Nice job by their new coach on turning it around quickly. They are more athletic and more talented. They are aggressive and disciplined to guard you and rebound with great tenacity. They drubbed Iowa in every facet of the game. Meanwhile Iowa is in year 12 and can't get over the hump. Use of schollies with the transfer portal is deficient. Rebounding and defensive effort are deficient. Physical strength is deficient. Mental toughness is lacking. It all comes down to one thing...coaching.
Iowa State was 2-22 last yr...
- Thread starter WamacCritic
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They obviously wanted this game more from the tip off. First time really watching TJ coach and he is impressive.
ISU is playing the game the NCAA allows it to play... on the court and off. I certainly don't blame them for that.
Embrace the portal, don't waste schollies on deep bench reserves and seniority takes a backseat when factoring rotations and game minutes.
What Fran fails to understand is the game isn’t a boat race. It’s a demo derby. At this point in his career and tenure at Iowa, this should be clear.
This is why the Legend of Fran reviving a program killed by Lickliter is overstated. You can turnaround
a basketball team in 1-2-3 years depending on how well you recruit and in these days, how well you
also use the portal. The ISU coach has taught a team of cast offs in a few months of practice how to play
better defense than Fran has achieved in 12 years.
Fran took around a 3 win B1G team and got 4-5 B1G wins his 1st year and NIT his 2nd..but he inherited Devin Marble and Gatens who both became All B1G players, so the cupboard was not as bare as it was made out to be.
a basketball team in 1-2-3 years depending on how well you recruit and in these days, how well you
also use the portal. The ISU coach has taught a team of cast offs in a few months of practice how to play
better defense than Fran has achieved in 12 years.
Fran took around a 3 win B1G team and got 4-5 B1G wins his 1st year and NIT his 2nd..but he inherited Devin Marble and Gatens who both became All B1G players, so the cupboard was not as bare as it was made out to be.
ISU's new coach is a significant upgrade, they're playing much better ball. Fran's weaknesses haven't changed (as mentioned by some above).
That said, ISU fans are at it again... pounding their chests, talking Final Four, looming program superiority etc. Man, some things never change.
That said, ISU fans are at it again... pounding their chests, talking Final Four, looming program superiority etc. Man, some things never change.
Clone fans needed something to tout after the football and wrestling beatdowns.
Let them relish these all too infrequent wins vs Iowa.
Let them relish these all too infrequent wins vs Iowa.
If you're a Hawkeye fan, you need to get used to being embarrassed . . . at least in men's basketball and football . . . Purdue, Wisconsin, and Michigan in football-- now ISU in basketball.
"They wanted it more," the Hawkeye basketball players say. But they don't say why.
ISU may be a transfer haven, but I'm not sure what's wrong with that. They aren't getting transfers from the Fort Madison Prison. The kids they have are just as legit as anyone coming to Iowa City out of high school. ISU isn't breaking the rules. They brought in kids from some of the top programs and best universities in the nation.
If you get in your time machine and go back to the late 60s and early 70s, Iowa under Ralph Miller regularly brought in JC transfers. Three in particular helped Iowa win Big Ten titles. Remember those? Sam Williams, from Burlington JC, led the Hawkeyes to a shared title in 1968. And in 1970 Iowa won the Big Ten (14-0) behind JC transfers Fred Brown and John Johnson. Williams, Brown, and Johnson are still three of the best players ever to wear a Hawkeye uniform.
The point of playing college sports is to play within the rules, recruit good people, and win. ISU basketball has done a fabulous job of that this season. It's unbecoming to whine about it.
Fran and KF, it appears, could learn a whole lot from the ISU basketball coach.
"They wanted it more," the Hawkeye basketball players say. But they don't say why.
ISU may be a transfer haven, but I'm not sure what's wrong with that. They aren't getting transfers from the Fort Madison Prison. The kids they have are just as legit as anyone coming to Iowa City out of high school. ISU isn't breaking the rules. They brought in kids from some of the top programs and best universities in the nation.
