Curious- Did Fran really want Larson and Brust?

R

Ronco

Well-Known Member
I find it interesting that of our 4 '10 recruits that of the two that stayed on board one was an Iowa prep while the other was 'legacy'. The other two seemingly, from the instant of meeting Fran, wanted their release.

I find it more than a little coincidental that the two that stayed on board are the two a new coach wouldn't want to lose from a PR standpoint. Obviously Brust and Larson are good players based on where they landed, but also just as obvious is they aren't immediate program changers.

I may be completely off base and Larson and Brust wanted nothing more than to play for Lick and they didnt mesh with Fran and his style.
 
I think Fran would have wanted to keep Larson, however, I believe Fran was glad to see Brust walk. He was going to honor the scholarship, but from listening to Fran, they needed another PG, not a SG, which Brust is. Also, I think Fran knew that Brust didn't really fit his style of ball and I think Brust felt the same way. That he would fit in better with the slow, muck it up style of Wisconsin ball. Either way, I'm glad that Fran has those scholarships available to get his type of players into his system.
 
I have mentioned this on the board before. I truly believe Fran was more than happy to see them both leave. I don't think he was happy about Fuller leaving though because it was the only one of the three he was ****** about, and said... "we will just go get someone better." I loved that comment.

We haven't seen Larson play, but he struggled in South Dakota High School ball... which makes me wonder. He also was involved with that prescription drug fiasco and I think he needed to get more than the next state away. All and all I am glad we dumped them on Wisconsin and Florida and allowed us to bring in Basabe and Cartwright instead... I just wish Cartwright was only a freshman!
 
Brust will transfer to Southern Illinois soon. He can see the writing on the wall at Wisconsin... you know the wall that everyone from Wisconsin is watching the paint dry on.
 
I heard Coach McCaffery talking about Larson on his call in show a few weeks ago. he basically said that they tried convincing Larson to stay, but he kept "jacking them around" so they cut him loose.
 
greghammel said:
Brust will transfer to Southern Illinois soon. He can see the writing on the wall at Wisconsin... you know the wall that everyone from Wisconsin is watching the paint dry on.
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I think he's only played in ~1/2 of their games. Does Wisc have much turnover in players under Bo?
 
Well... you know the girl you couldn't have that you thought you wanted only to find someone else and think... why did I want her so bad? I think Wisconsin fell into that trap and got blinded by the fact that Brust just isn't that good. But it was someone the Big Ten told them they couldn't have and fought so hard WITH help from Iowa to get on their team.
They were excited to get the "sexy beast", but now seeking a divorce settlement.
 
Larson was in trouble a lot in high school and Brust hasn't really made an impact at Wisconsin yet, but not many freshman do, his fellow freshman Gasser has exceeded expectations. As an Iowa fan, glad both didn't come to campus in the end, it freeded up more room for Fran and staff to get players they want more.
 
sportstalent said:
Larson was in trouble a lot in high school and Brust hasn't really made an impact at Wisconsin yet, but not many freshman do, his fellow freshman Gasser has exceeded expectations. As an Iowa fan, glad both didn't come to campus in the end, it freeded up more room for Fran and staff to get players they want more.
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Larson wasn't in trouble a lot, he had one incident at the end of his senior year where he made a bad dicision.
 
Every new coach wants his own players. I don't think we will ever really know how much he wanted to keep Brust or Larson but a new coach walking into a new program is similar to the real world when a new CEO or manager takes the reins. That new leader wants his or her own people and is not really interested in keeping the people recruited by the previous regime.

Not saying that neither Brust or Larson would not have fit nicely in Fran's system, but when it is all said and done, each of those players would occupy a four-year scholarship. With that being said, I think Fran would feel more comfortable having "his" players in place.
 
