Depression

[LarryMullenJr.]

Fran taking a step back and looking at the program will do absolutely no good. He will still see what he wants to see and through the glasses of what he wants to do. Unless he changes his entire philosophy, nothing will change. He will still recruit the same guys for the same roles and we’ll end up with the same results. Unless his wife points out that you occasionally need to find guys who can get to the rim, and a bunch of guys who can play defense we are stuck with what we’ve had.
Oh, and add in a health dose of toughness.

 

[DewHawk]

Fran taking a step back and looking at the program will do absolutely no good. He will still see what he wants to see and through the glasses of what he wants to do. Unless he changes his entire philosophy, nothing will change. He will still recruit the same guys for the same roles and we’ll end up with the same results. Unless his wife points out that you occasionally need to find guys who can get to the rim, and a bunch of guys who can play defense we are stuck with what we’ve had.
Oh, and add in a health dose of toughness.

Agreed FM is not going to significantly change anything and Iowa will continue to be average and a "one and done team". JMO

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

The way this team has performed after the Indiana game is very perplexing.

My only explanation that makes sense is, bottom line, this flat out isn't a good shooting team. Streaky at best. And some chemistry issues we won't know about.

Also, I honestly think Fran should schedule more difficult road games pre-season. Double what is played now. Not against P5 conferences necessarily, but any lower level tournament - at least. Get us out of the familiar home / B1G away surroundings.

It's possible the mid-majors doing so well in March is partly due to playing away from home so much preseason. They are acclimated just a bit better to overcoming cold shooting starts, etc, in unfamiliar surroundings. So by March, that is ingrained - they are used to the pressure of losing one and being done, well before the NCAA tournament.

I agree with this suggestion. We should schedule a few more away games in the pre-B1G season against solid mid-major programs with good fan support. Except for a couple of exceptions, Iowa sucked in road games and was unable to get into any kind of flow. Experiencing more of these situations would possibly help.

I also agree with those calling for more tough, athletic recruits. I think next year's class might move us in that direction some, but that is what we need most in the transfer portal. It is great to have guys with good "basketball skills", but if they don't have the athleticism and toughness to stand up to other teams with skilled and athletic guys, it won't be possible to move to the next level. We especially need a big man or two that have the athleticism and attitude to play with anyone around the basket, especially on the defensive end and on the boards.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Well be back next yr. Relax my ninja

We’ll be back “where?” Based on what?

 

[Millerlikehawks]

I think bishop1971 made a deal with the devil to get us a deep tourney run. Where did he go? He all but guaranteed it. Bishop you alive?

 

[Old_wrestling_fan]

It takes guard play and defense to win in the NCAA tourney, which Fran doesn’t have either and hasn’t for 13 years at Iowa minus a year or two with Bryce Cartwright.

...

Agreed. ^^ If there is a common theme with NCAA tourney upsets it is that the "surprise" team, the underdog, gets really good guard play in the "upsets". Quick, slashing, defensive play that is above average to excellent. Not just good shooters from stationary positions.

I am not a BB expert, but even so, this seems quite clear to me and you really do have to go back a ways in time to legit say that Iowa has the better guard court in any given NCAA game that they have lost. (FWIW, based upon a certain open mike comment a few years ago, I think Gary Dol[hin would agree with this too. )

 

[DewHawk]

I think bishop1971 made a deal with the devil to get us a deep tourney run. Where did he go? He all but guaranteed it. Bishop you alive?

This is absolutely true and he has not surfaced since Iowa loss

 

[Hawksfor3]

Purdue lost. I feel fine.

 

[HawkLogic]

It makes it worse that a program that is better than ours in every way made a sweet sixteen more recently than we did? I don't get it.

The point the prior poster was trying to convey is a school with less resources shouldn't have a better program than Iowa, all things equal.

