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Iowa (20-11) KenPom Rankings: #24 Overall, #32 Offense, #28 Defense (after Nebraska loss)

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MacMiney

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Jul 3, 2025
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HawksRule73 said:
I’m surprised the tempo rating is that low. The tempo feels pretty decent during the game. Not like it’s Lickliter slow.
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I think that's why the adjusted efficiency (AdjEM or AdjT something like that) is more meaningful to most taking these seriously, it factors in tempo and total scoring average..I think...

So with both stats, Iowa is now similar to Kenpom #1 Houson...
 
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HawkBall23

All-American
Oct 6, 2001
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HawkInDenver said:
Its great having a balanced offense with multiple guys who can score from inside or outside!
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AND a team that can and will play defense - even if it is kinda lackluster at times.

Its a simile to getting our prayers answered when with Fran, we would always say "what would it be like to have some defense to go along with the offense??".
 
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Hawksfor3

Hawksfor3

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Dec 5, 2016
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ObeseMuffins said:
Would our defense rating be better if we didn’t play our reserves and coast for much of the second half?
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So Good Smile GIF by Salih Kizilkaya
 
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The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
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ObeseMuffins said:
Would our defense rating be better if we didn’t play our reserves and coast for much of the second half?
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As I said in another thread he’s using his bench quite a bit more than I think he has anywhere before. I think you’ll find in the next 2 games the rotation will shorten to 8 at most unless foul trouble. Sage in particular is working hard but he is absolutely lost on defense right now. Howard last year struggled to get off the bench at Drake for quite awhile until he could play D. And yes, I think the D needs to and will tighten up.
 
2432Hawk

2432Hawk

Heisman
Jun 22, 2002
5,806
10,869
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The Big Z said:
As I said in another thread he’s using his bench quite a bit more than I think he has anywhere before. I think you’ll find in the next 2 games the rotation will shorten to 8 at most unless foul trouble. Sage in particular is working hard but he is absolutely lost on defense right now. Howard last year struggled to get off the bench at Drake for quite awhile until he could play D. And yes, I think the D needs to and will tighten up.
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Sage might be one of our better team defenders, which is why he's often one of the first guys off the bench. Ben doesn't put guys that are lost on defense on the court.
 
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Hawkangler

All-Conference
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These early prediction and stat lines mean diddly squat. I saw CBS new seeding has Iowa on the six line. I watched MSU, Illinois and USC, good teams.

Hawks have a ways to go. Love our offensive efficiency and defense. Rebound and inside play is a concern.
 
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TampaHawkFan

TampaHawkFan

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It's nice to see something resembling defense, and the offense is still pretty efficient. See? You CAN do both! I was assured that the offense would suffer if Fran were to put some emphasis on defense.

Although the defensive efficiency in the 60s isn't quite yet where I'd like to see it, I feel comfortable that will improve since it is now a focus with Ben's coaching.. And it's already a good bit better than what Fran was giving us, even as-is. The D efficiency under Fran was typically in the triple digits.
 
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P

Palmerhawk

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
1,734
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My early amateur assessment is that our frosh( jirak,sage) will struggle on defense vs power 5 teams....not surprising.

The drake guys know what Ben expects and are pretty solid.
Folgy is TBD on defense but good on offense.
Not sure about koch and hausen.


..
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,798
22,083
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TampaHawkFan said:
It's nice to see something resembling defense, and the offense is still pretty efficient. See? You CAN do both! I was assured that the offense would suffer if Fran were to put some emphasis on defense.

Although the defensive efficiency in the 60s isn't quite yet where I'd like to see it, I feel comfortable that will improve since it is now a focus with Ben's coaching.. And it's already a good bit better than what Fran was giving us, even as-is. The D efficiency under Fran was typically in the triple digits.
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It's early. It will be interesting to see how we do against the size & athleticism of Ole Miss (coming up) & the 20 game reg season B1G schedule.

After Ole Miss on Nov 25 we play either Grand Canyon or Utah on Nov 26. After that? 6 days later, on Dec 2, we are at Michigan State. :(
 
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TampaHawkFan

TampaHawkFan

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Franisdaman said:
It's early. It will be interesting to see how we do against the size & athleticism of Ole Miss (coming up) & the 20 game reg season B1G schedule.

