It's still Fran

[RomanHawk]

I've been harshly critical of Fran for several years, but will acknowledge improvement this year. Maybe it's a new assistant, maybe a forced short rotation. But he still, after 33 years, hasn't learned how to close out a game. At PSU we went 7-18 to end it (except for a bucket at the horn).

The last 3/4 minutes of a close game is a game within a game. There is no margin for error, no room for TOs, bad shots, poor defense, poor rebounding, missed FTs, .....

Tonight we came our tied with about 3 minutes left. Pensl immediately made 2 TOs. Why was he even on the floor? We then lost out composure and made every possible mistake-more TOs, bad shots, poor defense, ......

That kind of undisciplined play will loose every close game, but Fran put it in motion with his ridiculous choice of late game lineup.

 

[24 so far]

Pemsl can make a free throw and get a rebound, but he can't dribble and he turns the ball over at a pretty high rate for the number of touches he gets. The lack of capable bodies is hurting big time.

Bohannon is key in close games late and he's out, Frederick can be that guy too I think. Nunge wasn't great, but he's far better than Pemsl, and free throw shooting was poor at PSU because Garza has been poor from the line this year and he was taking a lot of them late.

This game was historically bad from 3, and we were still in it late. That part is due to Nebraska being bad.

 

[Rifler]

Why was he even on the floor?

Perhaps you haven't noticed, but our bench is rather short at the moment....

 

[SLarew]

I've been harshly critical of Fran for several years, but will acknowledge improvement this year. Maybe it's a new assistant, maybe a forced short rotation. But he still, after 33 years, hasn't learned how to close out a game. At PSU we went 7-18 to end it (except for a bucket at the horn).

The last 3/4 minutes of a close game is a game within a game. There is no margin for error, no room for TOs, bad shots, poor defense, poor rebounding, missed FTs, .....

Tonight we came our tied with about 3 minutes left. Pensl immediately made 2 TOs. Why was he even on the floor? We then lost out composure and made every possible mistake-more TOs, bad shots, poor defense, ......

That kind of undisciplined play will loose every close game, but Fran put it in motion with his ridiculous choice of late game lineup.

Fran did not miss all the 3-pointers. Make those shots and Nebraska cant pack it in on Luca and game wouldnt be close.

 

[HawkGem11]

Fran is a fool and still can't figure out how to coach a game...add on the fact he can't recruit why he is still here is a mystery

 

[HawkLogic]

9 years into Fran's reign and Iowa is only B1G team not to make it to a Saturday game in BTT over that timeframe.

I think he might be on cusp of very good team next year, so he's not on the hot seat. IF he screws up next year, then no more excuses.

This team without Frederick is not very good...the loss of Jbo was expected and Fran had open schollies and couldn't come up with anyone better than Bakari...I don't think Fran deserves a free pass if this season spirals into a losing B1G year because he's had a big transfer problem and that is on him. Bo Ryan didn't lose 2 players to transfer every year like Fran has for past few years. Good coaches don't make as many recruiting mistake/see as many transfers as Fran has.

Losing a 5th year guy like Moss is a slap in the face to Fran. Fran's lack of attention to defense is reason his teams never contend for B1G titles and his best teams usually end up on multi game losing streaks to end the season, early exit in BTT. At least Alford gave Iowa fans 3 games in BTT championship game.

​

 

[TCOOL]

I have been critical of Fran in the past but I dont see how you can put this game on him. We were down to 8 scholarship players and missed 29 three point shots. We outscored Nebraska in the paint something like 46-30 and only shot 3 free throws.

 

[hexumhawk]

I've been harshly critical of Fran for several years, but will acknowledge improvement this year. Maybe it's a new assistant, maybe a forced short rotation. But he still, after 33 years, hasn't learned how to close out a game. At PSU we went 7-18 to end it (except for a bucket at the horn).

The last 3/4 minutes of a close game is a game within a game. There is no margin for error, no room for TOs, bad shots, poor defense, poor rebounding, missed FTs, .....

Tonight we came our tied with about 3 minutes left. Pensl immediately made 2 TOs. Why was he even on the floor? We then lost out composure and made every possible mistake-more TOs, bad shots, poor defense, ......

