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Fran made a big mistake this year when he did not go to the portal

Hawk68

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Oct 1, 2001
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and find a center that could guard the rim and muscle some rebounds. I am not talking about a star who could shoot and match the better centers in the BIG. I am just talking about some beef that could stop some of the bunnies other teams are getting and help even-up our rebounding deficit. I believe that guy was out there.
 
and find a center that could guard the rim and muscle some rebounds. I am not talking about a star who could shoot and match the better centers in the BIG. I am just talking about some beef that could stop some of the bunnies other teams are getting and help even-up our rebounding deficit. I believe that guy was out there.

Name him.
 
If not bringing in a stud from the portal, he should have just stayed away from bringing anyone in. He could have just started Kr Murray, and played Josh O and Mulvey off the bench to develop them. I think he should have let Jbo go also and turned it over to the younger guards.
 
If not bringing in a stud from the portal, he should have just stayed away from bringing anyone in. He could have just started Kr Murray, and played Josh O and Mulvey off the bench to develop them. I think he should have let Jbo go also and turned it over to the younger guards.
I think keeping JBo was due in part to missing in the portal.
 
I'll be that guy. I said the same thing on the football board.

I respect the heck out of Fran and Kirk for not going to the portal at the first sign of trouble. They can honestly look parents and players in the eye and say they will get a fair shot to prove what they can do and develop in the program. It also makes me feel better that guys who wanted to be Hawks when they were 16, 17 or 18 and committed to the program will have a chance over the many players who are leaving another program for a variety of reasons. You roll with your guys.

Now... there are always exceptions to every rule. This thread has been discussed a million times but Garza leaving for the NBA and Nunge leaving for Xavier left us with a hole. Ogundele is a project and Mulvey reclassified so he is still learning and developing to play as a big. We needed a true 5 in the Big Ten and we didn't get one. Just like football, there is/ was major attrition at OL that needed to be addressed. Those are times to use the portal.

I know that my opinion won't resonate with many and that is fine. While saying this, I also recognize basketball is different. Once Ash went looking for other programs to see if there were greener pastures, I would have searched for a grad transfer or something to just fill his final year. I would not have brought him back unless you really had nothing else because it was best for Ash to leave and get pt and if he wasn't thrilled with his role as a walk on it doesn't string him along.
 
Why do comments like the OP's always turn into this polarization of the portal? Do we really need a "stud" to be better? It would be nice, but anyone of that caliber was unlikely to be interested in Iowa.

The truth is, we don't need a stud. We need somebody who has the mindset and frame to bang down low and rebound. I could care less if this guy's only offense is put-backs, dunks, and free throws. He doesn't need to be one of Fran's mythical 3 position guys--just play D and hit the boards. Anything beyond that is gravy.

The only plausible scenario I could come up with when there were guys in the portal for Fran not being more active was Josh must be ready to contribute something. That does not appear to be the case given he is riding the pine.

However you slice, it Fran either did crap job of recruiting and player development with Josh or he grossly misjudged Rebraca's abilities. Third option is Fran has no clue how to teach basic rebounding fundamentals, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and go with 1 or 2.
 
and find a center that could guard the rim and muscle some rebounds. I am not talking about a star who could shoot and match the better centers in the BIG. I am just talking about some beef that could stop some of the bunnies other teams are getting and help even-up our rebounding deficit. I believe that guy was out there.
They went hard after Liam Robbins from Minnesota, the kid who grew up in Davenport. Would have been a great fit, but he probably didn't want the comparisons all year to the guy he'd follow...
 
The Ash scholly did nothing to change anything - except how much Ash had to pay for college.

Fran obviously DID go to the portal, because he actually got someone. The assumption here being that he didn't go HARD enough just leads me to wonder - what does that even mean? Do you think he just found a guy that was willing and gave up on trying?

The players seem to really like Fran, and it does seem like he puts in a lot of effort to land HS kids, only to be a bridesmaid time after time. So, the assumption is that he must be lazy.