Gonzaga, Dayton, Wichita State, Butler etc are all non P5 schools that have had better basketball success in last 20 years than Iowa. They don't have financial or academic advantages a P5 school like Iowa, so what sets them apart? Probably athletic department commitment to men's basketball success and Superior coaching. Superior coaching means getting it done on W/L and tournament success.

Among P5 schools, Iowa direct peers, I think there are only 5 P5 schools with longer NCAA sweet16 drought. Now if your metric of success is winning around 55% of your B1G games and being part of the 50% B1G teams that make NCAA tourney each year, then Fran is successful. If you measure success based on regular season conference titles or getting to Sweet16 or beyond, then Fran is not your guy.

As to OP depression from the way the season ended....it was not particularly surprising so I am not really disappointed or depressed.

 

[BonzoFury]

It makes it worse that a program that is better than ours in every way made a sweet sixteen more recently than we did? I don't get it.

I think his point was that "Dayton basketball" is not a name that jumps off most people's lips when you bring up college hoops. Name one former Dayton player without googling it. Small school, fewer resources, not exactly a big name despite their relative success.

 

[BonzoFury]

Purdue lost. I feel fine.

ISU lost...I feel finer.

 

[perryhawk]

Duke got beat….all that talent…..FIRE the coach!

 

[BrewHawk]

Duke got beat….all that talent…..FIRE the coach!

Duke got beat by a higher seed and a team with a lot of talent too....after winning their first round game.

 

[CarterHall]

Fun fact:. 95 different teams have made the Sweet 16 since Iowa last did. Including powerhouses like Cornell and Dayton.

Don't forget that powerhouse Florida Gulf Coast.

 

[perryhawk]

Duke got beat by a higher seed and a team with a lot of talent too....after winning their first round game.

We’re Hawkeye fans, we don’t accept weak excuses!

 

[blubberhawk]

We’re Hawkeye fans, we don’t accept weak excuses!

Duke has had 100X the success Iowa has had and can handle a down year. A down year for Duke is 27 wins and a second round loss in the tourney. Duke's coach has been there how long? Not a good comparison at all.

 

[perryhawk]

Duke has had 100X the success Iowa has had and can handle a down year. A down year for Duke is 27 wins and a second round loss in the tourney. Duke's coach has been there how long? Not a good comparison at all.

That level of talent, the inherent advantages they have, can’t get to the sweet 16??? UNACCEPTABLE!!! Fire the coach!!

 

[83Hawk]

That level of talent, the inherent advantages they have, can’t get to the sweet 16??? UNACCEPTABLE!!! Fire the coach!!

Dumb take.

 

[twindman]

Perryhawk, I disagree with your statement about the last loss. 'We didn't play up to our capabilities '. Didn't we only shoot well in 2 B1G games on the road this year? That is pretty much all you need to know about doing well in the tourney.

 

[blhawk]

I think his point was that "Dayton basketball" is not a name that jumps off most people's lips when you bring up college hoops. Name one former Dayton player without googling it. Small school, fewer resources, not exactly a big name despite their relative success.

Obi Toppin. NPOY supposedly. 8th overall pick

 

[BonzoFury]

Obi Toppin. NPOY supposedly. 8th overall pick

Well done.

But the names don't come rolling off your tongue as if someone asked you to name players from Michigan, UConn, etc. To reinforce the OP's point, Iowa hasn't been to a Sweet 16 in years while a lot of other "lesser" (by what ever definition ...resources, conference, name recognition) programs have.

 

[Ronman]