That kind of undisciplined play will loose every close game, but Fran put it in motion with his ridiculous choice of late game lineup.

Players take on the personality of their coaches. When shots are falling we have a lot of confidence, when they arent we are frazzled, angry, and unfocused. Been this way since he took over.

I will say this- Fran did a great job at the beginning of the year getting the most of what we have. Problem is that he is horrible at adjusting mid season to adjust to the adjustments that other teams are making against us. If we want to have a better program long term it is probably time to cut the Fran ties sooner than later.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

I've been harshly critical of Fran for several years, but will acknowledge improvement this year. Maybe it's a new assistant, maybe a forced short rotation. But he still, after 33 years, hasn't learned how to close out a game. At PSU we went 7-18 to end it (except for a bucket at the horn).

The last 3/4 minutes of a close game is a game within a game. There is no margin for error, no room for TOs, bad shots, poor defense, poor rebounding, missed FTs, .....

Tonight we came our tied with about 3 minutes left. Pensl immediately made 2 TOs. Why was he even on the floor? We then lost out composure and made every possible mistake-more TOs, bad shots, poor defense, ......

That kind of undisciplined play will loose every close game, but Fran put it in motion with his ridiculous choice of late game lineup.

did you not watch any games before this one?

 

[iafan44]

Perhaps you haven't noticed, but our bench is rather short at the moment....

Pretty much all he’s been doing since he signed up a few days ago is questioning everything Iowa football and now hoops related.

 

[Bearhawk0505]

Fran did not miss all the 3-pointers. Make those shots and Nebraska cant pack it in on Luca and game wouldnt be close.

Can’t give up 76 to that NU team. D has to be better to consistently win.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Players take on the personality of their coaches. When shots are falling we have a lot of confidence, when they arent we are frazzled, angry, and unfocused. Been this way since he took over.

I will say this- Fran did a great job at the beginning of the year getting the most of what we have. Problem is that he is horrible at adjusting mid season to adjust to the adjustments that other teams are making against us. If we want to have a better program long term it is probably time to cut the Fran ties sooner than later.

Players take on the personality of their coaches. When shots are falling we have a lot of confidence, when they arent we are frazzled, angry, and unfocused. Been this way since he took over.

I will say this- Fran did a great job at the beginning of the year getting the most of what we have. Problem is that he is horrible at adjusting mid season to adjust to the adjustments that other teams are making against us. If we want to have a better program long term it is probably time to cut the Fran ties sooner than later.

these narratives are so frustrating. Where were you the first two months of the season? Did fran suddenly forget how to coach?

 

[SWIowahawks]

these narratives are so frustrating. Where were you the first two months of the season? Did fran suddenly forget how to coach?

Teams have adjusted to Iowa. Teams always adjust to Iowa throughout the season and more times than not, Fran isn’t good at adjusting. I don’t blame him 100% for the path this season is going to take, but when Pemsl, Till, and Evelyn are scholarship players in year 10; some blame can be put on Fran.

 

[hexumhawk]

Teams have adjusted to Iowa. Teams always adjust to Iowa throughout the season and more times than not, Fran isn’t good at adjusting. I don’t blame him 100% for the path this season is going to take, but when Pemsl, Till, and Evelyn are scholarship players in year 10; some blame can be put on Fran.

Thank you, you beat me to it. Is it all on Fran-No. He didnt shot 4-33 last night from 3. But teams are adjusting to our personnel and how to play us. We do a poor job adjusting and putting our players in the best spot to perform with the lineup changes. Lack of recruiting is on Fran.

 

[Rifler]

Pretty much all he’s been doing since he signed up a few days ago is questioning everything Iowa football and now hoops related.

Ok, so just an outsider troll then,.. thanks for the heads up..

 

[Steve Waite]

Teams have adjusted to Iowa. Teams always adjust to Iowa throughout the season and more times than not, Fran isn’t good at adjusting. I don’t blame him 100% for the path this season is going to take, but when Pemsl, Till, and Evelyn are scholarship players in year 10; some blame can be put on Fran.

I would agree regarding adjusting mid season, end of games and is a average recruiter.
If we had a healthy JBo, Nunge and Fredrick, we don’t even see these these 3 except for scrub minutes when we are up 20.

