Why so negative? Fran does not need to go...

[TailgateTom]

You can't sit there with a straight face & say Garza was better than Jalen Suggs. If you want to spout about awards Toppin won it the year prior.

Garza was absolutely better and more deserving than Toppin and evidently the voters of both the AP and Naismith awards were able to say with a straight face Luka was better than Suggs. But if you want to split hairs, would you agree Garza was one of the TWO best players in the nation both years? Fran still couldn’t do squat.

 

[83Hawk]

I hear what you are saying and do agree to a certain point. There is only one way to go when you are 2-22 as ISU was last year and cleaning house with coaches and players is that direction. They have played well so far this year, but it is a little early to use them as a an example for what Iowa needs to do.

I do not see Fran being fired at this point in the season and do not think that he should be, Maryland not withstanding. It was expected that Iowa would struggle to begin the season after losing as much as they did from last year’s team. This year’s team has been a pleasant surprise for most of this young season so far, even though the competition was not that strong to start.

The time to evaluate the program to me is at the end of the season. Too often fans overreact to a win or loss during the season and lose perspective. It will be interesting to see how this team bounces back from the ISU game. They have some time off, which should also help Keegan’s ankle recover.

I know Fran isn’t going to be fired. He will be here for many more years. That doesn’t mean I can’t be frustrated over the same failures and shortcomings year after year after year.

 

[83Hawk]

You sound the farthest thing away from an Iowa fan.

Ok Superfan. Glad you are happy with the Hawks never being a contender for anything in basketball….and not even 1 Sweet Sixteen in 12 years.

Some fans actually care about the team and want them to see some success. You don’t care if the Hawks win or lose, and that’s fine.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Fran just can't seem to figure out this is the big ten and not the Metro Atlantic. Defense has been a foreign concept to Fran and staff from day one. Fran has made some progress on the athleticism front, but the problem is a lot of these guys are playing 1+ levels above where they should be. Maybe this is why Fran was able to land them. Given the departures last year and the volume of players in the portal, Fran had a chance to add some missing pieces. Instead we got the center version of Bakari Evelyn.

I have no clue how Fran and the staff can utterly incapable of preparing the team (all of them) for tight man D. Iowa completely folds and looks like Trinidad-Tobago vs. the Dream Team.

 

[Suterman]

This is year 12... why are they in a rebuild?

Iowa State went 2-22, fired everyone and put together a better roster in 6 months with an all new staff then what Fran has put together in year 12.

Because 2 players left for the NBA with eligibility remaining, one starter left for Kentucky and another key piece transferred because he was snakebit at Iowa. How the fu** can you even ask why they are in a rebuild?

 

[@CappLord]

Ok Superfan. Glad you are happy with the Hawks never being a contender for anything in basketball….and not even 1 Sweet Sixteen in 12 years.

Some fans actually care about the team and want them to see some success. You don’t care if the Hawks win or lose, and that’s fine.

Like I said in the original post…toxic fans are the worst. Through thick and thin I will support. Was I frustrated when we lost to Oregon in the round of 32? Was just as upset when we lost to Northwestern State under Alford in the opening round.
I 100% see and understand the frustration. As long as we don’t lose out the rest of the season, Fran isn’t going anywhere. That’s a fact. I think we’d be naive to think players don’t see some of the negative feedback that toxic fans give. Why would we want them to feel more pressure?

 

[BrewHawk]

Like I said in the original post…toxic fans are the worst. Through thick and thin I will support. Was I frustrated when we lost to Oregon in the round of 32? Was just as upset when we lost to Northwestern State under Alford in the opening round.
I 100% see and understand the frustration. As long as we don’t lose out the rest of the season, Fran isn’t going anywhere. That’s a fact. I think we’d be naive to think players don’t see some of the negative feedback that toxic fans give. Why would we want them to feel more pressure?

Because these so called "toxic fans" create change, which is what this program needs.

Fran is average. The program deserves above average, at least.

 

[@CappLord]

Because these so called "toxic fans" create change, which is what this program needs.

Fran is average. The program deserves above average, at least.

