Will next year's team be better than this year's?

[tweeterhawk]

Assuming that the roster remains intact (other than the graduation of Cole and Sayre) and that all recruits who have committed arrive, are you optimistic that next year's team will be markedly better than this year's? Do you think the current weaknesses -- perimeter shooting, lack of interior size and domination, occasional carelessness with the ball -- will improve?

What gives you reason for your optimism?

 

[hawkeye12345]

Yes and No

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Yes.

1. 2nd year in Fran's system.
2. Freshman now Sophmores

 

[JHHawk]

Yes. I predict,if Gatens does not have surgery next December,he will shoot better...senior bump.
Brommer will have a similar senior bump.
But, really,until we know who are last roster additions are,and what talent they bring, it is hard to project,definitely.

 

[Cydkar]

Yes. Better team + weaker B10.

 

[DuffMan]

Yes. Better team + weaker B10.

The latter is probably worth 2 wins alone.

 

[CyChamp]

I think there's little doubt. They will be better. I don't think they'll drop the early season games like SDSU, LBS, and WF as they did this year. Plus, as noted, everyone will be a year more seasoned, and have an easier road in the Big 10. I can see the team being around .500 or a little better next year.

Plus, it's near impossible to be any worse. Two back-to-back 10-win seasons have to be the worst in Iowa BB history, right?

 

[Sirhouseman]

No question. Iowa will win more in the non-conference, the Big10 will have a lot of turnover and everyone will have another offseason in Fran's system. I think Cole will be missed more than most think, but I have confidence people will step up.

 

[Cyclones17]

Yes. Better team + weaker B10.

I'm sorry but is the Big 10 that good this year? Not saying its a bad conference, cuz it's not. But I don't think the Big 10 is any better this year than they have been the last 5

 

[CAARHawk]

No way Fran goes into next season without picking up 2 more key contributors. One of those guys will be a big. Without that guy, Iowa wind more games against smaller teams, but gets taken to the woodshed by bigger teams. But, as I said, that isn't going to happen.

 

[Row55]

I'm sorry but is the Big 10 that good this year? Not saying its a bad conference, cuz it's not. But I don't think the Big 10 is any better this year than they have been the last 5

Most of last season's starters were back this season. That won't be the case this time, lot of seniors moving on.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

I'm sorry but is the Big 10 that good this year? Not saying its a bad conference, cuz it's not. But I don't think the Big 10 is any better this year than they have been the last 5

It's the best conference in the country according to KenPom and second best according to RPI, so yes it is good.

Next year, Penn St will be worse with Battle gone. Purdue loses Johnson and Moore, MSU loses Green and Lucas, McCamey is gone from Illinois. OSU loses a lot. Michigan and Indiana will be better but there will be room to move up.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

No question. Iowa will win more in the non-conference, the Big10 will have a lot of turnover and everyone will have another offseason in Fran's system. I think Cole will be missed more than most think, but I have confidence people will step up.

THIS!

Cole is the best player on this year's team. I don't mean "most talented" (Basabe) or "most valuable" (Cartwright). I mean all-around -- every game he was a solid, consistent contributor and the most reliable player in terms of knowing exactly what production you were going to get. Hands down the best effort night after night and so much of his production came at key times in the game.

Tweeter asked if the team would be "markedly better" in his opening post. I would say they will be "better" -- 4 or 5 games better -- which is consistent with finishing a few they let slip away this season, with most improvement being non-conf.

I don't buy what most are saying the rationale for great improvement -- another year in Fran's system / freshmen will be sophomores. Outside of consistency, I don't see what more production you can get out of Basabe or Cartwright. That's not intended as a slight but more a compliment on how productive they were as 1st-year players. Other teams know who they are now and stopping them will be the focal point. As for the "natural improvement" just because of being older / more experienced -- you've got May and Gatens as glaring contradictions to that argument.

I can see .500, overall and 6 - B10(12) wins as realistic goals.

 

[Cyclones17]

It's the best conference in the country according to KenPom and second best according to RPI, so yes it is good.

