Poor Transfer Portal Recruiting Is Already Evident

[IowasLaw]

The Hawks had a legitimate Top 5 team last year. They were loaded with more talent than any Iowa team since Armstrong & Marble and it showed.

Going into the offseason, everyone knew that this year's team would have some serious holes to fill, both with Garza's graduation and the exodos of guys who left with eligibility remaining. With Murray receiving all kinds of pre-season buzz as a "projected 1st round draft pick" the Big 10's all time leading 3 point shooter returning, the team still had the potential to be phenomenal. All that was needed was a little recruiting effort by the staff. They failed to fill the immediate needs and it's about to show.

Shooting Guard - Ash. Instead of going hard in the transfer portal to find a shooter to fill in for Weezy/Frederick, Fran whiffed a few times and promptly gave up. While most coaches would have scrapped and clawed until the last second, Fran handed the 1st every "charity" scholarship to a perennial Top 25 Big 10 basketball scholarship to...Austin Ash?! There weren't ANY MAC level shooting guards averaging 12 points a game willing to come to Iowa and play along side Murray, etc.? Welp...Ash is shooting just 11% from 3 and plays Jon Licklighter level defense.

Post - Ogundele. Similarly, with Nunge and Garza leaving, it was clear the team desperately needed big bodies who can bang in the Big 10. After picking up low hanging fruit in undersized Rebraka, Fran decided to roll the dice on giving 5 years of scholarship to Josh Ogundele. He learned under Garza and would be ready to contribute this year, right? Nope.

If playing an early cupcake schedule has taught Iowa anything, it's that Murray likely won't be back next year and neither Ash nor Ogundele are ready to play Big 10 basketball. Ash was lovable as a walk on who chucked up wild 3 pointers from half court any time he got the ball last year. But now Fran made him one of just 26 power 5 scholarship basketball players in the entire state of Iowa. More should be expected out of him than a goofy teenage smile. Then there's Ogundele. While I'm rooting for him to be an all-Big 10 center in 2024, it was evident even against 0-6 Alabama State last night that he wouldn't see playing time for THEM, let alone Iowa. Ya don't think the Hawks could have found anyone in all of college basketball better than that to step in this year and see minutes?

It's fun watching the Hawks walk all over the worst teams in basketball, but I think at the end of the year we are going to realize what a wasted opportunity this was to have a team with a few "all time greats" not have a chance to succeed due to lazy transfer portal recruiting in the offseason.

 

[BurgHawk87]

Hey the bad hot takes are on this board too? Thanks for not misspelling your name.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

You coulda just waited until after the Virginia game.

 

[Lumas Etima]

I feel like Bohannon is effectively our portal pickup at shooting guard, since the expectation among everybody at the end of the season was that he wasn't coming back. He has limitations, to be sure, but I don't know that there were tons of better options in the portal. (And I would have hated to see him shining for somebody else this year.)

I would have loved to have picked up a more accomplished big man. I wouldn't consider Rebraca "low-hanging fruit," and I like his general athleticism, but I do concede that he seems a bit more like a PF than a C. Better scenario would have been to have kept Nunge (and kept him healthy). I am curious to see how this position plays out over the course of the year. I am optimistic, but I understand why others are concerned.

Ogundele committed way back in 2019. Whether he was a good pickup or not certainly remains to be seen, but I don't think he belongs in the conversation about offseason recruiting last spring.

 

[IamHawkeye]

The Hawks had a legitimate Top 5 team last year. They were loaded with more talent than any Iowa team since Armstrong & Marble and it showed.

Going into the offseason, everyone knew that this year's team would have some serious holes to fill, both with Garza's graduation and the exodos of guys who left with eligibility remaining. With Murray receiving all kinds of pre-season buzz as a "projected 1st round draft pick" the Big 10's all time leading 3 point shooter returning, the team still had the potential to be phenomenal. All that was needed was a little recruiting effort by the staff. They failed to fill the immediate needs and it's about to show.