Man, I’m glad Barta doesn’t actually listen toxic fans. No matter who the coach is at Iowa, Iowa state, Minnesota, Tarlton State, Nebraska, Seton Hall, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, much more…they will NEVER…yes…NEVER….win the NCAA championship in our lifetime from this point moving forward. College Basketball is hard, man…To say Iowa had been average over the last 3 years is absolutely insanely asinine.

 

[Sett1997]

12 years is way more than enough time.
Fran can't get it done.
He needs to go.

 

[HellaHawk]

This is year 12... why are they in a rebuild?

Iowa State went 2-22, fired everyone and put together a better roster in 6 months with an all new staff then what Fran has put together in yea

Calipari is in year 12 at Kentucky. They were 9-16 last year. And that’s Kentucky! The idea that you are never allowed to have a down year no much how much talent you lose to the NBA - is not reality based. We lost two players to the NBA, including an early entry. Given that, the team has looked good this season outside one game.

As for the Cyclones, it’s one game and less than one season. They took the quick road to success — bringing in loads of transfers - but hard to sustain that model. He managed to get a group that gels this year, but that likely won’t happen year in and year out. Maybe he can thread the needle by bringing in high school recruits and developing them while filling in with transfers. Or maybe not.

Fran has proven to be an above average coach and recruiter. We are at least a middle of the pack team in the best conference in country most years and sometimes better. We’ve been better than Indiana for most of the last decade, a blue blood of college basketball. I want more from this team like everyone but it’s December. Who cares about losing a few basketball games in December? Play on.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Because 2 players left for the NBA with eligibility remaining, one starter left for Kentucky and another key piece transferred because he was snakebit at Iowa. How the fu** can you even ask why they are in a rebuild?

All valid points, but like it or not, the portal provides a quicker path to rebuild and/or plug holes. I get that nobody in the portal was a replacement for Garza, but was Rebraca seriously the best Fran could do? Why do players on other team take strides year-to-year while Fran seems to have an inordinate of guys flat line?

Do we have an answer at the PG spot? I don't see one. Where is Connor's improved offense we heard so much about in the offseason? Josh has been in the program for two years and has lost weight, but I don't see any measurable development in his skills. Mulvey is at least two years away from being able to play at this level.

There are some nice pieces with Keegan, Kris, and Perkins, but these guys aren't enough to make Iowa competitive. You put a guy like Brockington on the roster and/or a defensive-minded Reggie Evans or Olaseni-type player and the dynamic changes. Right now Iowa is maybe a bit better defensively, exponentially worse on the boards and still has no answer for tight man D.

ISU, with a new coach and completely overhauled roster, ran Iowa out of Hilton, is undefeated and ranked in the top 20. Fran doesn't like the portal, therefore he finds every reason to avoid it citing how important "chemistry" is. Did you see any chemistry in what was on display Thursday?

 

[Steve Waite]

Guess that depends on whether or not you think we should have one of the best 25 coaches. There has been no Elite Eight or Sweet Sixteen either.

I would love to see the stats of current coaches that have elite 8 or sweet sixteen appearances. The problem with Iowa fan base is their content with mediocrity. Our best hope for a sweet sixteen was last year and didn’t happen with Garza and Wheezy.
It’s not going to happen this year and with the two recruits coming in next year and Fran’s refusal to use the portal it’s not happening next year! So when do we say as a fan base I want better results?
We deserve better and we should demand it!

 

[Mohawkeye]

Fran just can't seem to figure out this is the big ten and not the Metro Atlantic. Defense has been a foreign concept to Fran and staff from day one. Fran has made some progress on the athleticism front, but the problem is a lot of these guys are playing 1+ levels above where they should be. Maybe this is why Fran was able to land them. Given the departures last year and the volume of players in the portal, Fran had a chance to add some missing pieces. Instead we got the center version of Bakari Evelyn.

I have no clue how Fran and the staff can utterly incapable of preparing the team (all of them) for tight man D. Iowa completely folds and looks like Trinidad-Tobago vs. the Dream Team.

