Brutal to Watch Ben's One Dimensional Offense

[IowaLaw]

Nice win and all, but the Hawks had just 5 total assists last night for the entire game. How often has that happened in the history of Iowa basketball? Most years, we have one guy who averages 5 assists on his own.

The offense has become almost unbearable to watch. Stirtz takes the ball at the point, passes it...and whoever catches it looks like a deer in the headlights and immediately passes back to Stirtz. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter how open the other player is, 9 times out of 10 they are not even thinking about shooting the ball (esp guys like Combs) and have complete tunnel vision to get the ball back to Stirtz.

It's crazy that Iowa has a point guard who plays a full 40 minutes each game. Even the best players on the planet benefit from getting rest in a game. But at Iowa, we are forced to look the other way on this because Stirtz is the entire offense. Manyawu starts yet shot a grand total of 0 times. Combs and Banks start and played a combined 55 minutes yet made 2 baskets. Folgueiras averaged 14 points per game last year...why is he timidly passing up wide open 3s to get the ball back to a double covered Stirtz?

Again, it was a nice win...but this isn't a brand of basketball that will win games in the NCAA tournament. It's a brand that gets blown out at home by Purdue by 20 points. All teams need to do is double team Stirtz and watch the rest of the guys out there panic, run down the shot clock to zero, then heave up a desperation 3.

 

[fivecardstud14]

They are what they are at this point in the season. Enjoy watching the hard-playing D & making the other teams work for shots.
The tourney is all about matchups. This brand can absolutely win a couple games in the tourney, that was a dumb take.

 

[eyesofhawk]

W

19-7

 

[chipackhawk]

Nice win and all, but the Hawks had just 5 total assists last night for the entire game. How often has that happened in the history of Iowa basketball? Most years, we have one guy who averages 5 assists on his own.

The offense has become almost unbearable to watch. Stirtz takes the ball at the point, passes it...and whoever catches it looks like a deer in the headlights and immediately passes back to Stirtz. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter how open the other player is, 9 times out of 10 they are not even thinking about shooting the ball (esp guys like Combs) and have complete tunnel vision to get the ball back to Stirtz.

It's crazy that Iowa has a point guard who plays a full 40 minutes each game. Even the best players on the planet benefit from getting rest in a game. But at Iowa, we are forced to look the other way on this because Stirtz is the entire offense. Manyawu starts yet shot a grand total of 0 times. Combs and Banks start and played a combined 55 minutes yet made 2 baskets. Folgueiras averaged 14 points per game last year...why is he timidly passing up wide open 3s to get the ball back to a double covered Stirtz?

Again, it was a nice win...but this isn't a brand of basketball that will win games in the NCAA tournament. It's a brand that gets blown out at home by Purdue by 20 points. All teams need to do is double team Stirtz and watch the rest of the guys out there panic, run down the shot clock to zero, then heave up a desperation 3.

Hell has frozen over and pigs are circling above me in the sky - I agree with IowaLaw. I need a shower.

 

[uihawk82]

Nice win and all, but the Hawks had just 5 total assists last night for the entire game. How often has that happened in the history of Iowa basketball? Most years, we have one guy who averages 5 assists on his own.

The offense has become almost unbearable to watch. Stirtz takes the ball at the point, passes it...and whoever catches it looks like a deer in the headlights and immediately passes back to Stirtz. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter how open the other player is, 9 times out of 10 they are not even thinking about shooting the ball (esp guys like Combs) and have complete tunnel vision to get the ball back to Stirtz.

It's crazy that Iowa has a point guard who plays a full 40 minutes each game. Even the best players on the planet benefit from getting rest in a game. But at Iowa, we are forced to look the other way on this because Stirtz is the entire offense. Manyawu starts yet shot a grand total of 0 times. Combs and Banks start and played a combined 55 minutes yet made 2 baskets. Folgueiras averaged 14 points per game last year...why is he timidly passing up wide open 3s to get the ball back to a double covered Stirtz?

Again, it was a nice win...but this isn't a brand of basketball that will win games in the NCAA tournament. It's a brand that gets blown out at home by Purdue by 20 points. All teams need to do is double team Stirtz and watch the rest of the guys out there panic, run down the shot clock to zero, then heave up a desperation 3.

