I don't think there is anything wrong with people being frustrated when Iowa basketball has not been to a Sweet 16 in the 21st century, while Iowa State is in their third, and UNI has also been to a Sweet 16 this century (would have been two except for an epic choke on Sunday). Nine schools in the current Big 10 have been to a Sweet 16 this century (Iowa one of five with no appearances). Why can't people be frustrated by Iowa being the third best college basketball program in their own state during this century? Shouldn't recruiting be as difficult at Iowa State, or even more difficult at UNI than for the University of Iowa?
For the 110% supporters of Fran.....
- Thread starter Ihawkhoops
- Start date
Wow, this is a great thread. A lot of thoughtful responses. I wish I had time to read them all. I will just say that in all honesty, if Iowa and Iowa State are regularly making the NCAA tournament and typically getting past the first round when they do, they should probably be happy. The state of Iowa isn't exactly a hotbed of basketball talent. Basketball is an inner city game mostly, unlike football, and getting these kids to come to quiet Iowa towns is probably a hard sell. Add to that that neither program has a rich basketball history.
Look at it this way. If every college in the country had exactly the same quality of head coach and coaching staff, there is no way that Iowa, Iowa State, or UNI would be achieving any where close to the success they have in the last 3 or 4 years.
Everyone wants to be the next Duke. But there are over 400 teams eligible to make the NCAA tournament. Clearly there is only so much room at the top. Iowa is a great school, in a great conference. But in all honesty, making the NCAA tournament's second round is a pretty dang good year for them (just as it is for ISU).
Look at it this way. If every college in the country had exactly the same quality of head coach and coaching staff, there is no way that Iowa, Iowa State, or UNI would be achieving any where close to the success they have in the last 3 or 4 years.
Everyone wants to be the next Duke. But there are over 400 teams eligible to make the NCAA tournament. Clearly there is only so much room at the top. Iowa is a great school, in a great conference. But in all honesty, making the NCAA tournament's second round is a pretty dang good year for them (just as it is for ISU).
Agree with most of your post. However, I think Hoiberg did a good job of attracting urban kids to quiet ole Ames. George Raveling also brought some pretty good recruits to Iowa City.
Sooooo...it can be done.
No, I completely agree that it can be done. And if Hoiberg had stayed in Ames, I actually think Iowa State could have had a decade or more where they ran with the blue bloods. Raveling was an unbelievable recruiter, but a poor coach. So yes, a special coach who can recruit and coach can turn either program into a national title contending program. But I also think there is a ton of risk for colleges like Iowa and ISU to constantly be unsatisfied and looking for a coach like that. For one thing, those coaches are rare. For another, when you get one, they usually end up at a blue blood program eventually.
Its not that it can't be done. The question is whether you want to be constantly dumping your good looking girlfriend on the hopes that your next one will be a supermodel?
I agree. And I think Fran has the Iowa program heading in the right direction. And, to a point you raised, I don't think he will be looking to head for green pastures any time soon.
I agree with you 100 %.. I think that most of the negative posters must be young who have no clue the history of Iowa BB and where we fit in the Big10 and college level as a whole. The fact is we haven't done much. In the last 20 years UNI and ISU have been better programs which is a real kick in the nuts when you consider the budget that UNI has to work with vs us and our BIG affiliation.
We have the right coach now. I think he is our best recruiter since Ravelling. The missing piece to the puzzle is us. What can we do to get fans excited about Iowa basketball and want to go to Carver. This is entertainment and The sports dept needs to treat it as such. I wish they could blow up Carver and start again. I hate the lay out of the place. Nothing at all intimidating about vs Kinnick where fans are right on top of it. Iowa needs to invest in its future and that means getting students involved again. Give them seats like they do at the Breslin. Afterall ,they are the future donors to the program. Put in sky boxes for the high rollers. Reduce the capacity by making the seats wider and there will be more demand for them and less empty seats. Those are a few things.
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Higher coaches is really hard, in my opinion. (Even Lick had an excellent resume, although I'm not sure how he got through the interview without putting the interviewer to sleep.). There is so much that goes into a winning sports program in football or basketball.
So after the dumpster fire Fran had one losing season, won the next year and then the last 4 years has won 89 games which ties an all time record in Iowa history in a four year period(I think) and did so with what many think is not great or suspect talent at best.
Me thinks I want Fran to hang around and see what he can do in continuing to build the roster.
I am looking forward to seeing the new Hawks next year, including Jones, and the new class.
Me thinks I want Fran to hang around and see what he can do in continuing to build the roster.
I am looking forward to seeing the new Hawks next year, including Jones, and the new class.
Every team plays cupcakes, I hate when people try to paint Iowa as playing more than the average team.
A .500 conference record after a 4-14 initial season is a GOOD thing. He is 42-30 over the last 4 seasons, how many B1G coaches do you think have done better? Two or three?
Fran has advanced beyond the round of 64 two years in a row, but somehow he has to prove it?
A .500 conference record after a 4-14 initial season is a GOOD thing. He is 42-30 over the last 4 seasons, how many B1G coaches do you think have done better? Two or three?
Fran has advanced beyond the round of 64 two years in a row, but somehow he has to prove it?