ISU is not in the big ten.

 

[AwkHawk]

Did I miss something? All of this for 1 bad game against a good team? We nearly beat Purdue on their court without our best player and our other loss was a good Illinois team that we had a shot at winning.

After the Purdue game everyone was flying high and now the sky is falling? Yikes.

I think this has more to do with it being Iowa State and some people caring too much about that team.

 

[83Hawk]

Did I miss something? All of this for 1 bad game against a good team? We nearly beat Purdue on their court without our best player and our other loss was a good Illinois team that we had a shot at winning.

After the Purdue game everyone was flying high and now the sky is falling? Yikes.

I think this has more to do with it being Iowa State and some people caring too much about that team.

It’s more than just one game.

 

[AwkHawk]

It’s more than just one game.

Which other games were so favorable to Iowa that losing them should result in firing your coach? Purdue? Illinois?

 

[83Hawk]

Which other games were so favorable to Iowa that losing them should result in firing your coach? Purdue? Illinois?

You don’t get it.

And where did I say I wanted Fran fired?

 

[AwkHawk]

You don’t get it.

And where did I say I wanted Fran fired?

You're right. I don't get it. I'm asking because I'm hoping you can help me understand.

 

[83Hawk]

You're right. I don't get it. I'm asking because I'm hoping you can help me understand.

Just watch Fran’s teams. No discipline, no defense, wilt under pressure. Inconsistent shooting. No Sweet 16’s, never won more than 1 game in the BTT. Generally fade down the stretch of the season. Usually unable to compete with the better Big 10 teams.

Fran brought Iowa basketball back from the ash heap, and I will be forever grateful. But he has hit his ceiling.

If you are ok with the above results, and with Iowa never being a contender for anything…..fine.

 

[Lighting Hawk]

Honestly cool it with the fire Fran crap.

We wouldn’t even be having this discussion if it wasn’t for him recruiting Kenyon’s boys. They had one offer from Eastern Illinois and they are currently sophomores and probably the two most talented kids on our team, as well as TP who is also a sophomore. Arguable yes but Fran has created expectations for our fickle fans in this thread because he’s done a lot with a little.

he hasn’t been great and could be much better and I think he needs to change the minutes up quite a bit, that being said we have a lot to look forward to in the future with Bowen, freeman and Dix coming in.

also it’s freaking December. This is college basketball. What matters is we get the rust knocked off now and figure it out later in the season come late Jan/Feb/March (if there is a March). That’s not on Fran alone, his guys need to play better, I.e. we would have lost no matter what Fran did Thursday - we sucked.

Guys like Keegan need to elevate even further and find guys outta of double team, TP was dogging guys getting them focused on the court, I loved it, and KEEP KRIS ON THE FLOOR. He needs 20+ minutes every night moving forward. He’s the best rebounder, second best scorer and shooting 3’s at the highest clip. Might also be our best defender, either he Keegan or Perkins.

have faith guys, just cool it with the cleaning house of the staff this early on in the year with a young squad. You’d be 10x unhappier for 10x longer I’m sure with a different coach. ISU did well and got some good guys in the portal and we all wish we would have gotten some more but we didn’t but that’s not worth kicking him out for. ISU may struggle down the stretch we don’t know. They aren’t great offensively and they are going to wear down playing the style they do, it’s just how bball goes and we weren’t ready for it.

the important thing is we will grow, learn and adapt as a young team with a few vets. We will revisit this in March I could be wrong but I think we find a way to make the tourney. Go hawks!

 

[Jizzer]

You don’t get it.

And where did I say I wanted Fran fired?