Thirty four teams lose their first tournament game every year, which doesn't exactly make me feel any better. We've had good (some would say great) players every season and yet, we still can't get over the hump. At this point, it's become obvious that McCaffery's plans for tournament play are mightily flawed. Maybe it's time to turn it over to someone else, either with in or out side of the program.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Fran has been a dismal failure in the NCAA tourney. There is no possible argument with that. Otherwise, the program has been pretty good during his tenure, but the regular season is supposed to build toward the post- season championships. Last year, winning the BTT seemed to be a major breakthrough, but both last year and this year, the team did not seem to be ready to play in the dance against very beatable opponents. Fran has had a lot of years to try to figure this out, and we all see some pretty obvious problems. Most notably, Iowa lacks the athleticism and toughness of most high-level opponents, and even some smaller school teams. While it is exciting to see the Hawks when their offense is flowing and their shooters are draining 3s, that is not always going to be the case. The old saying "defense travels" is almost always correct. Having some guys who can shoot is great, but you need at least a mix of shooters and athletes. Auburn is a great example. They took us apart, basically because we had no match for their ultra-quick PG or their very athletic center, who dominated the area around the basket. Getting a new coach is not necessarily going to move Iowa in the right direction, but something needs to change if Iowa is truly going to become a real B1G contender, and have success in the post season.

 

[perryhawk]

Dumb take.

It is a dumb take….finally, someone sees those crap criticizims for what they are!

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

That level of talent, the inherent advantages they have, can’t get to the sweet 16??? UNACCEPTABLE!!! Fire the coach!!

 

[perryhawk]

Yes it is....because it's mimicking the dumb takes of a large segment of our fan base.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Yes it is....because it's mimicking the dumb takes of a large segment of our fan base.

No, comparing Duke with a coach in his first year to Iowa and their 13 year head coach that has made zero sweet 16’s…..then saying the Duke coach should be fired for his inability to make the S16.

People are tired of Fran’s schtick on the sidelines when he goes bsc, his inability to close the deal on talent and get out of the first or second round of the NCAA tourney.

Xavier didn’t make the NCAA tourney last year, played in the NIT, won it then fired the head coach. Brought in Sean Miller and is in the Sweet 16 this year.

Iowa needs a leader in the Athletic Department who will make tough decisions to improve the top revenue producing sports to be the best they can be, not kick the can down the road and reward mediocrity. The only saving grace is Barta’s contract expires June of 2024. Hope a new AD is in place to bring in the people he wants to run the sports programs to be the best they can possibly be. Iowa coaches are currently being rewarded for not doing everything they can to improve their programs. Time for changes to occur in 2024 and beyond.

 

[perryhawk]

No, comparing Duke with a coach in his first year to Iowa and their 13 year head coach that has made zero sweet 16’s…..then saying the Duke coach should be fired for his inability to make the S16.

People are tired of Fran’s schtick on the sidelines when he goes bsc, his inability to close the deal on talent and get out of the first or second round of the NCAA tourney.

Xavier didn’t make the NCAA tourney last year, played in the NIT, won it then fired the head coach. Brought in Sean Miller and is in the Sweet 16 this year.

Iowa needs a leader in the Athletic Department who will make tough decisions to improve the top revenue producing sports to be the best they can be, not kick the can down the road and reward mediocrity. The only saving grace is Barta’s contract expires June of 2024. Hope a new AD is in place to bring in the people he wants to run the sports programs to be the best they can possibly be. Iowa coaches are currently being rewarded for not doing everything they can to improve their programs. Time for changes to occur in 2024 and beyond.

I agree with some of what you say.....but the phrase "people are tired of" captures the main problem here. Familiarity breeds contempt. I'm an older guy and I would certainly like/love for Iowa basketball to return to the Final 4 before my days are up....I'm ridiculously addicted to Iowa basketball.

But the same crowd that is saying some of what you are saying....also wants to ignore that it's VERY EASEY to make a bad hire....very easy. The main problem with that is then you sentence the program to a recovery period of years....2 or 3 to see that it's a bad hire (at minimum) and then another 2/3 for a new coach (IF you make the right hire) to get it back on track.....in the "want success right now" era, 4-6 years is a long long time. And it could easily be down much longer.

AD's have hired the hottest young coaching prospect in the country (Alford) and the National Coach of the Year (Todd L).......both appears to be homerun hires at that time...

When fan's here don't like that answer they want to blow it off in the same way I was making those mimicking posts.....when making the right hire is absolutely NOT a guarantee.

