One player, who's the key for success next season??

[ibahawkeye]

I thought this might be fun to debate. I think there are a lot of guys that may be considered the key so perhaps there isn't just one, but for the sake of the thread who do you to with??

I say Uthoff. If he can develop into a solid 3 , I think this team may be able to flirt with the bubble. I know some are looking for him to get stronger but I would rather see him continue to develop his handles and outside shooting. If he can do that, he can rise up and shoot over smaller defenders and be a nightmare matchup.

If he is a similar player as last year, we know White isn't the answer at the 3 and we would probably looking to Jok. I want Jok playing the 2 so we aren't relying on Ogelsby, Mike or Dickerson to play that position.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Aaron White needs to become a shooter. I think Uthoff is already there...just a matter of playing time. I also think Jok could end up averaging double figures (or close to it) and it wouldn't be a huge surprise.

But if Whitey shows he can (and will) take the open 15-21 footer (including the "3") it'll be huge for this team. Then he's a mismatch nightmare. It'll also give him a shot at the next level. I hope he's in the gym everyday working on his shot.

 

[Hawkstrat]

"Aaron White needs to become a shooter."

If Iowa's season hinges upon Aaron White becoming a shooter, the team is in trouble. Some people just aren't good shooters, I fully believe he has put the work in, but he isn't a shooter.

I'll go with Gesell/Clemmons/Dickerson. Someone needs to step up and be a PG. Gesell was an okay basketball player last year, but he wasn't an okay point guard, he needs to get better. I'm sick of watching a short SG that can't shoot, run the point.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I agree that it's Uthoff. I think White is who he is. I don't see a drastic change to his game. Or Mike G or Oglesby. Now Woody very well could and may I think he'll be huge one way or the other for the teams play too. But Uthoff is the wild card. His skills are ridiculously good. If he was 25 pounds heavier he'd have the NBA question hanging over his head. Yet he was inconsistant at times seemed to be trying to feel out what his role was. Well he'll be starting this year and have the green light to be aggressive and play considerably more mins. What lineup will be the most effective is my question? Is the starting lineup going to be

MG Oglesby, Uthoff White and Woody? (My best guess to start with) or small ball with Dickerson instead of Oglesby or Jok. Fran will have options yet again on how to mix and match his lineup out there for sure. It'll be interesting for sure.

 

[uihawk82]

The Center and PG positions will be the keys for success.

If Woody and Gabe can be an offensive force then the other team will need to double them which leaves much more room for perimeter shooters.

If the PG play can be more efficient and break down defenses then we get easier looks . I think Gesell did well penetrating but not finishing. If Gesell and Trey can breakdown teams, get layups or a lot of assists then we will be sailing.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

My comments on White are probably more wishful thinking than anything. Scorers are definitely what we need. And that could come from a number of guys.

 

[UncleHawk]

If it had to be one player, I would say Woody. A consistent threat at center can change a team- see Wisconsin and what happened to them once Kaminsky consistently emerged mid-season.

Now for Fran's style, we will need a creator to blossom but there are lots of candidates: Gesell, Jok TD. One of them has to take it to another level for success next year. But if Woody takes the next step, it would certainly make it easier for one of them.

 

[Benddontbreak]

Jok or Uthoff. Both have high ceilings and have shown flashes. One of them has to develop into a go-to-scorer next year.

 

[jacknicholson]

Jok or Uthoff. Both have high ceilings and have shown flashes. One of them has to develop into a go-to-scorer next year.

This, along with Mike G shaking off those Sophomore jitters and Josh Oglesby becoming the player he is capable of. If we can hit from outside, things will open up for Aaron at the 4 position along with Woody and Gabe.....

If we can get the chemistry back and play to the very end of games, we will be very good.....

Hopeless Homer Opinion.....

 

[ibahawkeye]

If it had to be one player, I would say Woody. A consistent threat at center can change a team- see Wisconsin and what happened to them once Kaminsky consistently emerged mid-season.

Now for Fran's style, we will need a creator to blossom but there are lots of candidates: Gesell, Jok TD. One of them has to take it to another level for success next year. But if Woody takes the next step, it would certainly make it easier for one of them.

Why compare Woody to Kaminsky? Just because they play the same position, the impacts would be totally different.

Kaminsky's outside shot spread the floor and keeps the other teams defensive big man out of the middle.

