Toughness - How do you teach it?

[DP5555]

Fran mentioned after the Michigan State game that Iowa simply wasn't tough enough to win.

Last night, although Dakich became incredibly annoying with his Aaron Craft love affair, I thought he made one pretty good point. He mentioned how Jay Bilas said Iowa has the potential to be Final Four team.

Then Dakich went on to say something like:

"Does Iowa have the potential to make the Final Four? Yes. Do they have the talent to make the Final Four? Yes. Do they have the depth needed to make a run at the Final Four? Yes. However, do they have the toughness to make the Final Four? I don't know. Right now I don't think so. That's the one area that needs to be addressed."

That's probably not what he said word for word, but you get my point. He said something along those lines, and I could not agree more with the statement. My question to all of the armchair coaches on Hawkeye Nation this morning is this... Is there anything a coach can do to teach toughness?

Mike Gesell was literally the only player last night who played with a sense of urgency, and even in his case we all know how much he's struggled from the line in clutch moments. Marble was no where to be found. Craft deserves some credit for his defense of course, but where are the leaders on this team? It's impossible for one guy to do it all himself. Iowa just doesn't have that kind of talent.

Fran seems to be as tough as they come when it comes to coaching styles. It looks like it is incredibly difficult for him to continually watch his team wilt away during the final minutes of HUGE basketball games. He has a look on his face like he would love nothing more than to put a jersey on and get out on the court to help show them how to win. I'm just not sure what else Fran can do.... I really don't know. I'm sure it is something he's addressed in practice and in the locker room. This is what I've been thinking about since the end of the game last night. Thus the reason I started the topic...

Is toughness something that you just simply have or don't have as a player and as a team? Can it be taught? Is it something that can be learned through experience?

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Fran mentioned after the Michigan State game that Iowa simply wasn't tough enough to win.

Last night, although Dakich became incredibly annoying with his Aaron Craft love affair, I thought he made one pretty good point. He mentioned how Jay Bilas said Iowa has the potential to be Final Four team.

Then Dakich went on to say something like:

"Does Iowa have the potential to make the Final Four? Yes. Do they have the talent to make the Final Four? Yes. Do they have the depth needed to make a run at the Final Four? Yes. However, do they have the toughness to make the Final Four? I don't know. Right now I don't think so. That's the one area that needs to be addressed."

That's probably not what he said word for word, but you get my point. He said something along those lines, and I could not agree more with the statement. My question to all of the armchair coaches on Hawkeye Nation this morning is this... Is there anything a coach can do to teach toughness?

Mike Gesell was literally the only player last night who played with a sense of urgency, and even in his case we all know how much he's struggled from the line in clutch moments. Marble was no where to be found. Craft deserves some credit for his defense of course, but where are the leaders on this team? It's impossible for one guy to do it all himself. Iowa just doesn't have that kind of talent.

Fran seems to be as tough as they come when it comes to coaching styles. It looks like it is incredibly difficult for him to continually watch his team wilt away during the final minutes of HUGE basketball games. He has a look on his face like he would love nothing more than to put a jersey on and get out on the court to help show them how to win. I'm just not sure what else Fran can do.... I really don't know. I'm sure it is something he's addressed in practice and in the locker room. This is what I've been thinking about since the end of the game last night. Thus the reason I started the topic...

Is toughness something that you just simply have or don't have as a player and as a team? Can it be taught? Is it something that can be learned through experience?

Toughness is winning. Apparently when you lose your not tough....also...when you shoot 13% from 3 on about 20 attempts and shoot 60% from the line...you aren't going to win much.

I'll slightly buy the "mental toughness" cliché soundbite on the ft line, but lack of focus, confidence, concentration are more apt.

"Toughness" is a great sound bite for analysts, especially when a team loses.

This team has effort, guts, and toughness...they just massively struggle at making open shots for long stretches.

 

[LASBUR]

I think its something guys can learn. But they need to see it from the leaders. Im not sure this Sr. class has it. I think next year will be better. MG and AW have it I think. We also need to keep in mind Fran tends to end the season with his team playing their best ball. We arnt going to win the BT now BTT & NCAA we could put it togather and play our best ball

 

[DP5555]

Toughness is winning. Apparently when you lose your not tough....also...when you shoot 13% from 3 on about 20 attempts and shoot 60% from the line...you aren't going to win much.

