Twlight Zone: Iowa is the big guy, MSU is the little guy, and Izzo is still a rat game thread

[Ree4]

I get a kick out of Iowa fans who constantly complain about the refs and about how unlucky the Hawks are. I would just like to point out how last night the refs decided to call the game very closely, and how dramatically that helped the Hawks. Also, I felt Iowa was very 'lucky' on 2 specific plays which raise rules issues that I have questions about:
1) late in the game the ball bounced off the top of the backboard on a 3 pt shot, came down and landed in Garza's hands for an easy putback layup. I thought the top of the backboard was considered out-of-bounds. Is it or isn't it?
2) also late in the game, an Iowa shot got wedged between the rim and the backboard and didn't move for at least 1 full second in real time. I waited for the refs to stop play and award an alternate possession, but they didn't, an Iowa player jumped up and freed the ball, which led to an Iowa tip-in. I've never seen that allowed in many decades of watching college bball. Why wasn't that play blown dead when the ball became lodged?
These plays resulted in 4 Iowa pts that proved pivotal.
I'll hang up and listen.

1) Only if the ball goes over.
2) That should have been a jump ball.

There were plenty of bad calls on both sides, Iowa shot a lot of free throws but were getting hacked a lot while Iowa was playing pretty soft D. MSU shot 29 3 pointers and had very few points in the paint. Tough to get to the foul line when you're settling for jumpers.

 

[InGoodCo]

I will be right here to praise them. I think you will find I have had very strong praise for Garza and KM in particular. This is likely Fran's best team......the stakes are high.....I'm going to call it for it is worth...I'm not sugar coating it. At times Iowa has looked like a Final Four 4 team.....other times they have been plagued with the same type of problems we have seen out of most Fran teams.

I will be just as critical of my team as I will praise them. It is time for Fran and his bunch to shit or get off the pot. If they can break the glass ceiling this year, imagine what that can do for our program.

But, I'm not going to call the grass green when it is white. They need to play up to their ranking and earn it down the stretch run. If Fran can't get it done this year, then will he ever get it done?

The Big Ten is so tough excuse (and the Big Ten is tough) only works so much. The Big Ten is tough almost every year.

I think in the next 7 games, they should go 7-0. Really they should. I'm just not sure they will....and they really need to if they want to this thing.

LOL, our next 7 games are against the following net teams
#12 at home Q1
#48 on the road Q1
# 32 at home Q1 likely
#92 on the road - Q2 (could be close to a Q1 by that time)
#17 on the road - Q1
# 35 at home - Q1 likely
#12 on the road Q1
There isn't a team in the country that's going 7-0 against that and spoiler alert, either is Iowa. They also don't need to go 7-0 to win this thing. When Michigan gets back they are going to have to play 12 games in about 25 days against similar competition. Iowa is in great position but they are going to have to earn it. I think 5-2 against that keeps them in the thick of things.

 

[vork22]

It’s amazing how many Hawk fans are raked over the coals for pointing out the team’s flaws. The only people that watch Iowa anything are Iowa fans and contrary to what you think they hope that Iowa wins. They might not believe the hype but it doesn’t make them less of a fan than those of you who mindlessly think that we have a championship caliber team here.

 

[PCHawk]

It’s amazing how many Hawk fans are raked over the coals for pointing out the team’s flaws. The only people that watch Iowa anything are Iowa fans and contrary to what you think they hope that Iowa wins. They might not believe the hype but it doesn’t make them less of a fan than those of you who mindlessly think that we have a championship caliber team here.

I agree that doesn't make them any less of a fan. It's all about whether you're a positive or negative person with life in general. Of course negative people notice all of the negative parts of Iowa's game more than positive people.

 

[InGoodCo]

It’s amazing how many Hawk fans are raked over the coals for pointing out the team’s flaws. The only people that watch Iowa anything are Iowa fans and contrary to what you think they hope that Iowa wins. They might not believe the hype but it doesn’t make them less of a fan than those of you who mindlessly think that we have a championship caliber team here.

Iowa has a ton of flaws and I’m all for pointing them out. That’s what this board is for. Unfortunately with 57 that’s all he’s been running on here, and I just like when Iowa shuts him up. I feel that’s ok too

 

[PCHawk]

I will be right here to praise them. I think you will find I have had very strong praise for Garza and KM in particular. This is likely Fran's best team......the stakes are high.....I'm going to call it for it is worth...I'm not sugar coating it. At times Iowa has looked like a Final Four 4 team.....other times they have been plagued with the same type of problems we have seen out of most Fran teams.

I will be just as critical of my team as I will praise them. It is time for Fran and his bunch to shit or get off the pot. If they can break the glass ceiling this year, imagine what that can do for our program.

