Roster Talent Evaluation

[smoot27]

My thoughts on our roster and how they fit on a team capable of contending for the Big Ten (listed best to worst):

Basabe: Solid defender, should be defending 3's on the other team instead of 4's because he lacks size inside. Offensively he is decent in the post but lacks a strong mid-range game. He is the #2 option on a good team and the #3 option on a great team.

Cartwright: Mediocre to poor shooter. More of distributer point guard who should be limited in shot attempts per game. He is the 4th to 5th option offensively on a good team.

Matt Gatens: Doesn't fit our team startegy. He is better served in a halfcourt offense. He is mediocre defensively. He could start on a decent team as a 4th or 5th option, but would be better served as a 6th man to provide offense off the bench.

Roy Marble: Atheltic defender who lacks shooting ability. If he develops a shot, he could become a poor man's Corey Brewer. He seems a better fit at the 3 than the 2 in the meantime due to his horrible outside shooting ability. He is currently a 6th or 7th man on a decent team.

Zach McCabe: Shows flashes of shooting the ball well, but overall he was a mediocre to poor shooter last year. I blame that partially on adjusting to the college game. Eventually he will become a solid contributer, but on a contending team he is a 6th or 7th option.

Eric May: What happened to this guy? A year ago I would have listed him as a possible future 4th option on a decent team, but now he was a non-factor in the offense most games on a poor team by the Big Ten schedule. He is still a good athlete and I'll list him as a 6th or 7th option on a decent team.

Andrew Brommer: Really the only true center we have so that's the only reason he made the list. No athleticism or playmaking ability. Mediocre defender for his size. He would be an 8th or 9th option on a good team.


So that makes our team:
2 legit starters: Cartwright/Basabe
2 fringe starters better fit as 6th men: Gatens/Marble
2 bench players: Zach McCabe/Eric May

We need to find 2-3 more legit starters to have any shot at contending. I don't see any of our incoming recruits filling this roll immediately. I think we are still a minimum of 2-3 seasons away from being a top 5 team in the Big 10.

 

[Wassabbe]

I think Gatens and Basabe are the only legit starters. Gatens on a good team would do well.

Cartwright is a backup PG for most good Big 10 teams.

The rest probably don't play for most Big 10 teams

 

[smhawk]

I think Gatens and Basabe are the only legit starters. Gatens on a good team would do well.

Cartwright is a backup PG for most good Big 10 teams.

The rest probably don't play for most Big 10 teams

Yep... thats why cart lead the big10 in assist....

 

[HawkeyeBA]

I think Gatens and Basabe are the only legit starters. Gatens on a good team would do well.

Cartwright is a backup PG for most good Big 10 teams.

The rest probably don't play for most Big 10 teams

I have to agree with the original post. Cartwright is a legit Big10 starting PG. Gatens would probably compete for a starting position but I think he is better as a sixth man. Only thing I disagree about is McCabe. I think he could be a good sixth man or eventually a starter. I know a lot of people don't seem to like his play but he's tough and seems to give it all every play.

 

[smoot27]

I think Gatens and Basabe are the only legit starters. Gatens on a good team would do well.

Cartwright is a backup PG for most good Big 10 teams.

The rest probably don't play for most Big 10 teams

I think either way could work. Both are really dependent on the players around them. Cartwright's shooting ability limits him, but his athleticism and playmaking ability help him. On a team with good offensive players around him, I think he would do well. He has good handles and can actually penetrate the defense unlike Cully Payne. Gatens can shoot well, but is streaky. Like Cartwright, if he is the 4th or 5th option as opposed to the 2nd or 3rd, I think he could be considered a starter. The problem for both of these guys is they are expected to be major contributers because of our lack of talent.

 

[Wassabbe]

I have to agree with the original post. Cartwright is a legit Big10 starting PG. Gatens would probably compete for a starting position but I think he is better as a sixth man. Only thing I disagree about is McCabe. I think he could be a good sixth man or eventually a starter. I know a lot of people don't seem to like his play but he's tough and seems to give it all every play.

