What college teams Do Not Play Hard this year?

[TalkHawk]

I have not seen many college games this year, just not interested.


It would be unfair to say on my part that most college teams play hard considering I have not watched many games.

I fell asleep during the Iowa game today....but over and over we hear how hard Iowa is playing...... which is great. For the most part I thought Illinois was playing hard as well but you never hear that mentioned about the better team on the court.


Can you list examples of big ten teams or any teams in college basketball that just do not give effort, do not go after loose balls, and do not play hard this year? Curious to see the difference.

 

[Gohawks123]

The truth is that probably 95% of the teams do give it their all. People use the "kids are playing hard" deal to make themselves feel better about the brutal state of the program. Whatever works I guess....I look forward to the day where we just win.

 

[EddyP]

The reason you hear this in regards to Iowa is because they have absolutely nothing to play for. They are not going to the dance or the NIT. They have 3 conference wins yet they battle like they are playing for something. That is exactly what I want to see and why I continue to watch them. That is a reflection of the head coach. Illinois is trying to make the tournament, we have no shot yet you couldn't tell that by watching this game. They battled to the very end, that is what I want to see but in the end the better team won.

 

[HawkPhreek]

The reason you hear this in regards to Iowa is because they have absolutely nothing to play for. They are not going to the dance or the NIT. They have 3 conference wins yet they battle like they are playing for something. That is exactly what I want to see and why I continue to watch them. That is a reflection of the head coach. Illinois is trying to make the tournament, we have not shot yet you couldn't tell that by watching this game. They battled to the very end, that is what I want to see but in the end the better team won.

This not to mention very young team on the road.


P.S great thread lets start by saying I don't watch College basketball

 

[TalkHawk]

The truth is that probably 95% of the teams do give it their all. People use the "kids are playing hard" deal to make themselves feel better about the brutal state of the program. Whatever works I guess....I look forward to the day where we just win.

I tend to agree with this but since I am so disengaged from college basketball this year thought I was missing something.

 

[TalkHawk]

The reason you hear this in regards to Iowa is because they have absolutely nothing to play for. They are not going to the dance or the NIT. They have 3 conference wins yet they battle like they are playing for something. That is exactly what I want to see and why I continue to watch them. That is a reflection of the head coach. Illinois is trying to make the tournament, we have no shot yet you couldn't tell that by watching this game. They battled to the very end, that is what I want to see but in the end the better team won.

They could give up I see what you're saying.

Have there been any other cellar dwellar teams you have noticed that have given up this year?

 

[TalkHawk]

This not to mention very young team on the road.


P.S great thread lets start by saying I don't watch College basketball

College bball just does not hold my interest this year. Maybe it's the Hawks being so irrelevant... I don't know.

I thought it was fair to mention that I haven't seen many games since I am making a comment on the play of college teams. A lot of fans watch a lot of college basketball games and could give examples that I could not.

 

[tm3308]

They could give up I see what you're saying.

Have there been any other cellar dwellar teams you have noticed that have given up this year?

I've not seen any give up this year. But last year, this team was out for the count by the second week of February. The fact that March starts on Tuesday, and this team is still fighting, and in just about every game, is a definite sign of progress from a year ago.

 

[TalkHawk]

I've not seen any give up this year. But last year, this team was out for the count by the second week of February. The fact that March starts on Tuesday, and this team is still fighting, and in just about every game, is a definite sign of progress from a year ago.

being competitive in games at the end of the conference season is certainly nice to see.

 

[hawkIhoops]

Good post. While I agree that McCaffrey has worked wonders in renewing passion for Iowa b-ball, the talent just isn't there. I think we have given up a career high to an opposing player in every game this year (it seems that way) and we have defensive lapses that make me look closely to ensure we actually have 5 players on the court.

I would rather see the effort reduced by 20% and intelligent play increase by 20% as the mistakes these guys make this late in the season are puzzling. Diving for balls when you are down 15 is great, but how about making a couple of shots or not giving up a dozen dunks to guys standing under the basket unguarded so we aren't down 15.

No doubt the team is more exciting to watch, but at some point effort needs to turn into maturity and execution.

 

[CAARHawk]

I really don't think it is maturity and execution as much as just pure ability. Half of Iowa's roster does not have the pure foundational ability to be a productive starter in this conference.