Next year, Penn St will be worse with Battle gone. Purdue loses Johnson and Moore, MSU loses Green and Lucas, McCamey is gone from Illinois. OSU loses a lot. Michigan and Indiana will be better but there will be room to move up.

There is zero chance that the Big 10 is as good as the Big East. None.

We could argue the back and forth about the Big 10 and Big 12 but I think we will each agree that our conferences are better in our minds. Nevermind the fact that the Big 12 didn't lose a game to the Big 10 all season and played everyone of those games on the road!

Purdue will be down next year. Illinois will be better. Michigan will be better. Michigan State will probably be the same. OSU will probably be down depending on early entries. Indiana will be better. Iowa will be better. Wisconsin will be down a tad. Penn State will be worse.

I think the Big 10 will have the same # of teams in the tourney next year, but they won't have an OSU next year unless they get some of those guys to stay

 

[Cyclones17]

THIS!

Outside of consistency, I don't see what more production you can get out of Basabe or Cartwright.

I don't agree with Basabe. He is a freshmen and his production can very easily go up and should go up. I agree with Cartwright. He is what he is. A decent talent that brings it every game.

I think May has room to grow but that is all mental for him

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

There is zero chance that the Big 10 is as good as the Big East. None.

We could argue the back and forth about the Big 10 and Big 12 but I think we will each agree that our conferences are better in our minds. Nevermind the fact that the Big 12 didn't lose a game to the Big 10 all season and played everyone of those games on the road!

Purdue will be down next year. Illinois will be better. Michigan will be better. Michigan State will probably be the same. OSU will probably be down depending on early entries. Indiana will be better. Iowa will be better. Wisconsin will be down a tad. Penn State will be worse.

I think the Big 10 will have the same # of teams in the tourney next year, but they won't have an OSU next year unless they get some of those guys to stay

The Big East has a bunch of decent teams but there's a good chance they don't have a single team make it past the elite eight and most of those teams won't make it past the first weekend. The Big East has 16 teams so of course they are going to get more in, but overall I think the B10 is just about even with them, and the numbers agree with this.

 

[Cyclones17]

The Big East has a bunch of decent teams but there's a good chance they don't have a single team make it past the elite eight and most of those teams won't make it past the first weekend. The Big East has 16 teams so of course they are going to get more in, but overall I think the B10 is just about even with them, and the numbers agree with this.

Big East is still getting 11 teams in the dance. I know there are 16 teams in the conference but that is still impressive. They will have a team go to the final four out of that group.

Personally I don't see a difference at all in the Big 10 this year as compared to any other year. It's a really good conference like it usually is. I don't think it's the best conference. As it is on par with the Big 12

 

[hawkforlife9]

Stupid question. Of course we'll be better. Only one senior this year. We'll rock next year. First year back in the tourney! Can't wait. Fran will learn how to control Ts which will save a few points a game.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

Big East is still getting 11 teams in the dance. I know there are 16 teams in the conference but that is still impressive. They will have a team go to the final four out of that group.

Personally I don't see a difference at all in the Big 10 this year as compared to any other year. It's a really good conference like it usually is. I don't think it's the best conference. As it is on par with the Big 12

I'll be shocked if somebody from the Big East makes the final four, I really don't see any of their teams even making the elite eight, but odds are one of the 11 will. It'll be another disappointing year for the Big East come tourney time, just like last year.

 

[Cyclones17]

I'll be shocked if somebody from the Big East makes the final four, I really don't see any of their teams even making the elite eight, but odds are one of the 11 will. It'll be another disappointing year for the Big East come tourney time, just like last year.

I think Pitt, Notre Dame, St Johns, Syracuse, and Louisville all have shots. And it really wouldn't surprise me if Georgetown, WV, or UConn got hot. They have good coaches.

Who do you have in the final four? I got Duke, Kansas, Notre Dame, and Pitt just from doing a quick glance at the latest bracketology. And I really don't like Pitt but I'm not sure of anybody in that region. I haven't been sold on Texas all year b/c I'm not a believer in Rick Barnes.