Lunardi is smoking something...

[Hawkeyegrad2006]

unless 2-3 out of PM, Pemsl, Nunge, Frederick, and Toussaint are really good and get sig minutes, what could possibly make someone who follows this program closely think Iowa is a top 12 team??

Fran, who by all accounts is a good guy and imo is a pretty solid coach schematically, has nevertheless failed to develop anyone. Who besides Aaron White really improved that much? Some guys (Baer, Cook, Gessell, Basabe) arguably got worse as time passed.

Therefore, I think we can chalk up predictions of top 10-12 team in the nation to lack of intimate familiarity with the program.

I get it, Joe L has to monitor 100 teams, but unfortunately I don’t see how he’s not wrong here barring VERY significant contributions from the aforementioned players who weren’t on the active roster this season.

 

[StormHawk42]

2 words: Click. Bait.

 

[CP84]

Lmfao.

Never developed anyone?

He took essentially the same roster that won 14 games a year ago, added Wieskamp and won 23 and made the 2nd round.

Some of you "fans" are a real laugh.

No reason to believe the team that adds Pat Mccaffery, Toussaint and Nunge cant improve further to 25-26 wins.

 

[MepoDawg#]

2 words: Click. Bait.

Lunardi or the OP?

 

[MepoDawg#]

unless 2-3 out of PM, Pemsl, Nunge, Frederick, and Toussaint are really good and get sig minutes, what could possibly make someone who follows this program closely think Iowa is a top 12 team??

Fran, who by all accounts is a good guy and imo is a pretty solid coach schematically, has nevertheless failed to develop anyone. Who besides Aaron White really improved that much? Some guys (Baer, Cook, Gessell, Basabe) arguably got worse as time passed.

Therefore, I think we can chalk up predictions of top 10-12 team in the nation to lack of intimate familiarity with the program.

I get it, Joe L has to monitor 100 teams, but unfortunately I don’t see how he’s not wrong here barring VERY significant contributions from the aforementioned players who weren’t on the active roster this season.

Baer? You’re kidding, right? He came to Iowa as a walk-on. Marble? Bohannon? Cook hasn’t regressed. JU?

 

[BBHawk]

unless 2-3 out of PM, Pemsl, Nunge, Frederick, and Toussaint are really good and get sig minutes, what could possibly make someone who follows this program closely think Iowa is a top 12 team??

Fran, who by all accounts is a good guy and imo is a pretty solid coach schematically, has nevertheless failed to develop anyone. Who besides Aaron White really improved that much? Some guys (Baer, Cook, Gessell, Basabe) arguably got worse as time passed.

Therefore, I think we can chalk up predictions of top 10-12 team in the nation to lack of intimate familiarity with the program.

I get it, Joe L has to monitor 100 teams, but unfortunately I don’t see how he’s not wrong here barring VERY significant contributions from the aforementioned players who weren’t on the active roster this season.

You seriously don't think that Wieskamp will have a better year next year?

 

[Hawkeyegrad2006]

“Real” fans have to be sycophants?

However, in hindsight I may have been too hard on Fran. It’s very common for college players in general to peak before they’re upperclassmen. I took my frustration out on Fran’s recruitment inadequacies (overall) and misapplied it to his development.

My mistake. I see that now with further thought.

Lmfao.

Never developed anyone?

He took essentially the same roster that won 14 games a year ago, added Wieskamp and won 23 and made the 2nd round.

Some of you "fans" are a real laugh.

No reason to believe the team that adds Pat Mccaffery, Toussaint and Nunge cant improve further to 25-26 wins.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Four straight first team all conference players

Zero top 100 players

Doesn’t develop tho

 

[Hawkeyegrad2006]

Four straight first team all conference players

Zero top 100 players

Doesn’t develop tho

Zero top 100? That’s incorrect.

 

[C/Seahawk]

Zero top 100? That’s incorrect.