I guess we can disagree on Cartwright. I just don't think he would start at PG for the top 1/2 of the Big 10 teams. Heck, he didn't even start the beginning of the season for us and we were terrible. He's not a great shooter, doesn't have great size, isn't a special athlete.

I'm not high on McCabe like most Hawk fans. Hope I'm wrong!

 

[smhawk]

I guess we can disagree on Cartwright. I just don't think he would start at PG for the top 1/2 of the Big 10 teams. Heck, he didn't even start the beginning of the season for us and we were terrible. He's not a great shooter, doesn't have great size, isn't a special athlete.

I'm not high on McCabe like most Hawk fans. Hope I'm wrong!

He didn't start because this was his first year as a Hawkeye. He's played less games and has less talent around him then other PGs in Big10 yet leads in asist.

So big ten teams 6 through 12 starting point guard are not legit starters? I don't understand here.

I think he would compet for playing time even at Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn St next year, and may MSU.

 

[CAARHawk]

He didn't start because this was his first year as a Hawkeye. He's played less games and has less talent around him then other PGs in Big10 yet leads in asist.

So big ten teams 6 through 12 starting point guard are not legit starters? I don't understand here.

I think he would compet for playing time even at Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn St next year, and may MSU.

By compete for playing time, you mean after the starter, right? No way he starts for Michigan, Wiscy or MSU.

As far as the McCabe thing goes, he is too much of a tweaner to be a starter. He is not quick enough to guard 3's and not big enough to guard 4's. He will be one of those guys that comes in and wreaks a little havoc at the right time. Think by the time all is said and done, we will love him. But, not as a starter.

I think White comes in and is starting at the 3 by the end of the season and it is not because the other guys suck.

 

[GravyJones]

I have a feeling Cartwright will go down as one of the most overrated players in Iowa basketball history because of the overall lack of talent he's surrounded with. Leading the B1G in assists is only impressive in a vacuum. His overall game is average at best. He was a great addition for this team, but we can stand to greatly improve at that position.

 

[SLarew]

The fact Cartwright was assists leader on a team that shoots as bad as Iowa did says something!!! There are teams in Big Ten where he wouldnt start. I will agree with that but he would contribute.
Gatens improved on defense during the year and hopefully will show more leadership as a senior.
Basabe needs consistency and experience to be a star.

I wont make further comments but look forward to Fran developing these players into a TEAM.

 

[Foval21]

Basabe is a legit #4 who needs to develop some #3 capabilities. Remember the job he did on Sullinger...I know that is only one game but it wasn't his only one the he shut down a post player. Last I checked the guy had multiple double-doubles along with being the only true low-post threat for Iowa.

Cartwright might not be exceptional but he led the league in assists. plus i will say he has a knack for getting to the basket which i will take over an athlete. comparison is may is major athlete but not a guy with the knack to score or make a play like bc does.

 

[Hawkstrat]

The fact Cartwright was assists leader on a team that shoots as bad as Iowa did says something!!!

That is true. People are making it sound as if it is easier to collect assists on a bad team. He would have had many more if Iowa was just an average shooting team.

I stole this line from another poster, but getting assists on this team is like constipation, a lot of sweat and work with little to show for it.

 

[BuiltLikeWilt]

Cartwright has a nice mid-range shot, is only ok at shooting the three but very adequate free throw line in. has some of the best handles since Dean Oliver, not overrated at all, did a great job,but had to shoot more 3's than he should have cause of the make of the team.

 

[EddyP]

Cartwright is average and mediocre? What have you gentlemen been smoking? Bryce is a legit Big 10 pg and if he didn't prove that to you this year then he never will. I really don't care which Big 10 teams he would or wouldn't start for but I am glad he starts for us. The only part of his game that is lacking is the 3 ball but he may improve on that next year. I know he is as tough as they come.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

Cartwright is average and mediocre? What have you gentlemen been smoking? Bryce is a legit Big 10 pg and if he didn't prove that to you this year then he never will. I really don't care which Big 10 teams he would or wouldn't start for but I am glad he starts for us. The only part of his game that is lacking is the 3 ball but he may improve on that next year. I know he is as tough as they come.