What candidates are available that Iowa could hire that are guaranteed to be successful? Will Iowa be able to afford them? Will Iowa hire someone who has a questionable ethical past (Sean Miller) in order to achieve the level of success they want? Chris Beard?

Think about Devries from Drake.....I personally think he's a pretty good candidate.....but is his resume much, or any, better than Fran's/Alford/Lich when they were hired?

Howard at Michigan......inherited a strong program. Has brought in great recruiting classes.....and what is the trajectory of that program? Fred H had a GREAT record at ISU.....etc etc......

 

[MikeyHawk]

when making the right hire is absolutely NOT a guarantee
also wants to ignore that it's VERY EASEY to make a bad hire....very easy

Better just give Fran a lifetime contract since there is no guarantee

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

I agree with some of what you say.....but the phrase "people are tired of" captures the main problem here. Familiarity breeds contempt. I'm an older guy and I would certainly like/love for Iowa basketball to return to the Final 4 before my days are up....I'm ridiculously addicted to Iowa basketball.

But the same crowd that is saying some of what you are saying....also wants to ignore that it's VERY EASEY to make a bad hire....very easy. The main problem with that is then you sentence the program to a recovery period of years....2 or 3 to see that it's a bad hire (at minimum) and then another 2/3 for a new coach (IF you make the right hire) to get it back on track.....in the "want success right now" era, 4-6 years is a long long time. And it could easily be down much longer.

AD's have hired the hottest young coaching prospect in the country (Alford) and the National Coach of the Year (Todd L).......both appears to be homerun hires at that time...

When fan's here don't like that answer they want to blow it off in the same way I was making those mimicking posts.....when making the right hire is absolutely NOT a guarantee.

What candidates are available that Iowa could hire that are guaranteed to be successful? Will Iowa be able to afford them? Will Iowa hire someone who has a questionable ethical past (Sean Miller) in order to achieve the level of success they want? Chris Beard?

Think about Devries from Drake.....I personally think he's a pretty good candidate.....but is his resume much, or any, better than Fran's/Alford/Lich when they were hired?

Howard at Michigan......inherited a strong program. Has brought in great recruiting classes.....and what is the trajectory of that program? Fred H had a GREAT record at ISU.....etc etc......

I get it, you are part of the be careful what you wish for crowd. Being old makes people scared to make changes. Change is good. And if I’m AD, I’m not afraid to make a change to bring new energy to the program in a new coach that can possibly win the B1G and make a S16 since the current one can’t and refuses to change his model to try and win it. 13 years of the same bs from Fran acting like a JA on the sideline and no defense. Why not make a change after watching the SSDD?

 

[perryhawk]

I get it, you are part of the be careful what you wish for crowd. Being old makes people scared to make changes. Change is good. And if I’m AD, I’m not afraid to make a change to bring new energy to the program in a new coach that can possibly win the B1G and make a S16 since the current one can’t and refuses to change his model to try and win it. 13 years of the same bs from Fran acting like a JA on the sideline and no defense. Why not make a change after watching the SSDD?

You are making "assumptions" and ignoring reason.....that is what I am afraid of. Making a change for the better, I'm all in!

Going off of some fans contempt for a coach and making a hire just to see if it works......recipe for disaster. IF we're going to make a change, THEN GO BIG!!!! Otherwise you're just as much of the problem as what you perceive the problem to be.

 

[perryhawk]

when making the right hire is absolutely NOT a guarantee
also wants to ignore that it's VERY EASEY to make a bad hire....very easy

Better just give Fran a lifetime contract since there is no guarantee

That's not even an argument....certainly not a position with any substance. What it is, is showing you don't like the answer so you're going to try and slam the answer......

 

[KcTo]

Fun fact:. 95 different teams have made the Sweet 16 since Iowa last did. Including powerhouses like Cornell and Dayton.

Fran even had POY, and Lottery pick with 2 other NBA players, still can’t get tournament win,

but 95 other coaches did, most with far less talent.