Quit while you’re behind. You’ve struck out looking on three pitches. Iowa had four straight first team all B1G players and none of them were top 100 recruits out of high school

 

[hawkjt]

Lunardi is looking at a team that returns 10 players and adds two four star frosh.
A team that upset Cinncy and took #2seed Vols to OT. He does not care about our struggles at the end of the season.
To him, we finished the important part of the season strong.

If we.lose Tyler I have my doubts about top 15 predictions but I was surprised this year and would love to be wrong again

 

[anon_gjzkhykcp9iuj]

“Real” fans have to be sycophants?

However, in hindsight I may have been too hard on Fran. It’s very common for college players in general to peak before they’re upperclassmen. I took my frustration out on Fran’s recruitment inadequacies (overall) and misapplied it to his development.

My mistake. I see that now with further thought.

No, real fans just can't be morons with axes to grind. And further thought is not possible without having thought in the first place.

 

[Cydkar]

unless 2-3 out of PM, Pemsl, Nunge, Frederick, and Toussaint are really good and get sig minutes, what could possibly make someone who follows this program closely think Iowa is a top 12 team??

Fran, who by all accounts is a good guy and imo is a pretty solid coach schematically, has nevertheless failed to develop anyone. Who besides Aaron White really improved that much? Some guys (Baer, Cook, Gessell, Basabe) arguably got worse as time passed.

Therefore, I think we can chalk up predictions of top 10-12 team in the nation to lack of intimate familiarity with the program.

I get it, Joe L has to monitor 100 teams, but unfortunately I don’t see how he’s not wrong here barring VERY significant contributions from the aforementioned players who weren’t on the active roster this season.

If you are using Lunardi for pre-season basketball predictions, YOU are the one smoking something. Shame on you for even clicking on it. He's a math nerd, not a basketball expert. Not to mention that rosters aren't even close to finalized for these teams. 100% click bait.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

I think the even more ridiculous placement is ISU as a #4 seed considering all the people they are losing like 5 of their top 7 scorers.

 

[Hawk_82]

Some are so blinded by their hate for Fran that you would rather see Iowa fail over Fran doing well.

We have a good team next year and we should be excited. If lunardi would have put us outside the top 25 people would complain about that too.

Enjoy the publicly and hope this will draw in the next big recruit!

 

[Hawk_4shur]

“Real” fans have to be sycophants?

However, in hindsight I may have been too hard on Fran. It’s very common for college players in general to peak before they’re upperclassmen. I took my frustration out on Fran’s recruitment inadequacies (overall) and misapplied it to his development.

My mistake. I see that now with further thought.

Wait ... what? You changed your mind based on additional information and thought? You are therefor somewhat open minded about your opinions?

I'm sorry, but you may not be cut out for HR.

 

[Rustys Dad]

unless 2-3 out of PM, Pemsl, Nunge, Frederick, and Toussaint are really good and get sig minutes, what could possibly make someone who follows this program closely think Iowa is a top 12 team??

Fran, who by all accounts is a good guy and imo is a pretty solid coach schematically, has nevertheless failed to develop anyone. Who besides Aaron White really improved that much? Some guys (Baer, Cook, Gessell, Basabe) arguably got worse as time passed.

Therefore, I think we can chalk up predictions of top 10-12 team in the nation to lack of intimate familiarity with the program.

I get it, Joe L has to monitor 100 teams, but unfortunately I don’t see how he’s not wrong here barring VERY significant contributions from the aforementioned players who weren’t on the active roster this season.

Your post was doomed because the Fran lovers finally think Year #10 is going to be THE YEAR.

I think we will be decent but we still don't play defense and the Big 10 will continue to be solid. Until this team learns to play defense we will never compete for the Sweet 16 or Big 10 titles under Fran ... We are the same program we've been for 9 years ...

 

[CP84]

Your post was doomed because the Fran lovers finally think Year #10 is going to be THE YEAR.

