting but if it leads to wins I dont really care.
 
damnfinn said:
yes, this team is way more defensive minded than last years. I think we are going to see a lot of slow boring bb games this year. Not real exciting but if it leads to wins I dont really care.
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Well I'm happy we won... but I'm quite concerned with the shooting I've seen so far.

It goes back to last year also... we better play great defense or else going to be along year with our shooting.
 
Bigtenchamp said:
Well I'm happy we won... but I'm quite concerned with the shooting I've seen so far.It goes back to last year also... we better play great defense or else going to be along year with our shooting.
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yep, I agree. Pretty sure thats why we are playing better on the defensive end, cause we suck offensively.
 
Fran has recruited long, athletic players who can run. He has gone in this direction since day 1 at Iowa and probably before he ever came to Iowa City. His recruitment fits well with an up tempo offense and a defense suited to either a fast paced or half court offensive set by the opposing team. When he gets a couple of consistent 3 point shooters on board, he will be very hard to beat, even in the BT. For example, the Hawks definitely frustrated NC's outside shooting with very long and athletic players like White, Uthoff, etc. They shot poorly for a pretty good reason: Iowa's defenders.
 
doclee said:
Fran has recruited long, athletic players who can run. He has gone in this direction since day 1 at Iowa and probably before he ever came to Iowa City. His recruitment fits well with an up tempo offense and a defense suited to either a fast paced or half court offensive set by the opposing team. When he gets a couple of consistent 3 point shooters on board, he will be very hard to beat, even in the BT. For example, the Hawks definitely frustrated NC's outside shooting with very long and athletic players like White, Uthoff, etc. They shot poorly for a pretty good reason: Iowa's defenders.
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Well, UNC's shooters generally aren't very good. We compounded that with good defense, but the shooting percentage was also affected by a lot of easy misses by UNC that our defense really didn't have much to do with.
 
The teams we've played slow against aren't the best offensive teams so I'm guessing we took our chances in a slower paced game. I'm guessing when we play better offensive teams like Wisconsin or Iowa State we'll play faster just because we'll have to try to get easier looks and to help us keep pace. I doubt we see a pace like last year though.
 
Our front court is our strength. We should be playing a half court game the majority of the time IMO. I do expect our outside shooting to improve but still think this particular team will be stronger in the half court than in an up and down game. Of course Clemmons, Gesell and White are going to steal some passes at half court with our various extended defenses and score which is a nice bonus.
 
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