Shooting Guard - Ash. Instead of going hard in the transfer portal to find a shooter to fill in for Weezy/Frederick, Fran whiffed a few times and promptly gave up. While most coaches would have scrapped and clawed until the last second, Fran handed the 1st every "charity" scholarship to a perennial Top 25 Big 10 basketball scholarship to...Austin Ash?! There weren't ANY MAC level shooting guards averaging 12 points a game willing to come to Iowa and play along side Murray, etc.? Welp...Ash is shooting just 11% from 3 and plays Jon Licklighter level defense.. Might as well

Post - Ogundele. Similarly, with Nunge and Garza leaving, it was clear the team desperately needed big bodies who can bang in the Big 10. After picking up low hanging fruit in undersized Rebraka, Fran decided to roll the dice on giving 5 years of scholarship to Josh Ogundele. He learned under Garza and would be ready to contribute this year, right? Nope.

If playing an early cupcake schedule has taught Iowa anything, it's that Murray likely won't be back next year and neither Ash nor Ogundele are ready to play Big 10 basketball. Ash was lovable as a walk on who chucked up wild 3 pointers from half court any time he got the ball last year. But now Fran made him one of just 26 power 5 scholarship basketball players in the entire state of Iowa. More should be expected out of him than a goofy teenage smile. Then there's Ogundele. While I'm rooting for him to be an all-Big 10 center in 2024, it was evident even against 0-6 Alabama State last night that he wouldn't see playing time for THEM, let alone Iowa. Ya don't think the Hawks could have found anyone in all of college basketball better than that to step in this year and see minutes?

It's fun watching the Hawks walk all over the worst teams in basketball, but I think at the end of the year we are going to realize what a wasted opportunity this was to have a team with a few "all time greats" not have a chance to succeed due to lazy transfer portal recruiting in the offseason.

Transfer portal is going to ruin college basketball--college as in college. Might as well be pro.

 

[BiPolarHawkeyeFan]

The Hawks had a legitimate Top 5 team last year. They were loaded with more talent than any Iowa team since Armstrong & Marble and it showed.

Going into the offseason, everyone knew that this year's team would have some serious holes to fill, both with Garza's graduation and the exodos of guys who left with eligibility remaining. With Murray receiving all kinds of pre-season buzz as a "projected 1st round draft pick" the Big 10's all time leading 3 point shooter returning, the team still had the potential to be phenomenal. All that was needed was a little recruiting effort by the staff. They failed to fill the immediate needs and it's about to show.

Shooting Guard - Ash. Instead of going hard in the transfer portal to find a shooter to fill in for Weezy/Frederick, Fran whiffed a few times and promptly gave up. While most coaches would have scrapped and clawed until the last second, Fran handed the 1st every "charity" scholarship to a perennial Top 25 Big 10 basketball scholarship to...Austin Ash?! There weren't ANY MAC level shooting guards averaging 12 points a game willing to come to Iowa and play along side Murray, etc.? Welp...Ash is shooting just 11% from 3 and plays Jon Licklighter level defense.

Post - Ogundele. Similarly, with Nunge and Garza leaving, it was clear the team desperately needed big bodies who can bang in the Big 10. After picking up low hanging fruit in undersized Rebraka, Fran decided to roll the dice on giving 5 years of scholarship to Josh Ogundele. He learned under Garza and would be ready to contribute this year, right? Nope.

If playing an early cupcake schedule has taught Iowa anything, it's that Murray likely won't be back next year and neither Ash nor Ogundele are ready to play Big 10 basketball. Ash was lovable as a walk on who chucked up wild 3 pointers from half court any time he got the ball last year. But now Fran made him one of just 26 power 5 scholarship basketball players in the entire state of Iowa. More should be expected out of him than a goofy teenage smile. Then there's Ogundele. While I'm rooting for him to be an all-Big 10 center in 2024, it was evident even against 0-6 Alabama State last night that he wouldn't see playing time for THEM, let alone Iowa. Ya don't think the Hawks could have found anyone in all of college basketball better than that to step in this year and see minutes?

It's fun watching the Hawks walk all over the worst teams in basketball, but I think at the end of the year we are going to realize what a wasted opportunity this was to have a team with a few "all time greats" not have a chance to succeed due to lazy transfer portal recruiting in the offseason.