I think we will be decent but we still don't play defense and the Big 10 will continue to be solid. Until this team learns to play defense we will never compete for the Sweet 16 or Big 10 titles under Fran ... We are the same program we've been for 9 years ...

Never compete for the Sweet 16? Lmfao

Is going to OT in the round of 32 not considered competing?

I'm sorry that you're delusional.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Never compete for the Sweet 16? Lmfao

Is going to OT in the round of 32 not considered competing?

I'm sorry that you're delusional.

The fact you still think Fran is going to 'turn the corner' after 9 years is delusional.

 

[SotaHawk87]

If you are using Lunardi for pre-season basketball predictions, YOU are the one smoking something. Shame on you for even clicking on it. He's a math nerd, not a basketball expert. Not to mention that rosters aren't even close to finalized for these teams. 100% click bait.

True. Best example is ISU as a 4 seed with everything they lose. He really doesn’t do any research.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Your post was doomed because the Fran lovers finally think Year #10 is going to be THE YEAR.

I think we will be decent but we still don't play defense and the Big 10 will continue to be solid. Until this team learns to play defense we will never compete for the Sweet 16 or Big 10 titles under Fran ... We are the same program we've been for 9 years ...

I consider playing to within one possession of the sweet sixteen vs a 2 seed quite a bit better than getting blown out vs a 2 seed.

The tournament involves a ton of luck. You can of course put yourself in a better position for success but if we make the Sweet 16 next year I am not going to suddenly say that Fran is a better coach. The best route to the Sweet 16 and beyond is to make the tournament a bunch of times, and Fran seems well on his way to doing that.

 

[Rustys Dad]

The best route to the Sweet 16 and beyond is to make the tournament a bunch of times, and Fran seems well on his way to doing that.

I hope you are correct. The Big 10 will continue to get better.

 

[CP84]

True. Best example is ISU as a 4 seed with everything they lose. He really doesn’t do any research.

4 is probably high but it's plausible. Haliburton is going to be a very good player. He's athletic with a huge wingspan for a pg. Jacobson is back. Conditt could become a very solid player, especially on defense. They have a grad transfer to take weiler-babbs spot.

Their recruiting class wasn't stellar but Leech was considered a top 100 player with offers from LSU and Kansas before his injury. Could be a Jok situation.

I could see ISU anywhere from NIT to top 25.

 

[CP84]

The fact you still think Fran is going to 'turn the corner' after 9 years is delusional.

Tom Davis scenario all over again. History repeats itself. Davis made the Elite 8 and Sweet 16 in his 1st and 2nd year with Raveling recruits and then not again until his last season 11 years later.

Maybe we can push him out and go find another trendy mid major coach to lead us to NIT glory.

 

[Mohawkeye]

The fact you still think Fran is going to 'turn the corner' after 9 years is delusional.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Fran "turned the corner" from a horrid Lickliter era about 6-7 years ago. You can say you are unhappy with going to the NCAAs every other year and usually advancing, but you can't objectively argue that he hasn't drastically improved the program back to its historical mean since around 1990.

2010–11 Iowa 11–20 4–14 10th
2011–12 Iowa 18–17 8–10 T–7th NIT Second Round
2012–13 Iowa 25–13 9–9 6th NIT Runner-up
2013–14 Iowa 20–13 9–9 6th NCAA Division I First Four
2014–15 Iowa 22–12 12–6 T–3rd NCAA Division I Round of 32
2015–16 Iowa 22–11 12–6 T–3rd NCAA Division I Round of 32
2016–17 Iowa 19–15 10–8 T–5th NIT Second Round
2017–18 Iowa 14–19 4–14 T–11th
2018–19 Iowa 23–12 10–10 6th NCAA Division I Round of 32

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

“Real” fans have to be sycophants?

However, in hindsight I may have been too hard on Fran. It’s very common for college players in general to peak before they’re upperclassmen. I took my frustration out on Fran’s recruitment inadequacies (overall) and misapplied it to his development.

