**2017-2018 Iowa Hawkeye Basketball Season Thread**

[Berzerkenpas]

granted, it's a two defensive possession clip, but that looks like a fucking pickup game.

 

[douglasbader]

I like that clip except for us apparently being completely unable to stay in front of anyone.

Fucking scooped. That’s what I get for being a dumbfuck.

It's hilarious and sad. They are pressing and one simple pass to the middle of the court beyond half court throws Iowa into complete chaos.

• The pass goes to the middle and Garza for some reason thinks he has to run 3 feet beyond the three point line and face guard a post player.
• Baer is floating out of position and when the pass swings he can't get in front of his guy driving towards the middle of the lane and it sucks Cook in from the wing to help because not only Baer is out of position and can't stop someone driving in the middle of the court, but Garza is not in a natural position near the lane because he ran 3 feet beyond the three point line to face guard a post player.
• Pass goes to the corner and Cook takes perhaps the worst close out angle in the history of basketball allowing his man to drive baseline right to the rim. It would have been an easy reverse layup or and 1 foul but they are playing Belmont Abbey and the player dribbles off his foot.
• Cook drives down and dunks and Belmont Abbey has all 5 guys on their half of the court and Iowa even has bohannon back on defense and 3 others above them on the court
• Baer starts to run back down following the wrong man, then freaks out and starts pointing at his man on the other side of the court causing bohannon to react and start to go to that man
• This now puts bohannon out of position and Baer is still confused and lets bohannon's man run down the wing, catch an easy pass and take one dribble for an easy layup because bohannon is out of position due to Baer being a dumbfuck

Basically, defense is something either Fran and his staff can't teach or nearly every player that has been at Iowa for the last 8 years is terrible on defense.

It is funny how Baer can be good on the top of a press and block some shots but ultimately is atrocious on defense. In this 21 second sequence alone his stupidity and lack of awareness caused 2 layups.

 

[douglasbader]

Again, they will fix it enough but not even zone is good for this team. When you play zone you have to keep the ball out of the middle of the floor, and the guards are incapable of doing that, and to make it worse, not only can the guards not do that but the post players always suck in too far leaving the wings wide open.

Man or zone, it doesn't really matter much because ultimately all you have to do is beat a single player to get to the middle of Iowa's defense and they are fucked and can't recover.

 

[nolookpass]

In half-court defense last year Baer was either out of position or failing to block out about 90% of the time

 

[douglasbader]

Watch only Baer in that clip. It is infuriating how clueless and floating he is the entire 21 seconds. Has no awareness or idea what he is doing.

Here is me screaming at my computer screen watching it....

 

[LifelongHawk]

Hawks are going to have to average about 90 points a game in the Big Ten to finish 500. The Big 12 Conference thinks that's some bad defense

Nah, they will figure it out enough. As bad as they are on defense, they were so much worse last year and had a tougher schedule and still managed to finish above .500 in conference.

Last year's Seton Hall game was a most disgusting display of matadorism. Frosh come in these days so much more prepared for collegiate play, with nutrition, strength & conditioning, and AAU circuits, but seemingly without any understanding, maybe even interest, in individual or team defense. Senior leader wasn't any help.

I don't think its that Fran can't coach D. Team that beat highly ranked MSU 6-5, or whatever the score was, could D up. Now our core, outside of Baer, is all frosh and sophs. Realistic hope for growth as they all appear willing to improve and work on defense.

We'll see. Without question the key to my irrationally exuberant hope of contending.

PS on Billy Taylor: He's Patrick's godfather.

 

[AZmessDAWG]

I like that clip except for us apparently being completely unable to stay in front of anyone.

Fucking scooped. That’s what I get for being a dumbfuck.

It's hilarious and sad. They are pressing and one simple pass to the middle of the court beyond half court throws Iowa into complete chaos.

