line ups when the 4 players out come back

[IASTATE07]

Actually, Lard getting into foul trouble is NOT a concern based on last season's stats. His shot blocking ability compared to Jacobson's essentially non-existent blocks this season is a huge advantage as it not only affects the possessions where the shots were blocked, but on other possessions as well as it will make opposing players more hesitant to go into the lane.

Also, with increased strength/weight, Lard will be better able to hold defensive position vs. last year, which should decrease his fouls/game. He will also be more effective in the low post on offense which will open up the outside shooters much more than Jacobson playing in the low post, even though Jacobson has surprised everyone with some low post moves, esp. his baby hook.

Jacobson 2018: .1 blocks/game
Lard 2017: 2.2 blocks/game

Jacobson 2018: 1.6 PF/game
Lard 2017: 2.8 PF/game

Yeah, looking that he only averaged 3 fouls/game doesn't look concerning. Watching games where he had to sit because of foul trouble still concerns me. Fortunately, we have more depth if Young comes back.

Just to be clear on my position. I said it wasn't silly for people to have Jacobson start over Lard. Lard is much more explosive, but Jacobson stretches the floor better on offense. Lard is a better rim protector, but Jacobson plays better pick n roll defense. Both will contribute a ton and I'm glad we'll have options.

 

[Psiclone]

Yeah, looking that he only averaged 3 fouls/game doesn't look concerning. Watching games where he had to sit because of foul trouble still concerns me. Fortunately, we have more depth if Young comes back.

Just to be clear on my position. I said it wasn't silly for people to have Jacobson start over Lard. Lard is much more explosive, but Jacobson stretches the floor better on offense. Lard is a better rim protector, but Jacobson plays better pick n roll defense. Both will contribute a ton and I'm glad we'll have options.

Perhaps, but your conclusions are based on comparing last year's Lard to this year's Jacobson. We have no idea where Lard is in his development, keeping in mind the biggest improvements occur between first and second seasons. Reaching conclusions based on incomplete and past data is not valid methodology. I expect to see improvements in both Lard's and Talley's games.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Perhaps, but your conclusions are based on comparing last year's Lard to this year's Jacobson. We have no idea where Lard is in his development, keeping in mind the biggest improvements occur between first and second seasons. Reaching conclusions based on incomplete and past data is not valid methodology. I expect to see improvements in both Lard's and Talley's games.

One assessment is being made on a limited sample of 7 games, while the other is based on hope. One is a valid methodology, the other just being a fan.

It was Lard’s second offseason here, one in which he probably played as little basketball as he has in years. But sure, the leap of faith that Lard can now do things he’s never before done is equitable to only having 7 games of data on Jacobson. Btw, using past data is almost always valid, which is why we’re not having a discussion about Wigginton losing his starting job to TH.

Lard will be very good, but Jacobson already is that, and is a great fit for the other top 4 players

 

[Psiclone]

One assessment is being made on a limited sample of 7 games, while the other is based on hope. One is a valid methodology, the other just being a fan.

It was Lard’s second offseason here, one in which he probably played as little basketball as he has in years. But sure, the leap of faith that Lard can now do things he’s never before done is equitable to only having 7 games of data on Jacobson.

Who ever said Lard will "do things he has never done before?" To expect a freshman to not improve in the second year is not logical. He has obviously been lifting and getting stronger. Perhaps you have info he hasn't also been working on his game?

 

[moores2]

I think you almost have to start both Lard and Jacobson against Iowa. THT struggled when put in the corner and trapped by a zone defense. (Better one on one with his defender). Throw Jacobson in the high post and have the high low between him and Lard

 

[IASTATE07]

Perhaps, but your conclusions are based on comparing last year's Lard to this year's Jacobson. We have no idea where Lard is in his development, keeping in mind the biggest improvements occur between first and second seasons. Reaching conclusions based on incomplete and past data is not valid methodology. I expect to see improvements in both Lard's and Talley's games.

First and second seasons in a program or seasons played? Lard had the benefit of red shirting half a season before his first full season of play. I'm not sure how big of a jump he will make in his second season of playing.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Who ever said Lard will "do things he has never done before?" To expect a freshman to not improve in the second year is not logical. He has obviously been lifting and getting stronger. Perhaps you have info he hasn't also been working on his game?

I said it, and you implied it. He needs to do things he’s never done to surpass Jacobson. Including being mature. But sure, let’s play that game- who said he wouldn’t improve? I’m sure he will, although there are a couple reasons why it’s less than you alluded to with your freshman to sophomore comment. I do have info, but you have to keep it a secret. Lard spent many weeks this summer in a wellness clinic and I was told the competition there was lower than CCL.

Lard was very good last year, but it silly to attempt to discredit the thought Jacobson will be ahead of Lard on grounds of incomplete data, and then promptly mentioned Lard’s improvement which has zero data.