I'll slightly buy the "mental toughness" cliché soundbite on the ft line, but lack of focus, confidence, concentration are more apt.

"Toughness" is a great sound bite for analysts, especially when a team loses.

This team has effort, guts, and toughness...they just massively struggle at making open shots for long stretches.

But in this case it isn't just an analyst that used the term. It was our head coach who said it too. Clearly there is more to the toughness factor than what you're implying. If a team is struggling mightily to knock down a shot couldn't that be perceived as being weak? Someone needs to man up and figure out a way to score. I think that's a big part of the reason they've struggled so much. Not only from the free throw line. They miss a few shots during gameplay and it snowballs into a team wide brickfest.

 

[DP5555]

I think its something guys can learn. But they need to see it from the leaders. Im not sure this Sr. class has it. I think next year will be better. MG and AW have it I think. We also need to keep in mind Fran tends to end the season with his team playing their best ball. We arnt going to win the BT now BTT & NCAA we could put it togather and play our best ball

I agree with you about Mike G. At least it seems like he's putting in the effort to make something happen. His struggles have almost all been at the line. I probably would have agreed with you about AW a few weeks ago, but he just hasn't risen to the occasion in some big games lately. He seems to have disappeared. It does seem like grittiness is a part of his game, but he hasn't figured out a way to make an impact and the team has struggled because of it.

 

[LaoHawk]

Here is my theory on why Fran plays McCabe so much even though he takes bad shots a lot. He's the only one with toughness but he does have the leadership skills to lead others. If Dev has McCabe's toughness then IA would win more of the close games. Dev has the skills to be a player but he lacks the concentration or aggressiveness in some games, esp the Tue night on ESPN ones. Basabe is like Dev, inconsistent mental toughness and energy. Sooner or later, Dev and Basabe will wake up since it's their last year.

I guessing why Fran didn't let Gabe in is because he probably feels Gabe was too down on himself for being called on a flagrant 1 since Gabe can over think silly mistakes sometimes. IA will be fine moving on.

 

[Xerxes]

Toughness is winning. Apparently when you lose your not tough....also...when you shoot 13% from 3 on about 20 attempts and shoot 60% from the line...you aren't going to win much.

I'll slightly buy the "mental toughness" cliché soundbite on the ft line, but lack of focus, confidence, concentration are more apt.

"Toughness" is a great sound bite for analysts, especially when a team loses.

This team has effort, guts, and toughness...they just massively struggle at making open shots for long stretches.

Ohio St probably has worse shooting numbers than Iowa does over the course of the season but they still found ways to score when they needed to. I believe that is what the OP is referring with "toughness". Just finding a way to win.

 

[HomerChampless]

IMO, the leaders of the team teach the team about mental toughness. When leaders of the team, IMO, aren't mentally tough, the team starts to scramble. Who has what role? Who is the leader to get out of the funk?

LaoHawk is right on!. I wish I'd read their post instead of practically copying it. +1.000 LaoHawk.

 

[AHawk1]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=kZjLbUdFxwF53OpR64GvmQ&bvm=bv.60799247,d.aWc

 

[eveningnewsteam]

Toughness and leadership is not disappearing for long stretches consistently (White and marble). I dont know, maybe these 2 arent as good as they and everyone thinks. Top players dont disappear on a consistent basis like these 2.

 

[DP5555]

Ohio St probably has worse shooting numbers than Iowa does over the course of the season but they still found ways to score when they needed to. I believe that is what the OP is referring with "toughness". Just finding a way to win.

Exactly. The inability to figure out a way to win close games is precisely what kept this team out of the NCAA tournament last year. You guys know I'm not a troll. I post on here all the time. I want nothing more than to see the Hawks play to the level we all know they can play. I just honestly believe they seem to figure out a way to lose way more than they figure out a way to win.

In my opinion that's what Fran and Dakich mean when they mention toughness. I don't think it's a lack of effort. I think they are certainly trying, but no one on this team seems to have that "it" factor when it comes to the final minutes of a ballgame. They have the ability to compete with any team in the country for 35 minutes. However, if they can't figure out a way to play at the same level for the final 5 minutes of the game then they aren't going to live up to their own expectations, let alone the fan's.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Fran's recruiting template is long and quick....guys that can run the court. We lack a physical presence. There's not one "tough guy" on the team. Good athletes, competitors, yes. But nobody that's a tough, hard-azz kinda guy.

