I think that describes most coaches...just so noticably different how Ben manages a game and players compared to Fran.
Alvaro is in the portal
- Thread starter Hawkfnntn
- Start date
Your trust is well placed. NIL is a challenge and there was/is talk about how coach would handle NIL and recruiting at this level. IMO, he has an inherent advantage due to his D2 experience. During all those years, he had to compete against the advantages of D1 programs (low, mid, P5) yet found a way to consistently find players that D1 schools slept on. Trust he'll do the same with only a mid-level NIL budget and find those players that fit his style for sustained success. Predicting floor is top 20 year in and year out and we know what ceiling can be...
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
Actually, it pretty much does. Only around 5% of players entering the portal return to their original school. Ben gave him the terms to stay (monetarily and on the court). He said No thanks...I can do better. Very unlikely he returns.
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Only if you live there and still make some euros
kameltoez102
Well-Known Member
With the quality of young guys coming in that would play the same position and compete for minutes does it make sense to keep him for the long term? Al was good on many games but in the games we needed him he would disappear to just have complete mental breakdowns. The value of keeping the new guys and giving them minutes far exceeds the risk of bringing Al back because you never knew what you were getting
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Ben did what any smart CEO/GM would do. He saw that Al is a talent, and with tweaks to his game and attitude, he could be an incredibly successful player moving forward. But, his game (mostly mentally) has flaws and there is no guarantee he will live up to his potential within Ben's system. Ben is smart enough to know that Al is a player worth bringing back, but not worth breaking the bank for. It sounds like he made Al a fair offer to stay. Al is exploring other options. Candidly, he probably will get paid more going somewhere else, and he might flourish in a different system. Fit is so much bigger than fans realize. I would be shocked if he returned. Frankly, he may not be able to now. If I were a coach, I would not allow kids to enter the portal, look for a better deal, and then return if they struck out. No way.
Too bad. I liked his game and thought he was ascending. But, coaching has always been about choices, and I get why Ben had to make a value offer here and walk away if not accepted.
Too bad. I liked his game and thought he was ascending. But, coaching has always been about choices, and I get why Ben had to make a value offer here and walk away if not accepted.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Can you imagine if that were not case? Every kid would enter. Why not? As is, the only thing keeping the portal somewhat tempered is the likelihood of losing your place at your current school and not finding a better option.
Without him this year there was no elite 8 run.
kameltoez102
Well-Known Member
look at it from the other way if he would have shown up more consistently Ibthink we won at least 5 more games. What is our seed then? Elite 8 could have still been a possibility
Coulda, shoulda, woulda can be played ad naseum with no difinitive outcome. I was just reacting to your comment that he dissappeared in the games you needed him. While you can certainly find those games--look no further than the elite 8 game--I believe it is a fact you don't get to that game without him.
I'd heard others say this and I kinda agree. Alvaros style woulda worked better with Frans system then Bens. He plays in a way that's helter skelter kinda. Ben isn't about that. He likes guys with defined roles playing within the system at both ends of the floor. That's tough for Alvaro to do. Offensively he could here and there but it was tough for him to do all the time and hence his sporadic mins and production.
Fran would let him just play free and loose and he'd have been successful with it. His value would be more to a team that'd allow him to play like that and I think Ben and Alvaro both realize that. No hard feelings at all. Thankfully Iowa is kinda stacked at the 4 spot so him leaving doesn't hurt us at all and he'll most certainly find himself a pay raise. Feels like a win win to me
BuiltLikeWilt
Well-Known Member
He cant dribble in traffic and he not strong to the hoop, unless he's alone , and throws the ball away to much.
Most don't ask their 6'10 PFs to dribble a ton in traffic to begin with. And yes strength isn't his forte and that's a problem if you're not using him right. When he catches and shoots from outside and can put the ball down and drive to the hoop he's pretty effective. But he's not a back to the basket guy no. Something Iowa didn't have at all last yr and wished they did
BuiltLikeWilt
Well-Known Member
Ya I'm not cutting him down but for that freestyle of play and being a stretch more than a power forward , those were some of his weaknesses including decision making . He's a nice player worth a million + i dont think so . I'll take our other stretch 4's over him
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BuiltLikeWilt
Well-Known Member
Has anybody heard who AL is talking to or taking visits with ??
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Louisville is loading for bear. Someone must have written some big checks.