 

[Halincandenza]

I don’t think it’s wrong for people to be skeptical about how much improvement he’s made when he spent the whole summer at a wellness center and not on campus. I’m sure he’s made some improvement, but is it really going to be noticeable and impactful is the question.

That was probably what? 6 weeks? And if the knock is on his team defense being in a wellness center has no impact on that because the team isn't practicing then. They players are working on individual aspects of their game. As far as I know he has been practicing since the start of practice which is where the team defensive work is done. And a lot of that last year was just being a freshman and a team that had poor defensive communication and understanding. he certainly isn't lacking in athletic ability.

 

[Halincandenza]

First and second seasons in a program or seasons played? Lard had the benefit of red shirting half a season before his first full season of play. I'm not sure how big of a jump he will make in his second season of playing.

That half of year he was mainly focused on academics. I don't think that provided him any great benefit on the court.

 

[IASTATE07]

That half of year he was mainly focused on academics. I don't think that provided him any great benefit on the court.

No benefit of practicing with the team while adjusting to college life for 6 months before most freshman would report to the team in June/July? Really? There was no benefit to that?

 

[cycloneG]

I don't understand this concern about Lard's defense. Every advanced statistic I can find shows Lard was our best defensive player while Jacobson is one of our worst among players that get starters minutes.

 

[Halincandenza]

No benefit of practicing with the team while adjusting to college life for 6 months before most freshman would report to the team in June/July? Really? There was no benefit to that?

Did he really practice much? Seem to remember Prohm said he was having him focus on college life and academics. But maybe I am not remember that correctly.

 

[Halincandenza]

I don't understand this concern about Lard's defense. Every advanced statistic I can find shows Lard was our best defensive player while Jacobson is one of our worst among players that get starters minutes.

It's a mystery for sure.

 

[IASTATE07]

Did he really practice much? I guess maybe scout team work. Seem to remember Prohm said he was having him focus on college life and academics. But maybe I am not remember that correctly.

I'm sure he did say those things, but it was probably in regards that he wouldn't play in games despite us needing low post help. Do you really think he came up here and didn't practice?

 

[Halincandenza]

I'm sure he did say those things, but it was probably in regards that he wouldn't play in games despite us needing low post help. Do you really think he came up here and didn't practice?

Practice with the team? Or individual work? I thought he was just doing individual work and weight- conditioning stuff after he arrived and just watching the team practices. I can try to find it but I was pretty sure that was the case.

 

[Halincandenza]

Found it. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...01/19/cameron-lard-fine-not-playing/96791364/

 

[IASTATE07]

Practice with the team? Or individual work? I thought he was just doing individual work and weight- conditioning stuff after he arrived and just watching the team practices. I can try to find it but I was pretty sure that was the case.

That half of year he was mainly focused on academics. I don't think that provided him any great benefit on the court.

You don't think working out with the coaching staff, working on strength/conditioning, and watching practices had any benefit on his first year of play? I would imagine it paid off a ton, especially compared to a true freshman coming in in June/July.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I don't understand this concern about Lard's defense. Every advanced statistic I can find shows Lard was our best defensive player while Jacobson is one of our worst among players that get starters minutes.

The key issue, as I see it, is whether or not Lard can be effective in switching on screens. Right now, it's a big part of the effectiveness of our defense with Jacobson out there. Lard does not seem nearly as comfortable out there that far from the basket.

 

[ca4cy]

I think you almost have to start both Lard and Jacobson against Iowa. THT struggled when put in the corner and trapped by a zone defense. (Better one on one with his defender). Throw Jacobson in the high post and have the high low between him and Lard

Regardless of who starts, or whether they both do, that is the thing I am most interested to see when they are on the floor together. If Lard has continued to develop his back to the basket game, Jacobson feeding him from the high post, or lobbing it over the top should open up a lot of other offensive options, especially with how good a shooter Jacobson looks to be from ~15'.

And for all the talk of whether being a great shot blocker makes you a great defender, it works a helluva lot better if you have defensive help that's savvy enough to see it coming and rotate over when the shot blocker goes for the block. Hopefully Jacobson will provide that when he's in there with Lard.

I don't think there's any doubt that Solo's minutes take a hit as a post player, even when he gets back to 100%, but that doesn't mean he won't play a critical role. I guarantee there will be a game or two that we'll win in large part due to his toughness and willingness to play the role we need him to.

 

[cycloneG]

The key issue, as I see it, is whether or not Lard can be effective in switching on screens. Right now, it's a big part of the effectiveness of our defense with Jacobson out there. Lard does not seem nearly as comfortable out there that far from the basket.

I'm not basing this on opinion which most people are. This is strictly based on statistics. Lard was our best defensive player last year. This is not opinion, this is fact. Jacobson is one of our worst which again is fact and not opinion. This whole concern about ball screen defense seems ludicrous when you look at the actual data.