Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the season

[STILLBUSTER]

Ok, venting is over. The Hawks delivered on what long-time Iowa fans know, deep-down, is as expected as the sun rising in the east and was long overdue -- the "bad loss". In typical Hawkeye fashion, they teased us with hope that they were ahead of schedule in the rebuilding process, then slapped us in the face with the reality of what they are --
-- a very competitive team that has dramatically improved defense, serviceable upper class talent, decent under class talent going through it's first rodeo but lacks any sort of reliable shooter.

In other words, a marginal NCAA / strong NIT caliber team; which, by the way, is EXACTLY where just about everyone had pegged their preseason expectations.

It'd be neat if they upset Indy in Bloomington. Some might cling to this as the "unlikely win" to offset the Nebby loss. Not happening!

At this point, I'd be happy if Iowa takes out it's frustrations with a beatdown of Purdue (I'll be very disappointed if they don't), upsets Illannoy at home (I don't think this happens) and embarrasses Nebby on Eric May's send-off party. (Again, I expect this.).

It's then onto the United Center as the 8 seed (losing the tie-breaker to Minny's win over MSU), where I hope they get Purdue in the rubber match and show well against Indy in round 2. After that, I hope they make it to MSG but, truthfully, as soon as they leave Carver, I doubt they advance.

Bottom line, yesterday's come-from-ahead loss sucked but, in the big picture of expectations vs. final outcome, outside of how it happened, it was meaningless. In the end, an NIT caliber team, that the majority projected as an NIT caliber team, is going to go to the NIT.

 

[ILHawk]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

Go back and read the prediction thread....

 

[JonDMiller]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

I've had to remind myself since the end of the game that I felt Iowa was heading back to the NIT this year, 20-11 and (9-9). That's about what they are, right on pace.

That said, losing 19 point leads are tough to take and you'd think Iowa wins a couple other close ones. Then again you can't count on a 21-5 comeback either

 

[schatz247]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

I've had to remind myself since the end of the game that I felt Iowa was heading back to the NIT this year, 20-11 and (9-9). That's about what they are, right on pace.

That said, losing 19 point leads are tough to take and you'd think Iowa wins a couple other close ones. Then again you can't count on a 21-5 comeback either

And wouldn't you agree the ups and downs of this season are freakin awesome compared to the apathy so many had for years with this team?
I would. It's now appointment tv again. It used to be if it was on and I was home I would watch, that is if there was nothing else I wanted to watch. Now if I'm off from work on a game day I plan my day around Iowa basketball.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

I laugh at comments like this. "I just had to remind myself that this is what I expected and We are right on pace".. Glad you can find comfort in those thoughts..

 

[tm3308]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

And wouldn't you agree the ups and downs of this season are freakin awesome compared to the apathy so many had for years with this team?
I would. It's now appointment tv again. It used to be if it was on and I was home I would watch, that is if there was nothing else I wanted to watch. Now if I'm off from work on a game day I plan my day around Iowa basketball.

More than the "remember preseason expectations" routine (which I also despise), I hate seeing this. It's been three years since Fran was hired. I certainly don't expect him to have finished the job already, but I'm tired of "this is better than the apathy."

We may not be back yet, but we're well past that level of low expectations, IMO.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

More than the "remember preseason expectations" routine (which I also despise), I hate seeing this. It's been three years since Fran was hired. I certainly don't expect him to have finished the job already, but I'm tired of "this is better than the apathy."

We may not be back yet, but we're well past that level of low expectations, IMO.

From Jon's article after the loss "Hawkeyes lose more than a game".

He close it by saying this:
"While that is not the end of the world and I picked Iowa to be 20-11 and 9-9 before the season began, which I thought would land them back in the NIT, I didn’t factor in losing a 19 point lead with 20:24 to play in the game into the scenario. Then again, I didn’t figure Iowa would come back from a 21-5 hole last week against Minnesota.

Perhaps things balanced out on this day."

 

[PalmettoHawkFan]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

this is what happens when you have a team of role players who have some holes in their games, one talented frosh and one frosh who isn't physically ready for a BCS conference

I said I thought this team would be 8-10, same as last year, because Gatens willed the team to some late season wins last year, I didn't think RDV or AW would make major strides, and there would be some nights where every kid's weakness comes out.

I wouldn't expect them to win a road game in the NIT

 

[seepig]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

And wouldn't you agree the ups and downs of this season are freakin awesome compared to the apathy so many had for years with this team?
I would. It's now appointment tv again. It used to be if it was on and I was home I would watch, that is if there was nothing else I wanted to watch. Now if I'm off from work on a game day I plan my day around Iowa basketball.

