Next step for Iowa men's program? Winning close games

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...games-is-iowas-next-hoops-challenge/17774861/

From article:

"The players have to know how to win," Izzo said. "It's part of changing the culture. And I think that is his (McCaffery's) next big step to take. And knowing him, you're going to make that step."

 

[Armstrong10]

That's where improved coaching needs to play a role. Fran dropped the ball with head scratching end game management and roster substitutions always seemed to be the wrong guy at the wrong time. Until they can prove it, I'm not going to be comfortable unless we're up by 10 with under 3 to go.

 

[spliff45]

Next step should be actually being a good team

 

[TheIowaHawkGuy]

That's where improved coaching needs to play a role. Fran dropped the ball with head scratching end game management and roster substitutions always seemed to be the wrong guy at the wrong time. Until they can prove it, I'm not going to be comfortable unless we're up by 10 with under 3 to go.

3 SECONDS I hope.

 

[Tierney]

3 SECONDS I hope.

I thought up by ten with three minutes to go was pretty long too. I saw a team lose up by ten with a minute to go.

 

[BryceC]

This is probably part of it but would say its beating top 25 teams. The record against top 25 opponents the last 2 years is not good and there will be a lot of them on the schedule.

 

[PCHawk]

3 SECONDS I hope.

That's normally what I hope for too.

 

[Knight78]

When Mr. Davis was the Hawk coach I knew plenty of folks who said "No lead is safe..... for EITHER team!" Yeah, we had a lot of come from behind wins (the Illinois game comes to mind), but we also got big leads and lost them (and regained them and lost them again). It's the nature of the beast when you play an up tempo game... not only can you make a big run, but if you hit a cold streak the other team can make a run as well.

 

[linus19]

The next step needs to be to actually make it into the NCAA Tournament, and not that NCAA Tournament Lite thing they choked in last year.

 

[LG210]

Wow, guys. Let it go. We have improved every year under FMc.

It as frustrating to go into the season-ending spiral that we did last season, but it was only one season.

One season does not a trend make.

 

[JHHawk]

Wow, guys. Let it go. We have improved every year under FMc.

It as frustrating to go into the season-ending spiral that we did last season, but it was only one season.

One season does not a trend make.

Actually in one article they noted that Iowa is 2-13 over the last two seasons in games decided by less than 5 pts. They were like 2-5 in the year before last and 0- 6 last year. So, it is a two year trend, at least...not sure about 3 years ago, but I believe they have struggled in close games since Fran took over. Of course, in Licks era, we were not great either, but had lots of close games because we sat on the ball. Iowa has not had ''closer'' type of talent for awhile.

 

[OUTofTOWNHAWK]

F izzo and his izzone. So sick of sparty.

 

[DJL]

I'm heading into the season with some cautious optimism. My expectations were way too high last year, so I won't make the same mistake twice. With that said, these kids have been playing together for awhile now. They have all improved. Every year you see some mid-major schools who have experienced guys who have played together for a long time make a nice run. I'm hoping Iowa's team chemistry is better, and they can make a run. I believe they have the talent to do it, we just need to see them put it all together.

 

[PCHawk]

Actually in one article they noted that Iowa is 2-13 over the last two seasons in games decided by less than 5 pts. They were like 2-5 in the year before last and 0- 6 last year. So, it is a two year trend, at least...not sure about 3 years ago, but I believe they have struggled in close games since Fran took over. Of course, in Licks era, we were not great either, but had lots of close games because we sat on the ball. Iowa has not had ''closer'' type of talent for awhile.

3 years ago was the year we beat Wisconsin and Minnesota twice and they were all really close (I think both minny games were). Fran defered to Marble late in games the last 2 years and it didn't work at all. I think bad luck had some to do with it but none the less we won't have to worry about that scenario playing out again since Marble is gone.

I'm hoping we are at worse only a little worse than last year but we are better in close games and don't have an end of season colape. If that's the case we will still end up with a significantly better record.

 

[linus19]

I'm heading into the season with some cautious optimism. My expectations were way too high last year, so I won't make the same mistake twice. With that said, these kids have been playing together for awhile now. They have all improved. Every year you see some mid-major schools who have experienced guys who have played together for a long time make a nice run. I'm hoping Iowa's team chemistry is better, and they can make a run. I believe they have the talent to do it, we just need to see them put it all together.

I said this same thing, but it was at the start of last season.

 

[JHHawk]

Two years ago, we had Gatens on the court and he knocked down many huge shots for us in games that were close. Matt had a fantastic senior season, and was the reason that we upset IU, Wisky, etc. We did not really replace him the last two seasons with a knock-down shooter from the arc.

 

[Tierney]

Two years ago, we had Gatens on the court and he knocked down many huge shots for us in games that were close. Matt had a fantastic senior season, and was the reason that we upset IU, Wisky, etc. We did not really replace him the last two seasons with a knock-down shooter from the arc.

A lot of people like to talk about how great a shooter Kingsbury was, but Gatens really lit it up in some big games. McCausland did pretty good shooting the three too.

 

[blkngldFRO]

Iowa’s needed next step is finding a leader on the floor. If there is a rally guy a leader then they will win those close games. The biggest issue with the end of last year was a bunch of cooks and no chef.

 

[trj]

Two years ago, we had Gatens on the court and he knocked down many huge shots for us in games that were close. Matt had a fantastic senior season, and was the reason that we upset IU, Wisky, etc. We did not really replace him the last two seasons with a knock-down shooter from the arc.

To piggy back off of this.....It seems that when big shots needed to be made sets/plays were ran to get Mccabe/Olgesby good looks and they simply didn't come through. i am not trying to kill these guys, but I am thinking of 3 or 4 occasions where they had the open look and they couldn't hit the shot. You could probably add MG to that list as well.

 

[JHHawk]

To piggy back off of this.....It seems that when big shots needed to be made sets/plays were ran to get Mccabe/Olgesby good looks and they simply didn't come through. i am not trying to kill these guys, but I am thinking of 3 or 4 occasions where they had the open look and they couldn't hit the shot. You could probably add MG to that list as well.

So true. We just never seemed to knock down the big shots, often open shots, in tight games the last couple of years. Meanwhile, we had guys from Illini, NW, IU, Minny, Wis.,MSU etc...all make big shots late in those games....worm must turn this year.