My thoughts on Woodbury after seeing him play

[EddyP]

Fear the Wood, their students had shirts with this on it. Kinda funny. Anywho, Valley was not going to let him beat them which is the approach defensively that I'm sure most teams he plays against use. Valley played some kind of junk defense that looked to me like a triangle and 2 and they used the triangle(2 of which were Jok and Abrahamson) to pack it in on Woody and not let him have the ball. They did a pretty good job with it but then it was basically shooting practice for some of the other players and they made them pay. So again it is hard to get a read on him offensively. When he actually did get the ball in the post he turned it over a couple times. He does pass well and run the floor for a big man. Defensively he blocks and changes a lot of shots as you would expect and of course he gets after it on the boards.

Basically what I got from watching him is that he has a lot of work to do which I think most of us expected. That being said I think he has a couple things that you can't teach. Size being the obvious but what I was impressed with was his agressiveness. He is already strong but if he gets in the weight room he will be the bully of the B1G. He was throwing Abrahamson around like a rag doll. He is tough, strong, and agressive and I think he is going to be nasty in a couple years. Just don't expect too much next year. As some have said he doesn't need to be a scorer to contribute next year.

 

[Pooker]

Eddy .... fine analysis. And of course .. he is 7'1 !!!!!

 

[DuffMan]

Fear the wood is also a Santorum's campaign slogan.

 

[jacknicholson]

Very nice analysis, Eddy.....

I do like this:

"He is already strong but if he gets in the weight room he will be the bully of the B1G. He was throwing Abrahamson around like a rag doll. He is tough, strong, and agressive and I think he is going to be nasty in a couple years."

The Bully of the B1G.....

Throwing Abrahamson around like a rag doll.....

Sure sounds good to me.....

 

[mbchawk]

I also like "nasty." Since Reggie Evans, the Hawks have been too passive on the interior and rebounding, imo.

 

[WildTurkey]

I also like "nasty.=" Since Reggie Evans, the Hawks have been too passive on the interior and rebounding, imo.

=Reggie Evans was nasty because he liked to grab other mens junk. One of the most nasty players currently in the NBA also. But man can he rebound!

 

[jacknicholson]

I like Nasty.....

Would love to see a Nasty Adam Woodbury.....

Eddie Horton was Nasty. Announcers used to say, Ed Horton with a Man's Rebound.....

 

[ChosenChildren]

I was at the game as well. My observations:

1. He needs to improve his conditioning. This will happen under the weight training program at Iowa.

2. Valley basically triple-teamed him, but when he did get the ball, he was quick and dynamic with his moves. He will score a lot for Iowa.

3. He is aggressive and doesn't shy away from contact. Valley mugged him every time down the floor (wow is Jok a dirty player!). He didn't back down and dished it right back to the Valley players.

4. He will be a tremendous shot blocker.

I think this kid could be a game changer for Iowa if he progresses as he should and stays away from injury.

 

[gohawkz]

I like Nasty.....

Would love to see a Nasty Adam Woodbury.....

Eddie Horton was Nasty. Announcers used to say, Ed Horton with a Man's Rebound.....

Ed Horton...one of my favorite Hawks of all time!

 

[EddyP]

I was at the game as well. My observations:

1. He needs to improve his conditioning. This will happen under the weight training program at Iowa.

2. Valley basically triple-teamed him, but when he did get the ball, he was quick and dynamic with his moves. He will score a lot for Iowa.

3. He is aggressive and doesn't shy away from contact. Valley mugged him every time down the floor (wow is Jok a dirty player!). He didn't back down and dished it right back to the Valley players.

4. He will be a tremendous shot blocker.

I think this kid could be a game changer for Iowa if he progresses as he should and stays away from injury.

I noticed that right away as well. He was sucking wind in the first quarter. I didn't notice anything dirty out of Jok though. He was trying to hold his own against a much bigger and more physical player. I thought he did an ok job of it too.

 

[ssckelley]

Thanks for the observations! I hate to start a new thread but what was your observations of Jok (besides he is a dirty player)?

 

[JonDMiller]

One of the toughest things for fans (including myself) to get a grip on is the quality of a HS big man...the primary reason is most opponents have nothing to counter in a one on one situation, so they typically play junk defenses against them. On some levels, things are a bit 'easier' for guys like Woodbury when they play against better competition..such as the NBA Development camp this past summer where he was the MVP.

 

[sportstalent]

Here is what I got out of this thread so far...

Fear Nasty Wood

and

Dirty Jok

Now, I couldn't pass that up, I really couldn't...

Anyway, Eddy I appreciate an honest analysis, as you always give and it still sounds like Iowa got themselves a player.
Also, has anyone seen the Morgan kid at IC-West play, is he for real?

 

[Motigerhawk]

And I hope we have a 7'1" Woodbury and a 7'0" Lohaus is a few seasons.

 

[EddyP]

Thanks for the observations! I hate to start a new thread but what was your observations of Jok (besides he is a dirty player)?

Right now I just don't see it. I've seen him play several times. He's a pretty good shooter, has decent size, and is fairly athletic. People say he isn't 100% so ask me next year I guess. Fran is still apparently recruiting him though and he knows a hell of a lot more than I do.

 

[HawkeyeJim75]

And I hope we have a 7'1" Woodbury and a 7'0" Lohaus is a few seasons.

Let's not forget that Meyers is almost 7ft. He may have that bully attitude too. Just think if those two play the same time, you will have to really think about how you will approach the inside. One will be waiting to swat it in the cheap seats!

who knows maybe Gabe and the Stokes kid may develop into something good. Size will not be a matter going into next year.

 

[DuffMan]

lohaus has no eligibility left, and I don't think either of his kids hit 6-8.

woody will not be a consistent shot blocker. defensively be will be closer to jared reiner than Erik Hansen.

 

[bpiercehawks]

All you have to do is look at a kid's hands and feet. Watch him move, catch, and shoot and you get a good idea. Good person, student, and work ethic... Done deal.

 

[9YRPLAN]

woodbury plays with an edge. he's not cheap but he will give you a shot and make you think twice about challenging him.

 

[clicheusername3]

My observations from the game today:

Woodbury has a long way to go.

Jok didn't have too much of a problem staying in front of him in the post. Woodbury got away with a LOT of pushing and he still almost fouled out.

He doesn't move as well as Myers Leonard.

Offers nothing outside of 2 feet right now.

Doesn't seem to be too driven to rebound.

On Jok:

Worked hard against Woodbury all game and didn't have anything left for the offensive end. He needs to develop a step back jumper. He's going to be a good player for Drake or a serviceable player for Creighton.