The hawks are lacking a 6-10 type guy they can pass the ball into and make the defense turn away from the guy they are guarding and to shrink the defense.

Nebby defenders were 25 feet from the basket pressuring the arc.

I am no coach Ben but you have to flash guys to the free throw line which looked open a lot of the time, even against man to man. If you catch 3 defenders outside the arc you can get a 3 on 2 advantage with the ball high in lane. Run some back screens across the lane as you swing the ball around to get even a wide open layup. I know they want to run clock but when you havent scored do something to get a close in high percentage shot

 

[Bro D]

Brutal you think anyone cares about your opinion

 

[gojojo]

It’s not a thing of beauty, that’s for sure, but it’s year one with a pieced together lineup made up of mid major guys who will be playing in the tournament.

Fran would be 10-16 right now with this team.

Things are moving in the right direction.

 

[TampaHawkFan]

All that said, Iowa's offense is still 29th nationally in kenpom, which is hardly an embarrassment. That's higher then Kansas, Michigan St, etc.

Iowa really just needs more talent and firepower. Stirtz can't do it all, but it seems like that's what it needs to be with this team. Hopefully Ben can up the talent level in coming years.

 

[doughuddl2_rivals]

 

[Bro D]

You would think people who think they're sooooo smart would realize that Ben will continue to tailor and adjust his offense around the talent he currently has and will have in the future.

This is what coaching is. Adjusting to what you have. And we have one of the best in the country at it. People like the OP are going to look really stupid down the line (thats not really saying much though for OP who just likes to listen to himself talk)

 

[Hawx224]

They don’t have the talent this year, outside of Stirtz, to be a great offensive team. The talent level will improve in the years to come, but this year it is what it is.

 

[Hawkangler]

Nice win and all, but the Hawks had just 5 total assists last night for the entire game. How often has that happened in the history of Iowa basketball? Most years, we have one guy who averages 5 assists on his own.

The offense has become almost unbearable to watch. Stirtz takes the ball at the point, passes it...and whoever catches it looks like a deer in the headlights and immediately passes back to Stirtz. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter how open the other player is, 9 times out of 10 they are not even thinking about shooting the ball (esp guys like Combs) and have complete tunnel vision to get the ball back to Stirtz.

It's crazy that Iowa has a point guard who plays a full 40 minutes each game. Even the best players on the planet benefit from getting rest in a game. But at Iowa, we are forced to look the other way on this because Stirtz is the entire offense. Manyawu starts yet shot a grand total of 0 times. Combs and Banks start and played a combined 55 minutes yet made 2 baskets. Folgueiras averaged 14 points per game last year...why is he timidly passing up wide open 3s to get the ball back to a double covered Stirtz?

Again, it was a nice win...but this isn't a brand of basketball that will win games in the NCAA tournament. It's a brand that gets blown out at home by Purdue by 20 points. All teams need to do is double team Stirtz and watch the rest of the guys out there panic, run down the shot clock to zero, then heave up a desperation 3.

Amazing you are an expert on football and now basketball coaching. You should maybe think twice before you question a coach with a .800+ winning percentage. Your post is a head scratcher.

Even Ben said last night's game set offensive basketball back thirty years. Maybe-just- maybe you witnessed two very good defenses going at it last night. Ben said, Nebraska's defense stiffled their offense. I can assure you, we'll need to make changes before we travel to Lincoln.

 

[IowaCityLit]

All that said, Iowa's offense is still 29th nationally in kenpom, which is hardly an embarrassment. That's higher then Kansas, Michigan St, etc.

Iowa really just needs more talent and firepower. Stirtz can't do it all, but it seems like that's what it needs to be with this team. Hopefully Ben can up the talent level in coming years.

This is spot on. It reflects that with more offensive firepower Iowa should score plenty of points. System and scheme and preparation work fine. Just need a few more dudes.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

It’s not a thing of beauty, that’s for sure, but it’s year one with a pieced together lineup made up of mid major guys who will be playing in the tournament.

Fran would be 10-16 right now with this team.

Things are moving in the right direction.

