The ending of this game sucked if you're a Hawkeye fan. No doubt. Especially given the 2013 game. Deja vu.
With that said, I think some of the comments about how terrible Fran is at coaching etc. are pretty ridiculous and steeped in emotional hysteria, lacking clear perspective and a grasp on reality.
1) Coming into this season, most experts (on and off this board) viewed Iowa as slightly above average and a middle-of-the-pack B1G team. Tonight, this same Iowa team went into one of the most hostile environments in college basketball and led a top 5 team by double-digits a good portion of the game.
2) Tonight's game clearly showed that Iowa lacks skill and leadership at the one position that is critically important to winning big games (especially on the road): point guard. For those with memory issues, many on here have praised Fran for his aggressive and rigorous efforts at recruiting top points guards (i.e. Tyler Ullis) and although coming up short in landing those types of kids, the fact that he was able to identify those kids early on who really took off (recruiting ranking rise) as high school seniors and was able to attract their attention despite how dismal Iowa basketball had been for a while showed Fran's commitment to building a winner.
3) For the next four years, Iowa has commitments from at least one kid in top 100/50 in each class. In short, the future is bright.
Yes, I am as disappointed with the outcome of this game as any Hawk fan. But I think a little perspective is in order before a mass petition goes out to the AD to find a new men's basketball coach at the University of Iowa.
With that said, I think some of the comments about how terrible Fran is at coaching etc. are pretty ridiculous and steeped in emotional hysteria, lacking clear perspective and a grasp on reality.
1) Coming into this season, most experts (on and off this board) viewed Iowa as slightly above average and a middle-of-the-pack B1G team. Tonight, this same Iowa team went into one of the most hostile environments in college basketball and led a top 5 team by double-digits a good portion of the game.
2) Tonight's game clearly showed that Iowa lacks skill and leadership at the one position that is critically important to winning big games (especially on the road): point guard. For those with memory issues, many on here have praised Fran for his aggressive and rigorous efforts at recruiting top points guards (i.e. Tyler Ullis) and although coming up short in landing those types of kids, the fact that he was able to identify those kids early on who really took off (recruiting ranking rise) as high school seniors and was able to attract their attention despite how dismal Iowa basketball had been for a while showed Fran's commitment to building a winner.
3) For the next four years, Iowa has commitments from at least one kid in top 100/50 in each class. In short, the future is bright.
Yes, I am as disappointed with the outcome of this game as any Hawk fan. But I think a little perspective is in order before a mass petition goes out to the AD to find a new men's basketball coach at the University of Iowa.