 

[iafan44]

Ok, so just an outsider troll then,.. thanks for the heads up..

If not an outside troll then just a very unhappy fellow. As if there’s not enough of them around here already

 

[owenhawk]

Fran is a fool and still can't figure out how to coach a game...add on the fact he can't recruit why he is still here is a mystery

You are the Fran of this board then.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Our “fans”are......something else.

 

[Pepperman]

these narratives are so frustrating. Where were you the first two months of the season? Did fran suddenly forget how to coach?

We have ten years of data though.

People can choose to focus on 2 months here or there, but after 10 years, I am not satisfied with the quality of Fran's teams. Blame injuries if you wish, but also understand that the 3 players that departed did so early enough for Fran to make attempts to fill the roster accordingly - and you can add Bohannon's hip to that same point.

I don't know what Hawkeye basketball would lose if Fran were to be sent packing? His sons? One can't even play and the other is very average.

 

[BBHawk]

I've been harshly critical of Fran for several years, but will acknowledge improvement this year. Maybe it's a new assistant, maybe a forced short rotation. But he still, after 33 years, hasn't learned how to close out a game. At PSU we went 7-18 to end it (except for a bucket at the horn).

The last 3/4 minutes of a close game is a game within a game. There is no margin for error, no room for TOs, bad shots, poor defense, poor rebounding, missed FTs, .....

Tonight we came our tied with about 3 minutes left. Pensl immediately made 2 TOs. Why was he even on the floor? We then lost out composure and made every possible mistake-more TOs, bad shots, poor defense, ......

That kind of undisciplined play will loose every close game, but Fran put it in motion with his ridiculous choice of late game lineup.

And you still misspell lose...

 

[SWIowahawks]

I would agree regarding adjusting mid season, end of games and is a average recruiter.
If we had a healthy JBo, Nunge and Fredrick, we don’t even see these these 3 except for scrub minutes when we are up 20.

They wouldn’t have big roles but we would see Evelyn and Pemsl. Not having JBo down the stretch hurts Iowa a ton. Touissant did not look ready to lead Iowa to a victory. Neither did Connor.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

We’ve lost 4 out of our top 8 players to injury but fans still expect a top 25 team because......year 10!

 

[illhawkdvv]

Wake up guys he's lost at least half of the talent he started the year with. If he can stay competitive at all with the team he has right now i'll be astounded. Last night he had one three point shooter and he went one for seven which made it impossible to keep Nebraska from double and triple teaming inside.

 

[doughuddl2]

Our “fans”are......something else.

Some need help tying their shoes in the morning.

 

[Pepperman]

We’ve lost 4 out of our top 8 players to injury but fans still expect a top 25 team because......year 10!

4 of the top 8???

Bohannon - known injury, and since April 2019 it was known or thought that he would redshirt
Nunge? - is he one of the top 8 players on this team? Maybe, I dunno.
Patrick? - is he one of the top 8? Even if he is, shouldn't Fran have been aware of his health situation?
Fredrick - I'll give you this one, that came out of nowhere and seems to be taking quite a toll on this team

 

[Pepperman]

Thinking about this some more, it actually might be an even bigger indictment of Fran. Let's assume for a minute the players listed above really were expected to be in the top 8 players - and maybe they are if you consider the top 10 to be:

Garza
Bohannon
Joe W
Fredrick
Connor
Kriener
Joe T
Nunge
Patrick (listed as ninth in this case)
Evelyn (tenth)

So somehow Fran went into a season knowing (or should have known) that 2 of his top 10 were unable to play the whole year? That leaves very little room for any other unexpected injuries, which are pretty much guaranteed to happen. And because of that, you get what we have currently.

 

[owenhawk]

We have ten years of data though.

People can choose to focus on 2 months here or there, but after 10 years, I am not satisfied with the quality of Fran's teams. Blame injuries if you wish, but also understand that the 3 players that departed did so early enough for Fran to make attempts to fill the roster accordingly - and you can add Bohannon's hip to that same point.

I don't know what Hawkeye basketball would lose if Fran were to be sent packing? His sons? One can't even play and the other is very average.