Iowa was not a legit top 5 team last year. Let’s just clear that up. I like this years squad and love the idea of playing smaller. Go Hawks

 

[unoHawkeye]

Stick to football

 

[mstp1992]

I feel like Bohannon is effectively our portal pickup at shooting guard, since the expectation among everybody at the end of the season was that he wasn't coming back. He has limitations, to be sure, but I don't know that there were tons of better options in the portal. (And I would have hated to see him shining for somebody else this year.)

I would have loved to have picked up a more accomplished big man. I wouldn't consider Rebraca "low-hanging fruit," and I like his general athleticism, but I do concede that he seems a bit more like a PF than a C. Better scenario would have been to have kept Nunge (and kept him healthy). I am curious to see how this position plays out over the course of the year. I am optimistic, but I understand why others are concerned.

Ogundele committed way back in 2019. Whether he was a good pickup or not certainly remains to be seen, but I don't think he belongs in the conversation about offseason recruiting last spring.

Nunge left to be closer to home, so he was not an option anymore.

Iowa went hard after Liam Robbins, but he chose Vanderbilt instead. It may be a blessing in disguise, though, as Robbins has been out with a foot injury (labeled stress reaction), and his timeline for returning is uncertain.

Rebraca has a good 'mid-major' resume, so I don't think he's 'low-hanging fruit' either. My guess is that if Keegan started the season not looking like Grant Hill then Rebraca would be looked at more consistently in the offensive sets. As it is, he's getting 8 rebounds a game and shooting 9/12 from the field. He's not Luka Garza, but he'll be fine.

 

[rrsteffe]

Stick to football

He's no better at analysing football than he is hoops.

 

[SSG T]

I feel like Bohannon is effectively our portal pickup at shooting guard, since the expectation among everybody at the end of the season was that he wasn't coming back. He has limitations, to be sure, but I don't know that there were tons of better options in the portal. (And I would have hated to see him shining for somebody else this year.)

I would have loved to have picked up a more accomplished big man. I wouldn't consider Rebraca "low-hanging fruit," and I like his general athleticism, but I do concede that he seems a bit more like a PF than a C. Better scenario would have been to have kept Nunge (and kept him healthy). I am curious to see how this position plays out over the course of the year. I am optimistic, but I understand why others are concerned.

Ogundele committed way back in 2019. Whether he was a good pickup or not certainly remains to be seen, but I don't think he belongs in the conversation about offseason recruiting last spring.

I've said before, if the Hawks had picked up a 2G in the portal that was 39% from 3 last year while attempting a bit over 6.5 per game, and was a career 40% while attempting almost 6.5 per game, everyone would be shocked at how Fran was able to fill that kind of need.

Because it was JBo, who many were ready to see gone, those people are talking about him blocking better players.

 

[mstp1992]

The Hawks had a legitimate Top 5 team last year. They were loaded with more talent than any Iowa team since Armstrong & Marble and it showed.

Going into the offseason, everyone knew that this year's team would have some serious holes to fill, both with Garza's graduation and the exodos of guys who left with eligibility remaining. With Murray receiving all kinds of pre-season buzz as a "projected 1st round draft pick" the Big 10's all time leading 3 point shooter returning, the team still had the potential to be phenomenal. All that was needed was a little recruiting effort by the staff. They failed to fill the immediate needs and it's about to show.

Shooting Guard - Ash. Instead of going hard in the transfer portal to find a shooter to fill in for Weezy/Frederick, Fran whiffed a few times and promptly gave up. While most coaches would have scrapped and clawed until the last second, Fran handed the 1st every "charity" scholarship to a perennial Top 25 Big 10 basketball scholarship to...Austin Ash?! There weren't ANY MAC level shooting guards averaging 12 points a game willing to come to Iowa and play along side Murray, etc.? Welp...Ash is shooting just 11% from 3 and plays Jon Licklighter level defense.