RADMAN said:
Larson wasn't in trouble a lot, he had one incident at the end of his senior year where he made a bad dicision.
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It has been my understanding that this was the only incident he got punished for. Other alleged incidents and rumors followed after he took a walk, were they true? Where there is smoke there can be fire and with questions like that, glad he is in Florida.
 
sportstalent said:
It has been my understanding that this was the only incident he got punished for. Other alleged incidents and rumors followed after he took a walk, were they true? Where there is smoke there can be fire and with questions like that, glad he is in Florida.
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I would suggest talking to SDHAWKFAN about that. He goes to the same HS as Larson, and could fill you in on stuff like that.
 
Re :Larson.

I am in my mid forties and have a friend from high school that was a great hs athlete, including basketball, that now lives in Sioux Falls and coaches sports there at the college level. His impression of Larson was much more negative than that of anyone on this board during his recruitment OR anyone I have talked to or seen post since. Jon Miller's own comment at one point was that he didn't think Larson would be a bad influence on Iowa's team, or something the that effect. My friend could not have disagreed more.

Take that for what it is worth. I don't wish the kid ill. I wouldn't normally write stuff like this about a freshman in college, but I am not writing anything that hasn't already been hashed out, for the most part.

I actually wish he would have come to Iowa. But he went to Florida, and unless I miss my guess they made him sit this year to see if they had a kid that could keep his problems under control for a year BEFORE he played for them. He wouldn't be able to transfer to a D1 school without missing a year of eligibilty now. Correct me if I am wrong on any of this and don't come back telling me you saw something in some article saying he was hurt this year and that is why he didn't play.

Come back with some insight from their program. Maybe a comment from their Jon Miller that tells you what the REAL story was there, because I believe there was a little more than meets they eye on that deal. He was a REALLY good high school player and that Miller kid from SD went to Florida. Larson would not have sat unless they were trying to make a point with him and I believe he went there with the understanding that he would sit this year.
 
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Re: Re :Larson.

Thawki said:
I am in my mid forties and have a friend from high school that was a great hs athlete, including basketball, that now lives in Sioux Falls and coaches sports there at the college level. His impression of Larson was much more negative than that of anyone on this board during his recruitment OR anyone I have talked to or seen post since. Jon Miller's own comment at one point was that he didn't think Larson would be a bad influence on Iowa's team, or something the that effect. My friend could not have disagreed more.

Take that for what it is worth. I don't wish the kid ill. I wouldn't normally write stuff like this about a freshman in college, but I am not writing anything that hasn't already been hashed out, for the most part.

I actually wish he would have come to Iowa. But he went to Florida, and unless I miss my guess they made him sit this year to see if they had a kid that could keep his problems under control for a year BEFORE he played for them. He wouldn't be able to transfer to a D1 school without missing a year of eligibilty now. Correct me if I am wrong on any of this and don't come back telling me you saw something in some article saying he was hurt this year and that is why he didn't play.

Come back with some insight from their program. Maybe a comment from their Jon Miller that tells you what the REAL story was there, because I believe there was a little more than meets they eye on that deal. He was a REALLY good high school player and that Miller kid from SD went to Florida. Larson would not have sat unless they were trying to make a point with him and I believe he went there with the understanding that he would sit this year.
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My impressions from afar is that Florida is just really stacked in the frontline and Larson was not going to play this year,unless he was some kind of superstar. Florida is in the SEC title game today,and from watching them,they seem to be deep and talented.

Simply based on the video clips I have seen of Larson,he seemed like much more of a fit for Frans system than Brust. To me, Larson seems like Aaron White,a pretty long 3-4 guy with perimeter skills who can run.

Just my opinion,I think Larson could have helped Iowa this year,and definitely next year as Jarryd Cole graduates.

Brust? Not so much. Undersized good shooter,but will struggle to defend quick guys on the perimeter. Not something Iowa needs on their roster.
At Wisky he can bide his time,work on defense,and help his junior/sr year.
Iowa does not have the luxury to wait for a guy like him.
 
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