Too early for the Vast Fran Hatred...

[EpenesaEpenesa]

You would think Iowa just got knocked off in the first round of the NIT by some of the responses. It's nothing short of miraculous Iowa got to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament with 2 players in the starting 5 who could score. With that being said, that falls on the coach only having 2 scorers. If Fran wants to play his style, he needs to recruit better A LOT BETTER. If he doesn't, they're better off playing a slow it down grind it out style with a packed in defense (which isn't a terrible way, you're always in games). To play that way defense needs to be emphasized, blocking out, just being fundamentally sound, Iowa already struggles in those areas so it's not an easy fix to flip the switch and play that way.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

How about we join the ranks of UNI, Wichita State, Butler, Stephen F, Austin and other teams who compete in the second round? You are framing this in a very dishonest manner. Nobody here is saying Iowa should get the level of recruits you reference....it has never happened and never will. Lots of coaches do more with less than Fran has to work with.

We played in the 2nd round. We got Nova who played the BEST game out of all teams yesterday and Saturday. They looked like a legit Final 4 team in that game.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

You would think Iowa just got knocked off in the first round of the NIT by some of the responses. It's nothing short of miraculous Iowa got to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament with 2 players in the starting 5 who could score. With that being said, that falls on the coach only having 2 scorers. If Fran wants to play his style, he needs to recruit better A LOT BETTER. If he doesn't, they're better off playing a slow it down grind it out style with a packed in defense (which isn't a terrible way, you're always in games). To play that way defense needs to be emphasized, blocking out, just being fundamentally sound, Iowa already struggles in those areas so it's not an easy fix to flip the switch and play that way.

Excellent post. Could not agree more. We are not good offensively or defensively, because we are not athletic enough to challenge outside or inside. No rim protector and slow guards equals getting beat off the bounce. Villanova ran the clock down to 8-10 and then blew by our guards for easy drives or kicks to wide open shooters. Contrast that to Jok running base line to base line for 30 seconds or Uthoff having two guys in his jersey trying to get a shot up. If Fran wants to recruit spot up jump shooters, he needs a couple guys to create for them. Simply reversing the ball doesn't work unless you are playing bad teams.

 

[MTHawkeyes43]

In my opinion, it can be easier for a new coach like Fran coming into a program like Iowa, 6 years ago, because you are selling a kid on returning to previous heights. However, Fran now has to sell his track record at Iowa.

Fran, "if you come to Iowa I will guarantee you mid-season success that will leave you wanting more."

Recruit, "What about the late season collapses and getting taken to the woodshed the last two seasons in the Round of 32?"

Fran, "We are not going to answer that!"

 

[Ihawkhoops]

We played in the 2nd round. We got Nova who played the BEST game out of all teams yesterday and Saturday. They looked like a legit Final 4 team in that game.

I agree, but who exactly do you plan on playing in the second round? The other side of the coin is that we looked we didn't belong. Nova is a really good team and played a great half of basketball, but we offered no resistance. It can't always be 'the other team was really good'. Maybe we should aspire to be really good too. The second half Nova was flat and while winning wasn't going to happen, we could have made it somewhat compelling, but the team was rudderless again and couldn't make shots.

 

[MTHawkeyes43]

We played in the 2nd round. We got Nova who played the BEST game out of all teams yesterday and Saturday. They looked like a legit Final 4 team in that game.

Isn't it amazing that these teams always look like Final 4 teams against Iowa. Gonzaga last year, PSU in the B1G tournament last year, Illinois this year. Am I detecting a pattern?

 

[Ycusi]

People have eyes is why there is "vast hatred".

When teams look like crap, people notice.

 

[Freyvet]

I don't know where you live but just about everybody I know were sick and tired of 3 of our 4 seniors about a 7 weeks ago. This includes Fran. They can't believe a coach would start Clemson and Gesell together.

You are an Idiot! 3rd most successful (career wins) senior class in Iowa HISTORY and this is your response? Maybe they didn't accomplish some of "your" goals but did many good things for the Hawks!

 

[breadtree]

Prior to last year LSU had not been in the tournament since 2009. LSU has been a "Dumpster Fire" for years, but yet they were able to get Simmons. Kids like Ben Simmons will not play for guys like Fran, so get used to it.

Ben Simmons's godfather is a coach at LSU. They didn't land him because of some super-secret recruiting trick. They got lucky in having an elite recruit have a family connection to a staff member.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Well I don't know what to say? Some nights teams are hitting their shots and they look good. Iowa @ MSU this year? I suppose that was because it was Iowa, so it doesn't count. Iowa @ Purdue, down 17 at half and come back to win. But again its Iowa, so it doesn't count.

Basketball is a funny game, some nights your on and you look good and other nights you look off. We played a Villanova squad who was looking to get past the first weekend. No matter who they threw out there, they were going to take them to the woodshed. Last year Gonzaga was Few's best shot at a Final 4, they also were playing with a chip on their shoulder.

I am not making excuses, I am just looking at the reality of the game. We are not on the level of Villanova or Gonzaga yet. We are trying to get there and Fran is working his tail off to get good players here. The problem with recruiting is, now a days you have to deal with AAU, Parents, and other outside influences. It used to be just the High school coach and parents. A lot of the top recruits, their parents or coaches get something in return for signing (mainly a job). They have connections and Fran is trying to do that. He finally got 3 players out of Chicago and 1 from STL. He is finally trying to work his way BACK into those areas for recruits.

I agree Fran is quick to offer to some in-state kids who shouldn't get offers, but you know Fran and Company watch these guys a lot more. I trust they are doing the right thing and will get us back. If we have a hiccup in the road next year, so be it. I will still be supporting and going to the games. This is 100X better than Alford/Lick years. Sorry.

