Graham Couch: Iowa Basketball is a mid-major roster

Might I just point out that those of you Hawk fans on here claiming how decimated and depleted Iowa's roster is, are also agreeing with the point that Fran is perhaps enjoying his success this year due to only having so many players in the rotation. You can't have it both ways.

Which is it?

I don't think Iowa's record is any better with Nunge and Bohannon. And Fran's other kid was never going to contribute this season, so don't come in here with that. With Nunge and Bohannon, Garza probably isn't putting up the monster numbers he is currently. Still good, but not All-American good. Fran's MO has always been to distribute minutes evenly, even if that means taking PT away from his better players. Nunge would just be getting in Garza's way, too IMO.

Let's move on to Bohannon. If he's playing at 100% right now, whose minutes is he taking? Toussaint? So you're taking away one of your better defenders and replacing him with your worst. A slight uptick in offense maybe, but Toussaint is faster, stronger, handles the ball better and defends better. Otherwise, who's he playing over? Frederick? Basically a wash with offensive skill set, except Frederick is taller and more athletic. Maybe lose a little with the experience Jorbo brings to the table. Otherwise who is it, Connor? I'll give you that one.
I think the main problem with those guys out is there's no margin for error. One more injury and the Hawks are pretty screwed IMO. Fredrick was out most of the PSU game and the entire Nebraska game and the Hawks lost both.

If Bohannon was healthy obviously Evelyn's minutes would go way down....he'd probably draw some from Joe T and Fredrick as well.

8 man rotation has been a blessing in disguise. Biggest complaint ofthe Fran era has been his need to play 10-11 guys....made for some horrible rotations. Now the Hawks almost always have 2 of the big 3 in the game (garza, Joe W, Fredrick) so we don't see as many problems with scoring lapses.
 
I think the main problem with those guys out is there's no margin for error. One more injury and the Hawks are pretty screwed IMO. Fredrick was out most of the PSU game and the entire Nebraska game and the Hawks lost both.

If Bohannon was healthy obviously Evelyn's minutes would go way down....he'd probably draw some from Joe T and Fredrick as well.

8 man rotation has been a blessing in disguise. Biggest complaint ofthe Fran era has been his need to play 10-11 guys....made for some horrible rotations. Now the Hawks almost always have 2 of the big 3 in the game (garza, Joe W, Fredrick) so we don't see as many problems with scoring lapses.

I think the 8 person rotation helped because it appears Fran randomly subs. Get 2 5s a 4 and 2 3s at times the last couple years and Fran would get confused why nobody could bring the ball up. Like he didn’t look and just randomly pointed at spots on a bench.
 
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I think the 8 person rotation helped because it appears Fran randomly subs. Get 2 5s a 4 and 2 3s at times the last couple years and Fran would get confused why nobody could bring the ball up. Like he didn’t look and just randomly pointed at spots on a bench.
I just think he always worried about "getting guys their minutes" without regards to game situation...how the guys are playing etc.
 
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Since you're the only reasonable Iowa poster left on this place (RIP Gonzo), are you expecting the Fran fade to happen this year?
Not sure, I'm optimistic though. If they can steal a game or two on the road and protect home court to close out conference play, I would be very happy. I'd expect them to have a bye going into the conference tourney with 21-22 W's and 12-13 W's in conference. However I wouldn't be totally surprised if they played 500 ball the rest of the year. There's so much parity in college hoops this year. It's mind......bottling.
 
I just think he always worried about "getting guys their minutes" without regards to game situation...how the guys are playing etc.

This has always been my take on Fran. In years past some of his lineup choices have read like a ***** Mad Lib. Like he subbed people in with zero regard for who else was on the floor.
 
Since you're the only reasonable Iowa poster left on this place (RIP Gonzo), are you expecting the Fran fade to happen this year?

I think Iowa loses at Maryland tomorrow and will be 6-4 at the halfway point of Big10 play. I think Iowa wins 4-6 of the remaining 10 games. So I guess by that I'd say no, I don't expect a fade.
 
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I think Iowa loses at Maryland tomorrow and will be 6-4 at the halfway point of Big10 play. I think Iowa wins 4-6 of the remaining 10 games. So I guess by that I'd say no, I don't expect a fade.

Just get to 10 conference wins and the rest is all gravy. Four more to go.
 
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What's going on in here? Can't keep up when I come back and there's another 20 pages added in two days.
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What's going on in here? Can't keep up when I come back and there's another 20 pages added in two days.
blah blah blah.....favorable whistle.......blah blah blah...... Garza not clutch.......blah blah blah.....injured players. You get the gist.
 
I think Iowa loses at Maryland tomorrow and will be 6-4 at the halfway point of Big10 play. I think Iowa wins 4-6 of the remaining 10 games. So I guess by that I'd say no, I don't expect a fade.
I disagree. Maryland has been overhyped all year and I think Iowa gets a big road win tomorrow night. They do not match up well with Iowa.
 

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