Post - Ogundele. Similarly, with Nunge and Garza leaving, it was clear the team desperately needed big bodies who can bang in the Big 10. After picking up low hanging fruit in undersized Rebraka, Fran decided to roll the dice on giving 5 years of scholarship to Josh Ogundele. He learned under Garza and would be ready to contribute this year, right? Nope.

If playing an early cupcake schedule has taught Iowa anything, it's that Murray likely won't be back next year and neither Ash nor Ogundele are ready to play Big 10 basketball. Ash was lovable as a walk on who chucked up wild 3 pointers from half court any time he got the ball last year. But now Fran made him one of just 26 power 5 scholarship basketball players in the entire state of Iowa. More should be expected out of him than a goofy teenage smile. Then there's Ogundele. While I'm rooting for him to be an all-Big 10 center in 2024, it was evident even against 0-6 Alabama State last night that he wouldn't see playing time for THEM, let alone Iowa. Ya don't think the Hawks could have found anyone in all of college basketball better than that to step in this year and see minutes?

It's fun watching the Hawks walk all over the worst teams in basketball, but I think at the end of the year we are going to realize what a wasted opportunity this was to have a team with a few "all time greats" not have a chance to succeed due to lazy transfer portal recruiting in the offseason.

With all of your misspellings, it's difficult to take your post seriously.

 

[jonesy5960]

You lost me when your first point came down to Ash being a poor 2 guard. If you think Fran is counting on Ash to do anything you're crazy. Ash won't see the light of day outside of garbage time. Your backup point is Ulis. Your backup 2s, 3s and 4s are Sandfort, Perkins, Connor, and Kris. That's a solid 10 man rotation.

Rebraca was a quality portal add but still our biggest depth problem is at the 5 and right now it looks like that will need to be by committee.

 

[HawkLogic]

Iowa was not a legit top 5 team last year. Let’s just clear that up. I like this years squad and love the idea of playing smaller. Go Hawks

Every time Fran has a dynamic scoring duo (Devyn Marble/Aaron white or Uthoff/Aaron White or Uthoff/Jok), the supporting cast from rest of the team is mostly junk. That unfortunately was case last year with Garza/Weezy. The rest of the cast couldn't play defense and the injuries did them in. Two NBA players and they got waxed in NCAA tourney because they couldn't guard--they were barely a Top20 team in the end.

Rebacca was huge pickup given he has some girth/athleticism. If the NCAA tourney tells us anything, the B1G fixation on great Big men doesn't translate into wins in NCAA tourney.

To get through the B1G, Iowa needs to feed the post more and can't live by jacking up 3pt shots. Mulvey is not ready., but he is young. I would say Josh O. can rebound and has the strength to defend low post and I think we are going to be okay.

Iowa wasn't going to get an elite wing or post player in portal beyond Rebacca. Nunge leaving was puzzling, but his injury history says he was snake bit if he stayed at Iowa. CJ wasn;t going to make it a full season either, so no loss.

 

[icwesthawk]

Ash is the bummer. Nice kid, hard worker, I'm guessing, but just not a BIG player. I'm sure Fran tried, but needed to find a difference maker and didn't/couldn't. Probably had to risk losing a Joe T, Ulis or Perkins and maybe didn't want to do that.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Top 5? Lol.

 

[Ronman]

Transfer portal is going to ruin college basketball--college as in college. Might as well be pro.

Coupled with the NIL and some of the extravagant "gifts" certain players are receiving, college ball will be changed forever unless the spectacularly ineffective NCAA steps up and creates some standards. If not, they may as well create one league for the bluebloods, who can now openly cheat and buy all the best players, and one for the rest of us.

 

[CarterHall]

Meanwhile, at Notre Dame

 

[unoHawkeye]

Ash is the bummer. Nice kid, hard worker, I'm guessing, but just not a BIG player. I'm sure Fran tried, but needed to find a difference maker and didn't/couldn't. Probably had to risk losing a Joe T, Ulis or Perkins and maybe didn't want to do that.