 

[HomerChampless]

Oleseni... And Woodbury is the other Hawk that has an advantage over most every other B1G defender.

 

[Bigtenchamp]

Toughness can be learned... but its very difficult and takes experience.

We just don't have a team right now that has confidence and mental toughness. It's been proven over the course of two years. They are a good team but they will never reach their potential until they stop doubting themselves.

What do I mean?

Panicking defensively late in the shot clock.
Missing crucial Free Throws.
Rushing things on offense when something bad happens.
Not making wide open shots that they usually could hit in their sleep.

 

[LASBUR]

DP5555, I should clear up I was talking about Woodbury when I said AW. Not White. I love White but I don't understand whats going on with him right now. Just seems like he would be a lot more consistant as a JR. I do think he needs to play the 4 not the 3. Trouble is we have a bunch of 4s. I think he will start at the 4 next year

I agree with you about Mike G. At least it seems like he's putting in the effort to make something happen. His struggles have almost all been at the line. I probably would have agreed with you about AW a few weeks ago, but he just hasn't risen to the occasion in some big games lately. He seems to have disappeared. It does seem like grittiness is a part of his game, but he hasn't figured out a way to make an impact and the team has struggled because of it.

 

[tm3308]

Ohio St probably has worse shooting numbers than Iowa does over the course of the season but they still found ways to score when they needed to. I believe that is what the OP is referring with "toughness". Just finding a way to win.

Because we all know Ohio State has been really good at just finding a way to win this year.

 

[DP5555]

DP5555, I should clear up I was talking about Woodbury when I said AW. Not White. I love White but I don't understand whats going on with him right now. Just seems like he would be a lot more consistant as a JR. I do think he needs to play the 4 not the 3. Trouble is we have a bunch of 4s. I think he will start at the 4 next year

Ahhh same initials... my bad. I don't know what the answer is with White. Coming into this season he was my favorite player. Most analysts were saying he's probably the best player on the team. Lately he has just struggled to find a way to make an impact. I don't know what it is. He started his career shooting from distance much better than he has the past 2 seasons. However, prior to the last couple of weeks he still figured out a way to make a impact. Usually making plays through pure effort and intensity.

I know this probably isn't going to happen, but maybe Fran should consider playing him off the bench. Some players can create a spark that way. Many people seem to be debating whether or not Olaseni should be starting over Woodbury. I understand that debate, but sometimes I wonder what they would look like with both Olaseni and Woodbury in the starting lineup. They both run the floor pretty well for big guys. Olaseni provides more offense and a shot blocking presence. I love Woodbury's aggressiveness. I think it's a lineup Fran should mess around with.

 

[Hawkguy314]

Punching meat in a meatpacking plant during the winter.

 

[DP5555]

Because we all know Ohio State has been really good at just finding a way to win this year.

I don't see the need for the smart remarks tork. They figured out a way to win their last two games. That's saying something. They knocked down shots in key moments last night. Say what you want about Aaron Craft, but there's no doubt that kid is tough. They've had their struggles this year no doubt, but when it comes down to the final minutes it's clear Craft is going to try to put his team on his back and carry them to a victory. He did it last night. That's what I would love to see from one of the Hawks.

 

[LASBUR]

Im not concerned about Gabes min. I love how he is improving and I think he and Woodbury will be on the court togather next year. Maybe not starting. But if they both get 25 Min. 10 min will be togather. I did think White was thinking to much before shooting his 3s. But last night I couldn't understand why he was shooting NBA 3s Im just trusting we are going to peak at tourney time

Ahhh same initials... my bad. I don't know what the answer is with White. Coming into this season he was my favorite player. Most analysts were saying he's probably the best player on the team. Lately he has just struggled to find a way to make an impact. I don't know what it is. He started his career shooting from distance much better than he has the past 2 seasons. However, prior to the last couple of weeks he still figured out a way to make a impact. Usually making plays through pure effort and intensity.

I know this probably isn't going to happen, but maybe Fran should consider playing him off the bench. Some players can create a spark that way. Many people seem to be debating whether or not Olaseni should be starting over Woodbury. I understand that debate, but sometimes I wonder what they would look like with both Olaseni and Woodbury in the starting lineup. They both run the floor pretty well for big guys. Olaseni provides more offense and a shot blocking presence. I love Woodbury's aggressiveness. I think it's a lineup Fran should mess around with.