So I am curious, did you want Dr. Tom and Alford gone after 10 years of very similar data to Fran (and I am taking out Dr. Tom's first 3 years because it was proven over time that Dr. Tom won with superior talent that Raveling recruited that Dr. Tom could not match after those first 3 years)?

Because their results are the same as Fran's. I have said before and I will say again - I don't believe Fran is the best coach around but it has been 40 years since Iowa had a HOF-type coach in basketball (Olson) and he left on his own because he thought he could be more successful (or happier) elsewhere. No one ever answers this question - who is Iowa going to get that will for sure be able to take Iowa to that next level that everyone seems to think is so easy to attain? A realistic answer would be nice. Unless fans are open to coaches we know will cheat to achieve those results, I guarantee no one will give a realistic answer to this.

Also, do you believe Garza or Frederick would have came to Iowa if Fran wasn't here? Cook? Basabe? White? Let me answer - no they would not have.

Again, I don't think by any stretch that Fran is perfect. I question some of his decisions. His recruiting is up-and-down. But it's like clockwork every time Iowa loses a game for the wolves to come out to talk about how horrible of a coach and recruiter Fran is, which is funny because I find it hard Iowa would have the record they had the last year and a half if they have what some people call is non-D1 talent and terrible coaching in the toughest conference in the country.

 

[MepoDawg#]

We have ten years of data though.

People can choose to focus on 2 months here or there, but after 10 years, I am not satisfied with the quality of Fran's teams. Blame injuries if you wish, but also understand that the 3 players that departed did so early enough for Fran to make attempts to fill the roster accordingly - and you can add Bohannon's hip to that same point.

I don't know what Hawkeye basketball would lose if Fran were to be sent packing? His sons? One can't even play and the other is very average.

So Fran didn’t reach out to any transfers?

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Thinking about this some more, it actually might be an even bigger indictment of Fran. Let's assume for a minute the players listed above really were expected to be in the top 8 players - and maybe they are if you consider the top 10 to be:

Garza
Bohannon
Joe W
Fredrick
Connor
Kriener
Joe T
Nunge
Patrick (listed as ninth in this case)
Evelyn (tenth)

So somehow Fran went into a season knowing (or should have known) that 2 of his top 10 were unable to play the whole year? That leaves very little room for any other unexpected injuries, which are pretty much guaranteed to happen. And because of that, you get what we have currently.

I think more people would respect your opinion. If you just came out and said that you dislike Fran as a person and a coach. Because, results wise, we are back to what Tom Davis did after George’s recruits left the building.

 

[owenhawk]

I think more people would respect your opinion. If you just came out and said that you dislike Fran as a person and a coach. Because, results wise, we are back to what Tom Davis did after George’s recruits left the building.

Exactly. It's the same with a number of other posters around Fran and Kirk. Instead of just saying they don't like them personally, they use hyperbole in trying to make them both sound like the worst coaches on the planet.

 

[Pepperman]

I've said over and over that I don't like him personally - although that sounds odd because I don't know him and have never met him... what I mean is I don't like his personality and his demeanor. His outbursts and temper have embarrassed the University of Iowa several times. Some people are more bothered than others by this, so I admit to being a bit more bothered by it (especially when he's not exactly competing for any titles).

As for who we can get, I don't know... I'm being honest here and simply admitting, I don't know. And yeah, I was sick of Davis back in the late 90s. I think most fans got sick of the plateau, as well as a somewhat predictable season before it even started. But looking back, sure, I'd probably be happy to have a coach that represents my University well and consistently gets the team to the tourney.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

I've said over and over that I don't like him personally - although that sounds odd because I don't know him and have never met him... what I mean is I don't like his personality and his demeanor. His outbursts and temper have embarrassed the University of Iowa several times. Some people are more bothered than others by this, so I admit to being a bit more bothered by it (especially when he's not exactly competing for any titles).

As for who we can get, I don't know... I'm being honest here and simply admitting, I don't know. And yeah, I was sick of Davis back in the late 90s. I think most fans got sick of the plateau, as well as a somewhat predictable season before it even started. But looking back, sure, I'd probably be happy to have a coach that represents my University well and consistently gets the team to the tourney.

yeah, I’m sure when people think of Iowa they think of Frans outbursts.

