We Need Post Players

[drew003]

Today was my first look at the Hawks and it struck me how badly we need talented post players. To my surprise, Fran's offense almost always starts with an entry pass to the post. We really fed the big guys, a big difference from last year. Unfortunately, our post players are mediocre and not great back-to-the-basket players. Basabe is better off as a weakside garbage player right now. Cole is an average Big 10 player with average Big 10 post skills. Brommer played better than last year, but he is still Brommer. And none of those guys showed the ability to find the open man when doubled.

Defensively, our guards apply pretty decent ball pressure. But anytime you apply pressure, you need some bigs to stop penetration and protect the rim. Our current crops of bigs have a long way to go in this area.

I think this style of basketball has a better chance of success. But we still really need to upgrade our talent. We need talented bigs and an athletic swing player.

 

[hawkeye12345]

I agree although I think you are being a little too kind to Cole and Brommer. I don't think they are average Big10 players but they give us what they've got and that I can appreciate. We need to stock up on 6'10" bodies in the worst way over the next 2 or 3 yrs. We have the wings covered for the next 4 yrs but need to really shore up the PG and C / PF positions. Could you imagine how deadly McCabe or even Basabe would be playing the 3?

 

[dmShortSaledude]

I agree although I think you are being a little too kind to Cole and Brommer. I don't think they are average Big10 players but they give us what they've got and that I can appreciate. We need to stock up on 6'10" bodies in the worst way over the next 2 or 3 yrs. We have the wings covered for the next 4 yrs but need to really shore up the PG and C / PF positions. Could you imagine how deadly McCabe or even Basabe would be playing the 3?

I agree, we need bigs. Bad. That should be (and most certainly is) our main recruiting target. 2 bigs to rotate in... I know coach Mac is in on a couple, that would be all we need to get to the tourney, IMO...

 

[HaydenHawk56]

So true, I agree 500% on this. I mean in all honesty, we have not had a true post presence, a very good center since Acie Earl. It all goes back to Mr. Davis years. He had some post players like Earl, Lohaus, Jepsen, Rucker (well, at least he looked good when Woolridge played with him). And we usually had a decent 4 guy that could complement those centers.


We have certainly had some more recent players like Reggie Evans, Erik Hansen, Reiner, etc. But, we need a couple of very good to great post players. We have had a lot of 4s trying to play the 5 position. Or weaker 5s trying to play it. It is so vital we improve here.

Cole is a 4 trying to play the 5 position. Brommer on most teams is a bench warmer that comes in when your bigs are in major foul trouble down low. Brommer would not be a major role player for almost any other Big Ten team.

Recruiting capable guards should also be at the top of the list.

 

[CAARHawk]

Sorry, but Brommer wouldn't be riding the bench on any other B10 team, because he wouldn't be on another B10 team.

FM is going to have to be the bad guy and move some players for next year. Can't have 2 schollies going to bigs that can't contribute at a competitive level. Give these guys the chance to make their case this year, but if they can't encourage a move down in talent level.

Might also have to consider the recruiting effectiveness of the assistants.

 

[Hawk4Life25]

I agree this will be something to watch throughout the year. The cupboard wasn't exactly full for Fran and company and it's going to show this year, especially amongst the bigs on the roster.

Cole is going to play his heart out every time he steps on the court. He's just limited by his skill in what he can do and what Iowa fans want him to do.

Brommer is pretty much a true freshmen because he was used so infrequently by the previous staff. He can play well for short stretches but I hate to say it but he will be over exposed with the extended minutes he'll be asked to play this year.

Fran and company will need to work overtime to bring in a big for next year. I've got to think with the two available scholarships (and possibly Archie graduating early?) that we can go after some guys and offer early playing time.

 

[rider22]

We need a lot of things. I would also like a player that when a basket is needed in a crucial situation a player steps up and says 'give me the ball I will score.'

 

[TWR96]

If cougill could slim down and get a little quicker on defense which I think he will. He would fit in Frans system. Brennan is used to playing with his back to the bucket. He is also a very good passer. He would have had 6 to 8 assists in yesterdays game.

I don't think any of our bigs are very fluid with their back to the bucket but hopefully they will get a little better. Remember this is something totally different for them.

 

[9YRPLAN]

actually, watching yesterdays game, i was thinking that cougill would have had a lot of success. he's a wide body and tougher to up, he has shown touch around the hoop, and he would have found open shooters from the block rather than force the issue.

 

[storminspank]

Could you imagine how deadly McCabe or even Basabe would be playing the 3?

Basabe at the 3 at this point in his career wouldn't be good. He's not a wing, he doesn't have a great shot, and he's not terribly good at using the dribble to penetrate from the wing. He's a 4 for sure. I would argue McCabe at the 3 though.

 

[undrcvrhawkfan]

I agree that we could definitely use an upgrade at the post position. But, we pretty much all know why we don't have that quality since Lick ran an offense that didn't feature the post at all. I loved seeing us feed the post quite often during the game and allowing them to try making a few moves to get to the basket. Surely, this will stand out in recruiting and hopefully allow us to start to upgrade the talent down low.

 

[JHHawk]

Iowa needs a massive infusion of talent. Fran needs to tell Archie to graduate in the spring and if he wants to play ball he can go down a level for his last year. Fran needs to grab Katenda and a couple of mature juco big men,maybe Cougill could be one of them. Fran needs to recruit like next year is super urgent,cus it is. Next year is his window to get us off our back,with the league losing a couple of dozen top upperclassmen. The Big Ten will be young next year,and Iowa could have a shot to move up.....get ruthless,Fran...and get some big bodies.

 

[SheagleHawk]

actually, watching yesterdays game, i was thinking that cougill would have had a lot of success. he's a wide body and tougher to up, he has shown touch around the hoop, and he would have found open shooters from the block rather than force the issue.

God, please, no Cougs! I thought everyone wanted an upgrade in talent (which we desperately need)? Cougs is not that. He's not even close to the type of player we need down low. Sure he may have helped against bumfu*k state, but he's not Big 10 caliber. No more wasted scholies to just to fill spots. The guys I want, and hope Fran can pull in, would sh*t on Cougs every time down the floor.

 

[drew003]

The guys I want, and hope Fran can pull in, would sh*t on Cougs every time down the floor.

I assume that would be a foul?

 

[olivecourt]

Ironically, I would love to watch Seth Gorney play in this offense. I never thought a sentence like that would pass through my brain, let alone my keyboard.

 

[sportstalent]

Iowa needs serviceable post players. Someone that can score when the opportunity presents itself, I see Basabe being that guy at some point in his career and Aaron White being a guy early in his career able to do so.
The bigs need to rebound like mad men, play some defense and contest shots when they can.
What Iowa really needs is guards that can get to the hoop and dish when needed, I think Iowa has the shooters, but the PG's need to drive and dish.
Unless you get an elite post player, the bigs just need to have specific roles and not hurt you. I think Iowa has those guys, but the PG play has to be better and the team has to quit giving the ball away.
One thing, I was surprised at how many touches our bigs got, now Cole played well against the smaller guys, I just don't see them able to run everything through the post going into the Big Ten. If they do, then the bigs have to get the ball out thier hands a lot sooner and not let the defense rotate over and get stuck.