If you are not from Iowa, there aren't very many reason to go to Iowa. Fran has quite a bit to overcome to get the top kids to come here.
 
and find a center that could guard the rim and muscle some rebounds. I am not talking about a star who could shoot and match the better centers in the BIG. I am just talking about some beef that could stop some of the bunnies other teams are getting and help even-up our rebounding deficit. I believe that guy was out there.
Please give us a list of these kinds of players who were in the portal who were willing to seriously consider coming to Iowa. Or do you think Fran has a magic wand in his desk that he can use to make this kind of a thing happen? As was mentioned, he went after the kid from Minnesota, who is obviously still joined to his uncle’s hip. At this point we are better off with Rebraca since Robbins is injured and not playing.
 
The Ash scholly did nothing to change anything - except how much Ash had to pay for college.

Fran obviously DID go to the portal, because he actually got someone. The assumption here being that he didn't go HARD enough just leads me to wonder - what does that even mean? Do you think he just found a guy that was willing and gave up on trying?

The players seem to really like Fran, and it does seem like he puts in a lot of effort to land HS kids, only to be a bridesmaid time after time. So, the assumption is that he must be lazy.

If you are not from Iowa, there aren't very many reason to go to Iowa. Fran has quite a bit to overcome to get the top kids to come here.
Exactly my thoughts on the portal. He did use the portal.
Is using the portal hard enough mean paying someone $100k to come?
What is hard enough?
 
The Ash scholly did nothing to change anything - except how much Ash had to pay for college.

Fran obviously DID go to the portal, because he actually got someone. The assumption here being that he didn't go HARD enough just leads me to wonder - what does that even mean? Do you think he just found a guy that was willing and gave up on trying?

The players seem to really like Fran, and it does seem like he puts in a lot of effort to land HS kids, only to be a bridesmaid time after time. So, the assumption is that he must be lazy.

If you are not from Iowa, there aren't very many reason to go to Iowa. Fran has quite a bit to overcome to get the top kids to come here.
I don't disagree with the premise of your post, but somehow Mark Few built a powerhouse program in Spokane, WA. ISU essentially built a team through the portal after going 2-22 with a new coach in Ames. I am not advocating for Iowa to become a transfer haven, but Fran's job is to upgrade talent when and where possible. With Garza, JW, CJ and Nunge leaving last year, Fran had the perfect opportunity to tap into portal talent. I find it hard to believe playing in the big ten is not appealing to mid-major kids looking to play at a higher level. I am confident the facilities at Iowa are better than most, if not all, mid-major programs.
 
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To the OPs point, and the responses to name said players, it’s largely irrelevant. This coach doesn’t want those guys on his roster anyway. You’re points are moot.
 
To the OPs point, and the responses to name said players, it’s largely irrelevant. This coach doesn’t want those guys on his roster anyway. You’re points are moot.
Source?
 
I know that my opinion won't resonate with many and that is fine. While saying this, I also recognize basketball is different. Once Ash went looking for other programs to see if there were greener pastures, I would have searched for a grad transfer or something to just fill his final year. I would not have brought him back unless you really had nothing else because it was best for Ash to leave and get pt and if he wasn't thrilled with his role as a walk on it doesn't string him along.
Not an Ash apologist, and didn't like the decision unless it was just Fran admitting he struck out for the next transfer, but to say Ash went looking for "greener pastures' isn't accurate. I believe he went looking for a scholarship.
 
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To the OPs point, and the responses to name said players, it’s largely irrelevant. This coach doesn’t want those guys on his roster anyway. You’re points are moot.
Let's try again. Fran recruited Liam Robbins not once, but twice.....he didn't want to come to Iowa. Then Fran went and got Rebraca. How is this NOT using the portal.
 
Let's try again. Fran recruited Liam Robbins not once, but twice.....he didn't want to come to Iowa. Then Fran went and got Rebraca. How is this NOT using the portal.