My mistake. I see that now with further thought.

Hindsight usually mean looking back in time, not looking and talking out your behind. Might want to read your dictionary more carefully before using unusual words.

 

[anon_wic6m41528ao4]

Delusional Fran Supporter Here: Lisa Bluder got to her first Elite Eight and won National Coach of the year in her NINETEENTH SEASON. Jim Boeheim never got past the sweet 16 until his eleventh season at Syracuse.

Before you freak out, I'm obviously not saying Fran is Jim Boeheim. 20 wins and round of 32 is probably the norm for Fran, but I'll still hope for the best. Sometimes a great season and a late season run is more about luck than anything. See the 2009 Hawkeye Football team and every underdog that has ever made it to a final four.

 

[anon_wic6m41528ao4]

Oh and to say Fran doesn't develop anybody without providing proof is asinine. Mike Gesel set a single season assist record his senior year, good for 20th ALL TIME in the B10. Peter Jok led the B10 in scoring senior year. Devyn Marble went from 5 ppg to 17 ppg his senior year. Jok, Uthoff, White, and Marble all made All-B10 teams their senior year. With the exception of Uthoff, all those guys were 3*.

Duds like Uhl or Wagner probably say more to frans recruiting decisions than ability to coach players up.

 

[C/Seahawk]

Oh and to say Fran doesn't develop anybody without providing proof is asinine. Mike Gesel set a single season assist record his senior year, good for 20th ALL TIME in the B10. Peter Jok led the B10 in scoring senior year. Devyn Marble went from 5 ppg to 17 ppg his senior year. Jok, Uthoff, White, and Marble all made All-B10 teams their senior year. With the exception of Uthoff, all those guys were 3*.

Duds like Uhl or Wagner probably say more to frans recruiting decisions than ability to coach players up.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Olaseni as a player that dramatically improved during his time at Iowa which can be directly attributed to the coaching he received. Player development is the least of my concerns with Fran...my biggest concern is his reluctance to demand maximum effort on defense. Especially when he elects to go 10+ deep on our bench, our guys should be playing with maximum intensity and effort on defense and in transition and I simply haven't seen that happen during his time at Iowa, he seems perfectly content to try and outscore teams versus demanding outstanding defense.

 

[Underscore2]

Making the tournament more, and not making it past the 2nd round more. Maybe someday we will be on par with Cincinnati.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Fran "turned the corner" from a horrid Lickliter era about 6-7 years ago. You can say you are unhappy with going to the NCAAs every other year and usually advancing, but you can't objectively argue that he hasn't drastically improved the program back to its historical mean since around 1990.

2010–11 Iowa 11–20 4–14 10th
2011–12 Iowa 18–17 8–10 T–7th NIT Second Round
2012–13 Iowa 25–13 9–9 6th NIT Runner-up
2013–14 Iowa 20–13 9–9 6th NCAA Division I First Four
2014–15 Iowa 22–12 12–6 T–3rd NCAA Division I Round of 32
2015–16 Iowa 22–11 12–6 T–3rd NCAA Division I Round of 32
2016–17 Iowa 19–15 10–8 T–5th NIT Second Round
2017–18 Iowa 14–19 4–14 T–11th
2018–19 Iowa 23–12 10–10 6th NCAA Division I Round of 32

Sure, Fran dug out us out of the Lick fiasco. Looking at his overall body of work:

Overall record at Iowa: 174-132 (.569)
Big 10 record (79-86 (.488)

I do hope Fran has turned the corner. As a fan of Iowa athletics for 40+ years, I am passionate about the Hawks and I think Iowa can and should expect to do better. Maintaining the status quo should not be the norm ... Even Nebraska basketball has said 'we want to win and we think we can with Fred Hoiberg.' And I will bet within 2 years Fred will elevate Nebraska to a new level. It can be done and we should expect more than just making it to the tournament. That's like 'making it to a bowl game.'

