<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div>I agree about the competition Scott - so much more fun to watch them destroy UNC than Bidirectional A&T. </div><div>I have really enjoyed this season though (the blowout losses to Gonzaga and Oregon notwithstanding...). Garza represents everything that is right about college sports - such a good kid, in addition to being the best Hawkeye basketball player that I have watched in 40 years.</div><div>I think the injury to CJ and (especially)
losing Nunge
made a huge difference late in the season. I also think the biggest problem with this team was its lack of speed/athleticism - the superior offense and the great hustle couldn't always compensate for that (Illinois, the two Indiana games and yesterday being good examples). And the relatively poor defense - I've always felt that McCaffery doesn't emphasize defense enough... </div><div>Anyway, I think we'll be OK next year - Murray will be all Big Ten, I guarantee . But we do need to recruit some quick guards/small forwards.</div><div>On a related note, the women's team is such a joy to watch! I watched the Kentucky blowout this afternoon (one of the perks of "working" from home). They are so loose and just seem to be having so much fun - especially Czinano! Unfortunately, the difference between the "elites" and the rest is too big compared to the men's side of things. Even Maryland, which is - easily - the best team in the Big Ten is probably a bit of a long shot to win it all. It'll be interesting to see how close Iowa is able to keep it with Yukon...</div><div><br></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: Scott Werling <<a href="mailto:scw969@hotmail.com" target="_blank">scw969@hotmail.com</a>><br>To: <a href="mailto:herky@lists.herky.net" target="_blank">herky@lists.herky.net</a><br>Cc: <br>Bcc: <br>Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:43:03 -0500<br>Subject: Re: [Herky] Half Oregon 56 Iowa 46<br>
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<p>This year has been fun to watch at times. Again I don't enjoy
them playing teams they can & do beat by 40. They need a
slightly stronger schedule. JFH said he played one (patsy), one
more difficult team but should win & one about the same
strength as the Hawks. Sure more games in basketball, but why not
throw in a Loyola or Mount Saint Mary's. Or an Oregon or Oregon
State. Better for TV. Plus, IMHO, it's a better judge of where
the team is. <br>
</p>
<p>Or is the mindset, "Pretty good team, let's see if they can get
better with some patsies then a difficult B1G?" That makes us as
good as the B1G which, as it plays out, is not nearly as good as
thought. I'm really bummed after this game today. Garza is
gone. Decent nuecleus coming back. No stand out player. Lots of
roll players. Keegan has a huge upside. His twin bro Chris is
more of a big man so he may see more minutes next year. Not sure
what to expect beyond that.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>Scott<br>
</p>
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