It Feels Like We’re Nearing the End
- Thread starter Fran-Con-2
- Start date
I was one of those that was vocal about replacing Dr Tom.
It didn’t make me feel better when it happened and it’s only gotten worse in any hindsight.
Not comparable, but I’m sitting this one out.
It didn’t make me feel better when it happened and it’s only gotten worse in any hindsight.
Not comparable, but I’m sitting this one out.
Genuine question: how would you compare the fan support at the end of the Dr Tom era to today?
I know people were disgruntled, but were people still showing up to games in the late 90s?
I wonder if the difference between the two scenarios is how Dr Tom and Fran are perceived. Many fans genuinely dislike Fran as a person (which is unfair IMO). And I think the fan-Fran relationship might be unreparable at this point
I don’t see Fran or the team “rebounding” from all this in a lot ways.
In fairness to Fran; idk that the program has really, fully recovered from the Lickliter debacle.
Every year.
If only the Cooper Flaggs of the college basketball world were the rule and not the exception. Fran would be a genius.
So, posters on this thread believe that available NIL $$$ will substantially increase if Fran leaves. Empty seats is sad. There are some games coming up against quality opponents, and I hope that changes. My only live memories of Iowa BB, back when dinosaurs roamed the corn fields, had a filled arena almost every game. Glad this team hasn't lost a game.
In some ways Fran is the worst of both worlds. He’s just successful enough that not everyone will want him gone, but loses enough to kill all excitement about the program. Iowa MBB badly needs a reboot
What disappoints me is that the players come to Iowa, work hard to prepare for a new season expecting to play in front of loyal Iowa fans,
but instead they find themselves playing in basically an empty arena, and for what. Because the fans are pissed at Fran because he hasn't made the second week of the NCAA tournament or contended for a Big Ten Championship in his 15 years at Iowa.
He plays an exciting brand of basketball, develops players, and usually has Iowa in the top half of the tough Big Ten and although Iowa missed the NCAA tournament last year, he has had Iowa in the NCAA tournament more often then not, but Iowa fans are like no other, their motto is let's punish the players for Frans inability to meet their expectations and boycott the games because, well i haven't figured that out yet.
Are they mad at the players, the arena, or the flimsy excuse that they want Fran gone. If the third choice is the right answer it's for the wrong reason. This could be Fran's last year as this year may be Thad Matta last year at Butler and with McCaffery's youngest son heading in that direction next year, it's not a stretch to see Fran could be the replacement for the Butler job. Just a guess but only time will tell.
It' s still too bad that the players are the ones that took a gamble to come to Iowa and the Iowa fans take it out on them by not showing their support, but complain that Iowa doesn't come up with the money to pay them to come to Iowa but with the lack of support even if Iowa had lots of money to throw around why would they come here to play to an empty arena. Boggles my mind.
lmao
It's really odd to project all this malice on the part of Iowa fans. Fans are not "taking it out" on poor, innocent, hard working players. It's simply a matter of economics.
Regular people have finite time and resources. They spend those things on what interests them most. Period.
If Fran and staff put a less fun product on the floor, fewer people will choose to buy it. Simple economic common sense. No malice required.
I would also remind you that the poor coaches and players get paid whether people show up or not. They're doing just fine. Really.
It definitely feels that way.
I gave Fran one last chance after winning the Big 10 tourney. I was so emboldened by having a bonafide star in Murray and I thought there was no way that Fran couldn't get it done this time and get us into the Sweet 16. We got Richmond and I rolled my eyes, laughed, yelled loudly in happiness, and instantly felt bad for them. They were the first victim to face Murray. I honestly thought we were a legitimate dark horse contender that nobody wanted to play. Whelp...like I said, that was the last time I watched an Iowa basketball game. It will be until we make a change unfortunately and it has to be a good one because I'm not wasting my time like I did with Fran.
I spent so much time trying to convince friends and my family to give Fran a chance during his first 6 years. Every time they actually tuned in, Fran let us down. I tried to help get people I knew interested in MBB because I want it to be like it was in the 80's and 90's again. I went to many games and never missed a game on TV until that loss to Richmond.
No more. Fran is a good guy it seems and his players genuinely care and like him. He can't get it done though and ultimately, that's all that matters. We have a serious problem with coach retention at Iowa.
The NCAA tourney is THE single most important thing in college ball. Fran's total failure in that area has put me off for years.
While I appreciate that he doesn't play the paint dryingly boring first to 50 style of slowdown basketbrawl that's not enough to keep my interest anymore. I watch a lot of ball, just not much Iowa ball. It's more entertaining to see top level athletes play the game.
While I appreciate that he doesn't play the paint dryingly boring first to 50 style of slowdown basketbrawl that's not enough to keep my interest anymore. I watch a lot of ball, just not much Iowa ball. It's more entertaining to see top level athletes play the game.
Watching Tennessee yesterday was fun. They were flying around on D while still pushing the pace on O. That’s a rarity in college ball, it’s usually one or the other.