I understand why folks are disappointed about the Ash situation, especially when we could have really used more big man depth, but the reality is that getting a quality contributor at that spot was going to be extremely difficult after landing Rebraca. Having Bohannon back was the equivalent of bringing in a grad transfer for one year. With Perkins’ finish to the season last year where he was getting quality minutes, I didn’t see us being able to attract that great of talent at the 2 spot… at least not better than Bohannon/Perkins

The Rebraca hate in the OP is flat out laughable. He was second team all Summit league last year, the son of a professional basketball player, super experienced, and had several other high major offers, but chose Iowa. He’s shooting 75% from the field, has been great on the offensive glass, has defensive versatility, and doesn’t force anything. He and the Murray’s should be fine handling the five, with Mulvey able to give spot minutes here and there

 

[BiPolarHawkeyeFan]

Ash is the bummer. Nice kid, hard worker, I'm guessing, but just not a BIG player. I'm sure Fran tried, but needed to find a difference maker and didn't/couldn't. Probably had to risk losing a Joe T, Ulis or Perkins and maybe didn't want to do that.

Ash was obviously just given the scholarship as a tribute to his commitment when Fran knew he wouldn’t use it this year. Don’t over think this people.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

Iowa was not a legit top 5 team last year. Let’s just clear that up. I like this years squad and love the idea of playing smaller. Go Hawks

They were until Nunge got hurt.

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

After last night I am beginning to think we possibly have the best shooting team in Iowa history. If you had told me that before the season started I would have told you that you were crazy

 

[mstp1992]

Ash was obviously just given the scholarship as a tribute to his commitment when Fran knew he wouldn’t use it this year. Don’t over think this people.

Fran has done this with other walk-ons as well. Ash's scholarship was no surprise to me.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

They were until Nunge got hurt.

CMac and Frederick's injuries also hurt.

 

[SotaHawk87]

This is by far the worst post of the year on the hoops board

 

[DavidGraeberBullSheetJobs]

The Hawks had a legitimate Top 5 team last year. They were loaded with more talent than any Iowa team since Armstrong & Marble and it showed.

Going into the offseason, everyone knew that this year's team would have some serious holes to fill, both with Garza's graduation and the exodos of guys who left with eligibility remaining. With Murray receiving all kinds of pre-season buzz as a "projected 1st round draft pick" the Big 10's all time leading 3 point shooter returning, the team still had the potential to be phenomenal. All that was needed was a little recruiting effort by the staff. They failed to fill the immediate needs and it's about to show.

Shooting Guard - Ash. Instead of going hard in the transfer portal to find a shooter to fill in for Weezy/Frederick, Fran whiffed a few times and promptly gave up. While most coaches would have scrapped and clawed until the last second, Fran handed the 1st every "charity" scholarship to a perennial Top 25 Big 10 basketball scholarship to...Austin Ash?! There weren't ANY MAC level shooting guards averaging 12 points a game willing to come to Iowa and play along side Murray, etc.? Welp...Ash is shooting just 11% from 3 and plays Jon Licklighter level defense.

Post - Ogundele. Similarly, with Nunge and Garza leaving, it was clear the team desperately needed big bodies who can bang in the Big 10. After picking up low hanging fruit in undersized Rebraka, Fran decided to roll the dice on giving 5 years of scholarship to Josh Ogundele. He learned under Garza and would be ready to contribute this year, right? Nope.

If playing an early cupcake schedule has taught Iowa anything, it's that Murray likely won't be back next year and neither Ash nor Ogundele are ready to play Big 10 basketball. Ash was lovable as a walk on who chucked up wild 3 pointers from half court any time he got the ball last year. But now Fran made him one of just 26 power 5 scholarship basketball players in the entire state of Iowa. More should be expected out of him than a goofy teenage smile. Then there's Ogundele. While I'm rooting for him to be an all-Big 10 center in 2024, it was evident even against 0-6 Alabama State last night that he wouldn't see playing time for THEM, let alone Iowa. Ya don't think the Hawks could have found anyone in all of college basketball better than that to step in this year and see minutes?

It's fun watching the Hawks walk all over the worst teams in basketball, but I think at the end of the year we are going to realize what a wasted opportunity this was to have a team with a few "all time greats" not have a chance to succeed due to lazy transfer portal recruiting in the offseason.

