Motivating Uthoff

CJSHawk

Well-Known Member
There's no doubt that Uthoff is the most skilled 6'9" player Iowa has had in a long time. His ability to shoot, dribble, and drive considering his height is impressive. But I do wonder about his intensity and mindset at times. While I think it's way too early to describe him as "soft", I think the coaching staff has to find a way to get him to play with more of an edge. I think the future of the program needs Uthoff to maximize his potential.
 
He is soft at this point in his career... Sure that can change but no reason to deny it.

With that said he still brings value and the length provides shot blocking and on offense he has decent handles for a 6'9" guy and can hit the 3 ball.
 
Why do you think he needs motivation? I haven't seen any indication that he is not motivated.
 
Why do you think he needs motivation? I haven't seen any indication that he is not motivated.

Maybe motivation isn't the correct word.

A few times last night I noticed, and a few members of the Iowa media tweeted, that he seemed disinterested. I realize he's still a relatively young player, but I think he needs to be more aggressive and assertive with his play or he's not going to become the player the Iowa basketball program needs him to become.
 
I would describe him as not a vocal player. I think he is motivated and wants to play the best he can.

Sometimes he dribbles a little far from his body and doesnt protect the ball so he gets stripped a few times but really, when he gets a step on a player he can fly to the hoop and he can extend and block and alter shots
 
Maybe motivation isn't the correct word.

A few times last night I noticed, and a few members of the Iowa media tweeted, that he seemed disinterested. I realize he's still a relatively young player, but I think he needs to be more aggressive and assertive with his play or he's not going to become the player the Iowa basketball program needs him to become.

I think that his lack of outward emotion lends itself to conclusions similar "disinterested". I find that hard to believe. With all that he went through to be a Hawkeye, that would not be my first conclusion.

He's had a few plays that have been contested at the rim and that may be messing with his head a bit. Also, other teams now have enough game film on him to know that he needs to be defended, so some opportunities that he had earlier in the year may not be there now.

I think we will see him bounce back in the next few games.
 
All of his deficiencies are correctable. He needs to gain strength and work on his handles. Both of these things can be taken care of during the offseason.
 
Maybe he is unsure of his role on this team. It's got to be quite an adjustment for him rotating in and out. Some guys need to just be on the floor to get into the flow of the game and get that fire going.

Of course I am just completely grasping at straws and throwing an idea out there. Total conjecture on my part. But, I think Uthoff could step into Marble's spot next year as our go to guy. So could a lot of guys. I'm just thinking as I type. Who knows? Not me.
 
Maybe he is unsure of his role on this team. It's got to be quite an adjustment for him rotating in and out. Some guys need to just be on the floor to get into the flow of the game and get that fire going.

Of course I am just completely grasping at straws and throwing an idea out there. Total conjecture on my part. But, I think Uthoff could step into Marble's spot next year as our go to guy. So could a lot of guys. I'm just thinking as I type. Who knows? Not me.

The offseason is important for all players, but I think it's especially big for Uthoff as he's the only player on our roster who has the skillset/talent to take over Marble's role on on the team. I just wonder if he has the mentality to be a "go to" player. For the sake of the Iowa basketball program let's hope he does!
 
I think:

* His being described as "soft" is more lack of physical strength than actual mental softness.
* Being described as "disinterested" is a misunderstanding of his personality. JU seems to be a very laid back, calm, quiet and introverted person. He simply doesn't talk a lot.

I think his lack of physical strength, at this point, is something he realizes and he's hesitant to put himself in situations where that could be a problem. This kid is a team player and be careful to criticize him for deferring to the other players. Remember, when he is on the floor, he is the ONLY player (Jok now seems to be relegated to watching from the bench) on the floor that did not play last season and has never started a game. He is the one with the least experience. He's going to be fine.
 
I thought that it was encouraging that just after he got stuffed at the rim last night, he came back immediately with a nice drive across the lane and finished with a scoop shot. The kid has a bright future.
 
I thought that it was encouraging that just after he got stuffed at the rim last night, he came back immediately with a nice drive across the lane and finished with a scoop shot. The kid has a bright future.

It will be interesting how he develops. He definitely is skilled, but lacking in strength. One thing you can't teach is experience and this is his first year in actually playing in games. Once the game slows down for him it will be fun seeing what he can do. Woodbury seems to have progressed a great deal since the beginning of the year. All of the sophomores at Iowa are having their growing pains this year. One thing that is good to see is that both Woodbury and Olesani seem to be guys that won't back down. Iowa should have a strong front line next year.
 
I think that his lack of outward emotion lends itself to conclusions similar "disinterested". I find that hard to believe. With all that he went through to be a Hawkeye, that would not be my first conclusion.

He's had a few plays that have been contested at the rim and that may be messing with his head a bit. Also, other teams now have enough game film on him to know that he needs to be defended, so some opportunities that he had earlier in the year may not be there now.

I think we will see him bounce back in the next few games.

If you aren't a meathead like Pelini or Sasquatch up in Ames, then you don't have the passion. Just ask Ferentz. You know, he doesn't care because he doesn't yell.

The kid is 'in a sense' a freshman. Give him a chance guys. Not sure why our fanbase likes to tear apart our own so much.
 
He needs to work to develop his reflexes and foot speed on defense, especially when the opponent is moving laterally to him, not directly in front.
 
If you aren't a meathead like Pelini or Sasquatch up in Ames, then you don't have the passion. Just ask Ferentz. You know, he doesn't care because he doesn't yell.

The kid is 'in a sense' a freshman. Give him a chance guys. Not sure why our fanbase likes to tear apart our own so much.

I like JU a lot. Glad he's a Hawk.
 
There's no doubt that Uthoff is the most skilled 6'9" player Iowa has had in a long time. His ability to shoot, dribble, and drive considering his height is impressive. But I do wonder about his intensity and mindset at times. While I think it's way too early to describe him as "soft", I think the coaching staff has to find a way to get him to play with more of an edge. I think the future of the program needs Uthoff to maximize his potential.

he is soft...but remember basically 2 years of not playing in competition. he will round into shape this half of the season...super talented young man. i liken his skill set or style to a poor man scotty pippen...the way he gets to the glass while gripping the ball in one hand and gliding effortlessly....
 
"Imported" is right on...Uthoff is essentially a freshman. Compare him to the freshmen we had playing a lot of minutes last year. He will be fine...better than fine.
 
It's not motivation or disinterested.

He looks like most freshmen would look playing in the B1G. Mentally, it looks like he's thinking rather than doing; again, like most freshmen would be. He had some really good OOC games; most of those against lesser talent.

I wouldn't be surprised if physically he doesn't get his second wind toward the end of the season and mentally the game becomes more instinct and the 1/2 step slow disappears. When that happens and he becomes a force off the bench like Gabe is . . . Hawks = really tough to beat.

***
I see the freshman angle has been fully explored now. Maybe reading more posts before responding...but I still have my freshman fingers for posts.
 
I think Uthoff will be much more "motivated" as a starter next year or whenever he begins starting. He's just not a bench player for me.
 

Latest posts

Top