But, I'm not going to call the grass green when it is white. They need to play up to their ranking and earn it down the stretch run. If Fran can't get it done this year, then will he ever get it done?

The Big Ten is so tough excuse (and the Big Ten is tough) only works so much. The Big Ten is tough almost every year.

I think in the next 7 games, they should go 7-0. Really they should. I'm just not sure they will....and they really need to if they want to this thing.

Really the only teams who have played up to their rankings all year are Baylor and Gonzaga. Gonzaga almost doesn't even count because they can coast to an undefeated team once their conference games started. If Iowa would have played as consistent as you think they should, they would still be ranked 3rd and could probably afford another loss before they dropped. They just aren't that elite like the top 2 teams are. They are in the next group with about 6 other teams looking to get into the top 4 at the end of the year. That's pretty damn good.

 

[WindsorHawk]

I would say they had a better shot in '15 by quite a bit. Honestly, this isn't an overly great shot when you think about it. The conference is as tough as it's been in a long time and our top two toughest competitors have considerably easier schedules than us. I would say it's our best team in a long time, but not our best shot in a long time.

Very good points!

 

[WindsorHawk]

All pretty valid topics considering the time and dates.

It’s impossible to get me riled up over this stuff. There was a time but not anymore.

A lot of posters are simply ignoring you. Others of us know what you’re up to but were giving you some latitude just to be sure...and because you really are quite harmless.

Keep doing your thing. I don’t care. And it’s easy to correct you.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

LOL, our next 7 games are against the following net teams
#12 at home Q1
#48 on the road Q1
# 32 at home Q1 likely
#92 on the road - Q2 (could be close to a Q1 by that time)
#17 on the road - Q1
# 35 at home - Q1 likely
#12 on the road Q1
There isn't a team in the country that's going 7-0 against that and spoiler alert, either is Iowa. They also don't need to go 7-0 to win this thing. When Michigan gets back they are going to have to play 12 games in about 25 days against similar competition. Iowa is in great position but they are going to have to earn it. I think 5-2 against that keeps them in the thick of things.

Then they are not a Top 5 team....and probably not a top 10 team either. 6-1 at worse case. They really should win the next 7 if we are the team we are cracked up to be.

BTW, we need to increase the margin of error as much as possible. I don't want to depend on other teams for positioning.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

It’s impossible to get me riled up over this stuff. There was a time but not anymore.

A lot of posters are simply ignoring you. Others of us know what you’re up to but were giving you some latitude just to be sure...and because you really are quite harmless.

Keep doing your thing. I don’t care. And it’s easy to correct you.

Whatever. Wow. On to the next game. Chill out.

 

[WindsorHawk]

Seriously......the Clowns.....come on you know better than that. No freaking way would I ever associate with that program.....or any other program you want to throw out there other than Iowa.

I have no idea if you’re an ISU fan. But I’m confident you’re not an Iowa fan. Thank goodness!

 

[WindsorHawk]

I will be right here to praise them. I think you will find I have had very strong praise for Garza and KM in particular. This is likely Fran's best team......the stakes are high.....I'm going to call it for it is worth...I'm not sugar coating it. At times Iowa has looked like a Final Four 4 team.....other times they have been plagued with the same type of problems we have seen out of most Fran teams.

I will be just as critical of my team as I will praise them. It is time for Fran and his bunch to shit or get off the pot. If they can break the glass ceiling this year, imagine what that can do for our program.

But, I'm not going to call the grass green when it is white. They need to play up to their ranking and earn it down the stretch run. If Fran can't get it done this year, then will he ever get it done?

The Big Ten is so tough excuse (and the Big Ten is tough) only works so much. The Big Ten is tough almost every year.

I think in the next 7 games, they should go 7-0. Really they should. I'm just not sure they will....and they really need to if they want to win this thing.

5 paragraphs...nothing positive.

 

[WindsorHawk]

I get a kick out of Iowa fans who constantly complain about the refs and about how unlucky the Hawks are. I would just like to point out how last night the refs decided to call the game very closely, and how dramatically that helped the Hawks. Also, I felt Iowa was very 'lucky' on 2 specific plays which raise rules issues that I have questions about:
1) late in the game the ball bounced off the top of the backboard on a 3 pt shot, came down and landed in Garza's hands for an easy putback layup. I thought the top of the backboard was considered out-of-bounds. Is it or isn't it?
2) also late in the game, an Iowa shot got wedged between the rim and the backboard and didn't move for at least 1 full second in real time. I waited for the refs to stop play and award an alternate possession, but they didn't, an Iowa player jumped up and freed the ball, which led to an Iowa tip-in. I've never seen that allowed in many decades of watching college bball. Why wasn't that play blown dead when the ball became lodged?
These plays resulted in 4 Iowa pts that proved pivotal.
I'll hang up and listen.

