Badara Diakite Decommits
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
While it's a shame that none of the recruits were retained, it doesn't change my perception that ending Iowa's time with Fran was needed. McCullom and staff have their work cut out for them.
Wow. This is huge. Next years recruiting class was looking nice.
Time to remember that Fran had 3 NBA players at one time.
Time to remember that Fran never made it to sweet sixteen. That should tell you how good of a coach he was.
Probably didn't fit McCollum's system.
He has been Iowa's coach for 4 days. He will get his recruits
He has been Iowa's coach for 4 days. He will get his recruits
Yes, ftr I wasn't saying that as a positive given the results.
I surely hope so. He’s only been in D1 for a single season. I know to us he’s a celebrity, but I guarantee most recruits have not heard of this guy nor Drake.
JFC. You guys that are worried about Fran being fired need to chill. I’ll bet ya McCollum gets further in the tournament sometime in the next five years than Fran ever did.
The main thing in all of is that Fran wasn’t working out; that we spent 15 years and had multiple great, even some NPOY-calibre players come through, and never in those 15 years advanced past the round thirty-two (32, thirty freaking two, in 15 whole attempts at it).
McCollum may or may not work out. He may lead us to national prominence. He may fall on his face and make the Lickliter years look respectable.
But goddamnit we gotta try something, and if that means losing Badara Diakite, four star prospect out of South Kent, CT, then it’s what we have to do.
McCollum may or may not work out. He may lead us to national prominence. He may fall on his face and make the Lickliter years look respectable.
But goddamnit we gotta try something, and if that means losing Badara Diakite, four star prospect out of South Kent, CT, then it’s what we have to do.
I am confident that Ben will select the right players for his system. If that means losing Fran's recruits, then so be it. Just have to be patient with all of the upcoming changes/additions. It's Ben's ship to "Captain" now.
I think Gatens and Denning get a job from what I’ve heard
Hope that entire recruiting class ends up at Penn.
Fran would stir up the Ivy League overnight.
I am neither surprised, nor care much.
A coaching change means in the vast majority of cases that incoming recruits will decommit.
McC will get his guys, within the payroll constraints that he has to work with. Zero concerns.
A coaching change means in the vast majority of cases that incoming recruits will decommit.
McC will get his guys, within the payroll constraints that he has to work with. Zero concerns.
There are over 1000 players in the portal, with at least ONE YEAR OF EXPERIENCE. Why bother with HS anymore.
Crazy.
All players are essentially one year rentals, where player retention has now become a huge job for coaching staffs.
It was past time for a reset.
None of these recruits were going to make or break the program.
I have seen enough “Fran type guys.” White or black, almost none ever seem to want to defend or rebound.
This is a welcome change.
I’m guessing he doesn’t really care for the defensive end of the court. McCollum will get his players. I can’t believe there is anyone second guessing the decision to move on from Fran and the consequences of that decision. That is just being complacent and mediocre. What do you think the ceiling was with Fran even if he had a top 5 class? I’m so looking forward to watching Ben’s teams play and win.
I don't think they are second guessing but it would have been nice to retain these guys and coach them up
I was initially excited about Diakite after seeing a highlight reel, so I decided to watch a full game of his. I was unimpressed. On offense he floated on the perimeter the whole time. In general he lacked the strength to have a big impact inside, even against high school kids.
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I don’t really care. Iowa will be fine. McCollum will get the guys he want. With the transfer portal, new guys are available every year. He’s a Fran guy anyway. Probably not a big fan of defense and efficiency. 😊
He did less with more
Fun fact: Johnson-Arigu had an offer from Drake out of high school (though I don’t know if that was from DeVries or McCollum).
He gave himself a very nice advertisement last weekend.
This. Not concerned when Fran’s 2025 recruits decommit.
Johnson-Arigu would be a better get for next year. I hope BMc can keep him committed.
DeVries if he was at Iowa would probably not have kept the class either. Get some experienced players out of the portal that can provide some help right away.
That's a bummer, but it makes me think that maybe Ben has talked with some of these guys, then maybe they don't buy into his system and maybe best they move on, and Ben finds his own guys.
Slightly OT: I assume Diakite was given some NIL "assurances". With a coaching change the does collective (Swarm in this case) need to honor those commitments? With so many players in the portal seems like it might not be the best time to de-commit.
I would make a bet that none of those guys have the grades to get in Penn....not to mention no money to gain!
They'll all get a nice payday somewhere else. These were the 4* type players Fran needed instead of his 4* sons.
I don't think he wants any players other than the three he mentioned.
He'll be fine.
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