“Lazy?”

Your posts are narcissistic, myopic, and reductionist. Typical legalistic and parasitic behavior. You have an ideology and an axe to grind, tons of time to burn, and that’s all you got.

And you are neither a Hawkeye fan nor do you understand what family means to this team or this university.

I love this team. And Rebraca didn’t transfer. Fran adopted him into the family.

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

Nunge left to be closer to home, so he was not an option anymore.

Iowa went hard after Liam Robbins, but he chose Vanderbilt instead. It may be a blessing in disguise, though, as Robbins has been out with a foot injury (labeled stress reaction), and his timeline for returning is uncertain.

Rebraca has a good 'mid-major' resume, so I don't think he's 'low-hanging fruit' either. My guess is that if Keegan started the season not looking like Grant Hill then Rebraca would be looked at more consistently in the offensive sets. As it is, he's getting 8 rebounds a game and shooting 9/12 from the field. He's not Luka Garza, but he'll be fine.

Why didn't Fran try to perform a miracle to fix the Nunge's difficult family situation? Every coach worth his salt can pull a Lazarus style miracle out of their ass. I mean jeez, Fran isn't even trying to build a good roster anymore.

 

[topherchris20]

The Hawks had a legitimate Top 5 team last year. They were loaded with more talent than any Iowa team since Armstrong & Marble and it showed.

Going into the offseason, everyone knew that this year's team would have some serious holes to fill, both with Garza's graduation and the exodos of guys who left with eligibility remaining. With Murray receiving all kinds of pre-season buzz as a "projected 1st round draft pick" the Big 10's all time leading 3 point shooter returning, the team still had the potential to be phenomenal. All that was needed was a little recruiting effort by the staff. They failed to fill the immediate needs and it's about to show.

Shooting Guard - Ash. Instead of going hard in the transfer portal to find a shooter to fill in for Weezy/Frederick, Fran whiffed a few times and promptly gave up. While most coaches would have scrapped and clawed until the last second, Fran handed the 1st every "charity" scholarship to a perennial Top 25 Big 10 basketball scholarship to...Austin Ash?! There weren't ANY MAC level shooting guards averaging 12 points a game willing to come to Iowa and play along side Murray, etc.? Welp...Ash is shooting just 11% from 3 and plays Jon Licklighter level defense.

Post - Ogundele. Similarly, with Nunge and Garza leaving, it was clear the team desperately needed big bodies who can bang in the Big 10. After picking up low hanging fruit in undersized Rebraka, Fran decided to roll the dice on giving 5 years of scholarship to Josh Ogundele. He learned under Garza and would be ready to contribute this year, right? Nope.

If playing an early cupcake schedule has taught Iowa anything, it's that Murray likely won't be back next year and neither Ash nor Ogundele are ready to play Big 10 basketball. Ash was lovable as a walk on who chucked up wild 3 pointers from half court any time he got the ball last year. But now Fran made him one of just 26 power 5 scholarship basketball players in the entire state of Iowa. More should be expected out of him than a goofy teenage smile. Then there's Ogundele. While I'm rooting for him to be an all-Big 10 center in 2024, it was evident even against 0-6 Alabama State last night that he wouldn't see playing time for THEM, let alone Iowa. Ya don't think the Hawks could have found anyone in all of college basketball better than that to step in this year and see minutes?

It's fun watching the Hawks walk all over the worst teams in basketball, but I think at the end of the year we are going to realize what a wasted opportunity this was to have a team with a few "all time greats" not have a chance to succeed due to lazy transfer portal recruiting in the offseason.

They tried to get Liam Robbins. You can't say they didn't try to get a real post player.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I am willing to reserve judgment until we hit the halfway point. Limited sample size, but I really like the Hawkins kid that transferred from NW MO State to Creighton. He is as close to a Garza Lite as I have seen. Big guy, runs the floor OK and can board and shoot 3's. Rebraca has been decent, but he needs to step it up as the season progresses on both ends. Does not appear to be a shot influencer or blocker, which isn't great for a team that wants to press.

