As I stated in my previous post, I will gladly eat at the Crow Buffet today, but one game does not a season make. Let's see how the team responds when Marble isn't playing one of his best games in his career and the opponent doesn't turn it over 17 times. Huge win, period, no disclaimers. However, we play a lot of teams, in my opinion, that will neutralize Marble and attack us with quicker dribble penetration guards. Historically, we have struggled defensively and offensively in these matchups. Having Marble be our best scorer and PG in crunch time is a precarious position to be in, as this team hasn't exactly excelled in these situations. Uthoff, Gesell, White, and Basabe have elevated their games, but we will face tough man-to-man defenses that will test us. For those who responded constructively with differing views, thank you and you raised some very valid points. I think some of you may only read my threads that fit your view of me as a troll or naysayer. Plenty of others out there that are positive.
The dominating on-ball defensive combo of Aaron Craft and Shannon Scott just let Marble score 22 points on 54% shooting. Who the **** is going to neutralize Marble the rest of the way? He just owned the best defense we're going to see this year. In our two toughest conference games thus far (against opponents who own two of the three best defenses among conference foes), he's scored 49 points on 46% shooting.
Here are some facts for you. Looking at conference games only, here's where Iowa ranks in a few categories.
Points per game (offense): 2nd in the Big Ten at 78.8 ppg (Wisconsin is 1st at 82 ppg)
Points per game (defense): 4th in the Big Ten at 68.3 ppg (while facing two of the best teams in the conference)
Field goal percentage (offense): 3rd in the Big Ten at 46.9%
Field goal percentage (defense): 2nd in the Big Ten at 37.4%
Three point percentage (offense): 4th in the Big Ten at 38.3%
Three point percentage (defense): 5th in the Big Ten at 31.8%
Assist/Turnover ratio (offense): 6th in the Big Ten at 1.14
Assist/Turnover ratio (defense): 1st in the Big Ten at 0.71
Points per possession (offense): 4th in the Big Ten at 1.09 ppp
Points per possession (defense): Tied for 2nd in the Big Ten at 0.95 ppp (Michigan leads the conference at 0.94)
Offensive efficiency: 4th in the Big Ten at 109.4
Defensive efficiency: 2nd in the Big Ten at 94.8
Effective FG% (offense): 5th in the Big Ten at 50.9%
Effective FG% (defense): 2nd in the Big Ten at 43.2%
It's well established that Marble isn't the problem (he's playing at a B1G POY level right now). But even Gesell has played DAMN well, outside of a poor shooting performance against Wisconsin. He's averaging 9 ppg in conference play (more than fine for our 4th/5th scoring option), shooting 38% from the floor (not great, but he's also learned his lesson from the Wisconsin game, which brought down his percentage in a big way). He's got 19 assists (just under 5 per game) and 9 turnovers, plus 8 steals. He's fine, and he looked pretty damn impressive against Craft/Scott, too. Those two eat crappy guard play for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you aren't up to snuff, those two will make it clear to everyone. And they failed to do so to Gesell.
But you're right. The facts say this isn't a tournament team.