It is year one but the way things are now in college sports, especially basketball, every year is year one. There is no loyalty to a program.
Unless you are talking year 1 with a coach who might be able to coach and attract talent because of his coaching abilities.
You say Fran would be 10-16 but I think we all know this team would be that or worse if it wasn’t for Bennett.
Let’s hope some recruits can see what type of coach Ben is and consider that over large amounts of cash.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

(thats not really saying much though for OP who just likes to listen to himself talk)

Or in this case he likes to re-read what he posted.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

that was a dumb take.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan2]

It’s not a thing of beauty, that’s for sure, but it’s year one with a pieced together lineup made up of mid major guys who will be playing in the tournament.

Fran would be 10-16 right now with this team.

Things are moving in the right direction.

FWIW, this is my take as well. Year one...this is pretty much Drake BB in Iowa uniforms. Several pretty good players, buoyed by one star, needing some more high level scoring before taking the next step up. But still, exceeding the expectations of many this year IMO.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

You would think people who think they're sooooo smart would realize that Ben will continue to tailor and adjust his offense around the talent he currently has and will have in the future.

This is what coaching is. Adjusting to what you have. And we have one of the best in the country at it. People like the OP are going to look really stupid down the line (thats not really saying much though for OP who just likes to listen to himself talk)

Bingo. BM coaches to what he has and gives them best chance to win. Why his tempo was so slow at Drake. Picked up more this year and is about efficiency. If anyone thinks next year offense will be same with whoever is pg after stirtz is smoking something. BM will adjust to roster he has next year. Was last nights offense a thing of beauty? No. We had a defensive lineup in last 6-7 min and were they over reliant waiting for stirtz to do something, yes. But guess what we won. Better than scoring 85 and losing to a team with 90.

it’s like Lester in football. Would he have like to throw more and do some other stuff. Yeah but he played to his strengths of his roster. Running game with Johnson 2 yrs ago and more so with a big mobile qb with gronowski last year. He did what gave the unit best chance to succeed with the pieces he was given.

Funny how OP is silent about the defense. Also mentions this style is how you lose to Purdue by 20. Well Iowa has 7 losses and only 2 they weren’t in it till the end. Purdue and Mich st. Considering competition that’s not bad and also Iowa had lead for good portion of game at Purdue game.

 

[TailgateTom]

Nice win and all, but the Hawks had just 5 total assists last night for the entire game. How often has that happened in the history of Iowa basketball? Most years, we have one guy who averages 5 assists on his own.

The offense has become almost unbearable to watch. Stirtz takes the ball at the point, passes it...and whoever catches it looks like a deer in the headlights and immediately passes back to Stirtz. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter how open the other player is, 9 times out of 10 they are not even thinking about shooting the ball (esp guys like Combs) and have complete tunnel vision to get the ball back to Stirtz.

It's crazy that Iowa has a point guard who plays a full 40 minutes each game. Even the best players on the planet benefit from getting rest in a game. But at Iowa, we are forced to look the other way on this because Stirtz is the entire offense. Manyawu starts yet shot a grand total of 0 times. Combs and Banks start and played a combined 55 minutes yet made 2 baskets. Folgueiras averaged 14 points per game last year...why is he timidly passing up wide open 3s to get the ball back to a double covered Stirtz?

Again, it was a nice win...but this isn't a brand of basketball that will win games in the NCAA tournament. It's a brand that gets blown out at home by Purdue by 20 points. All teams need to do is double team Stirtz and watch the rest of the guys out there panic, run down the shot clock to zero, then heave up a desperation 3.

Nebraska has the #5 Adjusted Defense in the entire country. While I agree we need more offense (Adjusted O has trended up since Illinois) I really think this is an exceptionally foolish take.

Does Purdue have a brand that gets them destroyed at home by Michigan? McCollum's brand has won him 82% of his Division 1 games and more tournament games in one season than Iowa has won in half a decade.

 

[HAWKNESS]

Tough crowd. Beat the number 9 team in the country but not entertaining enough

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Let's give the guy a couple years before we complain about his offense and seemingly want him gone. Heck, at least give him a full season first.

