As a fan of a team that had to play AGAINST those players I'd rather face Gabe than Evans 100% of the time.
Cook
- Thread starter tumorboy
- Start date
At least there's SOME debate rather than cursing, throwing the r-word around, etc...
Yet this idiot will be back to tell you why he is right and you and 10 other people are wrong and know nothing about college basketball. Kilroy mentality.
I will say in hawkit's defense that while Gabe's skill set is not "better" than Reggie's, I think one could make the argument for a Gabe Olaseni (even moreso had he taken a redshirt his freshman year) over Reggie in a system similar to Fran's.
Gabe's versatility is more suited to the uptempo style of play than Evans'.
Asserting that Gabe is better than Reggie based on a jump shot is silly though.
Gabe's versatility is more suited to the uptempo style of play than Evans'.
Asserting that Gabe is better than Reggie based on a jump shot is silly though.
Also, the 2000 Class was definitely a top 5 sort of class with Evans, Reiner and Worley. It's hard to find class rankings from 15 years ago but here is a reference. Reiner and Worley were considered top 50 recruits and Evans was a top 5 juco if not the #1 juco in the nation.
http://wcfcourier.com/sports/colleg...cle_027ec074-1006-11e2-995d-0019bb2963f4.html
http://wcfcourier.com/sports/colleg...cle_027ec074-1006-11e2-995d-0019bb2963f4.html
Just to settle this. If the 2000 class wasn't top five it was certainly top ten. I recall it was a top five class by the stuff I read. But maybe some folks were reading different basketball media than I.
Now, as to what a coach does with the talent he gets? In that case didn't we have just one year later, a poster featuring Luke Recker and Reggie Evans, nobody else, and the team played like there were only two guys on it?
And I recall debate upon debate as to if Recker had been playing on a bum knee until it got worse? That may have been his first year? I'm getting old so I get the details wrong but when it comes to the operation I'm still a smart Doc. Just don't expect me to get the patient right. (I'm not really a Doc, that was supposed to be a joke.)
I'll never forget going up to the Iowa, UNI game up North the day we buried my Mom. A big chunk of the family went. It ended up being the team's infamous Pizza-less ride home for not understanding the offense that Alford had in his head. That game ruined my day. And it had been such a nice funeral. (That wasn't a joke)
I was at that game too. Utter confusion on the court. A precursor to what a lot of Alford teams would look like.
Alford operated on the basis of a "star" (or "pet") system. Reiner was guarded by a guy 6'5" and the game plan was to get the ball to a double teamed Evans, who shot most of his touches, and the even more carcinogenic Recker.
That was when i began to question Alford's coaching. It was so obvious. But the designated scorers still got to gun away.
That was when i began to question Alford's coaching. It was so obvious. But the designated scorers still got to gun away.
Cook is a very unselfish player. He's very good in screen and roll and is an excellent and willing passer. He's been 3rd option or so on HS team and does the dirty work. He'd be perfect replacing Woodbury's role and more as he's a much better finisher at the rim.
Cook can guard bigger guys well. Was terrific guarding Harry Giles at Peach Jam. If he can guard Giles, he can guard about anyone.
6'8" 240lbs. and a 6'11" wingspan along with some explosiveness is just what you need to compete in the Big Ten. Him and Kriener at 6'9" and a 7'2" wingspan will help fill the void inside next year.
A big reason why Alford is disliked so much is the HIGH expectations that most of us had when he signed that 2000 class. I remember telling a buddy who is a huge MSU fan that Iowa now was going to be a contender in the B1G and a top 20 team every year going forward. (Had to eat a platter of crow after that) Little did I know that Alford had very little judgment, and his coaching staff wasn't good enough to make up for how inexperienced he was. Throw in some unlucky injuries, some off-court nightmares, and some transfers, and Iowa BB was on its way down. Lick then took the program to the bottom. Fran has Iowa back in the conversation, and just needs to keep the upward momentum. Cook would sure help.