• The pass goes to the middle and Garza for some reason thinks he has to run 3 feet beyond the three point line and face guard a post player.
• Baer is floating out of position and when the pass swings he can't get in front of his guy driving towards the middle of the lane and it sucks Cook in from the wing to help because not only Baer is out of position and can't stop someone driving in the middle of the court, but Garza is not in a natural position near the lane because he ran 3 feet beyond the three point line to face guard a post player.
• Pass goes to the corner and Cook takes perhaps the worst close out angle in the history of basketball allowing his man to drive baseline right to the rim. It would have been an easy reverse layup or and 1 foul but they are playing Belmont Abbey and the player dribbles off his foot.
• Cook drives down and dunks and Belmont Abbey has all 5 guys on their half of the court and Iowa even has bohannon back on defense and 3 others above them on the court
• Baer starts to run back down following the wrong man, then freaks out and starts pointing at his man on the other side of the court causing bohannon to react and start to go to that man
• This now puts bohannon out of position and Baer is still confused and lets bohannon's man run down the wing, catch an easy pass and take one dribble for an easy layup because bohannon is out of position due to Baer being a dumbfuck

Basically, defense is something either Fran and his staff can't teach or nearly every player that has been at Iowa for the last 8 years is terrible on defense.

It is funny how Baer can be good on the top of a press and block some shots but ultimately is atrocious on defense. In this 21 second sequence alone his stupidity and lack of awareness caused 2 layups.

It's just bad transition defense all around. I'm not sure Baer took the wrong guy but it shouldn't matter. One guy has ball, one guy should have basket. bohannon is slow getting back but Baer was even worse on that play (as well as the play before). Get your ass back and stop ball.

 

[AZmessDAWG]

Watch only Baer in that clip. It is infuriating how clueless and floating he is the entire 21 seconds. Has no awareness or idea what he is doing.

Yep.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Ball screen at half court. That's a hedge. Ball screen in the back court. That's a hedge. Ball screen in the locker room. That's a hedge.

Not only a hedge, but the 6'10'' big man MUST chase him another 20 feet from the hoop while a simple pass to the wing and entry or drive to the post results in a layup in the space vacated by the big man 45 feet away from the hoop on a PG now.

I wouldn’t mind the hard hedge if we ever actually jumped the passing lane.

 

[douglasbader]

Have some fucking pride, Fran. Get someone to help you coach defense. It's fucking embarrassing.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Ball screen at half court. That's a hedge. Ball screen in the back court. That's a hedge. Ball screen in the locker room. That's a hedge.

Not only a hedge, but the 6'10'' big man MUST chase him another 20 feet from the hoop while a simple pass to the wing and entry or drive to the post results in a layup in the space vacated by the big man 45 feet away from the hoop on a PG now.

I wouldn’t mind the hard hedge if we ever actually jumped the passing lane.

 

[douglasbader]

I'm angry now after watching that clip multiple times. It's inexcusable. Junior high level shit.

 

[LifelongHawk]

Watch only Baer in that clip. It is infuriating how clueless and floating he is the entire 21 seconds. Has no awareness or idea what he is doing.

Except he kinda does. He knows he can't stay in front of anybody, or match strength with anybody, so he floats and sneaks and makes a surprising number of effective plays.

He did have his head firmly anally inserted last night until he made those 2 3s right before half. No argument there.

Had to be hard to care much after BAC proved first couple minutes they were way outclassed. JBo goes for naught, Bobby's postgame comment of disinterested was perfect. The exhibitions are just that, and served us well getting the young'uns comfort levels in Carver up. For the vets, especially upperclassmen, practice has a way better chance of teaching improvement on D than playing the little sisters of the poor.

 

[LifelongHawk]

I'm angry now after watching that clip multiple times. It's inexcusable. Junior high level shit.

You see Seton Hall last year? It was that clip for 40 fucking minutes.

edit: after which I wanted a ticket refund, who wants to go watch that shit all year? Right now I'm more like Charlton Heston on the damn things. We shall see what we shall see.

 

[Shpadoinkle]

This team is ahead of last year's team defensively, has more weapons and an easier schedule. They'll be fine.