It's a rarity in the sense that you need high caliber athletes to play that way. Pretty much every (there are a few exceptions) final four team over the last 20 years has had a top 20 offense and defense.
Every final four team had a top 20 offense in pace? Because that’s what I was referring to, not efficiency.
Don't know. Most analytics platforms are intentionally 'tempo free' to compare efficiencies.
He's throwing combinations out there to see what sticks, scheduling weak competition to facilitate this. Like other years, and with what appears to be a lack of talent overall / not a good shooting team overall. Yea I am sick of this routine for sure.
But I will say, Mr. Hawkeyeoftheaotrasdfadsf is stuck on stats, which mean next to nothing at this point of experimentation.
Anyway, hopefully Beth is working on solutions to the massive recuiting issue, and will inlcude a nice early retirement package for Fran. Stat.
But I will say, Mr. Hawkeyeoftheaotrasdfadsf is stuck on stats, which mean next to nothing at this point of experimentation.
Anyway, hopefully Beth is working on solutions to the massive recuiting issue, and will inlcude a nice early retirement package for Fran. Stat.
You think this years team is not a good shooting team? This will be the best shooting team in 4-5 years.
I think TV schedules since Dr. Tom left has created a problem over the years also. I don't live in CR anymore but attending a game that starts at 8:00 or 8:30 would keep me home to watch on TV anymore.
It’s been 14 years. That stopped being an excuse 10 years ago,
This is me. I had season tickets like 6 or 7 years ago. I simply can't afford them in any decent section and you have to donate to even sit on the corners. It's also a lot to go to every game.
In my opinion, I'm putting the blame on the ridiculous prices more than anything. No reason all of these non- conference games are any more than $5. Big Ten games $15. Students in free, it's time.
On top of that, I will give credit for the 7 pm games but the 6 pm games make it impossible for others to get to outside of the IC/CR area, the 8 pm is too late for people to get home.
You have to build the fanbase again. The team isn't THAT bad.
The Iowa St. game will be a 50-50 crowd, at best, for Iowa... those are the things that make me mad.
I watched the Baylor/Arkansas game a couple of nights ago and was amazed at the talent those two have amassed. They obviously have the NIL money to attract great players. That's a major part of the problem. We love McCaffery's approach to playing offense. but with these type of players, he could elevate our games to something special and I believe it would attract more fans. As it is, only Payton would find a spot on those rosters. Unfortunately, that will be the norm from now on. We will be competing with one arm tied behind our back. Frankly, with the little good that the Swarm money has done for football, I wish they would just siphon it into the basketball program for a few years. Football sells out even with the substandard product Ferentz puts on the field. Give basketball a fighting chance!
I don't consider it an excuse. Lickliter imo inflicted existential damage to the program.
And PS would be a role player, spot up shooter surrounded by athletes and better players on those rosters.
Watching gonzaga vs asu now. Of course gonzaga has high level talent. But so does asu! High level athletes flying all over the court making plays inside and outside on both ends.
Bullshit.
He was at Iowa less than 36 months. He's nothing but a boogie man at this point. It's pathetic.
I can’t believe nobody has heard that it officially/unofficially is.
I couldn’t be less connected & farther away from Iowa City & the b-ball program but even I heard from a trusted person back in Iowa that it’s all but announced that this is it for Fran.
Seriously, how has nobody heard this back there or people even semi-close to the program?
Again, I really trust the guy that told me but can’t believe it hasn’t leaked from here or there from insiders & locals back there.
Maybe it isn’t true but gun to my head I’d bet this guy is right.
We’ll see.
Fran had a chance to prove his way could work with Garza and then the Murrays and the result was two really ugly ncaa losses.
I don't hate Fran by any means it's just time for something different. 15 seasons is a long time.
Change is a good thing in the current landscape. I don't think you ever want a coach sticking around this long again.
I don't hate Fran by any means it's just time for something different. 15 seasons is a long time.
Change is a good thing in the current landscape. I don't think you ever want a coach sticking around this long again.
Agree. With the exception that sticking around is fine when NCAA tourney performance warrants it. I could live with 3 final fours, including a title game appearance, over a 10 year stretch
Agree to disagree. I caught a number of games over that stretch. By the time it ended, people were looking back with longing at the Alford era
I say that for two reasons.Agree. With the exception that sticking around is fine when NCAA tourney performance warrants it. I could live with 3 final fours, including a title game appearance, over a 10 year stretch
I think in most instances if a coach is sticking around long term it means he doesn't have better options which means he's not wanted elsewhere.
I don't think you want a coach that looks at Iowa as the best they can do.
With the transfer portal it's easier to sell good players on PT with a new coach coming in and most of the roster turning over.
With the rules the way they are change is now preferable to stability unless you have a great coach.
Again….that was 14 years ago. Yes, Lick ran the program into the ground, but nothing that should still be affecting the program. Other schools have had bad coaches and turned out ok.
Substandard product ? Last I checked Kirk’s team has averaged close to 10 wins over the last 5 seasons , accounting for the shortened covid year. You obviously haven’t a clue what it takes to achieve that at the U of Iowa. Wise up.