 

[waterboy4582]

Well let's look. Ohio State located in one of the most talent rich areas of the country made the NIT this year. Their coach has been there forever and is very well thought of. Fran has got our program situated very well. If you DEMAND an NCAA trip 100% of the time, you will probably want to ditch Fran, and then the next guy, and then the next guy, and then the next guy and then the next guy.

I think this is the answer. Fran isn't going to have the Hawks in the Sweet 16 on a consistent basis because of who we are. I am not sure we will ever get to the 16 but will be a competitve first round NCAA team. Might be time to lower expectations.

 

[MTHawkeyes43]

I am grateful to Fran for getting Iowa back to relevance; however, Fran has hit his ceiling and he has taken Iowa as far as he can. All one needs to do is look at his career. I am not going to apologize for believing Iowa is capable of more.

 

[Hawk-A-Loogey]

i'm too lazy to read this thread, but anyone who is ticked at fran or tired of fran at this point is a delusional idiot. we got rid of dr tom so stevie wonder could take us to the next level and he took us into the gutter, then lick straight up took is into the toilet.

the loss hurt yesterday, but fran inherited an unspeakable mess and made it respectable.

 

[MAXIMUSHAWKEYE]

Iowa needs to land big time difference makers in basketball to be better. Would be nice if they bent the rules in recruiting every once in a while. If they have Ben Simmons, he could play point and they probably are still playing.

This is idiotic thinking..So you want iowa to cheat in recruiting?? The NCAA would be all over us because we are not Kentucky or UNC. Then you would be upset because we would lose schollies and miss the NCAA for a couple of years.

 

[Hawk80]

Villanova was ranked number 1 earlier this season. Their losses this year read like a top 5 ranking: Oklahoma, Virginia, Providence, Xavier and Seton Hall.
Your cry baby bs is boring. Grow a pair and Get behind your team.

 

[MTHawkeyes43]

Villanova was ranked number 1 earlier this season. Their losses this year read like a top 5 ranking: Oklahoma, Virginia, Providence, Xavier and Seton Hall.
Get behind your team.

Iowa was number 3 this year and was mentioned as a good bet to get to the Final Four in this wide open year. Iowa beat the then number 1 ream in the nation by double digits, so it is not like they should have been drilled by Nova. Had November not backed off Iowa would have lost by 40. Iowa looked like a high school team compared to Nova.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Iowa was number 3 this year and was mentioned as a good bet to get to the Final Four in this wide open year. Iowa beat the then number 1 ream in the nation by double digits, so it is not like they should have been drilled by Nova. Had November not backed off Iowa would have lost by 40. Iowa looked like a high school team compared to Nova.

What did Iowa do @ MSU? They were up by 20+ and backed off. Sorry but that's what good teams do. If they are drilling someone you don't burry them and embarrass them. You play the game smart and just limit turnovers. I mean Iowa could of kept forcing the action and beaten MSU by probably 30 that night, but what does that do except piss them off for the next time.

I don't know what happened to this squad but something changed after the Maryland game. I don't know if something was said or something happened, but this squad did lose their swagger. We as fans will never know. I am just thankful we are back in the NCAA's and are top half finisher in the Big Ten. I will take that every year from Iowa.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

The toughest pill to swallow about yesterday is Iowa didn't even compete. You're in the 2nd round of the NCAA and it looked like they were playing rec ball during the noon hour. You can take a loss when you fight your ass off and just got beat by a better team, that's not what happened. Villanova is better than Iowa, but my god they could've fought. The silver lining is the kids that actually did show some fight were the younger guys.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

The toughest pill to swallow about yesterday is Iowa didn't even compete. You're in the 2nd round of the NCAA and it looked like they were playing rec ball during the noon hour. You can take a loss when you fight your ass off and just got beat by a better team, that's not what happened. Villanova is better than Iowa, but my god they could've fought. The silver lining is the kids that actually did show some fight were the younger guys.

Yeah I agree, but part of that was because Nova's defense. Their defense was so tight Iowa couldn't do anything. Iowa had not faced a team like that all year. It was tough and it did look like Iowa was lack-luster in their effort, I think overall the credit goes to Nova. They knew Iowa was soft and if they bodied up and got physical Iowa would wilt and they did just that. Well we are onto a new era in Iowa basketball. Our 4 seniors are gone and now its time to see what Fran and company can do.

 

[MTHawkeyes43]

What did Iowa do @ MSU? They were up by 20+ and backed off. Sorry but that's what good teams do. If they are drilling someone you don't burry them and embarrass them. You play the game smart and just limit turnovers. I mean Iowa could of kept forcing the action and beaten MSU by probably 30 that night, but what does that do except piss them off for the next time.

I don't know what happened to this squad but something changed after the Maryland game. I don't know if something was said or something happened, but this squad did lose their swagger. We as fans will never know. I am just thankful we are back in the NCAA's and are top half finisher in the Big Ten. I will take that every year from Iowa.

What did Iowa do @ MSU? They were up by 20+ and backed off. Sorry but that's what good teams do. If they are drilling someone you don't burry them and embarrass them. You play the game smart and just limit turnovers. I mean Iowa could of kept forcing the action and beaten MSU by probably 30 that night, but what does that do except piss them off for the next time.

I don't know what happened to this squad but something changed after the Maryland game. I don't know if something was said or something happened, but this squad did lose their swagger. We as fans will never know. I am just thankful we are back in the NCAA's and are top half finisher in the Big Ten. I will take that every year from Iowa.

I understand your point concerning good teams will pull back; however, good teams also show up for big games and put up a reasonable amount of fight. Iowa did not put up a fight and Fran did nothing to help his team compete and that is inexcusable, from my perspective.

I just want to clarify my position, I am not a Fran hater. Instead, I just do not believe that Fran can take this program any higher, and I refuse to be a settler.