talent observation

HawkeyeWalker

HawkeyeWalker

Well-Known Member
Just a quick thought....when I see the talent level in the top 3 teams in the B1G. It somehow makes me feel like the Hawks hada pretty good year (the last 3 games not withstanding). We simply didn't have the talent level of of the big dogs.

Again, this doesn't take the sting of the last 3-4 losses, as those were not lost to teams with more talent. Clearly, the end of the season was beyond brutal to witness and the team undoubtedly degraded.

But I do think it gives credence to the level the Hawks played and were coached for the majority of the season. We were free throws away from beating these teams, and we did not have the talent they have, I have to believe that's effort and good coaching.

I'm a known koolaid drinking, apologizing, mediocrity loving, chugging, black and gold sunglass wearing homer, so take the above for what its worth.

The pain of the end of the Hawks bball season slowly fades from memory, replaced by hope, promise, and excitement for Hawkeye Football.

Until next year gentlemen...and lady.

Adieu.
 
I agree with the OP; Fran is doing a great job and I have my complaints about this year, but you know not everyone is going to be pleased.

Looking forward to next season already.
 
I, also, am looking forward to next year. We have an idea what Dickerson might add but not so much with Uhl and Elingson(sp). Another top-flight transfer or jc recruit will only help.
 
I think individual players regressed so much that it changed our view of how talented our team was. Players like White, McCabe, and Uthoff fell off the map halfway through the conference schedule and Gesell and Gabe fell off late. If they all played like they rid earlier in the year we would think differently on how talented we are.
 
PCHawk said:
I think individual players regressed so much that it changed our view of how talented our team was. Players like White, McCabe, and Uthoff fell off the map halfway through the conference schedule and Gesell and Gabe fell off late. If they all played like they rid earlier in the year we would think differently on how talented we are.
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Not me; I don't believe Iowa has that talented of a roster, but when they played as a team on the defensive end, they were good. It isn't always about talent, or there wouldn't be the upsets in the NCAA Tournament that there are.

Iowa has some good players, but they are incompletes and that is why it was so key for them all to be on the same page.

Also, Gregg Anthony said something today that I have been saying on here since I joined. Just because you are wide open, it doesn't mean it is a good shot.
That whole, what is between your ears matters and if players continue to settle for shots they have slim chances in making rather than improving that shot and possibly getting fouled, that is the point that personifies this team.
 
Iowa is not as talented as the big three.

However, the disparity isn't so large that making a couple of plays a game wouldn't have changed a couple of games.

Iowa played with everyone and was not blown out by anyone.
 
Iowa does not have the talent of the top 4 schools in the BIG. As others have said many time the team is better than the individuals. I mean Kentucky has the most talented PLAYERS on its team, but it isn't close to being the best team in college BB. This is why I thought Iowa would be better this year, as they have very experienced SR. players. You usually see those types step up, and know how to close out games, as they have been there before. Sadly that was not the case with our SR. and this team.
 
PCHawk said:
I think individual players regressed so much that it changed our view of how talented our team was. Players like White, McCabe, and Uthoff fell off the map halfway through the conference schedule and Gesell and Gabe fell off late. If they all played like they rid earlier in the year we would think differently on how talented we are.
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Op is nothing but an excuse. Iowa did not perform up to their potential, period.

Bad, lazy defense is not a talent issue, especialy when you have exhibited the ability to play good D when motivated, missing freethrows is not a talent issue, continuing to put in Mcabe to try and close out games is not a talent issue, (maybe an insanity issue),
bad rushed shot selection...not a talent issue.

No one should come away feeling anything but dissapointment from this crap.
 
DDThompson said:
Iowa is not as talented as the big three.

However, the disparity isn't so large that making a couple of plays a game wouldn't have changed a couple of games.

Iowa played with everyone and was not blown out by anyone.
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"big 3" please. Theres a big 1, Msu.

UM and Wisky just have better coaching.
 
RocknRollface said:
"big 3" please. Theres a big 1, Msu.

UM and Wisky just have better coaching.
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So you don't see Michigan as having a lot of talent? This year (and last), they are very deserving of the "big 3" moniker.

They were in the NC game last year, and won the Big Ten this year. They're in the Sweet 16 and looking strong to make a deep run. They have talent. Big 3...absolutely.
 
deanvogs said:
Iowa does not have the talent of the top 4 schools in the BIG. As others have said many time the team is better than the individuals. I mean Kentucky has the most talented PLAYERS on its team, but it isn't close to being the best team in college BB. This is why I thought Iowa would be better this year, as they have very experienced SR. players. You usually see those types step up, and know how to close out games, as they have been there before. Sadly that was not the case with our SR. and this team.
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"likey"

Our senior leadership was suspect, I think. Almost makes me want to throw someone to the ground in frustration.
 
This was as an exiting year in basketball that we have had in a LONG time.. Top 10 rated..We were in every ball game except a few. The end of the season was a real kick in the nuts. I got my hopes up when Bilas is calling us final 4 material.. This team just wasn't ready for prime time. Our season ended the way most of our games we lost. Fran is bringing in better talent each class and I'm confident that he'll get the team to the level he expects.
 
Damn, everyone talks about coaching, heart, toughness, leadership, and basketball intelligence as being the issue down the stretch with Iowa. I'd agree that the defense in a few of those games, Minnesota and Indiana in particular, was lazy and sloppy. That being said, did you ever maybe think that the real problem was that we just weren't a good shooting team down the stretch...especially the last two or three games? In my mind, it all boiled down to making shots. Certain players weren't bad, they were terrible. That was the difference. Wisconsin and MSU don't win yesterday if guys go cold the whole game. Brust, Kominsky, and others stepped up and made shots....Harris, Trice, Valentine made shots. Who besides Marble made shots down the stretch for Iowa in any of those games.

I don't question the heart or toughness of these guys...they played Tennessee tough. I question the skill we have shooting the ball right now. That needs to improve in a big way.
 
Our inability to make shots, especially 3's, was frustrating all year. Sure there were a few games where somebody would get hot, but that was not the norm. We were in all the games we lost, and better shooting would have turned most of those close losses into wins. In the games where our shooting percentage was decent, it was because we were getting a lot of points in transition, not because we were shooting well. If the ability to make shots is a talent, we had a talent issue!

That being said, I still enjoyed this year a heck of a lot, at least for 2/3 or the season.
 
Fran's Siena team beat OSU in the first round so we know he can do this kind of thing.

The hawks lost about 4-5 games down the stretch they should not have lost but they lost the 'team' aspect and our players lost an edge.

If anyone knows what types of players fran had on his last few Siena teams please post them. I am wondering if he had a lot of 6-3, 6-4 to 6-9 athletes, and ballers who could really play defense, bound, and shoot the ball.

Until the start of February this team could do all those things then it all slipped.
 
There were a lot of factors that contributed to Iowa's meltdown, but I think we all can agree that when it was "winning time" our players just weren't good enough. Of course coaching was an issue and a lack of toughness, but at the end of the day Iowa needs better players.
 
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