The Beach had 21 offensive boards, but only 6 2nd chance points. That's crazy.
Iowa outscored them in the paint 48-42.
LBS shot 17 more FGs in the 2nd half alone. However, Iowa only missed 8 shots in the 2nd half.
Hawks were 5-5 from FT line in 1st half; 7-13 in the 2nd half when it mattered.
Iowa only 10 assists on the day. 14 turnovers.
Iowa 12 fast break points in the first half, 0 in the second half.
The first three comments relate to the ambiguities of the term "athletic" as so used and abused by those fans who consider quickness, speed, jumping, etc as the true criteria of the definition of athlete. In that usage, the Hawkeyes probably are not going to play another team all season any more "athletic" than LBS
On the other hand, if your definition of an athlete includes the skills specific to a particular sport--such as basketball, then other attributes come into play--like shooting, ball handling, passing, court vision, etc.
Did not seem to me that any of these were particularly relevant to LBS.
As to the the other three comments, they all relate to the second half when McCaffery had a different lineup on the court most of the time.
IMO we aren't going to get as many made FT, as many fast-breaks, as many assists with Brommer, Cartwright, Archie on the floor--but we will get more fouls & more turnovers, at least in the early games.
Uptempo is one thing, trying to play faster than your personnel fits well is another matter. Personally, I would like to see Besabe, McCabe, May, Gatens & Payne playing together most of the time, get some cohesion, get acclimated to the way McCaffery wants the game played at both ends. At the same time, I would like to see Cole & Marble used as alternatives when fatigue, etc provide the occasions to phase them into the lineup. Cartwright plays WHEN Payne is tired & it is affecting his game, not before--unless it is a full court press, run & shoot kind of game.
Clearly,the opponents' personnel & the dynamics of each game should dictate whether & when either Brommer or Archie play--but unless offensive strugges inside are such a major problem as to offset his fouls, my preference would not be to see Brommer instead of the better rebounding & better interior defense of Archie--plus his outlet passes.
By the way, Long Beach is a very solid veteran team. IMO they probably compare favorably to other BT also rans like NW, Michigan, Indiana, Penn State. I would bet on LBS against Wake Forest, UNI, Moo, Drake--which is not to say that the Hawkeyes necessarily beat all these opponents, just that we cann play with them (just as my view is that we could reverse things playing Xavier or LBS again, after this group of newcomers & young players get more familiar with each other & with their roles as McCaffery determines them & gets through to them what he wants of each).
Very much a work in process--but McCabe & Marble are going to be very good, Gatens will get back to form post-injury, May is a star (who often may try to do too much), Archie is a pleasant surprise, and I've seen enough of Besabe to believe strongly that it is just the usual matter of time until he settles in. If anything, the first five games seem encouraging (although no clear evidence yet that our PG-playmaker problems of recent years are ended).
