The 'is Uhtoff best hawkeye ever' article

[uihawk82]

Nsiap, but I have to say John Johnson was probably better, heck Don Nelson was there. Johnson was so smooth yet had the height.

As far as controlling a game, pure speed and moves you have to go with Lester. He would eat these poor defenses alive where playerst don't move their feet.

Uhtoff not the passer and fast breaker that Johnson was nor dribbler, passer that Lester was but Uhtoff is up there.

 

[Jonrn]

We'll see in March, not even sure he's better than white or dev marble.

 

[1hawkeye1]

I haven't read the article, but listening to HN podcast, JDM said he thinks Uthoff is the "most complete" player he's seen play for the Hawkeyes. Not THE BEST EVER.

I think I might agree. Not totally sure yet, but getting closer every time I see him play.

 

[InGoodCo]

We'll see in March, not even sure he's better than white or dev marble.

^He's kind of a combo of those 2 ... which I think is the point a lot of guys are making, he can do it all which makes his game more complete than some of the greats.

 

[SheagleHawk]

^He's kind of a combo of those 2 ... which I think is the point a lot of guys are making, he can do it all which makes his game more complete than some of the greats.

I know with the game on the line I'd want the ball in Jarrods hands over Devin or Aaron, and it isn't even close.

 

[mopkins]

The thing about Uthoff is he is leading the big ten in scoring AND in blocked shots. That might not be a big deal if he was a center, but he's basically a small forward/shooting guard. For the record he has FIFTEEN more blocked shots than the next closest guy (AJ Hammonds).

Someone who can shoot lights out from 3, post up with a turnaround jumper, and have 3-4 blocks per game is just a combination you don't see at any level of basketball. He's a unique player

 

[Travisam]

We'll see in March, not even sure he's better than white or dev marble.

He is FAR better than White and better than Dev. too.

 

[bogeyman]

How many guys have had these type of lines over the years that have worn a Hawk Uni? He has been doing it consistently all year. Not many, and definitely not Dev or White. I think some are forgetting how hard it is to drop 25 points in the college game. This has been a pretty typical line for him many times this year, the Purdue game was about the same:

Jarrod Uthoff paced No. 19 Iowa (12-3 overall, 3-0 Big Ten) with 25 points to go with eight rebounds, four blocks, two assists and a steal.

 

[WindsorHawk]

The game has slowed down so much for him. He's seeing things no one else is seeing and instinctively seems to know what to do with the ball in every situation...or where to be to look effortless in blocking a shot. He's not just confident IMO. He knows he's the best player on the floor...for either team.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

He's looking pretty darn good, and seems to be getting even better. Total game. Doing it effortlessly. He's a stud

 

[bogeyman]

Just for comparison sake to help put in perspective with a recent player:

Dev senior year - 17ppg, 13 shots per game, 42% FG, 34% 3PT, 71% FT

Uthoff Senior Year Thus Far- 18.6 ppg, 13.5 shots per game, 50% FG, 45% 3pt, 80% FT

Obviously the blocks and rebounds per game is not close, in Uthoff's favor. Dev averaged more assists per game. Dev is an NBA player so fair comparison here. The shooting percentages are what stand out to me. The high % are ridiculous right now for Jared and with our lack of size is nice we don't have to worry about rebounding his misses lol. I didn't look at free throw attempts but I'm guessing since Dev shot far less % wise that many of his points came from drawing contact and getting FT attempts.

just posting this for the fun of comparison. Don't know where he'll end up this year, but as of right now these stat lines he's putting up are pretty unheard of in Iowa history when you consider all the defensive issues he causes for the opponent. The blocks alone don't show all the shots he alters, passes he tips etc.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

He is FAR better than White and better than Dev. too.

I have to agree. Dev was a good scorer. White was a terrific all around player and got a lot of his points from the FT line, fast breaks, having a knack for being in the right spot at the right time, etc. but I think Uthoff has more pure basketball skill than White had, and is a more complete player than Dev was.