Thumbs up on Sandfort. Kris is an emerging star. Perkins looks a lot more confident. The only gap I see that could derail this team is lack of size. Josh appears to be more project than player again this year. Mulvey needs to crush 10K calories per day and hit the weights, so this year is likely all about development. Can Kris and Rebraca overcome lack of size with athleticism? I can't recall seeing a shot blocked by someone other than Keegan so far.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I had a chance to talk to Fran about this. Here's his quote ...

"Well, for starters, the Portal is really difficult to use. It's on a "computer", which I don't really get. Then you have to call these guys and talk to them and stuff. We've already got enough guys for next year and I already know their names, so I thought I would just kick-back and wait for another family member to join the team. I get paid the same no matter how many games we win anyway."

Geez, maybe he is lazy.

 

[CleteyColgate]

The Hawks had a legitimate Top 5 team last year. They were loaded with more talent than any Iowa team since Armstrong & Marble and it showed.

Going into the offseason, everyone knew that this year's team would have some serious holes to fill, both with Garza's graduation and the exodos of guys who left with eligibility remaining. With Murray receiving all kinds of pre-season buzz as a "projected 1st round draft pick" the Big 10's all time leading 3 point shooter returning, the team still had the potential to be phenomenal. All that was needed was a little recruiting effort by the staff. They failed to fill the immediate needs and it's about to show.

Shooting Guard - Ash. Instead of going hard in the transfer portal to find a shooter to fill in for Weezy/Frederick, Fran whiffed a few times and promptly gave up. While most coaches would have scrapped and clawed until the last second, Fran handed the 1st every "charity" scholarship to a perennial Top 25 Big 10 basketball scholarship to...Austin Ash?! There weren't ANY MAC level shooting guards averaging 12 points a game willing to come to Iowa and play along side Murray, etc.? Welp...Ash is shooting just 11% from 3 and plays Jon Licklighter level defense.

Post - Ogundele. Similarly, with Nunge and Garza leaving, it was clear the team desperately needed big bodies who can bang in the Big 10. After picking up low hanging fruit in undersized Rebraka, Fran decided to roll the dice on giving 5 years of scholarship to Josh Ogundele. He learned under Garza and would be ready to contribute this year, right? Nope.

If playing an early cupcake schedule has taught Iowa anything, it's that Murray likely won't be back next year and neither Ash nor Ogundele are ready to play Big 10 basketball. Ash was lovable as a walk on who chucked up wild 3 pointers from half court any time he got the ball last year. But now Fran made him one of just 26 power 5 scholarship basketball players in the entire state of Iowa. More should be expected out of him than a goofy teenage smile. Then there's Ogundele. While I'm rooting for him to be an all-Big 10 center in 2024, it was evident even against 0-6 Alabama State last night that he wouldn't see playing time for THEM, let alone Iowa. Ya don't think the Hawks could have found anyone in all of college basketball better than that to step in this year and see minutes?

It's fun watching the Hawks walk all over the worst teams in basketball, but I think at the end of the year we are going to realize what a wasted opportunity this was to have a team with a few "all time greats" not have a chance to succeed due to lazy transfer portal recruiting in the offseason.

Do the Murray twins have a Rivals recruiting profile yet?

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Fran hasn't accomplished anything until he gets past the second round in the NCAA tournament. To date, he has not been able to escape getting run out of the gym in any of these games, so let's see the March runs White Magic told us about when hired. Like a 5K would be great-get to the sweet 16.

 

[jonesy5960]

I am willing to reserve judgment until we hit the halfway point. Limited sample size, but I really like the Hawkins kid that transferred from NW MO State to Creighton. He is as close to a Garza Lite as I have seen. Big guy, runs the floor OK and can board and shoot 3's. Rebraca has been decent, but he needs to step it up as the season progresses on both ends. Does not appear to be a shot influencer or blocker, which isn't great for a team that wants to press.