Relax friend. You're making this really black and white. First, the ISU loss was bad, we are all upset about that. Jabo created that hornets nest two years, and if you didn't see that coming, I'm not sure what to say. Losing to Purdue and Illinois also aren't bad losses. Keegan's injury is really affecting him right now, so let's see where this season goes as the schedule lightens a bit and he gets healthy.
As far as firing Fran. He would have made the NCAA tourney 3 years in a row and 6 of the last 8, if there was a tourney two years ago. He's finished 6th or higher in the Big 10 8 of the last 9 years. It's hard to justify firing any coach with that resume. I understand the end result of the season hasn't been what we've wanted, and it pisses me off every year. I'm with you there. However, making the tourney and winning a game isn't mediocrity that you think so many are settling for. Those are good seasons. Do I like Fran, not so sure, but I think about what better coach would come here. I've been to two games this year, and the fans don't show. The place is a god damn morgue, what good coach would want to come to that? There are many on this board who bitch and complain, while not supporting the team by going to games. Seriously, just an awful atmosphere.
Finally, the 12th year stuff is just silly. Most programs are gonna have up and down years based on players leaving early, transferring, injuries, etc etc. We took a hit last offseason, it sucks. There are many teams this year who had good years last year, who are now down this year. Oregon St, Fl State, Creighton, Rutgers, and Oregon off hand. The year before traditional good programs Kentucky, UNC, and Purdue all were bad. I don't understand how fans can be upset with Fran for not advancing farther with "one of our best teams ever", while ignoring the fact that Fran created that team. It just doesn't really make sense.

 

[Jizzer]

Honestly cool it with the fire Fran crap.

We wouldn’t even be having this discussion if it wasn’t for him recruiting Kenyon’s boys. They had one offer from Eastern Illinois and they are currently sophomores and probably the two most talented kids on our team, as well as TP who is also a sophomore. Arguable yes but Fran has created expectations for our fickle fans in this thread because he’s done a lot with a little.

he hasn’t been great and could be much better and I think he needs to change the minutes up quite a bit, that being said we have a lot to look forward to in the future with Bowen, freeman and Dix coming in.

also it’s freaking December. This is college basketball. What matters is we get the rust knocked off now and figure it out later in the season come late Jan/Feb/March (if there is a March). That’s not on Fran alone, his guys need to play better, I.e. we would have lost no matter what Fran did Thursday - we sucked.

Guys like Keegan need to elevate even further and find guys outta of double team, TP was dogging guys getting them focused on the court, I loved it, and KEEP KRIS ON THE FLOOR. He needs 20+ minutes every night moving forward. He’s the best rebounder, second best scorer and shooting 3’s at the highest clip. Might also be our best defender, either he Keegan or Perkins.

have faith guys, just cool it with the cleaning house of the staff this early on in the year with a young squad. You’d be 10x unhappier for 10x longer I’m sure with a different coach. ISU did well and got some good guys in the portal and we all wish we would have gotten some more but we didn’t but that’s not worth kicking him out for. ISU may struggle down the stretch we don’t know. They aren’t great offensively and they are going to wear down playing the style they do, it’s just how bball goes and we weren’t ready for it.

the important thing is we will grow, learn and adapt as a young team with a few vets. We will revisit this in March I could be wrong but I think we find a way to make the tourney. Go hawks!

Good post. I think everyone is confused by ISU right now. Honestly, outside of Brockington, I wouldn't have wanted any of those transfers. Props for the start, but there's a long way to go.

 

[Jizzer]

All valid points, but like it or not, the portal provides a quicker path to rebuild and/or plug holes. I get that nobody in the portal was a replacement for Garza, but was Rebraca seriously the best Fran could do? Why do players on other team take strides year-to-year while Fran seems to have an inordinate of guys flat line?

Do we have an answer at the PG spot? I don't see one. Where is Connor's improved offense we heard so much about in the offseason? Josh has been in the program for two years and has lost weight, but I don't see any measurable development in his skills. Mulvey is at least two years away from being able to play at this level.

There are some nice pieces with Keegan, Kris, and Perkins, but these guys aren't enough to make Iowa competitive. You put a guy like Brockington on the roster and/or a defensive-minded Reggie Evans or Olaseni-type player and the dynamic changes. Right now Iowa is maybe a bit better defensively, exponentially worse on the boards and still has no answer for tight man D.

ISU, with a new coach and completely overhauled roster, ran Iowa out of Hilton, is undefeated and ranked in the top 20. Fran doesn't like the portal, therefore he finds every reason to avoid it citing how important "chemistry" is. Did you see any chemistry in what was on display Thursday?

