HawkHoops

Hawkeye grad, fanatic, and ball knower.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@brjohnson23 Ben has earned trust, no doubt. But you can't fault fans for wanting to see highly recruited players touch the floor, especially when his son is taking up 15+ minutes and getting exposed defensively.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

Positive Vibes Only on this Wednesday morning:

Cooper Koch looked like he did in March. Elite two-way ability, and I loved that he wanted the ball in crucial moments, physically dominating his defender when Iowa needed a key bucket.

Coleman is a gamer, and a guy you need on any winning team. Can see how desperately he wants to win. Shades of Thelwell, who many fans wished had more than 1 year for the Hawks.

Howard stock. Best rebounder on the floor. His jump is insane. If he can just hit a few shots, he will always have a positive impact. We need both him and Combs desperately.

McKeever passing. That hype was not unwarranted. It's not just his passing, he sees plays develop like a true PG. Want to see more of him. Rebound magnet.

Sage. Didn't have the best game, but arguably hit the most crucial shot that could have given Iowa the win. Give him as much run as he can handle.

It's only game three. Let's win Sunday!

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@JGoldsilv Both Combs and Howard are integral parts to this team's success. McCollum is nowhere near as ready for Big Ten play as they are.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

Three things worth tracking as Iowa faces Virginia Tech tonight:

The rotation.
Is Peyton McCollum a legitimate contributor? Are Thompson and Harris buried on the depth chart? Does Manyawu see more than 11 MPG? How do Combs, Coleman and Howard split minutes?

Perimeter shooting.
Koch is 4-of-7 from deep, but Sage is just 2-of-9. Iowa needs more consistent production from the perimeter. Can Howard, Jirak or Coleman provide it?

Guard play.
Coleman is averaging 11.5 points and five assists. Combs is averaging four assists. Against tougher competition, who does McCollum trust to run the offense?

Tonight should tell us considerably more about this team.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@fore_driver Looks like it, getting the Hausen treatment.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

He definitely struggled but nowhere near as much as McCollum did. He also had some big time buckets to keep Iowa alive, which Peyton also didn't achieve.

Watch the game again, literally every time he was on the floor his guy went right at him, and succeeded. It's obvious that was a key priority in their game plan.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

Peyton McCollum has gotten blown by on back-to-back key possessions. These minutes are ridiculous.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@K9Hawkeye It's much different playing VT than the likes of Eastern Illinois..

He's a useful piece, but McKeever should be eating more minutes as he comes to 100%. I think he'll still have some big games this year. We need him.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

Tough loss.
Brutal minutes and rotations.

Virginia Tech deserved to win that game; some game breaking guard play that will make them a legitimate threat come March.

Howard stock significantly rose.
Jirak and McCollum stock significantly declined.

Coop is our engine. One of the best two way players in college, you will be hard pressed to find someone who plays bigger than their size.

Need to win Sunday.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@KevinDonauePunt Coleman / Howard / Coop / Sage / McKeever 👀

Definitely an interesting and highly capable lineup, would like to see that too.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@_calebdecoteau It is quite egregious, I won't disagree with you. And you're right to call out those players, and it will absolutely be used against us when going after top players like Daughtry.

It's just a really bad look.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@kenneth_manzel Absolutely learn more in a close loss like this vs. a blowout win.

But at the end of the day, winning is all that matters. Need it on Sunday!

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@TimHansenfyvy "At least the dude gives effort" what? More so than other players? That's BS.

This "hustle, and effort" narrative is often used on players lacking significant skill. He got burnt repeatedly. VT greenlit him anytime he was on the floor. Stop it.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@Ronald31552884 Loads of opportunities left, don't give up yet. But I completely understand your frustration.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@TedMcGinn All well said!

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@Regrob57 Absolutely fair opinion to have, they've certainly more than earned that.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@PatMcAfeeShow Kirk you old dog, it's your time!

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@SteelersWizard @JordanZaputil23 https://t.co/4lORKvIfEy

Tag me when Peyton provides this joy.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@Blombo1970 Not only Coon...

How about Harris and Thompson?

What is happening in practice that fans aren't seeing? Trey shot the ball well in his only opportunity to play thus far.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@MaxIke29 Wrong, Howard played phenomenal defense and rebounded better than anyone on the floor. Coleman and Combs did not get attacked the way McCollum did.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@ruralmidiowa Plenty of ball left! Encouraging things like Coop showing he's the guy.. Coleman attacking.. Howard energy and rebounding..

But those things don't matter come selection time. Wins do, need to take some of these nonconference games.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@Pack_Carver He is not built for this level, just not quick enough and that's not his fault. Sam Hoiberg comps were insane, Sam was an insane on ball defender.

[HawkHoops @HawkHoops94]

@JordanZaputil23 Lil Lick was more skilled, Peyton is taller and bigger.

That 25-1 IC High team that Lick started and ran point for in every game was nasty, beat some stacked teams that year.