If you get in your time machine and go back to the late 60s and early 70s, Iowa under Ralph Miller regularly brought in JC transfers. Three in particular helped Iowa win Big Ten titles. Remember those? Sam Williams, from Burlington JC, led the Hawkeyes to a shared title in 1968. And in 1970 Iowa won the Big Ten (14-0) behind JC transfers Fred Brown and John Johnson. Williams, Brown, and Johnson are still three of the best players ever to wear a Hawkeye uniform.
The point of playing college sports is to play within the rules, recruit good people, and win. ISU basketball has done a fabulous job of that this season. It's unbecoming to whine about it.
Fran and KF, it appears, could learn a whole lot from the ISU basketball coach.
What is the "hump" Iowa hasn't gotten over? Winning a championship is a hell of a lot more than a hump
Iowa has reached it's peak with Fran. If he couldn't make a deep tournament run last year then it's not happening. Only way it happens is by it being a fluke. Iowa would have to be in a region where they benefit from upsets. So does Iowa want to take a chance? Bring in new blood and they may be great. They could also fail. Keep Fran and it's more of the same with opening weekend exits in the tournament as best case.
They have 10-11 new players on their roster. That is amazing in itself.
This ISU fan is HOPING to go 9-9 in the conference. Take your chances in Big 12 tournament + beyond. Anyone thumping their chest is an idiot.
If the next two non-conference games go as expected, they will be 12-0. Open the conference slate vs. Baylor. If they can somehow get to 20 wins this year, TJ is national coach of the year.
They have COMPLETELY exceeded expectations so far. I'm just enjoying the ride - not getting my hopes up too much (learned my lesson from FB team this year).
That is a weird result. Thought maybe it was the womens game, but it is the mens team who boat raced Iowa a few days ago.
Have you seen what the conference is doing? I'd take 9-9 in a heartbeat. Other than that, I agree with your post in all respects.
Jackson State plays pretty good defense and both teams had shooting problems. It was not a fun game to watch. Jackson State took a 4-0 lead, then ISU went on a 19-0 run. At one point in the second half, ISU went over 8 minutes without a field goal. Hey, it's a W.
Outside of Baylor, I haven't paid attention to the Big 12. Once conference season starts, I do.
I think we're seeing all over 1st year coaches being able to use the portal (free agency) and with instant eligibility rebuild programs much faster by bringing in veteran players to fit their systems. Both MN and ISU had MASS defections after the coaching changes which provided them to be attractive destinations for experienced players in the Portal knowing they are likely going to get starting positions/minutes.
It is much harder when you already have 8 or more returning contributors.
It is much harder when you already have 8 or more returning contributors.
A case can be made that it's the toughest MBB conference in the country. The W-L numbers are fairly meaningless at this point in the season, as most teams have fattened up on the double-directionals, but several teams have impressive wins.
In the NET rankings, every Big 12 team is currently #63 or higher with the exception of KSU at 96. Honestly as long as ISU doesn't lose against one of the low majors they play they likely at least make the tourney at 7-11 in conference.
It does kind of drive me crazy that neither of our two main coaches use the transfer portal to their advantage.
I wondered if ISU had Lickliter on the bench for that game. 47 to 37...woof.
Side note - it's sad that Jackson State held ISU to 20+ points less than Iowa did.
Isn’t is pretty remarkable with 7? They also kick off a player we badly wanted.
Fans should be upset about losing by 5 to the undefeated, top ranked defending national champs? You have a lot higher opinion of ISU basketball than I do.
Baylor has won 19 in a row. That includes the national championship last season. This is the first time their opponent has covered the point spread in that stretch.
Ponder that.
Neat. You'll find someway to go out in flames like you always do and it will most likely be hilarious
Baylor on the road this year has been a much different team than at home. 12 point win over 5-7 ASU, 8 point win over 8-6 Oregon. Long way to go.
You just dropped your 24th straight Big 12 game.
Incarnate word and VCU covered as well.
Ponder that.
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