I’ve seen the bouncing ball on the backboard not called in other games. I don’t know if it has to touch something or fall off the back to be out of bounds. I’m just saying I’ve seen it before with no call.

I laughed on the other play because it was definitely a jump ball. I commented to my wife. Then I rewound it and watched it again and Izzo didn’t react at all. So he also missed it.

 

[WindsorHawk]

Whatever. Wow. On to the next game. Chill out.

Uh oh. It sounds like you actually do get uptight. On to OSU!

 

[WindsorHawk]

Then they are not a Top 5 team....and probably not a top 10 team either. 6-1 at worse case. They really should win the next 7 if we are the team we are cracked up to be.

BTW, we need to increase the margin of error as much as possible. I don't want to depend on other teams for positioning.

lol

 

[thedukeofearl]

Thoughts...

A W is a W. This is the definition of the BT this year. Deal with it.
Nunge kept us in the game for quite a while. Rebounds/defense.
Perkins and Ulis and Joe T were put in by Fran to change the whole pattern/dynamic ooof the game, and it worked. MSU couldn’t adjust to this change...brilliant move by Fran.
JBO came in And won the game with free throws.
Garza got mugged. He still dominated over all. That is what he does. Inexplicably, he has phantom fouls called on him.
Patrick Mac is possibly the most athletic player on this team. He will be a monster down the way.
Our young guys made some errors, but Fran, to his credit, continues to trust them. They struggle on D but are really athletic. The future.
News Flash...Iowa played a lot of good D, especially when they had to. We were in their face time and again but they still made 3’s and a lot of other contested shots.
MSU probably played one of their best games of the season, That is what teams often do when they play the big dogs.

Iowa has been and will continue to be a big dog.

Excellent post

The Michigan State game was a breakthrough game for Patrick who has been on the verge of his potential all season

Last night he got crucial rebounds, made two timely highlight baskets, and was very disruptive on D

He was constantly in motion, same as Murray, Perkins and Ulis

Might as well mention Jack Nunge also

He is a Beast, somewhat silent and deadly

The Hawkeye future is very bright

Praise must go to Fran and the coaching staff

Very few teams have a strong platoon system

Our lads come at you in waves, and it is extremely difficult for the opponents
to adjust

Most of the time

It's All Good

 

[thedukeofearl]

Being a Hawkeye football or basketball fan is like midget porn...it ain’t for everyone.

If you want to root for the Hawks your gonna have to get used to your dreams being smashed. Being a Vikings fan growing up gave me all the experience I ever needed.

Midget Porn

Priceless

 

[WindsorHawk]

It’s amazing how many Hawk fans are raked over the coals for pointing out the team’s flaws. The only people that watch Iowa anything are Iowa fans and contrary to what you think they hope that Iowa wins. They might not believe the hype but it doesn’t make them less of a fan than those of you who mindlessly think that we have a championship caliber team here.

I don’t mind differing opinions at all. They’re just opinions after all. I will point out incorrect info presented as fact. If someone says Garza is shooting 40% from the line I will quote this with accurate factual information...actual FT %.

 

[HuckFinn]

The problem the negative nellie’s have is that Iowa has likely the best team they have had in a long time, along with one player who may be the best ever. So now they have to dig deep to find flaws or they simply “create” issues that are not really there.
We all know that Iowa’s D is not their strength. We all know, using JT and JBO as examples, one is a great shooter and the other is better on D and going to the hoop. Of course, it would be really nice if we could combine the two. Duh.
At times we fall into inconsistency on O. That is not unusual. Remember that BB tends to be a game of runs.
So we shall continue to go back and forth on this team. It’s just a lot harder for the critics to make their case when Iowa is this good.

 

[WindsorHawk]

The problem the negative nellie’s have is that Iowa has likely the best team they have had in a long time, along with one player who may be the best ever. So now they have to dig deep to find flaws or they simply “create” issues that are not really there.
We all know that Iowa’s D is not their strength. We all know, using JT and JBO as examples, one is a great shooter and the other is better on D and going to the hoop. Of course, it would be really nice if we could combine the two. Duh.
At times we fall into inconsistency on O. That is not unusual. Remember that BB tends to be a game of runs.
So we shall continue to go back and forth on this team. It’s just a lot harder for the critics to make their case when Iowa is this good.

It sure is nice to have 11 pieces to choose from. I can’t remember the last time Connor sat the majority of the 2nd half because he was getting outplayed by his teammates.

Edit - That won’t happen very often but it’s good coaching IMO. And I’m just using him as an example because it’s so rare.