Thumbs up on Sandfort. Kris is an emerging star. Perkins looks a lot more confident. The only gap I see that could derail this team is lack of size. Josh appears to be more project than player again this year. Mulvey needs to crush 10K calories per day and hit the weights, so this year is likely all about development. Can Kris and Rebraca overcome lack of size with athleticism? I can't recall seeing a shot blocked by someone other than Keegan so far.

Kris has 3 blocks in very limited minutes. Rebraca has 2. Several others have 1.

 

[jonesy5960]

Do the Murray twins have a Rivals recruiting profile yet?

Just more fallback recruits unfortunately.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

I've said before, if the Hawks had picked up a 2G in the portal that was 39% from 3 last year while attempting a bit over 6.5 per game, and was a career 40% while attempting almost 6.5 per game, everyone would be shocked at how Fran was able to fill that kind of need.

Because it was JBo, who many were ready to see gone, those people are talking about him blocking better players.

If you added that the pick up was one of the worst defenders in any power five conference, you'd think twice too. I get it, he can shoot but let's face it, that's about it. I'm fine with him chucking shots, I'd prefer he did. Otherwise he shouldn't be in a game.
By the same token, Connor would never get the love he does from announcers if it weren't for his last name. His overall game is grossly overrated (ie "elite defender"-Jess settles). He is a solid post entry passer, which is great when you have luka but now,,,,,, not as big of a deal.

 

[SSG T]

If you added that the pick up was one of the worst defenders in any power five conference, you'd think twice too. I get it, he can shoot but let's face it, that's about it. I'm fine with him chucking shots, I'd prefer he did. Otherwise he shouldn't be in a game.
By the same token, Connor would never get the love he does from announcers if it weren't for his last name. His overall game is grossly overrated (ie "elite defender"-Jess settles). He is a solid post entry passer, which is great when you have luka but now,,,,,, not as big of a deal.

But, they weren't going to get anyone from the portal who is a + shooter and a + defender. They were always going to need shooting, JBo was easily the best option once it was clear he was an option.

At least this year they have more guys playing more minutes (or will be against quality opponents) who are better defenders than they surrounded him with last year. That will lessen the impact of his defense, as will him not guarding the primary ball handler for the other teams.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

But, they weren't going to get anyone from the portal who is a + shooter and a + defender. They were always going to need shooting, JBo was easily the best option once it was clear he was an option.

At least this year they have more guys playing more minutes (or will be against quality opponents) who are better defenders than they surrounded him with last year. That will lessen the impact of his defense, as will him not guarding the primary ball handler for the other teams.

I hear what you're saying but if we were to break down numbers are we sure that if you looked at jordans 3pt% and subtracted what he gives up on defense; he may actually be worse that someone that plays good defense but shoots 5-10% worse.
People fall in love with a guy because they have a few big games but never see the poor defense that actually led to more points for the other team than that person scored.

 

[iabcuda]

When JBo is in the game, someone has to chase him. If you are his replacement and are shooting 29% from 3, no one will hound you all over. JBo draws attention.

 

[mstp1992]

I hear what you're saying but if we were to break down numbers are we sure that if you looked at jordans 3pt% and subtracted what he gives up on defense; he may actually be worse that someone that plays good defense but shoots 5-10% worse.
People fall in love with a guy because they have a few big games but never see the poor defense that actually led to more points for the other team than that person scored.

Something else that needs to be considered is how will a transfer fit into the existing system. Jordan was a known commodity, and could slip into the system seamlessly. Furthermore, how do any of us know exactly who Fran and his staff reached out to in the transfer portal?

 

[hooper56]

I had a chance to talk to Fran about this. Here's his quote ...

"Well, for starters, the Portal is really difficult to use. It's on a "computer", which I don't really get. Then you have to call these guys and talk to them and stuff. We've already got enough guys for next year and I already know their names, so I thought I would just kick-back and wait for another family member to join the team. I get paid the same no matter how many games we win anyway."

Geez, maybe he is lazy.

What is your purpose in posting this nonsense? I would like to see you try to keep up with Fran for 24 hours then assert he is lazy.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

What is your purpose in posting this nonsense? I would like to see you try to keep up with Fran for 24 hours then assert he is lazy.