Anyone see the handshake after the game? Fran - Bruce

[storminspank]

At the end of the game at Illinois they shared a warm handshake and seemed very cordial, Weber is a dead man walking he looked more like he was in shock probably didnt see his team losing to the Hawks.

This is how I remember it too, which is why I was confused by today.

 

[storminspank]

You may be overthinking this. This is the first day of a conference tournament with back-to-back televised games. I would imagine the coaches and players were instructed to exit quickly so event staff could clean the bench area to get ready for the next game. I'm guessing that applied to related parties sitting behind the benches. That certainly wouldn't have precluded Fran and Bruce from stopping to speak, but my bet is both programs were told to leave quickly, and that's what may have happened.

The officiating and score-keeping crews also are changing at that point.

If you noticed, during Matt's post-game BTN interview Indy and Penn State were both taking the floor for warm-ups.

You're probably right.
A lot of the time I usually see Fran at least give the slap on the back, with some words, etc... but this one was a blow by.

Probably nothing though.

 

[bcl20]

"So....I have a job and you don't. Welp, see ya."

 

[CGHawk]

I think it would be more likely that coaches fear Fran than hate Fran.

Think about it. I'm sure other coaches loved Lick for other reasons than his bubbly personality.

I assume that other coaches have a pretty good idea of what Fran is capable of doing and what he is capable of turning the Iowa basketball program into. We are no longer a team that anyone can walk all over every game.

As for Weber: I like Weber and I really don't think he was the problem. I think he is a scapegoat. Now that he has been made out to be the problem and the reason they lose... He has actually become the problem. His players seem to have bought into the idea (not they they would say it or be obvious about it in public), but they certainly don't seem to play smart basketball or play to their potential.

Now that everyone sees Weber is the problem... they aren't held accountable. They have a reason to play the way they do and an excuse when they lose games and don't play good basketball.

Look at what Weber has accomplished and answer these questions(honest questions): Was he a good coach before? Has he really all of a sudden lost his ability to coach? Did he know how to win games before? Does he not know how to win games now?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he: win 2 conference championships, have 6 NCAA tourny appearances, and was runner-up in 2005?

What is the difference in Weber's coaching ability between now and then?

I think it was a huge mistake for Illinois fans to target Bruce and peg him as a problem before looking at other possibilities first, because now they have made him the problem, whether he actually was or not.

 

[burky247]

I think Weber is a good coach as well. I sometimes wonder if there was so much pressure on him to bring in the most athletic players in the Chicagoland area that he stopped getting the right players for his system. I think he will land back on his feet at a mid major and have success again.

 

[FML]

I am pretty sure the other coaches in the conference would have preferred we retain Lick.

Izzo had some harsh words for Iowa when they let go of Lick. That ****** me off too. You wine when a school got rid of a terrible coach and you lose those gaurenteed victories? That said, I'm sure Fran could care less what other coaches think of him.

 

[Doublewide]

Yeah, he's gone tonight and I don't think Illinois is playing in any tourny.

He's gone but I doubt there is an announcement until the Tournament is over. So he is gone Monday.

 

[bcl20]

He's gone but I doubt there is an announcement until the Tournament is over. So he is gone Monday.

It may not be official until then but if the rumor about him meeting with Mike Thomas tonight is true you have think he's being let go tonight.

 

[burky247]

Izzo had some harsh words for Iowa when they let go of Lick. That ****** me off too. You wine when a school got rid of a terrible coach and you lose those gaurenteed victories? That said, I'm sure Fran could care less what other coaches think of him.

Or like when Crean pretty much gave credit to Lick for his recruitment of great players after we beat them.

 

[Doublewide]

It may not be official until then but if he is meeting with Mike Thomas is true you have think he's being let go tonight.

Gotcha I mis read what you said. I was thinking you meant there would be a Presser tonight to announce it. I can agree that it could happen tonight then.

 

[CGHawk]

Or like when Crean pretty much gave credit to Lick for his recruitment of great players after we beat them.

I don't doubt that a lot of these coaches lack maturity and have acquired an ego.

It wouldn't surprise me if they try to give as little credit as possible to Fran for the simple fact that they feel threatened by Fran's coaching ability.

I know I may sound like a Homer when I say that, but really... what other reason is there for some of the behavior that a few of these coaches have displayed?

I would love to give credit to Lick as much as anyone, because I hate to think that he was a waste of time/money, and was nothing but detrimental to Iowa Basketball... but he really deserves no credit for what Fran and this Iowa team has accomplished so far and the direction they seem to have this program headed.

 

[BuiltLikeWilt]

Amen brother!!

 

[storminspank]

Or like when Crean pretty much gave credit to Lick for his recruitment of great players after we beat them.

Yeah, that one was great considering the players that beat him were Fran recruits.

 

[BuiltLikeWilt]

If nobody else in the Big Ten likes Fran, that's fine by me. I'd rather kick everyone elses arses and make the rest of the league hate us than be at the bottom of the conference and have a coach like Lick who everyone loves to death.

Amen brother!!!!

 

[HawkinGoferLand]

I am pretty sure the other coaches in the conference would have preferred we retain Lick.

lol

 

[HawkinGoferLand]

Barely shook - no eye contact - blow by.

and you don't make eye contact with a dead man walking.

 

[storminspank]

and you don't make eye contact with a dead man walking.

touche!

 

[seepig]

and you don't make eye contact with a dead man walking.

Bingo...they call him Bruce Bye Bye Webber!

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Barely shook - no eye contact - blow by.

No sure if it has any relevance.

They shook hands and Fran even tapped Weber on the back. Spank you reading way to much into it. I've seen the highlight of them shaking hands on ESPN twice today and can't see what you see.

 

[spudhawk]

I think Weber is a good coach as well. I sometimes wonder if there was so much pressure on him to bring in the most athletic players in the Chicagoland area that he stopped getting the right players for his system. I think he will land back on his feet at a mid major and have success again.

This is probably the right answer.