So Fran comes here talking about the importance of great guard play and all the great former Iowa guards. He wants to run, shoot 3's and play NBA style because that is what appeals to kids. What have we seen over 12 years? Brutal guard recruiting, talent better suited for Wisconsin's style of play than run and gun, and damn near laughable defense coupled with poor fundamentals.
When Fran has found a couple guys, he he has squandered them by not seizing the opportunity to bring another 1-2 guys in via transfers or recruit over underperformers. It took a monumental effort for Fran to do so little with Garza and JW, but he rose to the occasion. You can hate on WI all you want, but Gard would have gotten that team to the Sweet 16 at least once if not twice.
Fran allegedly turned the corner with the Hutton, Moss, Williams, Fleming and Wagner class and we know how that turned out. The names are different with Perkins, Joe T, Ulis and Josh and Mulvey, but the results are going to similar. Joe T is similar to the up and down Moss and Perkins works hard like Wagner, but has a limited skill set to draw upon and the others just aren't very good. Mulvey gets a pass given he should be a senior in high school, but he is at least 2 years out from contributing given the body transformation that has to happen.
You want text book bone headed coaching, see this season. Iowa loses the NPOY and has a starting 5 spot open at the P5 level and we get Rebraca who plays hard, but gives up way too much size. Result = Iowa gets destroyed on the boards. 6 years of Jbo not being able to create his own shot, but Fran thinks moving him to the 2 is the answer. Result=Jbo still can't create his own shot, Fran can't get him looks in the offense and the 2 guard, aka "shooting" guard has to jack deep 3's or get fouled in order to have any chance to score.
Definitely need to lock Fran up for another 12 years. He will get us back to the NIT Sweet 16 at some point.