After Ole Miss on Nov 25 we play either Grand Canyon or Utah on Nov 26. After that? 6 days later, on Dec 2, we are at Michigan State. :(
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Yeah and there's a game @ISU somewhere in there as well. Don't have the schedule in front of me, but there are some real tests coming up.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,798
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Anon1751543574 said:
My early amateur assessment is that our frosh( jirak,sage) will struggle on defense vs power 5 teams....not surprising.

The drake guys know what Ben expects and are pretty solid.
Folgy is TBD on defense but good on offense.
Not sure about koch and hausen.


..
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based on his limited minutes so far, Hausen must not be meeting expectations on the defensive side
 
H

HawksRule73

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2025
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I think Ben will shorten the bench to 7 once we start getting into the meat of the schedule. My guess is you'll see the offensive efficiency come down, but the defense efficiency will go up quite a bit.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,798
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TampaHawkFan said:
Yeah and there's a game @ISU somewhere in there as well. Don't have the schedule in front of me, but there are some real tests coming up.
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Yes sir.

Nov 25 Ole Miss
Nov 26 Grand Canyon or Utah
Dec 2 at #17 Michigan State
Dec 6 Maryland
Dec 11 at #16 Iowa State

Then there are 3 cupcake home/near home, non conf games (Bucknell on Dec 20 is in Des Moines)

Then the B1G games start up again.

Jan 3 #19 UCLA
 
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The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
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Last year Drake had the ultimate glue guy in Daniel Abreu who was 6-6 and was an incredible defender and always guarded the other teams best athlete in the front court, sometimes even at Center. Didn’t shoot much but was incredibly physical and always seemed to hit the big shot. So that needs to better Howard or Koch but it’s not going to happen overnight.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,798
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The Big Z said:
Last year Drake had the ultimate glue guy in Daniel Abreu who was 6-6 and was an incredible defender and always guarded the other teams best athlete in the front court, sometimes even at Center. Didn’t shoot much but was incredibly physical and always seemed to hit the big shot. So that needs to better Howard or Koch but it’s not going to happen overnight.
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I think we will see better boxing out this season. I hope that's enough vs the size we will see.
 
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Pharcyded

Pharcyded

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Sep 7, 2021
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Hawkangler said:
These early prediction and stat lines mean diddly squat. I saw CBS new seeding has Iowa on the six line. I watched MSU, Illinois and USC, good teams.

Hawks have a ways to go. Love our offensive efficiency and defense. Rebound and inside play is a concern.
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It's always hard to guess how teams match up against each other but after watching Illinois Alabama game, it left me thinking how the hell can Iowa compete against those teams. they looked really athletic and crafty. It will be interesting to see if BM can find a way to beat these teams with far more talented players.
 
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Hawksfor3

Hawksfor3

All-American
Dec 5, 2016
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Pharcyded said:
It's always hard to guess how teams match up against each other but after watching Illinois Alabama game, it left me thinking how the hell can Iowa compete against those teams. they looked really athletic and crafty. It will be interesting to see if BM can find a way to beat these teams with far more talented players.
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Good defense can make a difference.
 
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Jonesy5960

Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
5,791
11,822
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Pharcyded said:
It will be interesting to see if BM can find a way to beat these teams with far more talented players.
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We'll get our first indication on Tuesday when they face a team with an elite point guard and Big10 quality athletes. I wonder who will guard Kamardine as I'm not sure that Iowa has anyone that can. It's going to require excellent team defense to keep him contained.
 
Hawksfor3

Hawksfor3

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Franisdaman said:
Nov 21, 2025 Update:

Out of 365 teams:

Team Rank: 31

Offense: 15
Defense: 67

Tempo: 361

LINK:

Original Post (Nov 15):

Out of 365 teams:

Team Rank: 39

Offense: 31
Defense: 56

Tempo: 361

LINK:
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Iowa is tied for #1 in FG% per Espn.

www.espn.com

NCAAM Team Stat Leaders, 2025-26 Regular Season - ESPN

The 2025-26 NCAAM Regular Season Team stat leaders on ESPN. Includes stat leaders in every category from points and assists to rebounds and blocks.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
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