You've spent the better part of two season complaining about Joe not getting more PT, but now that he is, you're still not happy.

 

[IamHawkeye]

This is year 12... why are they in a rebuild?

Iowa State went 2-22, fired everyone and put together a better roster in 6 months with an all new staff then what Fran has put together in year 12.

This is what bothers me about basketball now. He "cleaned house" acc. to Randy P. I figured that he would load up on transfers as he helped Fred do when he coached ISU. And it's even easier to do so now. Guess we don;t get to follow our players through the years anymore between portals and going pro early. And, just what does a coach do to clean house? "You're fired!" "?

 

[jaxhawk06]

It took Lisa Bluder 15 years to make the Sweet 16 at Iowa. And since then they've made another Sweet 16 and Elite 8

 

[Ronman]

Sometimes coaches just plain get lucky and catch lightning in a bottle. This appears to be the case with T.J. I'm not saying he isn't a good coach, but when he took over the SDST team, they were riding high and he just kept it going. He was an under .500 coach at UNLV. This year, he took the Hoiberg approach and threw a seven. Not every transfer pays off. The problem with McCaffery is he is an older, long time coach (sound familiar IA FB Fans?) who is set in his way and is determined to make his scheme work in a changing system where practically every successful team has added transfers who are making a positive contribution to their new teams. The character issue is a red herring. You just can't tell me that every kid in the portal has some moral issues that will destroy your team from inside. I like McCaffery, but he has to grow along with the sport he coaches or will get left behind.

 

[Razorhawk2]

No, I do get it. And you are not being realistic. You threw out Frost and Hoiberg at Nebraska as examples……now do the coaches who succeeded.

It is quite obvious you don’t think Iowa can do any better in basketball than they are now (only worse). Lute and Dr. Tom (in his early years using Raveling’s recruits) would beg to differ.

Yours is a loser mentality which Gary Barta also shares. As long as Barta and fans like you think this way, Iowa basketball will never be anything more than middle-of-the-pack.

By the way…..how is that new coach at ISU working out so far?

So who do you have in mind to replace Fran? Jury still out on ISU coach. Let’s see if he’s still there in 10 years.

Guess that depends on whether or not you think we should have one of the best 25 coaches. There has been no Elite Eight or Sweet Sixteen either.

Please share with me the top 25 coach your talking about that would come to Iowa that’s better then Fran.

 

[83Hawk]

So who do you have in mind to replace Fran?

Ah, the old “who are you going to get to replace him” deflection. Lame. I’m surprised you didn’t pull the “remember what happened when we ran Tom Davis out of town” card.

I get it…….you don’t think there could possibly be a coach who could do better at Iowa than Fran. You are scared of change. That’s fine. You be you. If you are happy with Iowa basketball never contending for anything, then that’s ok.

By the way…..I am not calling for Fran to be fired. So don’t even go there.

 

[Jizzer]

Ah, the old “who are you going to get to replace him” deflection. Lame. I’m surprised you didn’t pull the “remember what happened when we ran Tom Davis out of town” card.

I get it…….you don’t think there could possibly be a coach who could do better at Iowa than Fran. You are scared of change. That’s fine. You be you. If you are happy with Iowa basketball never contending for anything, then that’s ok.

By the way…..I am not calling for Fran to be fired. So don’t even go there.

They could also be worse.

 

[Razorhawk2]

Because these so called "toxic fans" create change, which is what this program needs.

Fran is average. The program deserves above average, at least.

Yeah…Fran is average. Runs one of the top offenses in the country every year. Win or lose this team is fun to watch. If you don’t like it don’t watch it.

 

[Razorhawk2]

Ah, the old “who are you going to get to replace him” deflection. Lame. I’m surprised you didn’t pull the “remember what happened when we ran Tom Davis out of town” card.

I get it…….you don’t think there could possibly be a coach who could do better at Iowa than Fran. You are scared of change. That’s fine. You be you. If you are happy with Iowa basketball never contending for anything, then that’s ok.

