Reality

[tweeterhawk]

I have been a passionate Hawkeye fan since graduating from the university 50 years ago.

Iowa football and basketball games were appointment TV for me. I either loudly cheered or yelled at what I was seeing on the screen. I religiously read the message boards, posted some things that in hind-sight I should not have said, wore Hawkeye apparel, even put out an Iowa flag on game days. It was always my hope that some day -- ONE DAY -- Iowa football would compete for a national championship and that Hawkeye men's hoops would at least make the Final Four.

After seasons of dashed hopes and unrealized expectations, I have come to realize:

- Iowa football will never compete for a national championship.

- Beyond Lute Olson's 1979-1980 team, Iowa basketball will never make the Final Four.

Reality. I no longer get upset about it. I can find other things to do on Saturdays or game nights. I can flip on the TV if I want. But no need shortening my life getting worked up watching Iowa sports.

 

[squeezebox]

yet you pay for a subscription to rivals? Followed by making this post..... Don't know how to tell you this bro, but you aren't over her yet.

 

[tweeterhawk]

yet you pay for a subscription to rivals? Followed by making this post..... Don't know how to tell you this bro, but you aren't over her yet.

My subscription is up next month. I haven't renewed.

 

[mstrub]

This absolutely warranted its own thread. I've been dying to know whether tweeterhawk still loudly cheers at televisions and reads message boards religiously.

 

[squeezebox]

My subscription is up next month. I haven't renewed.

don't you have to cancel it?

 

[jonesy5960]

yet you pay for a subscription to rivals? Followed by making this post..... Don't know how to tell you this bro, but you aren't over her yet.

It's a free board. 🤫

 

[squeezebox]

It's a free board. 🤫

That little thing underneath his name that says "Gold member". Glad I could help

 

[littlez]

With the right coach of course we could make the Final 4 again. The game has turned upside down. Who would have thought the SEC would be the best conference and Auburn be the best team in the country? NC State made the Final 4 last year and only got into the tournament because they won the ACC tournament. In 2023 the Final 4 teams consisted of UConn, San Diego ST, MIami, and Florida Atlantic. Yes, Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. We're not making it under Fran, that ship has unfortunately sailed. Just saying it's a lot easier in basketball to turn it around and hit paydirt than it is in football.

 

[RothMatt]

DVR the games and watch later. Its quicker and you dont waste the final nice days before winter. Most games are decided in the last minutes anyway, why waste 3 hours of punting, commercials, and complimentary football. If the team was exciting it would be different but they arent. Now, I know the "real" fans will come at me but thats fine.
Have a great day.

 

[jonesy5960]

DVR the games and watch later. Its quicker and you dont waste the final nice days before winter. Most games are decided in the last minutes anyway, why waste 3 hours of punting, commercials, and complimentary football. If the team was exciting it would be different but they arent. Now, I know the "real" fans will come at me but thats fine.
Have a great day.

8-5
Run. The. Ball.
Passing is stupid!

Signed,

Eyesofhawk!!

 

[Ladell-hawk]

I have been a passionate Hawkeye fan since graduating from the university 50 years ago.

Iowa football and basketball games were appointment TV for me. I either loudly cheered or yelled at what I was seeing on the screen. I religiously read the message boards, posted some things that in hind-sight I should not have said, wore Hawkeye apparel, even put out an Iowa flag on game days. It was always my hope that some day -- ONE DAY -- Iowa football would compete for a national championship and that Hawkeye men's hoops would at least make the Final Four.

After seasons of dashed hopes and unrealized expectations, I have come to realize:

- Iowa football will never compete for a national championship.

- Beyond Lute Olson's 1979-1980 team, Iowa basketball will never make the Final Four.

Reality. I no longer get upset about it. I can find other things to do on Saturdays or game nights. I can flip on the TV if I want. But no need shortening my life getting worked up watching Iowa sports.

Too bad, you give up easily.

 

[danny14]

I have been a passionate Hawkeye fan since graduating from the university 50 years ago.

Iowa football and basketball games were appointment TV for me. I either loudly cheered or yelled at what I was seeing on the screen. I religiously read the message boards, posted some things that in hind-sight I should not have said, wore Hawkeye apparel, even put out an Iowa flag on game days. It was always my hope that some day -- ONE DAY -- Iowa football would compete for a national championship and that Hawkeye men's hoops would at least make the Final Four.

