Motivating Uthoff

[WinOneThisCentury]

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.

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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.

"he's thinking"...that's why he seems a bit slow in situations or slow to react on defense at times. I don't care who you are, you have to be able to take what Fran gives you, the multiple defenses especially, and process it at game speed against players that have considerably more experience than you do ON THE COURT. He's out of position or misses assignments because he's processing all the time. Yesterday, I saw him allow a guy behind him on the zone because he stepped up to guard a three, when it wasn't his man. Fran immediately benched him. I'm not sure the lay fan gets how much Iowa changes things up on defense...and the assignment shifts of that zone. You have all that going on, then you need to get a body on someone.

I hate the term soft...because that implies there is a mental aspect to it. He's not mature enough physically to go against seasoned or upper class players who have the lower body strength to push him around. I don't think he's soft mentally at all...I think he has an assassin's mentality as he hasn't lost any confidence in his offensive abilities and will drive or pull the trigger every chance he gets. He also is aggressive in blocking shots. I'd love to see him spend some time with Doyle doing a ton of squats...once his lower body catches up...he's going to be unstoppable on offense. Down low, on the three line, taking bigger guys off the dribble...how do you defend him. Let him mature...he's got two more years of development. My guess is that by the end of this year, he's anticipating on defense, and he just gains more confidence on the offensive end. I like this guy alot.