In Reply to: Iowa at UCLA Preview posted by mh on January 16, 2025 at 11:35:40
thanks for your preview as always, Michael.
I would double down on what I've been seeing. I agree with you - if we win the boards significantly we win the game. But Iowa's offense is terrific, especially at attacking the hoop and the paint and passing and moving the ball around quickly leading to open shots from the perimeter which they are good at making. And they are good at closing hard late in games.
Our defense is weakest at - you got it - defending the hoop and the paint, especially give and go's - and our guards at staying infant of and with their men. And we tire late in games when the games are on the line. And rebounding is about positioning and effort. And we are weak at the former of late and we tire and fade late.
Does not sound to me like a prescription for getting right tomorrow night.
Were I a betting person, I would be sorely tempted to take the points and bet the visitors. Of course if I did, we would no doubt rediscover our outside shooting and find energy from somewhere to take over the boards again. Still, I will believe we've shaken this tailspin and can win this year, with this team, in this conference when I see it. I'll be looking hard for it tomorrow evening