Woody would be a post presence that could open up outside shots if he becomes dominant enough to command a double team.

 

[NEIChawk]

I have to say Dickerson....simple reason being that he's never played 1 game in the B1G...he has something to prove and if so, he needs to continue to prove it all season long.....he has the accolades as an All-American as a juco player, but what's his game going to be in the best conference in the land. Just my observation, the others that have been mentioned have played in the B1G, so I'm guessing that they already know how to improve and what they need to do to get there...

 

[sportstalent]

The Woodbury that we saw in the NCAA tournament.

Iowa has to put him on the block and feed him, he can carry Iowa and be the most dependable player on the roster, the tools are there. He has developed the 10 ft. jumper as well, so the pick and roll is there as well.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

I like that there are 4 or 5 different guys being mentioned here. Would it be greedy to hope that several of them make the kind of leap being described?

Could be a hell of a team, if so.

 

[528646]

I like that there are 4 or 5 different guys being mentioned here. Would it be greedy to hope that several of them make the kind of leap being described?

Could be a hell of a team, if so.

My thoughts exactly! It would be hard to pick just one guy.

 

[hawkjunkie]

"Aaron White needs to become a shooter."

If Iowa's season hinges upon Aaron White becoming a shooter, the team is in trouble. Some people just aren't good shooters, I fully believe he has put the work in, but he isn't a shooter.

I'll go with Gesell/Clemmons/Dickerson. Someone needs to step up and be a PG. Gesell was an okay basketball player last year, but he wasn't an okay point guard, he needs to get better. I'm sick of watching a short SG that can't shoot, run the point.

I will go with this. AW has put the work in and just isn't the best shooter. That said if he improves on his shooting some and his dribble drive, he could be something. Just please, Please get rid of the flop. It isn't basketball. And it is severely lame...
Finish the dang play, show some balls and score.

The one player/area that I will my chips on are Dickerson/MG & AC. Guards control the game. And guards win championships. I am counting on these 3 to make out team. MG & AC more than have the skills and potential to improve. Bringing in Trey will take the pressure off and allow these two play their game. I would like to see AC score more.... These 3 will be fun the watch. We will see 2 of the 3 on the floor at the same time quite often. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds...

 

[SnapBack]

The One player is Mike Gesell. The PG position is the most important position on the floor, and we need him to step up and have a solid year. He doesn't need to average 15ppg, I am confident that Jok will step up the most in that category. The player who may be 2nd in terms of "key for success" is Utoff. He needs to pick up on some of the scoring and be able to create a shot.

The person who is not the answer to this question is Aaron White. Sure, he will bring intensity and be one of the leaders of the team, but he is NOT going to develop a jump shot and be all-NBA like some of you are hoping.

 

[DJL]

I really like Aaron White, but the key player has to be someone who can get his own shot with the game on the line. Whether that is Mike G or JU or whoever, I don't care. We can't leave as many wins on the floor as we did last year.

 

[brozley]

I like that there are 4 or 5 different guys being mentioned here. Would it be greedy to hope that several of them make the kind of leap being described?

Could be a hell of a team, if so.

The answer to question about about "key player" is there isn't one. The team has 7-8 good players and none of then stands out from the crowd day in and day out. Any of them could be the leading scorer on any night and you wouldn't be shocked if they had a 4 point game.

The beauty of a team like this is that the players are good enough to be competitive every night, but none of them skilled enough to leave early. Sit back and get to know the guys and hope they will improve and get their degrees. In many ways this is better then wondering what incoming freshman will stay more than one year like at Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, etc.

 

[LASBUR]

This will be Whites team. Everyone else just needs to do their job. We have enough players if everyone does their job we will be a pretty good team

 

[UncleHawk]

The answer to question about about "key player" is there isn't one. The team has 7-8 good players and none of then stands out from the crowd day in and day out. Any of them could be the leading scorer on any night and you wouldn't be shocked if they had a 4 point game.

I agree that more than one player has to improve their production for Iowa to keep the ball rolling. But there are a lot of candidates. There is an eight player rotation right out of the blocks: Woody, GO, White, Uthoff, JO, Jok, Gesell, TD + Uhl and Clemmons if they put in the work. The nice thing is that every one of those guys has got an upside to their play right now. That's why there are so many opinions about who might emerge. It'll be interesting to see who does.