By the way…..I am not calling for Fran to be fired. So don’t even go there.

When a 20 win coach isn’t good enough and to fire him just because he hasn’t achieved in a one and done tournament is asinine. The Tom Davis situation was real and gets repeated often in college sports. Fair weather fans are good at complaining but not so good at solutions. Until I hear a name of someone better I’ll take Fran.

 

[83Hawk]

When a 20 win coach isn’t good enough and to fire him just because he hasn’t achieved in a one and done tournament is asinine. The Tom Davis situation was real and gets repeated often in college sports. Fair weather fans are good at complaining but not so good at solutions. Until I hear a name of someone better I’ll take Fran.

I never said anything about firing Fran. Try harder next time.

So you think Fran is the best possible coach Iowa can have? Ok.

 

[83Hawk]

They could also be worse.

Let me guess: your occupation is motivational speaker?

 

[CO_hawk]

Just two years ago, Purdue went 16-15 and finished tied for 10th in the conference. Illinois was 12-21 four years ago. Indiana, one of the ultimate basketball schools, was 12-15 last year. These are all schools that have many more advantages for success than Iowa and they had bad years. It happens.

Correct, we are reactionary creatures. Myself included.
I do however want to see Keegan succeed.

 

[Lighting Hawk]

@83Hawk if we get 20 wins AND make the NCAA tournament will you bic your head? No hair left.

 

[cg8284]

Yeah…Fran is average. Runs one of the top offenses in the country every year. Win or lose this team is fun to watch. If you don’t like it don’t watch it.

Last year was the first time they finished the year in the top 20 in pts per game since 2014. The high powered offense under Fran is a fallacy. Add that to him not being able to coach defense or rebounding and you have the reason he is already at his ceiling.

 

[83Hawk]

@83Hawk if we get 20 wins AND make the NCAA tournament will you bic your head? No hair left.

If we don’t, will you?

 

[Lighting Hawk]

If we don’t, will you?

My heads already shaved, but I will again anyway? 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

[red/green hawk]

Where to start....

Whatever happened to loyalty within a fanbase? Some of you have some real unrealistic expectations. Quit being so negative. We are turning into a toxic fanbase both on the football and basketball side. We all have the right be frustrated, of course but just remember...There is a reason ALL OF US are coaching these D1 sports programs from our recliners, couches, and a barstool.

Do any of you remember the type of program Iowa basketball was when Fran took over? Pitiful. Did not compete whatsoever, hundreds of empty seats, not fun to watch.

Since 2018, Fran's record is 72-35. He recruits in state talent who are major contributors to the program. And he continues to reload with young "hidden" talent and develop. Do we remember how Garza was as a freshman? I'd say fairly mediocre. Fran's development of Garza was amazing and look at him now.

Why in the world would we ever get rid of a coach who starts 7-3 in a rebuilding year (Yes...whether you like it or not, this is a rebuilding year). We lost 60% of our scoring from last year. We've all seen it this year, this is a new system....One I personally like. With the way we play, if we are having an off shooting night (Like last night) it will be very tough to win. That being said, there will not be very many times when we shoot 25%.

There's no arguing that Iowa's end of the season goals have not been met for a few years now. But don't come in here and say we need a change after last night's game alone. Don't make this CyHawk game our Super Bowl. Iowa State was flat out the more talented and better team. All 3 losses stung, but all 3 losses are not bad losses. If we end the season 10-20 or so, then yeah, that's hard to argue against firing Fran. But I will say this....Do not jump ship on this team or Coach McCaffery.

Similar words can be said about our football coaching staff too...We had so many good words to say to start the season off! A lot of good can still come from this season. Let's rally behind this team! Be supportive through thick and thin! Don't be that toxic fan!

You think this is bad you haven't been on the football board in a loooong time.

 

[jthawk]

You can't sit there with a straight face & say Garza was better than Jalen Suggs. If you want to spout about awards Toppin won it the year prior.

Typical. We have resident experts with far more knowledge than the national experts.