 

[burky247]

Is this really that hard to understand? With the talent that Iowa has on their roster right now, we should probably be getting blown out every game. The fact that we are staying competitive in these games shows how hard we are playing and the tremendous coaching staff that we have. And the reason people are impressed with the effort is because they can foresee what will happen when Caff starts getting more talent into Iowa City. Not only that, but those of us who have been watching Iowa basketball longer than three months have seen Iowa teams quit in past seasons. So it's refreshing to see a team giving their all night in and night out.

 

[greghammel]

I would say the that there is two teams in the Big Ten not playing as hard as they could be... 1)Minnesota 1) Michigan State. Heck, add Illinois to that list. Illinois has been playing lazy during a lot of games too. Especially McCamey and some of the guys off the bench. All 3 of those teams lack leadership.

The most surprising of those 3 listed is Illinois due to so many Seniors on that team. Illinois and Wisconsin will both be reloading next season.

 

[greghammel]

Cole, Gatens, Basabe, and Cartwright all played well enough to win the game. The position that is killing us the most and shouldn't be is the May/Marble combo. One of those two needs to step up big time. I wouldn't care which one as I like them both, but need at least one of them to raise their level! If May or Marble (preferably both) start playing well, this team will explode.

I wouldn't even want to guess which one is most likely to do it, as both are evenly capable. I think Marble has a bit more ability, but May has a bit more experience.

 

[tm3308]

I would say the that there is two teams in the Big Ten not playing as hard as they could be... 1)Minnesota 1) Michigan State. Heck, add Illinois to that list. Illinois has been playing lazy during a lot of games too. Especially McCamey and some of the guys off the bench. All 3 of those teams lack leadership.

The most surprising of those 3 listed is Illinois due to so many Seniors on that team. Illinois and Wisconsin will both be reloading next season.

I actually think MSU is the most surprising, by far. Illinois' underachieving doesn't surprise me at all, nor does the lack of leadership. McCamey and Weber have always been at odds. You can't have your star point guard and you head coach not on the same page, and still expect to be a great team. Illinois might be the least surprising of the bunch.

 

[EddyP]

They could give up I see what you're saying.

Have there been any other cellar dwellar teams you have noticed that have given up this year?

You won't see any teams give up but there is a big difference between not giving up and playing like you need the win to get into the tournament. If I see them not playing like that is when I will watch something else. This team has to play like that to even have a chance against anyone.

 

[TalkHawk]

Is this really that hard to understand? With the talent that Iowa has on their roster right now, we should probably be getting blown out every game. The fact that we are staying competitive in these games shows how hard we are playing and the tremendous coaching staff that we have. And the reason people are impressed with the effort is because they can foresee what will happen when Caff starts getting more talent into Iowa City. Not only that, but those of us who have been watching Iowa basketball longer than three months have seen Iowa teams quit in past seasons. So it's refreshing to see a team giving their all night in and night out.

What teams would you say in college ball right now or the big ten if you want to be more specific that do not play hard?

That was my question.

Last year I assume would be one of the years you're suggesting the team gave up. What other years do you feel that is the case?

 

[TalkHawk]

I would say the that there is two teams in the Big Ten not playing as hard as they could be... 1)Minnesota 1) Michigan State. Heck, add Illinois to that list. Illinois has been playing lazy during a lot of games too. Especially McCamey and some of the guys off the bench. All 3 of those teams lack leadership.

The most surprising of those 3 listed is Illinois due to so many Seniors on that team. Illinois and Wisconsin will both be reloading next season.

Thanks for your insight, appreciated.


I have only seen Michigan State play briefly twice this year. Do you think part of there problem is just not playing well together, players underperforming..... or is it MAINLY they just are not giving the effort?

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

Thanks for your insight, appreciated.


I have only seen Michigan State play briefly twice this year. Do you think part of there problem is just not playing well together, players underperforming..... or is it MAINLY they just are not giving the effort?

They don't play well together but they also are fairly average talent wise this year. Draymond Green and Lucas are nice players, but they don't play particularly welll together and their surrounding talent is nothing special. Their final four run last year was somewhat flukey, they missed out on playing the top seeds in their region. And they've lost Morgan, Lucious and Allen since then. They are also by far the worst defensive team Izzo's had in a long time, probably ever.