Fran shouldn't continue to get any passes. No more 'wait until next year.'

He is by far the worst defensive coach Iowa has had in my 40+ years of watching Iowa basketball ... and it's not even close. Let's not just focus on our comeback against Tennessee ... If we're being honest, it was a hell of a comeback but Tennessee phoned it in at halftime. Iowa and Tennessee play 10 times and Tennessee most likely wins all 10 ...

Many things need to change and it should not take 10 years for it to happen:

Namely: a true PG
Defense
We need more athletes ... Joe T is a start. He looks great in his highlight reels and I hope he develops into a Power 5 player. After 9 years, Fran has to continue to elevate the program ... No more one step forward, two steps back ... The clock is ticking.

 

[Hawkeyegrad2006]

Hindsight usually mean looking back in time, not looking and talking out your behind. Might want to read your dictionary more carefully before using unusual words.

Fucck off. Hindsight is exactly what it was. I thought through my post and realized I could have worded it better.

 

[Hawkeyegrad2006]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Olaseni as a player that dramatically improved during his time at Iowa which can be directly attributed to the coaching he received. Player development is the least of my concerns with Fran...my biggest concern is his reluctance to demand maximum effort on defense. Especially when he elects to go 10+ deep on our bench, our guys should be playing with maximum intensity and effort on defense and in transition and I simply haven't seen that happen during his time at Iowa, he seems perfectly content to try and outscore teams versus demanding outstanding defense.

After recruitment, defense is biggest problem. I have no qualms with his ability to coach offense very well.

 

[owenhawk]

Lmfao.

Never developed anyone?

He took essentially the same roster that won 14 games a year ago, added Wieskamp and won 23 and made the 2nd round.

Some of you "fans" are a real laugh.

No reason to believe the team that adds Pat Mccaffery, Toussaint and Nunge cant improve further to 25-26 wins.

Agreed. How many tired posts are there going to be that Fran never improves any players only to have it refuted with many examples? That’s just ridiculous to say that. The way some of our fans talk about Fran’s coaching and development and recruiting, I’m trying to figure out how Iowa ever wins 10 games a year or any game in conference?

And while I don’t know if I expect Iowa to be a Top Ten team next year, there are a lot of positives of why they could be that (or at least close to that).

 

[owenhawk]

I hope you are correct. The Big 10 will continue to get better.

More likely it will just continue to be the same with some teams on the upswing and some on the downswing and changing every year.

We hear that same argument in football all the time as well. The Big Ten is and always will be tough in both sports but not every team is on a perpetual upward trajectory all the time while Iowa will be the only team staying stagnant or going backwards.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Joe Lunardi is optimistic about the direction of the Iowa Hawkeye
BB program. Well, as a matter of fact, so am I. I've been a
Season ticket holder since Moby was a minnow and even without
St Nicholas Baer and possibly, Tyler, there is a lot to like about the
returning Roster for theeeee Iowa Hawkeyes.

So, it is always refreshing that the most critical mouths (like the OP) seem to
be short on info regarding many facts.

GO HAWKS !!

 

[HawkRugged17]

Fucck off. Hindsight is exactly what it was. I thought through my post and realized I could have worded it better.

 

[HawkTex]

Lmfao.

Never developed anyone?

He took essentially the same roster that won 14 games a year ago, added Wieskamp and won 23 and made the 2nd round.

Some of you "fans" are a real laugh.

No reason to believe the team that adds Pat Mccaffery, Toussaint and Nunge cant improve further to 25-26 wins.

Not saying it can’t happen. However, until Fran’s teams improve defensively, you are going to continue to see 8-12 to 12-8 in the BIG Conference.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Fucck off. Hindsight is exactly what it was. I thought through my post and realized I could have worded it better.

Had to look up "sycophant" to make sure that I understood the meaning. That was and probably will be the only time I use it in a sentence. You might want to make sure you understand it, before you use it again, Mr. Hindsight.