 

[CAhawki]

I have been critical of Fran in the past but I dont see how you can put this game on him. We were down to 8 scholarship players and missed 29 three point shots. We outscored Nebraska in the paint something like 46-30 and only shot 3 free throws.

Really tells you all you need to know about the offense and the way the game was officiated

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Really tells you all you need to know about the offense and the way the game was officiated

Garza averages 6 FTA and shot 3. While being triple teamed. Seems legit.

 

[Pepperman]

yeah, I’m sure when people think of Iowa they think of Frans outbursts.

Yeah, no kidding. In fact, when people think of Iowa, they think of our football team and Kirk Ferentz, and waving to the Children's Hospital. Basketball at Iowa has not been anything that anybody needs to follow and unfortunately it has been that way for a really long time. After 10 years of Fran, it should be pretty obvious to Iowa fans that we're not becoming any more relevant. So, anyway, I've been "out" on Fran for a while now. We've discussed this all before I'm pretty sure. You're "all-in" on him for some odd reason.

 

[owenhawk]

Really tells you all you need to know about the offense and the way the game was officiated

I was trying really hard not to get mad at the reffing - because honestly I should be numb to it after all of these years, especially for Iowa on the road in the Big Ten - but I could not believe how Iowa would get hammered when they did get the ball inside and no call. Meanwhile, of course they were calling ticky-tack stuff on the other end. Than per usual, the refs start making some calls right at the end of the game on Nebraska to build up the team fouls and make it look more respectable. I think the called 4-5 fouls on Nebraska when it was under 2 minutes and only about 2-3 in the first 18 minutes of second half.

The shooting woes were the main culprit in the loss but allowing Nebraska to pound on Iowa and not getting Iowa to the line was a big piece as well.

 

[RomanHawk]

I have been critical of Fran in the past but I dont see how you can put this game on him. We were down to 8 scholarship players and missed 29 three point shots. We outscored Nebraska in the paint something like 46-30 and only shot 3 free throws.

If it makes you feel better, all that poor shooting resulted in the players tying the first game which lasted 37 minutes. Then Fran lost the second game which lasted 3 minutes.

 

[owenhawk]

I've said over and over that I don't like him personally - although that sounds odd because I don't know him and have never met him... what I mean is I don't like his personality and his demeanor. His outbursts and temper have embarrassed the University of Iowa several times. Some people are more bothered than others by this, so I admit to being a bit more bothered by it (especially when he's not exactly competing for any titles).

As for who we can get, I don't know... I'm being honest here and simply admitting, I don't know. And yeah, I was sick of Davis back in the late 90s. I think most fans got sick of the plateau, as well as a somewhat predictable season before it even started. But looking back, sure, I'd probably be happy to have a coach that represents my University well and consistently gets the team to the tourney.

Obviously, that is your prerogative to feel and think that way and I appreciate the response. Fran's personality and demeanor definitely does not bother me as much but that is because I think it is overblown.

I see people like Izzo and others act the same way but get passes (yes, likely because of competing for titles) but I also appreciate that Fran is not shady and dealing under the table like so many of his counterparts are out there. I am willing to put up with an outburst once in a while, knowing that he's not sleazy as hell and don't have to worry about future sanctions (though the way the NCAA works it seems like you might be able to do anything without getting in trouble these days).

And his players seem to love him. I think a lot of his in-game demeanor comes from an intense loyalty to his team that he lets go to far sometimes.

I personally like having both Ferentz and Fran for a lot of the same reasons. I realize both are not the best X's and O's coaches out there and not perfect but they both seem to be clean and loyal.

And like I said, with both the football and basketball teams, I have my doubt that either program can bring in a better coach to take them to that next level with the built-in obstacles Iowa has (we all know them and don't need to rehash them) and without doing it dirty.

After the first 3 years Fran took to rebuild the program (and it was a disaster), Iowa has made the tournament 4 out of the last 6 years. And even still this year, they currently are in position to make it again with what looks like it could be a really good team coming back next year.

 

[CAhawki]

Garza averages 6 FTA and shot 3. While being triple teamed. Seems legit.

Whats done is done...but from a shot selection perspective Nebraska attempted a higher percentage of 3s... yet went to FT line a hellva lot more. I think the refs just got caught up in the game