Yeah to me it’s clear as day Fran misjudged how far JO/RM would progress. Rebraca was probably brought in as a hybrid, and now he’s been forced to play a position he’s less comfortable with, undersized in a stronger conference than where he was. Fran used the portal, he just misjudged the scenario he was adding a piece to. We will be more balanced next year, It sucks Keegan has performed so well cuz he’s definitely gone next year, otherwise I’d guess we could contend for a B1G title next year if everyone steadily improves..
 
Yeah to me it’s clear as day Fran misjudged how far JO/RM would progress. Rebraca was probably brought in as a hybrid, and now he’s been forced to play a position he’s less comfortable with, undersized in a stronger conference than where he was. Fran used the portal, he just misjudged the scenario he was adding a piece to. We will be more balanced next year, It sucks Keegan has performed so well cuz he’s definitely gone next year, otherwise I’d guess we could contend for a B1G title next year if everyone steadily improves..
Better yes, but compete for the title? What have you seen from the defense and rebounding that gives you that much faith?
 
I don't disagree with the premise of your post, but somehow Mark Few built a powerhouse program in Spokane, WA. ISU essentially built a team through the portal after going 2-22 with a new coach in Ames. I am not advocating for Iowa to become a transfer haven, but Fran's job is to upgrade talent when and where possible. With Garza, JW, CJ and Nunge leaving last year, Fran had the perfect opportunity to tap into portal talent. I find it hard to believe playing in the big ten is not appealing to mid-major kids looking to play at a higher level. I am confident the facilities at Iowa are better than most, if not all, mid-major programs.

Completely agree that the talent at Iowa is not at a B1G competitive level. I'm not sure if it's fair to compare Iowa and Gonz, but I agree that what ISU did is impressive. I also agree that mid-major talent looking for a step up would fine Iowa appealing.

But, we have no idea how many kids he contacted to try to get them to IC.

And consider this - a player that can help Iowa can help lots of programs. So, if Iowa calls, but he also gets call from teams like OSU, MSU, MIch, Indiana, Wisc, Illinois, or Purdue, what exactly makes Iowa more attractive?

Also, if you can quantify talent into a number, let's say Perkins and Ulis are 6's. Do you want to recruit a 7? Do you really want to grab a guy that might be a slight upgrade over kids that have been in the program a while? IDK - it's a tough call.

Iowa needs more talent. The portal is an excellent source of proven talent. No argument from me.

I'm only saying it's not as easy as some make it out to be.
 
Not an Ash apologist, and didn't like the decision unless it was just Fran admitting he struck out for the next transfer, but to say Ash went looking for "greener pastures' isn't accurate. I believe he went looking for a scholarship.

Wouldn't that be greener pastures for him on an individual level? I wasn't meaning that he was going to find a better school to give him a scholarship but I can see how you interpreted that from my post.
 
and find a center that could guard the rim and muscle some rebounds. I am not talking about a star who could shoot and match the better centers in the BIG. I am just talking about some beef that could stop some of the bunnies other teams are getting and help even-up our rebounding deficit. I believe that guy was out there.
You mean AW? What a difference. And Filip would be a huge help. He tried I guess...
 
Better yes, but compete for the title? What have you seen from the defense and rebounding that gives you that much faith?

It’s more so that we competed with some good teams that won’t be returning strong pieces, while losing a couple guys that are sapping minutes from willing defenders on our team that may finally be given the time to get going. Or that could be a pipe dream. It really just depends if we ever improve on the defensive end at all this year or rebounding, if there’s no steady or consistent improvement, it’s a pipe dream and could be more of the glass cannon strategy.
 
Still boggles my mind that Josh O doesn't play more with the rebounding problems and he had good minutes earlier this year.
Another Fran minutes distribution head scratcher.
I suspect that Josh could follow instructions and that if you told him to go in and play D and rebound with as much effort as he can for a 3 to 5 minute stretch that would be an option.
 