Duct tape, paper clips, rubber bands, and glue. That is basically how this roster was constructed. I said after the Purdue game that it was a case of a roster thrown together at the last minute, consisting mostly of mid-major or lower caliber players against a 20 year Big Ten coach that is using the transfer portal to fill holes in the roster, not to completely build it overnight.

Time will tell on recruiting for Ben. But even keeping half of the roster into next season will work wonders for us. Jirak and Sage seem to be a pretty good starting point for us and we should only lose 3 guys to graduation, plus maybe a few transfers. Replacing BS with an experienced player will be key, and ideally a couple of other impact transfers including a shot altering big.

 

[Hawklove]

Nice win and all, but the Hawks had just 5 total assists last night for the entire game. How often has that happened in the history of Iowa basketball? Most years, we have one guy who averages 5 assists on his own.

The offense has become almost unbearable to watch. Stirtz takes the ball at the point, passes it...and whoever catches it looks like a deer in the headlights and immediately passes back to Stirtz. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter how open the other player is, 9 times out of 10 they are not even thinking about shooting the ball (esp guys like Combs) and have complete tunnel vision to get the ball back to Stirtz.

It's crazy that Iowa has a point guard who plays a full 40 minutes each game. Even the best players on the planet benefit from getting rest in a game. But at Iowa, we are forced to look the other way on this because Stirtz is the entire offense. Manyawu starts yet shot a grand total of 0 times. Combs and Banks start and played a combined 55 minutes yet made 2 baskets. Folgueiras averaged 14 points per game last year...why is he timidly passing up wide open 3s to get the ball back to a double covered Stirtz?

Again, it was a nice win...but this isn't a brand of basketball that will win games in the NCAA tournament. It's a brand that gets blown out at home by Purdue by 20 points. All teams need to do is double team Stirtz and watch the rest of the guys out there panic, run down the shot clock to zero, then heave up a desperation 3.

Not a fair or smart comment for all the reasons others articulated. But you got some traffic to your post. As I said in the game thread, I miss Fran’s offense. So, yes, the offense is almost unwatchable. If we had lost the game, more people would be on your side. Even Ben agreed as he said in his radio interview: “We put the offensive game back 30 years.”
So, he knows. And, I’m not sure this is how we will feel about our offense after a couple of years with better recruits, which I have no doubt he will get.

 

[EIHCGuy]

Fran would be 10-16 right now with this team.

Who cares.

Fran is gone and we are the better for it.

 

[Chicagoherky]

Brutal you think anyone cares about your opinion

It was a good observation and he's entitled to his opinion. I can't stand mofos who get butt hurt over opinions and observations that may differ from them. Grow the F up!

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

It was a good observation and he's entitled to his opinion. I can't stand mofos who get butt hurt over opinions and observations that may differ from them. Grow the F up!

You know what the OP's schtick is and the tone it's presented in. That's why people can't stand when he "shares his opinion"............

We have every right to call him out each time he posts.

 

[AndreTheHawk]

Hell has frozen over and pigs are circling above me in the sky - I agree with IowaLaw. I need a shower.

He ain't wrong. Which yes, shocking to some for sure.

 

[Bro D]

It was a good observation and he's entitled to his opinion. I can't stand mofos who get butt hurt over opinions and observations that may differ from them. Grow the F up!

Gtfo. He sucks. You must be new

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

Iowa did everything on offense with intentionality. It was to limit possessions. It was boring... but it worked.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Who cares.

Fran is gone and we are the better for it.

Never understood this take.

Fran would not have had this team.

This team was put together by Ben. It's not like he got stuck with it

 

[EIHCGuy]

This team was put together by Ben. It's not like he got stuck with it

 

[Rambler Hawk]

All that said, Iowa's offense is still 29th nationally in kenpom, which is hardly an embarrassment. That's higher then Kansas, Michigan St, etc.

Iowa really just needs more talent and firepower. Stirtz can't do it all, but it seems like that's what it needs to be with this team. Hopefully Ben can up the talent level in coming years.

Well said. We have an outstanding coach, were people expecting him to a miracle worker in year one?!?! Fran’s best team got taken to the woodshed by an #7 Seed Oregon squad, we paid Junior to learn on the job, and Lickliter was completely clueless, so I for one am very happy with our current coach.