After seasons of dashed hopes and unrealized expectations, I have come to realize:

- Iowa football will never compete for a national championship.
- Beyond Lute Olson's 1979-1980 team, Iowa basketball will never make the Final Four.

Reality. I no longer get upset about it. I can find other things to do on Saturdays or game nights. I can flip on the TV if I want. But no need shortening my life getting worked up watching Iowa sports.

Stick around, you've been a loyal fan. It's still something to look forward to on Saturdays, win or lose. I'm probably about your age and I've mellowed out, also. I still enjoy the recruiting news and following all the teams, but not life and death! With new coaches in the future and NIL and transfer portal, there is always the chance of hitting the jackpot. Problem might be, we have to live another 10 years! No guarantee there!!

 

[ShonnDeereGreene]

With the right coach of course we could make the Final 4 again. The game has turned upside down. Who would have thought the SEC would be the best conference and Auburn be the best team in the country? NC State made the Final 4 last year and only got into the tournament because they won the ACC tournament. In 2023 the Final 4 teams consisted of UConn, San Diego ST, MIami, and Florida Atlantic. Yes, Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. We're not making it under Fran, that ship has unfortunately sailed. Just saying it's a lot easier in basketball to turn it around and hit paydirt than it is in football.

I agree - well said. The magic of March madness is that really all you need is “a chip and a chair” and you never know how far a hot streak can take you! Unfortunately that hot streak has to have some defense with it and that just isn’t going to happen with Fran. But the right coach - you never know!

I honestly think football will be much more daunting over time. Making the 12 team (or 16 if expanded) playoff almost feels like making the Final Four in basketball even though by the number of teams it’s technically better odds.

 

[kmurp]

Too bad, you give up easily.

I’m basically his age and agree with him. Iowa basketball used to have all of their games televised statewide on network. At the time ( late Lute period), it was the highest rated TV program in the state. The arena was sold out via season tickets. Now, no one cares. Iowa doesn’t seem to have a billionaire to bankroll a resurgence like Iowa State. As far as football, I’m hoping that someday, Iowa can at least make the expanded 16 team playoff, but that’s it. If the Big12 gets two auto qualifiers, ISU has a better chance than Iowa of making it.

 

[swihawk]

I have been a passionate Hawkeye fan since graduating from the university 50 years ago.

Iowa football and basketball games were appointment TV for me. I either loudly cheered or yelled at what I was seeing on the screen. I religiously read the message boards, posted some things that in hind-sight I should not have said, wore Hawkeye apparel, even put out an Iowa flag on game days. It was always my hope that some day -- ONE DAY -- Iowa football would compete for a national championship and that Hawkeye men's hoops would at least make the Final Four.

After seasons of dashed hopes and unrealized expectations, I have come to realize:

- Iowa football will never compete for a national championship.

- Beyond Lute Olson's 1979-1980 team, Iowa basketball will never make the Final Four.

Reality. I no longer get upset about it. I can find other things to do on Saturdays or game nights. I can flip on the TV if I want. But no need shortening my life getting worked up watching Iowa sports.

Sounds reasonable. You shouldn't watch Iowa sports if they upset you.

 

[Birky]

I have feeling this is nothing new.

Much like people thinking kids these days are a disaster. Then you read someone from ancient Egypt saying the exact same thing.

Tweeter, nothing has changed, except your age.

 

[Macbride79]

Really grateful I’m old enough to have been a freshman at UI during the 1980 run to the Final Four. The reception for the team when they returned to the Fieldhouse late that Sunday night was wild!

I was also fortunate enough to attend Saturday games during the 1970 season (14-0 in Big Ten) — Iowa’s last outright Big Ten championship (regular season). I was 8 years old. My mom (RIP) was in grad school, so I got to use her student ticket while she sat with my dad using his faculty tickets. View was partially obstructed by a beam but it was amazing basketball!

Tough to take that Iowa has basically given up on men’s basketball. Keeping Fran past this season would reinforce the program surrender.

 

[Macbride79]

Really grateful I’m old enough to have been a freshman at UI during the 1980 run to the Final Four. The reception for the team when they returned to the Fieldhouse late that Sunday night was wild!

I was also fortunate enough to attend Saturday games during the 1970 season (14-0 in Big Ten) — Iowa’s last outright Big Ten championship (regular season). I was 8 years old. My mom (RIP) was in grad school, so I got to use her student ticket while she sat with my dad using his faculty tickets. View was partially obstructed by a beam but it was amazing basketball!

