If you are tired of stating your opinion then why are you even reading and posting in this thread. I'm new here so I'd really like to hear your reasons for hope.
For the newbies to the site: Here is ForeverHawk's reasons for optimism. It is long and I sure some of you have heard this from me before.
No matter what people want to say, Iowa has shown improvement this year. They have been in most games except for Michigan and Purdue, which I think are bad physical and athletic matchups for Iowa. Iowa dictates the tempo in most of their games. Yes, I realize it is to slow it down style, which sometimes leads to shots late in the clock, but it would appear at this point Lick believes that is what gives this team the best chance to win. I would like to see them get into their offense to take the shot a little earlier so they are not rushing as much at the end, and I think we are seeing this a little more lately.
I believe Iowa is playing much better man to man defense compared to the beginning of the year. I think as the year started, the defense had regressed from last year quite a bit. I think Lick has always had pretty good man to man teams at Iowa. I am not sure why he does not run more zone, as Iowa does have trouble defending athletic big men inside.
I don't think anyone can deny we have seen tremendous individual improvement in Fuller and May. Both are able to play day in and day out in the big 10. To some it looks like Gatens has taken a step back, maybe so, but I think he misses Jake Kelly a bunch. Kelly was the only guy on the team that could break down the defense as the shot clock ran down last year and could find a guy like Gatens on the perimeter for an open shot. It looks like Gatens ankle injury is bothering him less recently and I like how he is looking to drive the ball more, which will only help his all around game.
I like Cully Payne. I agree we need a quality backup, but Payne is tough and is a competitor. He can get to the hole and finish at times and can hit the outside shot. He went through a shooting slump recently and had trouble at the FT line against NW, but I know he was nursing an elbow injury. I don't know what more you can ask from a true freshman starting at pg in the big 10. He has exceeded my expectations.
I like Cougill as well. I would like to see him play a little tougher down low, but there is no denying the fact that he can hit the 3 pointer after rolling off the high screen. My hope is that he gets in better shape in the off-season to help with his back issues and to give him more endurance for next season.
I love Cole's work ethic and leadership. If only he was 3-4 inches taller, he would be the man.
I like how Iowa seems to be moving the ball better as the year has progressed. They have shown much more inside out looks. This does two things. It gives our bigs chances to score down low, but it also opens up the perimeter guys for better looks on the kickout passes from down low. Iowa is not always consistent with their inside out ball movement, but when they are, their offense clicks pretty well.
Now, it is easy to sit here a blame all the transfers on Lick. The fact is, it is all water under the bridge. However, last year's defections set this program back to where it was prior to Lick's first year in my opinion. That is why my expectations were very low coming into this year and why I don't get worked up over the outcome of the games. Yes, it is on on a head coach to retain players, but none of those players were really Lick's recruits. You could argue that Lick recruited Kelly and Peterson, but really all he did was re-affirm their comittments once he was hired at Iowa. I don't really think anybody was surprised by Tucker leaving. I wanted him to stay, but I really can't blame Lick for how he handled it. Now we hear a rumor Brommer could be leaving. Yes, he is a Lick recruit. Don't get me wrong, I would like for him to stay, but if he left it would really not hurt the program. This would also give Lick the opportunity to bring in two additional players for next year, or bank a scholarship for the next year.
At this point I have to assume that Tucker is the only defection for this year. I have agreed on this board that if a core player were to leave, i.e. Gatens, Fuller, Cole, May, Payne, Cougill that Barta will need to let Lick go. But, I like this core of players, alot. Each player brings alot to this team in their own way. Add to this core, a very solid recruiting class and I think next year will be alot better. I have said on here I think the will be 10 games better and I would like to see them win around 18+ next year. I think Iowa will have a sinificant upgrade in their depth. This is what has hurt them alot this year. They can hang in games for quite a while, but then I believe they hit a wall due to a lack of quality depth. They are bringing in scorers all across the board next year in Brust, Larson, Marble and McCabe. You add Archie and that is a pretty solid 10-11 player group. That will give Lick options and allow for much needed rest during the games. That is not even counting most likely a new addition at pg. I know they are possibly looking at K. Williams and Alexander from juco, or Hatchett from high school. I think one of these three will be at Iowa next year. I think Archie also gives you that athletic big man that Iowa needs inside on defense. I know he did not bring much to the table in regards to offense, but hopefully this redshirt season can help with that and a little more bulk for next year.
You get 10-12 solid players, and they will have some very spirited practices, which will only make them better as a team come game time. Also, I don't think you see John Lickliter next year, except in mop up duties.
So to wrap this novel up and hopefully you can see why I don't want to type it out time and time again. It appears Lick has improved his recruiting as the class coming in is his best to date. Unfortunately he has had to learn on the job here at Iowa. This team has shown improvement throughout the season, whether some want to admit that or not. They are adding quality players next year to an established core. Lick knows how to coach, he hasn't forgotten. I think as this team gels next year, you will see higher scoring games with fewer turnovers. This should lead to more excitement and better fan turnout.
Now, in order for my thoughts to become reality, that all depends on what happens this offseason. I also think that if Lick were let go at the end of this season that it would only make things worse. You might have more mass defections and you may not get this class to come in. Who knows for sure. I have also said that I think Lick should get next year and the year after, but that I think and NCAA bid should be the goal at the end of year 5.
I am not happy with this season. I am not happy with where the program is after three years. But I have optimism for the future and I think Lick can get it done.