 

[castichawk24]

Let's not forget that Fran's teams have been pretty good at defense in his tenure. Here's their AdjD national ranking from Kenmom. Out of ~350 teams

'10-'11 56
'11-'12 205
'12-'13 24
'13-'14 77
'14-'15 34
'15-'16 30
'16-'17 123

That's a median of 56 and mean of 63. That's pretty darn good. And remember they are going to actually be playing some zone defense when the real season starts. Probably not much cause for hysterics at this point.

 

[douglasbader]

Let's not forget that Fran's teams have been pretty good at defense in his tenure. Here's their AdjD national ranking from Kenmom. Out of ~350 teams

'10-'11 56
'11-'12 205
'12-'13 24
'13-'14 77
'14-'15 34
'15-'16 30
'16-'17 123

That's a median of 56 and mean of 63. That's pretty darn good. And remember they are going to actually be playing some zone defense when the real season starts. Probably not much cause for hysterics at this point.

I'm pissed though, so going to ignore this for now so I can break down short highlights that validate my rant.

They will be fine and be a good team, but can't stand watching them fumble around early in the year.

 

[castichawk24]

Let's not forget that Fran's teams have been pretty good at defense in his tenure. Here's their AdjD national ranking from Kenmom. Out of ~350 teams

'10-'11 56
'11-'12 205
'12-'13 24
'13-'14 77
'14-'15 34
'15-'16 30
'16-'17 123

That's a median of 56 and mean of 63. That's pretty darn good. And remember they are going to actually be playing some zone defense when the real season starts. Probably not much cause for hysterics at this point.

I'm pissed though, so going to ignore this for now so I can break down short highlights that validate my rant.

They will be fine and be a good team, but can't stand watching them fumble around early in the year.

Spoiler alert: bohannon, Baer, Brady, and Connor are gonna get proverbially blown by their men* all year, so there'll be plenty of chances to be outraged. Really I just hope that Garza can provide the same type of support that Woodbury did in the paint. Probably won't be quite as good as Woodbury, but the other bigs can help as well. And hopefully lots of zone. They've got lots of tall dudes, and dudes with some long arms to boot.

*LOL! I think it might actually be blown-by, by their men, but the original way makes it seem like they are getting blow jobs, so I'm going to leave it

 

[Debit One]

I'm pissed though, so going to ignore this for now so I can break down short highlights that validate my rant.

This is @douglasbader in a nutshell.

 

[Stu Beagle]

The defense will get better when Moss returns. Hopefully Fran also realizes this and doesn't forget to play him in the second half like he did at times last year.

 

[douglasbader]

I'm pissed though, so going to ignore this for now so I can break down short highlights that validate my rant.

This is @douglasbader in a nutshell.

You don't have to tag me when replying to my post.

 

[KitKatApples]

You don't have to tag me when replying to my post.

Thanks for the heads up @douglasbader

 

[ISUFan98]

Doug is obviously bored, if he's getting this mad about a lack of transition defense in a 30 second clip from five minutes into an exhibition game against Downton Abbey or wherever bumfuck school that is.

Get a grip, man.

 

[douglasbader]

Doug is obviously bored, if he's getting this mad about a lack of transition defense in a 30 second clip from five minutes into an exhibition game against Downton Abbey or wherever bumfuck school that is.

Get a grip, man.

I'm bored.

 

[Debit One]

Doug is obviously bored, if he's getting this mad about a lack of transition defense in a 30 second clip from five minutes into an exhibition game against Downton Abbey or wherever bumfuck school that is.

Get a grip, man.

I'm bored.

Candy delivery not until this afternoon?

AWWWW HAWWWWWW!!!!!

 

[CamelTones]

Hawks are going to have to average about 90 points a game in the Big Ten to finish 500. The Big 12 Conference thinks that's some bad defense

Nah, they will figure it out enough. As bad as they are on defense, they were so much worse last year and had a tougher schedule and still managed to finish above .500 in conference.

Last year's Seton Hall game was a most disgusting display of matadorism. Frosh come in these days so much more prepared for collegiate play, with nutrition, strength & conditioning, and AAU circuits, but seemingly without any understanding, maybe even interest, in individual or team defense. Senior leader wasn't any help.