Tough to take that Iowa has basically given up on men’s basketball. Keeping Fran past this season would reinforce the program surrender.

Wrong forum — admit the error and move on. My mistake

 

[BirdistheWord]

I have been a passionate Hawkeye fan since graduating from the university 50 years ago.

Iowa football and basketball games were appointment TV for me. I either loudly cheered or yelled at what I was seeing on the screen. I religiously read the message boards, posted some things that in hind-sight I should not have said, wore Hawkeye apparel, even put out an Iowa flag on game days. It was always my hope that some day -- ONE DAY -- Iowa football would compete for a national championship and that Hawkeye men's hoops would at least make the Final Four.

After seasons of dashed hopes and unrealized expectations, I have come to realize:

- Iowa football will never compete for a national championship.

- Beyond Lute Olson's 1979-1980 team, Iowa basketball will never make the Final Four.

Reality. I no longer get upset about it. I can find other things to do on Saturdays or game nights. I can flip on the TV if I want. But no need shortening my life getting worked up watching Iowa sports.

86-87 team was legit. Missed FF but we had a punchers chance. That was my freshman year and it’s all been downhill after that.

 

[chuck285]

But most of us will still be watching these games and rooting for them anyway.

 

[BirdistheWord]

I couldn’t watch most of the 2nd half vs MD, they were just killing us

 

[mvhomerl]

I couldn’t watch most of the 2nd half vs MD, they were just killing us

They played MD?

 

[General Tso]

Basketball can catch lightning in a bottle alot easier than football. I accept that Iowa football will always be respected but not much more on a national stage. I've learned to enjoy seeing wins a majority of the time and follow guys in the NFL. I still hope that basketball can get the right coach, a few recruits, and make a run in my lifetime

 

[NI hawk]

Really grateful I’m old enough to have been a freshman at UI during the 1980 run to the Final Four. The reception for the team when they returned to the Fieldhouse late that Sunday night was wild!

I was also fortunate enough to attend Saturday games during the 1970 season (14-0 in Big Ten) — Iowa’s last outright Big Ten championship (regular season). I was 8 years old. My mom (RIP) was in grad school, so I got to use her student ticket while she sat with my dad using his faculty tickets. View was partially obstructed by a beam but it was amazing basketball!

Tough to take that Iowa has basically given up on men’s basketball. Keeping Fran past this season would reinforce the program surrender.

Good post. Same age as I am. Crazy but 1970 Jacksonville loss still bothers me. Should have prepared Hawkeye fans our age for future gut wrenching NCAA losses. Just think of Lutes 5 NCAA tournament losses that eliminated Iowa.
Lutes years were the best.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

Good post. Same age as I am. Crazy but 1970 Jacksonville loss still bothers me. Should have prepared Hawkeye fans our age for future gut wrenching NCAA losses. Just think of Lutes 5 NCAA tournament losses that eliminated Iowa.
Lutes years were the best.

Younger fans who never experienced the Fieldhouse and the great basketball during the Lute era have really missed out aside from the CC run during the peak of the Lisa Bluder era. You naturally mellow out on sports with age and I watch mostly football now primarily for entertainment. Mens basketball has seemed stale for a good while now and I too hope that a good younger coach can reenergize the program.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I agree - well said. The magic of March madness is that really all you need is “a chip and a chair” and you never know how far a hot streak can take you! Unfortunately that hot streak has to have some defense with it and that just isn’t going to happen with Fran. But the right coach - you never know!

I honestly think football will be much more daunting over time. Making the 12 team (or 16 if expanded) playoff almost feels like making the Final Four in basketball even though by the number of teams it’s technically better odds.

If I may take it a step further, the hot streak has to have defense and at least 1 incredible guard.

 

[squeezebox]

Younger fans who never experienced the Fieldhouse and the great basketball during the Lute era have really missed out aside from the CC run during the peak of the Lisa Bluder era. You naturally mellow out on sports with age and I watch mostly football now primarily for entertainment. Mens basketball has seemed stale for a good while now and I too hope that a good younger coach can reenergize the program.

Carver can be insane, wrestling and Clark have both brought in crowds, but I would absolutely say something similar to the McCloud in cedar falls would be wayyyy better.

 

[MitchLL]

It's a free board. 🤫

Then why post it on this forum.

No one GAF what he does.