Coach Francis at Marshall County I-Club

[rodg12]

I attended the Marshall County I-Club event tonight and had the opportunity to listen to Coach Francis speak (his first appearance at an I-Club event). I came away really impressed. He is very well-spoken and very energetic. He hit on the key points Coach Fran talked about at his opening PC and in his subsequent interviews, promising that the staff was going to work hard and bring in student-athletes that wanted to be Hawkeyes.

My father and I also had a chance to talk with him after the event for a bit. I took two things away from this conversation. 1)Brust is still a possibility but they have other irons in the fire to fill that guard spot as well. 2)They're really gearing up for the 2012 class, even now. He brought that class up to me specifically. When I asked about Marcus Paige, he lit up a bit and said 'exactly.'

Not exactly huge inside info, I know. Just thought you folks would like to hear about it.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

Good stuff Rodg! Did he mention anything about his thoughts on Basabe, Bowen being added to the staff or the walk-ons?

 

[storminspank]

I'm assuming you guys beat around the bush, as Fran can't talk about unsigned recruits by name.

I remember talking with Alford about Tyler Smith, I hinted about the possibilities of an athletic southern prep possibly committing soon and he smiled and just said something along the lines of keep your ears open. I knew at that point Iowa was going to land Tyler Smith.

Some coaches can tell you a lot without telling you anything specifically. I am sure Fran is excellent at this as well.

 

[rodg12]

He didn't address Basabe specifically, but said he was really excited about the three kids they have coming in right now. Thought they were all good fits for the up-tempo system they want to run. Bobby Hansen was the emcee, and after Coach Francis talked, he said something like 'Coach forgot to mention his best feat since joining the Hawks...getting Basabe to come aboard. He's a 6-7 kid that can run the point if need be, can run the floor, can play defense. He's someone the team and fans like me are really excited to have on board.' I forgot to ask him about Bowen. I asked him about Stokes, he said he was excited that he decided to join the team. Thought he had some real good potential.

 

[rodg12]

I'm assuming you guys beat around the bush, as Fran can't talk about recruits by name.

I remember talking with Alford about Tyler Smith, I hinted about the possibilities of an athletic southern prep possibly committing soon and he smiled and just said something along the lines of keep your ears open. I knew at that point Iowa was going to land Tyler Smith.

Some coaches can tell you a lot without telling you anything specifically. I am sure Fran is excellent at this as well.

It was Coach Francis, not Fran. But, yeah, he didn't say Paige's name directly. I did. My dad brought up Brust. He never actually said either of their names. My thinking after talking to him is that Brust is probably out. He was pretty quick to say they have some other guys they're looking at for that spot as well.

 

[SirJamaLot]

Friend of mine was in Indiana to watch Paige and the rest of the 2012 Iowa kids play. He was really impressed with the 16 yr team from Iowa, especially Paige, Sounds like he could be a program changer and will have his choice of big-time schools. Paige or Randall could be the recruits that put Iowa back with the elite programs. Good Luck Fran and keep up the great start!!!

 

[storminspank]

It was Coach Francis, not Fran. But, yeah, he didn't say Paige's name directly. I did. My dad brought up Brust. He never actually said either of their names. My thinking after talking to him is that Brust is probably out. He was pretty quick to say they have some other guys they're looking at for that spot as well.

Good stuff. Thanks!