Respectfully, and strongly, disagree. Saying the likes of Sandfort, Dix, Thelwell, and others are not hustling is just wrong. Batshit wrong, narrative-seeking wrong.
First, Iowa has been playing undersized since they moved Dembele out of the starting lineup. Playing an in athletic 6’7” guard at SF and 6’7” player at PF is can account for large portion of lack of rebounding and free throws.
Sandfort is possibly the least athletic player in the B1G, and he still rebounds well for a “guard.” But his lack of handle and hops (and propensity to jack jumpers from everywhere) is always going to mean he’s an uber-low FT getter. His lack of lateral mobility and hops is always going to limit his ability to contest 2 pointers, whether jumpers or shots at the rim.
Dix is great. No issues with him. He fits at SG. Same with Thelwell.
But Harding is tiny and, while quick, not a great leaper. He’s not going to draw fouls, and he’s not going to challenge jumpers from 6’3” guards.
Dembele is ground bound and not especially long. He’ll have similar difficulties. Evan Brauns and Riley Mulvey seem like good guys but anyone arguing they’re good B1G players doesn’t see the game the same way I do. For better or worse.
And on and on. The Hawkeyes players themselves are under-athletic and under-sized. That’s going to make it hard to do all the things you claim are a lack of effort. And I think it’s largely why a program that has been largely “mid” at OR% and FTA/FGA has been outright bad this year.
Finally, Fran’s systems also affects these things. They are a motion system that relies on guys moving away from the ball and cutting to corners and open elbow 15-20 ft from the basket. This results in gorgeous open long 2s (which are good shots) and 3s, but implying someone running under the basket towards a corner is not trying because they weren’t in a position to offensively rebound seems wrong.
Further, a team that takes so many jump shots is always going to have fewer free throws. That’s why Fran’s teams in the past have always had a good post player and a perimeter player who can drive to offset that on their own. Tony Perkins, Ben Krikke, Filip Rebraca, Luka Garza, Joe Toussaint, and on.
Drew Thelwell is actually that player this year, with his highest Foul-drawn rate of his career, but there’s no one else. Dembele, Sandfort, Dix, they’re all jump shooters. It’s not lack of effort, it’s lack of handle and in the first two, lack of athleticism. I guarantee Josh Dix is going to be told he needs to intentionally draw more fouls when he does his NBA thing this Spring and summer. Not because he’s lazy or not trying, but because when you’re that good at making shots, why intentionally run into a guy?
Further, I don’t remember where or when, but I know I’ve heard on a broadcast that Fran et al. have told players that if they’re on the perimeter they need to hustle back to stop transition rather than fight for rebounds.
It’s systemic. It’s purposeful. Fran prefers good offensive, non-turnover players over athletic chaotic defensive-minded players. Chris Tadjo would have helped the rebounding a lot, but it’s clear Fran didn’t trust him on offense. He probably would have drawn more fouls, too, just by virtue of being stronger and more athletic.
Fran’s teams have always had these issues - on purpose - it’s just exacerbated this year, not by guys not hustling, but by guys being a) smaller, b) less athletic, and c) less skilled. I know that’s not as fun as saying “God, those lazy SOBs,” but it’s probably closer to the truth.
Respectfully, and strongly, disagree. Saying the likes of Sandfort, Dix, Thelwell, and others are not hustling is just wrong. Batshit wrong, narrative-seeking wrong.
First, Iowa has been playing undersized since they moved Dembele out of the starting lineup. Playing an in athletic 6’7” guard at SF and 6’7” player at PF is can account for large portion of lack of rebounding and free throws.
Sandfort is possibly the least athletic player in the B1G, and he still rebounds well for a “guard.” But his lack of handle and hops (and propensity to jack jumpers from everywhere) is always going to mean he’s an uber-low FT getter. His lack of lateral mobility and hops is always going to limit his ability to contest 2 pointers, whether jumpers or shots at the rim.
Dix is great. No issues with him. He fits at SG. Same with Thelwell.
But Harding is tiny and, while quick, not a great leaper. He’s not going to draw fouls, and he’s not going to challenge jumpers from 6’3” guards.
Dembele is ground bound and not especially long. He’ll have similar difficulties. Evan Brauns and Riley Mulvey seem like good guys but anyone arguing they’re good B1G players doesn’t see the game the same way I do. For better or worse.
And on and on. The Hawkeyes players themselves are under-athletic and under-sized. That’s going to make it hard to do all the things you claim are a lack of effort. And I think it’s largely why a program that has been largely “mid” at OR% and FTA/FGA has been outright bad this year.
Finally, Fran’s systems also affects these things. They are a motion system that relies on guys moving away from the ball and cutting to corners and open elbow 15-20 ft from the basket. This results in gorgeous open long 2s (which are good shots) and 3s, but implying someone running under the basket towards a corner is not trying because they weren’t in a position to offensively rebound seems wrong.
Further, a team that takes so many jump shots is always going to have fewer free throws. That’s why Fran’s teams in the past have always had a good post player and a perimeter player who can drive to offset that on their own. Tony Perkins, Ben Krikke, Filip Rebraca, Luka Garza, Joe Toussaint, and on.
Drew Thelwell is actually that player this year, with his highest Foul-drawn rate of his career, but there’s no one else. Dembele, Sandfort, Dix, they’re all jump shooters. It’s not lack of effort, it’s lack of handle and in the first two, lack of athleticism. I guarantee Josh Dix is going to be told he needs to intentionally draw more fouls when he does his NBA thing this Spring and summer. Not because he’s lazy or not trying, but because when you’re that good at making shots, why intentionally run into a guy?
Further, I don’t remember where or when, but I know I’ve heard on a broadcast that Fran et al. have told players that if they’re on the perimeter they need to hustle back to stop transition rather than fight for rebounds.
It’s systemic. It’s purposeful. Fran prefers good offensive, non-turnover players over athletic chaotic defensive-minded players. Chris Tadjo would have helped the rebounding a lot, but it’s clear Fran didn’t trust him on offense. He probably would have drawn more fouls, too, just by virtue of being stronger and more athletic.
Fran’s teams have always had these issues - on purpose - it’s just exacerbated this year, not by guys not hustling, but by guys being a) smaller, b) less athletic, and c) less skilled. I know that’s not as fun as saying “God, those lazy SOBs,” but it’s probably closer to the truth.