I don't think its that Fran can't coach D. Team that beat highly ranked MSU 6-5, or whatever the score was, could D up. Now our core, outside of Baer, is all frosh and sophs. Realistic hope for growth as they all appear willing to improve and work on defense.

We'll see. Without question the key to my irrationally exuberant hope of contending.

PS on Billy Taylor: He's Patrick's godfather.

I thought the Omaha game was worse than the Seton Hall game. TCU was also awful. Get back in the game.....annnnnnnnd wide open dunk 5 seconds into the shot clock.

 

[AZmessDAWG]

Doug is obviously bored, if he's getting this mad about a lack of transition defense in a 30 second clip from five minutes into an exhibition game against Downton Abbey or wherever bumfuck school that is.

Get a grip, man.

OK Mr. Super Positive Cubs Fan

 

[LifelongHawk]

I thought the Omaha game was worse than the Seton Hall game. TCU was also awful. Get back in the game.....annnnnnnnd wide open dunk 5 seconds into the shot clock.

Ugh, kinda like hitting your finger with a hammer to get shoulder pain off your mind. Love Pete for many reasons, but TCU game was fitting end to his career in a way.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

 

[Hawk&Balls]

@BBK @BBK @BBK @BBK

 

[douglasbader]

Wow, they got taken to the woodshed. Outscored 42-25 in the second half and beat by 13 tonight.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

That doesn’t sound like a good experience

 

[Berzerkenpas]

They will be fine and be a good team, but can't stand watching them fumble around early in the year.

which has been a fran trademark, including his years at siena. defense looks bad early, gets better (for the most part) late. problem exacerbated when a lot of freshmen are getting minutes, and figuring it out.

baer, uhl, and wagner aren't new, but they also aren't very good defensively.

 

[BBK]

Illinois being shitty in basketball and football makes for a great time to be alive.

 

[Nobody]

Sheeeeiiiit.

 

[tker32]

Scooped like a mf

 

[douglasbader]

Not the worst thing to happen, especially with a really easy early schedule if he can get back by the low end of that projection and be ready for Virginia Tech on the 28th. That would be 3 weeks from tomorrow.

It will give Nunge a ton of early minutes to develop.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Find a new drill, Fran!!!!!

 

[AZmessDAWG]

Find a new drill, Fran!!!!!

How did it happen?

 

[KitKatApples]

When his finger quit being one piece

 

[UnKnOwN_SeRb]

Find a new drill, Fran!!!!!

How did it happen?

Trying to steal cookie from the cookie jar.

 

[AZmessDAWG]

How did it happen @lwadechildress?

 

[L. Wade Childress]

All of Baers minutes are likely going to either someone limited offensively or a true freshman. I don’t know about you it’s, but I’m certainly glad we have a bunch of easy games on the schedule.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

How did it happen @lwadechildress?

Not sure but this is the third straight year we’ve had a finger injury:

2017 baer in practice
2016 cook in practice
2015 me blasting your mom.

 

[MikeyJoe]

All of Baers minutes are likely going to either someone limited offensively or a true freshman. I don’t know about you it’s, but I’m certainly glad we have a bunch of easy games on the schedule.

 

[wondergrape]

How did it happen @lwadechildress?

Not sure but this is the third straight year we’ve had a finger injury:

2017 baer in practice
2016 cook in practice
2015 me blasting your mom.

You mean, like, a verbal altercation?

 

[AZmessDAWG]

This reminds me of the time idiots on TOS were complaining that Alford must be doing something to cause all the ankle injuries.

 

[ISUFan98]

How did it happen @lwadechildress?

 

[L. Wade Childress]

This reminds me of the time idiots on TOS were complaining that Alford must be doing something to cause all the ankle injuries.

Not kidding, I posted that just for you.

 

[Hawk&Balls]

This reminds me of the time idiots on TOS were complaining that Alford must be doing something to cause all the ankle injuries.

that damn hot tub