The slow starts are what have me super concerned. I love Ben as a coach, but two games in a row his team was not ready to play at tip off. Hopefully, the reported flu/illness that has been rampant on the team exacerbated that. His style is not built to continually overcome 10-15 point deficits.
This team is essentially what I expected: à solid defensive team buoyed by having a great offensive player. I don’t think they’ll be half as good next season when there isn’t an All-American offensive player on the team.
But it’s what to expect. Fran had the best player in college basketball a handful of years ago and Iowa’s highest ever draft pick thé following season followed by another 1st round pick. He had two bad recruiting cycles and with bad luck (Freeman and Koch both being out for the year is certainly that), and it showed. It was bad.
But he had his best or second-best recruiting class lined up preceded by a solid recruiting and transfer class. But, like all modern day fans, a couple bad seasons meant it was time to start something new. It is what it is.
No doubt Ben can coach. This roster might not be able to handle the rugged big10 schedule. Coaches seem to be figuring how to make things difficult for Iowa on the offensive end. Slow starts in the last two games make things more challenging with Iowa’s pace of play. The real test coming for McCollum will be recruiting. Will he be able to recruit big10 players and bring in transfers that can compete right away? I’m willing to give him the time he needs. We are much better now than the last few years with Fran.
The slow starts are what have me super concerned. I love Ben as a coach, but two games in a row his team was not ready to play at tip off. Hopefully, the reported flu/illness that has been rampant on the team exacerbated that. His style is not built to continually overcome 10-15 point deficits.
This team is essentially what I expected: à solid defensive team buoyed by having a great offensive player. I don’t think they’ll be half as good next season when there isn’t an All-American offensive player on the team.
But it’s what to expect. Fran had the best player in college basketball a handful of years ago and Iowa’s highest ever draft pick thé following season followed by another 1st round pick. He had two bad recruiting cycles and with bad luck (Freeman and Koch both being out for the year is certainly that), and it showed. It was bad.
But he had his best or second-best recruiting class lined up preceded by a solid recruiting and transfer class. But, like all modern day fans, a couple bad seasons meant it was time to start something new. It is what it is.
No doubt Ben can coach. This roster might not be able to handle the rugged big10 schedule. Coaches seem to be figuring how to make things difficult for Iowa on the offensive end. Slow starts in the last two games make things more challenging with Iowa’s pace of play. The real test coming for McCollum will be recruiting. Will he be able to recruit big10 players and bring in transfers that can compete right away? I’m willing to give him the time he needs. We are much better now than the last few years with Fran.