Players have to be great the second they hit the court in year one or they're mediocre to mid-major talent...it's in the ChickenLittleNation handbook...there's no such thing as player development unless it's from great to lottery pick!

 

[hawkIhoops]

I haven't figured out why so many are critical of Cartwright. Gatens shoots 4-17, Brommer misses 3 layups and commits 4 fouls 25 feet away from the basket, May won't shoot when wide open, but Cartwright catches heat for a couple of bad passes. Cartwright isn't going to win defensive player of the year and his jumper isn't silky smooth, but the dude did a hell of a job IMO on a team with very little talent. You put Cartwright on a team with a couple of shooters and finishers and he wouldn't get stuck with the ball in his hands with 5 second on the shot clock.

 

[IATrainMaster101]

Cartwright is not without flaws but, I don't think Iowa has had a point guard with the potential to put the team on his back like Cartwright has since Andre Woolridge (who was not a great shooter).

Cartwright is exactly what this Iowa team needs regardless of what any of the other B10 teams have or don't have. Bryce can get to the rim, and is deadly when pulling up from 10 ft.

I'm not saying he is the same calibur of Woolridge, but he can carry the team better than any since and that includes Oliver (who was a more rounded PG).

 

[CAARHawk]

Cartwright is not without flaws but, I don't think Iowa has had a point guard with the potential to put the team on his back like Cartwright has since Andre Woolridge (who was not a great shooter).

I'm not saying he is the same calibur of Woolridge, but he can carry the team better than any since and that includes Oliver (who was a more rounded PG).

What about Jeff Horner? Seriously!

 

[IATrainMaster101]

I think Horner was a better all around PG on a better all around team. On a team like this, I think Cartwright is a better fit and helps us more than Hornere could. Cartwright can create his own offense and this team desperately needs that. And yes I do think that Cartwright can put this team on his back better than Horner could, and that is not saying he is a better player or all around pg.

 

[smoot27]

I haven't figured out why so many are critical of Cartwright. Gatens shoots 4-17, Brommer misses 3 layups and commits 4 fouls 25 feet away from the basket, May won't shoot when wide open, but Cartwright catches heat for a couple of bad passes. Cartwright isn't going to win defensive player of the year and his jumper isn't silky smooth, but the dude did a hell of a job IMO on a team with very little talent. You put Cartwright on a team with a couple of shooters and finishers and he wouldn't get stuck with the ball in his hands with 5 second on the shot clock.

I think my initial post was more than fair regarding Cartwright and his ability. He is a poor shooter (.393 FG & .275 3Pt). His atheltic ability and handles make him decent enough to start on a good team as the number 4 or 5 option offensively.

Regarding his assists: While he did average 5.9 assists per game, he also averaged 3.3 TO per game = a 1.78 Assist to TO ratio. Compare that to other point guards:

Ohio State - Aaron Craft - 2.24
Wisconsin - Jordan Taylor - 3.83
Purdue - Lewis Jackson - 2.14
Northwestern - Michael Thompson - 2.26
Michigan - Darius Morris - 3.75
Minnesota - Blake Hoffarber - 1.97 (Not a true pg)
Penn State - Tim Frazier - 2.11
Illinois - Demetri McCamey - 2.08
Syracuse - Scoop Jardine - 2.5
Wash - Isiah Thomas - 3.0
Florida - Chandler Parsons - 2.67
Cincy - Cashmere Wright - 2.6
Villanova - Corey Fisher - 2.0
UCONN - Kemba Walker - 2.13
Gonzaga - Steven Gray - 2.4
Kansas - Tyshawn Taylor - 1.91
Pitt - Brad Wannamaker - 2.0
Florida - Erving Walker - 2.43
ND - Ben Hansbrough - 2.67

So you see that for a guy who makes his reputation being a distributer pg with good handles, Cartwright is not all that great. He does have a better A/TO ratio than Brandon Knight (1.33) and he's considered an elite pg. The problem is, Knight can score and shoots .377 for 3's and .423 FG%.

To say that Cartwright is better than a mediocre starting pg, you either have to be a complete homer or statistically illiterate.