 

[Gus is dead]

I disagree wholeheartedly. This type of basketball is the type that wins games when you shoot well and shoot poorly. It's about defense and efficiency.

With Fran we lost every single game we didn't shoot lights out. Which is why we were a quick out every year when we made the tourney. We go and shoot like crap and then pack up and go home. Do the research you'll see I am right. We shoot terribly yesterday yet still won.

 

[HoustonHawk]

Ben is in over his head, I mean he is only the 4th winningest coach in the NCAA right now, what was Beth thinking. People on here amaze me.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I disagree wholeheartedly. This type of basketball is the type that wins games when you shoot well and shoot poorly. It's about defense and efficiency.

With Fran we lost veerybsingle game we didn't shoot lights out. Which is why we were a quick out every year when we made the tourney. We go and shoot mike crap and then lack up and go home. Do the research you'll see I am right. We shoot terribly yesterday yet still won.

Well, even in years we shot well, the problem with Fran teams was athleticism defensively.

The opponent could get whatever shot they wanted and we still had to work for most shots, even with Garza and then Keegan.

 

[MAXIMUSHAWKEYE]

It is year one but the way things are now in college sports, especially basketball, every year is year one. There is no loyalty to a program.
Unless you are talking year 1 with a coach who might be able to coach and attract talent because of his coaching abilities.
You say Fran would be 10-16 but I think we all know this team would be that or worse if it wasn’t for Bennett.
Let’s hope some recruits can see what type of coach Ben is and consider that over large amounts of cash.

Look what Coach has done with Bennet. Took a kid(likely way overlooked) but developed him into a top 10 NBA draft player. I have faith he will continue to identify overlooked players that are unselfish and want to play where they can develop.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Never understood this take.

Fran would not have had this team.

This team was put together by Ben. It's not like he got stuck with it

Oops, I attached the wrong post.

The above attachment was supposed to be in response to post #7, not post #23.

Sorry for the confusion. I agree, Iowa is in a better place with Ben

 

[ComradeKirk]

This is spot on. It reflects that with more offensive firepower Iowa should score plenty of points. System and scheme and preparation work fine. Just need a few more dudes.

Ben just needs a couple ballers.

 

[ComradeKirk]

Ben is in over his head, I mean he is only the 4th winningest coach in the NCAA right now, what was Beth thinking. People on here amaze me.

Had me in the first half.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Nice win and all, but the Hawks had just 5 total assists last night for the entire game. How often has that happened in the history of Iowa basketball? Most years, we have one guy who averages 5 assists on his own.

The offense has become almost unbearable to watch. Stirtz takes the ball at the point, passes it...and whoever catches it looks like a deer in the headlights and immediately passes back to Stirtz. Rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter how open the other player is, 9 times out of 10 they are not even thinking about shooting the ball (esp guys like Combs) and have complete tunnel vision to get the ball back to Stirtz.

It's crazy that Iowa has a point guard who plays a full 40 minutes each game. Even the best players on the planet benefit from getting rest in a game. But at Iowa, we are forced to look the other way on this because Stirtz is the entire offense. Manyawu starts yet shot a grand total of 0 times. Combs and Banks start and played a combined 55 minutes yet made 2 baskets. Folgueiras averaged 14 points per game last year...why is he timidly passing up wide open 3s to get the ball back to a double covered Stirtz?

Again, it was a nice win...but this isn't a brand of basketball that will win games in the NCAA tournament. It's a brand that gets blown out at home by Purdue by 20 points. All teams need to do is double team Stirtz and watch the rest of the guys out there panic, run down the shot clock to zero, then heave up a desperation 3.

You should talk to your doctor about Prozac.

 

[The Big Z]

I’ll admit that a lot of times our offense is not pleasant to watch. I watched every Drake game last year and thought the same thing and they were 31-5. It frustrated me then watching a guy tossing it back to Stirtz with 4 seconds on the shot clock. It’s certainly not pretty at times, much like the Iowa football team. But we’re 9-6 and headed to the tournament with a not very talented team. So I’ll trust Ben even though yes, it’s not always pretty.