Oh, and I guess I don't quite agree with Sleeping Dog on Wilt. I think you can make a very good argument that he was the best player ever, which SD did, but I don't think it is fair to say he was WAY better than anyone else has been. Had he won a few more championships, the argument would be stronger.
Barry Sanders says one man does not make a team, nor does one great player win Championships all by himself........................
Yeah, if only he had guys like Jerry West and Elgin Baylor on his team.Barry Sanders says one man does not make a team, nor does one great player win Championships all by himself........................
I love how some of you are internet professional basketball scouts, lmfao.
Anyways, isn't it common for players to be downgraded once Iowa is in the mix?
Anyways, isn't it common for players to be downgraded once Iowa is in the mix?
funny that you question people's intelligence and then proceed to say you would take Gabe over the Joker. Reggie lead the nation in double doubles his junior year along with made free throws. He led the conference in rebounding two years in a row and was an honorable mention all american based on his performance in college, not the pros. Gabe was/is a nice player and has a ton of potential, but your preference of Gabe over Reggie is rather curious, not to mention your belief people are idiots for thinking otherwise.
I prefer Gabe over Evans. Never did I say who was better. But if I am running a team, I like Gabes skill set.
I want Antonio Ramos on my team instead of Acie Earl because potato.
That's the first good post I have seen from you. Now try and build on the momentum.
It seems like that sometimes but no, Iowa's recruits don't get downgraded by recruiting services just because Iowa is involved.
Iowa's recruits get downgraded by some Iowa fans who think the recruits aren't ranked high enough.
(That should get me in trouble.
)
It seems like that sometimes but no, Iowa's recruits don't get downgraded by recruiting services just because Iowa is involved.
Iowa's recruits get downgraded by some Iowa fans who think the recruits aren't ranked high enough.
(That should get me in trouble.
I swear that did that to Woody. When Roy was in the mix he was ranked higher, but dropped a star when he came to Iowa.
And I honestly don't care about the stars. I trust Fran's ability to judge guys more that some nerd behind a computer.
Wrong. And if you think Cook dropping approximately 10 spots in the top 150 means anything then LOLOLOLOLOL.
Interesting debate. On first glance I'd clearly take Reggie, one of the most dominant rebounders all time in college or pro. However, Gabe was a much better shot blocker and a much more generous teammate.I prefer Gabe over Evans. Never did I say who was better. But if I am running a team, I like Gabes skill set.
I love Gabe Olaseni and he was a great Hawkeye. Reggie Evans was twice the player that Gabe is. Not even close.
It would depend on who they were on the floor with but yeah, I'd have to say Evans was more valuable as a college basketball player. His rebounding skills were on an elite level in college, well above Gabe's. This, even though Gabe was a pretty good rebounder. Therefore, he'd be a tougher matchup.
It was great to see Gabe's development as a Hawk. Very happy for him to win the B1G 6th man award.
I hope he has a long and lucrative career in Europe.
But, it's not even close when talking about who was the better player. Evans was a top level rebounder. One of the best in the nation. And who ultimately carved out a solid NBA career.
I hope he has a long and lucrative career in Europe.
But, it's not even close when talking about who was the better player. Evans was a top level rebounder. One of the best in the nation. And who ultimately carved out a solid NBA career.
At what point will Fran accept Nikko another recruit if Cook postpones a decision. That usually is a pretty good indicator that a recruit is looking for a "better" alternative.
Cook has his official with Iowa scheduled in just over a week.
Just my opinion, but I think Fran offers when he decides a player can succeed in his system and succeed in Big Ten basketball. He's banked some scholarships in the past rather than take a kid just to fill a spot. And he's offered dang late in some cases when he felt like evaluating a kid awhile longer. And he's offered dang early when he's been certain.
He felt Nikko can play for him and offered. Cook and Nikko can worry about who commits first.
Just speaking for myself. After what happened with Tyler Ulis it will be a cold day in Hades before I worry about Iowa slow playing anybody or being slow played. Just play the thing straight up.
Last edited:
