What are your thoughts on the Offense?

[Franisdaman]

Against Michigan State, Iowa shot a dismal 38% from the field and missed 6 free throws.

In the preseason I thought Hausen would be a starter; the guy can flat out shoot.

Against Michigan State, he had 7 points in 8 minutes played in the first half. In the second half he didn't play.

Ben was asked about that:

 

[Franisdaman]

I wonder who had the scout for Michigan State.

 

[Hawksfor3]

I wonder who had the scout for Michigan State.

 

[KurtWarner]

Seem like they aren't even trying to score a lot of times until the shot clock get about to 2. Against msu I was like somebody please shoot the focking ball before a few seconds left on the clock. Whatever they were trying to do wasn't working

 

[Kirbs]

MSU plays basketball like hockey. To drive the paint, you need a physically strong ball handler who is fearless. I would prefer more post ups with the Spaniard. Let him touch it and draw fouls, dish it out, or score.

 

[Pharcyded]

Ben needs to scheme a set that makes teams pay for swarming Stirtz. He might also need to play Hausen and Folgueiras more to help space the floor.

 

[Franisdaman]

Ben needs to scheme a set that makes teams pay for swarming Stirtz. He might also need to play Hausen and Folgueiras more to help space the floor.

 

[PeteJox]

MSU plays basketball like hockey. To drive the paint, you need a physically strong ball handler who is fearless. I would prefer more post ups with the Spaniard. Let him touch it and draw fouls, dish it out, or score.

They tried a couple times, it didn't look good. Guy is a twig he wasn't doing anything against msu in the post.

 

[J.Hawkeye]

I would prefer more post ups with the Spaniard. Let him touch it and draw fouls, dish it out, or score.

No

 

[oldxbbc]

I thin there is plenty of motion in the offense, more than in previous years. To get some of the pressure of Stirtz a couple guys have to step up from 12-20 feet out.

 

[TailgateTom]

Let’s make layups and free throws. All of our games would look a lot different if we’re not giving away points like we have been.

 

[Rifler]

Let’s make layups and free throws. All of our games would look a lot different if we’re not giving away points like we have been.

Agreed,.. but this is just one loss, against a good team, on their floor, very early in the season.

 

[QChawks]

Ben on the hot seat?

 

[TailgateTom]

Agreed,.. but this is just one loss, against a good team, on their floor, very early in the season.

I'm with ya, but it was that way vs Ole Miss and GCU, too. Iowa has made something like 23/55 layups in that time span.

 

[Palmerhawk]

One problem with the " layups or 3s" approach is when you don't make the 3s and when you get blocked on layups.

Our guys are going to struggle to finish at rim in half-court offense...not big enough.

MD is beatable...get that one,Hawks!
But even minny looks big and rugged to me so no cupcakes after Bucknell.

 

[fivecardstud14]

Stirtz is going to get treated like Doncic. B1G teams will blitz & double all the pick & rolls. Stirtz will have to look to pass cross court instead of making the “simple” pass one player over. He just needs to watch film of how Doncic handles those situations to make the defenses pay for blitzing/doubling.

 

[Titanhawk]

At least he didn't dance around it, give him that.

 

[SB_SB]

At least he didn't dance around it, give him that.

I agree he didn't but now the question is, how is he going to solve the problem. We need someone who can post up and I don't think we have that guy on the team.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

I agree he didn't but now the question is, how is he going to solve the problem. We need someone who can post up and I don't think we have that guy on the team.

Juric might get there maybe even Matteoni. Both young guys not ready yet. A big I think becomes a priority in the portal.

In the meantime Ben may need to tweak his strategy against these teams we don't match up with in size. Where Hausen I think needs to becomes a bigger factor.

 

[Ozzie89]

M

I thin there is plenty of motion in the offense, more than in previous years. To get some of the pressure of Stirtz a couple guys have to step up from 12-20 feet out.

This. Iowa has kids who don’t even look at the rim when they get the ball, it’s like they’re eating clock just to get it back to Stirtz with 8 on the shot clock. More consistent scorers have to emerge

 

[Bulldogs1974]

Coaching can overcome a lot.
Coaching vs a much more physically talented team WITH a good coach generally won't happen. Not only did MSU have that going for them, it's almost as if IZZO wanted to prove a point. He had his players up for the moment and he rode the officials more than normal (which is saying a lot).

 

[hawkeyemark18]

Coaching can overcome a lot.
Coaching vs a much more physically talented team WITH a good coach generally won't happen. Not only did MSU have that going for them, it's almost as if IZZO wanted to prove a point. He had his players up for the moment and he rode the officials more than normal (which is saying a lot).

Ben had his rookie moment in the Big Ten getting smacked in the face by the veteran master Izzo. Hopefully a good learning experience for he and the staff to make some adjustments with a roster still a work in progress. Hate Izzo all you want but in my view he did Ben a favor. Could tell by the comments by the announcers Izzo really respects Ben.

 

[Hawksfor3]

MSU plays basketball like hockey. To drive the paint, you need a physically strong ball handler who is fearless. I would prefer more post ups with the Spaniard. Let him touch it and draw fouls, dish it out, or score.

Ordinarily I would agree. In Sparty's case, they collapse and recover well. Driving on them into the paint is akin to rolling a Nerf bowling ball into the pocket.

 

[Hawksfor3]

I thin there is plenty of motion in the offense, more than in previous years. To get some of the pressure of Stirtz a couple guys have to step up from 12-20 feet out.

Why am I reminded of Ricky Ricardo?

 

[Hawksfor3]

At least he didn't dance around it, give him that.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Coaching can overcome a lot.
Coaching vs a much more physically talented team WITH a good coach generally won't happen. Not only did MSU have that going for them, it's almost as if IZZO wanted to prove a point. He had his players up for the moment and he rode the officials more than normal (which is saying a lot).

You can bet that Izzo made the point to his players that this team is not "BIG Caliber" to motivate them. In other words, something like, "You aint gonna let a Div 2 team come in here and punk ya, are ya?"

 

[Buffalo43]

Ben needs to scheme a set that makes teams pay for swarming Stirtz. He might also need to play Hausen and Folgueiras more to help space the floor.

I thought that is why they brought Hausen in to offload pressure for Stirtz

 

[Hawksfor3]

Ben addresses some of the issues the team faced last game, especially beginning around the two minute mark of the video.

Ben McCollum prepares for test against Maryland

Ben McCollum hasn't had to bounce back from a loss very often, but he will have to do that with his team on Saturday against Maryland.

www.on3.com

 

[Buffalo43]

Me thinks the 1st action always worked in MVC but you need 2nd and even 3rd action against Big Ten athletes

 

[Hawksfor3]

Me thinks the 1st action always worked in MVC but you need 2nd and even 3rd action against Big Ten athletes

They didn't react to the switches.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Ben needs to scheme a set that makes teams pay for swarming Stirtz. He might also need to play Hausen and Folgueiras more to help space the floor.

True, but credit Sparty's approach to Stirtz. Offense was sticking. The others have to move better without the ball. Ben described them as "watching" or to paraphrase here, "spectators".

 

[Hawklove]

Against Michigan State, Iowa shot a dismal 38% from the field and missed 6 free throws.

In the preseason I thought Hausen would be a starter; the guy can flat out shoot.

Against Michigan State, he had 7 points in 8 minutes played in the first half. In the second half he didn't play.

Ben was asked about that:

I never question a coach’s decision on who to play, but this comment: Did he need all five players to drive to the basket? Don’t you need both shooters and drivers?
I’d love to see a huge turn around against Maryland. No more trying to dunk like we’re playing against kindergarteners! Physicity inside. Rebounding. Not missing too many free throws. And impeccable shooting from beyond the arc.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Against Michigan State, Iowa shot a dismal 38% from the field and missed 6 free throws.

In the preseason I thought Hausen would be a starter; the guy can flat out shoot.

Against Michigan State, he had 7 points in 8 minutes played in the first half. In the second half he didn't play.

Ben was asked about that:

The offense is a mess. Next question.

 

[83Hawk]

The offense is a mess. Next question.

Let’s let a few more games play out before making a statement like that.

 

[StarHawk]

Good God this is 1st game of season on road AT Mich. St! Did you expect Izzo to let Iowa with a new coach get away with a win? He's got a seasoned mature team with his best point guard in years.

On top of all that it's Izzo....as soon as his team fell behind at the start he went into his deranged hobbit routine with refs...where he races around screaming at them till they start giving his team all the calls they need. Fears resorted to comical phony flopping on Ben where he'd launch himself 4 ft in air...same old big10 refs that still lack professionalism ate it up. Every year we hear officials are to clamp down on flopping and even give Tech fouls...not these bozos.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

The offense is a mess. Next question.

Let’s let a few more games play out before making a statement like that.

Both of these statements seem true at the same time. I look forward to today's game to see how things play out at that end of the court against Maryland.

Ben saying that he wanted drive more in response to a question about not playing Hausen in the second half doesn't make sense to me. Hausen sparked the team in the first half and we started playing better when he came in. His time on the court included making a nice two pointer closer in. We need better options to deal with Stirtz getting swarmed which we will see more of.

 

[83Hawk]

Good God this is 1st game of season on road AT Mich. St! Did you expect Izzo to let Iowa with a new coach get away with a win? He's got a seasoned mature team with his best point guard in years.

On top of all that it's Izzo....as soon as his team fell behind at the start he went into his deranged hobbit routine with refs...where he races around screaming at them till they start giving his team all the calls they need. Fears resorted to comical phony flopping on Ben where he'd launch himself 4 ft in air...same old big10 refs that still lack professionalism ate it up. Every year we hear officials are to clamp down on flopping and even give Tech fouls...not these bozos.

I honestly never understood why refs let themselves be intimidated by Izzo, and why his team is allowed to get away with so much. A common answer I hear is he has ”earned it” with his championship and final fours.

To that I call BS. Since when do the rules state certain teams can get away with fouling and others can’t? They (should) apply equally to everyone. I also don’t agree with the “officials can’t call every foul” baloney. Start calling them, and when players are fouling out in the first half then teams will stop grabbing, holding, and mugging. It won’t take long to clean things up.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Let’s let a few more games play out before making a statement like that.

So, my statement is based on what we've seen to date. It doesn't conclude that it has to stay that way. The last few games have shown what they can't do against a quality defense which is have every possession go through Stirtz and have everyone else become a spectator. It remains to be seen whether there's a plan B, but it can't be what they've shown of late or they won't finish in the top half of the B1G.

 

[83Hawk]

So, my statement is based on what we've seen to date. It doesn't conclude that it has to stay that way. The last few games have shown what they can't do against a quality defense which is have every possession go through Stirtz and have everyone else become a spectator. It remains to be seen whether there's a plan B, but it can't be what they've shown of late or they won't finish in the top half of the B1G.

I trust Ben knows what he needs to do and will take the proper steps to fix it.

 

[HawksRule25]

Offense seems OK today vs Maryland.