Uthoff is something new for Fran: A Clutch Player

[WindsorHawk]

Does it pizz anyone else off that Fran only played him only 18 MPG last year, and that McChoke was on the floor at the end of the of every close game last year?

No.

 

[iowalaw]

I agree that it is too soon to call him Mr. clutch. I re-watched the end of the Minn game to give myself something to be happy about following the Ferentz presser, and noticed that with 1 minute to go, Uthoff missed a point blank shot. On our next possession a short time later, he was called for a charge. He did nail the shot with a few seconds to go, which was key, but he also hit the shot over a guy that was a foot shorter than him. We benefited from a huge mismatch/error.

One thing is for sure, Ut is coming on strong. I'm just not sure clutch is the correct word. I do know that with 5 seconds to play, I would much rather have the ball in his hands than Gessel's.

Yes, although he hit the game winner last night, I'm not sure I would call him clutch just yet but it appears he's taken his game to a new level. Much more confidence and assertiveness the last couple games. Same with jok. Let's hope both keep going. Those two becoming consistent scorers along with whitey, the D of woody, bench help from the London fog, now we have something.

 

[WindsorHawk]

I think part of being "clutch" is not being one dimensional. Uthoff can make a 3. He can drive to the basket. He can score around the rim with either hand. He can hit the pull up jumper. He can post up a smaller defender. He can handle the ball. He's willing to take the meaningful shot when it matters.

He is also is playing with confidence and some swagger of late...more with each passing game. Combine the ability to score in multiple ways (hard to know what to take away), Uthoff's unique skill set (hard to match up with) and increased confidence and Uthoff can be labeled "clutch."

 

[atomicblue224]

Nice post. The main thing is that Bo Ryan is still pizzed off for losing a prized player.

 

[tm3308]

I agree that it is too soon to call him Mr. clutch. I re-watched the end of the Minn game to give myself something to be happy about following the Ferentz presser, and noticed that with 1 minute to go, Uthoff missed a point blank shot. On our next possession a short time later, he was called for a charge. He did nail the shot with a few seconds to go, which was key, but he also hit the shot over a guy that was a foot shorter than him. We benefited from a huge mismatch/error.

One thing is for sure, Ut is coming on strong. I'm just not sure clutch is the correct word. I do know that with 5 seconds to play, I would much rather have the ball in his hands than Gessel's.

The charge was definitely bad. But he's already hit several very clutch shots in Big Ten play; nobody's going to hit them all (Michael Jordan missed the final shot to win the game 26 times in his career).

 

[BigD]

Nice post. The main thing is that Bo Ryan is still pizzed off for losing a prized player.

This will be our uplifting thought for the day. Lol, Why does Bo remind me of a used car salesman? "Come on in folks and get a great deal on our selection of used cars right from New Orleans with watered down prices."