I think a White/Marble combo is a pretty good description for Uthoff's game. I was born in '77 (shocker from my user name, right?) and in my years, I have trouble thinking of any other Hawk that has JU's skill set.

Uthoff is what I like to call a stat sheet stuffer.

As for best Hawk EVER - I'll have to defer to the older Hawk fans that remember some of the players from the early 80's, 70's or before. Ronnie Lester sounds like he was truly great, as well as some players from that 1970 squad.

 

[BrueCrew3]

It's hard to compare individuals from different eras. From what I've heard, Don Nelson was perhaps th best of his generation. Ronnie Lester .. the best of his.

Jarrod Uthoff is playing the best basketball I've seen a Hawkeye play since Ronnie. But to say one is better .. I'm not gonna go there. I've seen the game change too much since I started following the Hawks in the late 70s.

GO HAWKS!!!

 

[j21j42m]

Most complete player, likely. He has a bigger affect on defense than offense and for a guy averaging over 18 points that says a lot. I remember players better on each side of the ball, like Woolridge offensively and Earl defensively, but no one as all around. I preface this by saying my earliest memories are of Earl's team.

The frustrating thing is Uthoff could be the best period, could go from a great player to "all-time great" if he had more aggression offensively. That stat of 13.5 shots per game, with his skills would be better in the 20-23 range. That would help the entire team as defenders have to account for him with double teams, creating open shots.

To sum up Uthoff is great, but could be legendary if he got more aggressive.

 

[uihawk82]

It's hard to compare individuals from different eras. From what I've heard, Don Nelson was perhaps th best of his generation. Ronnie Lester .. the best of his.

Jarrod Uthoff is playing the best basketball I've seen a Hawkeye play since Ronnie. But to say one is better .. I'm not gonna go there. I've seen the game change too much since I started following the Hawks in the late 70s.

GO HAWKS!!!

Good point here about how the game has changed. Watch a replay of the great UCLA-Houston matchups with Alcindor/Jabbar vs Elvin Hayes and there is hardly any body contact, defense played with feet and cutting off lanes, not many blocked shots, higher scoring.

Now it is like roller derby in sneakers and everybody trying to block shots.

Uthoff is a really good all around player and as some have said getting better all the time on both offense and defense.

Would love to see some 'wow' passing and assists from him.

 

[InGoodCo]

Just last week someone was arguing that Iowa was better when he was on the bench... it's what keeps me coming back to this board.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

We'll see in March, not even sure he's better than white or dev marble.

He has a more "overall" game than White. Uthoff has added over the years his fade away jumper to his arsenal. Uthoff has just a great overall game, inside, out, drive ability, 3 point, defense & block shot. He's athletic enough to give opposing players fits.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Plus, he caused Bo Ryan to retire early. Boy, could that team use him right now. Wait, he would have graduated already at Wisky. Never mind.

 

[mopkins]

Plus, he caused Bo Ryan to retire early. Boy, could that team use him right now. Wait, he would have graduated already at Wisky. Never mind.

I think he would have been a senior either way? He redshirted his first year at wisconsin, then sat out his redshirt freshman year at Iowa.

 

[shuman346]

My first memories of Iowa basketball are the Chris Street and Acie Earl teams. As far as all around best player in my memory I would have to say it is Uthoff. Look at the numbers he puts up on both ends of the floor. And he doesn't even assert himself offensively nearly as much as the majority of any of the players that have been mentioned in here. Thirteen shots a game when he's hitting close to fifty percent from wherever he is on the floor is crazy. I'd like to see him above twenty shots. That will open things up for the other players also and he will affect the games that much more. For any of the old timers in here I pose a question, how does the overall talent compare for this Uthoff/Iowa team compare to any of the teams in the past? What would Uthoff do if he had BJ Armstrong, Roy Marble, Brad Lohaus and Kevin Gamble playing with him? Does the over all talent on this team compare to that team or the team lead by Ronny Lester?