Agreed its nice to see that a couple shots a couple TOs don't happen we are at least 3 games better. Under Lickliter we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

More than the "remember preseason expectations" routine (which I also despise), I hate seeing this. It's been three years since Fran was hired. I certainly don't expect him to have finished the job already, but I'm tired of "this is better than the apathy."

We may not be back yet, but we're well past that level of low expectations, IMO.

Agreed on all counts. And regarding the "this is better than the apathy", I remember people saying the exact same thing in year 2 of Lick's tenure. No joke. People had hope that things would get better, but the team kept letting us down, and people were upset about it. So it was the same old refrain after blowing a lead late @PSU and losing, back in 2009, as it is after blowing game after game in 2013. Get back to me when the Hawks start winning and we can say something better than "at least it hurts to lose again!"

The more you suffer, the more it shows you really care, Right? Yeah yeah, yeah. --The Offspring

And regarding "preseason expectations", I've had it with that load of bunk. Those preseason predictions were nothing more than educated guesses about a team that not a one of us had seen play yet. Now we're being held to that? By that logic, the 2002 Iowa Football team simply overachieved by running the table in the Big Ten, blowing out Michigan by 25 in the Big House, and making the Orange Bowl, just because nobody predicted that in the preseason. In reality, that team really was just that good, except nobody knew it in the preseason. Preseason predictions... meaningless.

We all know that preseason predictions are always dead-on accurate, right?

 

[ChosenChildren]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

Pomeroy in its preseason predictions for Iowa (regular season only) had the Hawks going 17-14 overall and 7-11 in the conference. Iowa should exceed those expectations easily

 

[SteveGarvey]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

this is what happens when you have a team of role players who have some holes in their games, one talented frosh and one frosh who isn't physically ready for a BCS conference

I said I thought this team would be 8-10, same as last year, because Gatens willed the team to some late season wins last year, I didn't think RDV or AW would make major strides, and there would be some nights where every kid's weakness comes out.

I wouldn't expect them to win a road game in the NIT

Yes, the Hawks are a deep team but the problem everyone is average to slightly-above-average. There are no players on this team who you'd consider "very good". There is no go-to guy and this shows. Marble just really isn't that guy despite him thinking he is.

 

[1hawkeye1]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

We all know that preseason predictions are always dead-on accurate, right?

Mine are.

 

[ILHawk]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

Yes, the Hawks are a deep team but the problem everyone is average to slightly-above-average. There are no players on this team who you'd consider "very good". There is no go-to guy and this shows. Marble just really isn't that guy despite him thinking he is.

Disagree. White is a great player and would show with more talent around him. Marble could be a great player.

 

[ILHawk]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

Pomeroy in its preseason predictions for Iowa (regular season only) had the Hawks going 17-14 overall and 7-11 in the conference. Iowa should exceed those expectations easily

Easily exceed a 7-11 conference record? With this team?

 

[SteveGarvey]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

Disagree. White is a great player and would show with more talent around him. Marble could be a great player.

White's a pretty good player with some holes in his game. Marble's running out of time to be considered a great player.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

Agree with OP. they gave us the glimmer of hope that this year could be the year but this loss painfully brings us back to where they likely truly are supposed to be. Damn. Regardless, up by 19 to nebby, you have to win that one. Epic epic fail.

 

[BasketballMan]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

White's a pretty good player with some holes in his game. Marble's running out of time to be considered a great player.

I think you are seriously underestimating / undervaluing this kid. Yes his game needs work. But look at his stats and how he stacks up against the BIG. Imagine what his stats might be if indeed there was more consistent talent around him, like ILHawk suggests.

 

[ICHAWK]

Re: Moving on -- back to where most thought this team would be and the rest of the se

You are seriously underestimating / undervaluing this kid. Yes his game needs work (who's doesnt?). But look at his stats and how he stacks up against the BIG. Imagine what his stats might be if indeed there was more consistent talent around him, like ILHawk suggests.

My definition of great is being able to take over a game when everyone knows you are going to do it and they still can't really stop you. There are not many players who are great. I don't think Aaron White is "Great"

White would be dangerous with a top notch shooter and a great PG playing with him.

White is one of the better players I have seen at getting points while not having any offense run through him. He is great a floating around, finding space and finishing at the rim or getting fouled and getting points off FT's.

That is the best thing about White. He does not require the ball in his hands and lots of shots to be effective unlike Marble. Marble really needs the ball in his hands a lot and needs lots of shots to be his best.