HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
who you are. Anything better than 10-8 was going to be gravy for this team. The program is still trying to recover from the the Alford/Lick mess and Fran has the program likely in the NCAAs (all but sure there).
Iowa is losing close games to good to very good or fringe great teams that have been there before. MSU, OSU, Michigan, Nova, Wisconsin, even ISU with recent NCAA appearances.
Iowa is still climbing a learning curve with certain players trying to live up to the hype of the Iowa Glory Years (1987). That type of tiger blood is not here in 2014.
One step at a time and really making the NCAAs was the realistic goal anyway. Not that it makes the losses and the chances for the regular season title go down the tubes time and time again any less frustrating. It is just that we are not that good yet.
And looking for this long run in the tourney.....well the NCAAs is not the NIT and maybe a lot of us were under delusions of grandeur thinking we can duplicate a long run in the NCAAs.
Bottom line, if this team can't get its fair share of points in transition, can't hit free-throws or a reasonable percentage of jump-shots, the other team is not cold from the outside because we can't play lockdown d for the whole game leaving wide open shooters, the opposing team has a skilled or imposing big man, and if the game is within 5 points at the end game because we don't seem to have a real good end game strategy and marginal go to offensive players, it is going to be hard to make a long run.
Enjoy the process of getting back to being competitive and making the NCAAs because the end result will not be what most wants with this current team.
It is better than 50 point Lick ball. Still very frustrating at times, but better.
Iowa is losing close games to good to very good or fringe great teams that have been there before. MSU, OSU, Michigan, Nova, Wisconsin, even ISU with recent NCAA appearances.
Iowa is still climbing a learning curve with certain players trying to live up to the hype of the Iowa Glory Years (1987). That type of tiger blood is not here in 2014.
One step at a time and really making the NCAAs was the realistic goal anyway. Not that it makes the losses and the chances for the regular season title go down the tubes time and time again any less frustrating. It is just that we are not that good yet.
And looking for this long run in the tourney.....well the NCAAs is not the NIT and maybe a lot of us were under delusions of grandeur thinking we can duplicate a long run in the NCAAs.
Bottom line, if this team can't get its fair share of points in transition, can't hit free-throws or a reasonable percentage of jump-shots, the other team is not cold from the outside because we can't play lockdown d for the whole game leaving wide open shooters, the opposing team has a skilled or imposing big man, and if the game is within 5 points at the end game because we don't seem to have a real good end game strategy and marginal go to offensive players, it is going to be hard to make a long run.
Enjoy the process of getting back to being competitive and making the NCAAs because the end result will not be what most wants with this current team.
It is better than 50 point Lick ball. Still very frustrating at times, but better.