It amazes me how many "fans" have access to the coaching staff's daily planner/calendar. Without access to that there would be no way to know how hard a coach worked the portal, how many players were contacted, etc. Where do we get access to this information that so many people seem to have?

I think it would be fascinating reading to see what exactly a Big Ten coaches daily schedule looks like both in season and off.
 
I don't disagree with the premise of your post, but somehow Mark Few built a powerhouse program in Spokane, WA. ISU essentially built a team through the portal after going 2-22 with a new coach in Ames. I am not advocating for Iowa to become a transfer haven, but Fran's job is to upgrade talent when and where possible. With Garza, JW, CJ and Nunge leaving last year, Fran had the perfect opportunity to tap into portal talent. I find it hard to believe playing in the big ten is not appealing to mid-major kids looking to play at a higher level. I am confident the facilities at Iowa are better than most, if not all, mid-major programs.
I'm pretty sure it's not easy to get one guy to transfer into a program that already has starters and may have to compete against others for time, whereas when a team has NOBODY, it has to be easier to assemble a team. Terrible comparison
 
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I'm pretty sure it's not easy to get one guy to transfer into a program that already has starters and may have to compete against others for time, whereas when a team has NOBODY, it has to be easier to assemble a team. Terrible comparison
Are you trying to say ‘come to a school where no matter how good you are you will fail in comparison to the National player of the year’ isn’t as good of a pitch as ‘there are no starters returning so there are minutes and shots available’ ?
 
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It amazes me how many "fans" have access to the coaching staff's daily planner/calendar. Without access to that there would be no way to know how hard a coach worked the portal, how many players were contacted, etc. Where do we get access to this information that so many people seem to have?

I think it would be fascinating reading to see what exactly a Big Ten coaches daily schedule looks like both in season and off.
Correct.

The only thing the average fan can say is Fran was not successful in bringing in adequate talent from the portal. How much effort Fran put into it is anyone’s guess.

I have stated numerous times I am in favor of Iowa moving on from McCaffrey. However, I do not believe the evidence shows Fran is a lazy recruiter (as was rumored to be the case with Dr. Tom in his latter Iowa years). In fact, the evidence shows the opposite—Fran not only works hard at it, he has shown an ability to identify talent sooner than most. We all know the many tales of Fran being a bridesmaid in the end.

And therein lies the problem. Perhaps Fran’s recruiting strategy of aggressively seeking out the top rated players in the country—hoping to one day land the big fish that elevated the program—instead of rolling out the red carpet for the marginal 4-star, top 100-150 prospects resulted in having to offer a lot of fallback-fallback recruits in the end. For every Tyler Cook or Luka Garza he signed, there were three times more prospects like Brady Ellingson or Dom Uhl. And I think that’s the reason Iowa has never gotten over the proverbial hump under Fran—too many duds that had to play a supporting role that should have been given Austin Ash minutes.

Last, I think at this point it’s pretty obvious Fran’s kids were vastly overrated coming out of high school and were probably graded higher for…whatever reason. The fact Fran started his 6’5 son at the four last year over a rising star and future lottery pick is probably the worst decision he’s made in his Iowa tenure. Imagine how good KM could have been come B1G Ten play last season had he been starting and/or given the lion’s share of minutes from the beginning. It’s mind boggling. When you couple Fran’s mismanagement of the roster with his blatant refusal and/or inability to improve Iowa’s team defense and rebounding, the end result was falling woefully short of stated team goals for March of last year despite having three future NBA draft picks on the roster.

It’s time to move on from Fran after this season.
 
Please give us a list of these kinds of players who were in the portal who were willing to seriously consider coming to Iowa. Or do you think Fran has a magic wand in his desk that he can use to make this kind of a thing happen? As was mentioned, he went after the kid from Minnesota, who is obviously still joined to his uncle’s hip. At this point we are better off with Rebraca since Robbins is injured and not playing.
Why is this? Garza, center, should have been player of the year twice and NOBODY good wants to play in this offense? Or does nobody good want to play for Fran or in Carver? Again, why?
 
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