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SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
Consistency is good and it's something to build on. But now that FM has the program on solid footing again, it's time to raise the stakes and win a B1G title. I look at Indiana and how wildly inconsistent they've been over the last 4-5 years. But in that time, they've also won 2 outright B1G titles. I'd take that over consistency any day....
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RobHowe
Guest
I'll give you Indiana. How many of the other B1G programs would you trade places with over the last five years? Obviously Michigan State and Wisconsin as they join us with a .500 or better conference mark the last five years.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
Purdue? Probably - cause they've got a title. I think Fran needs to end that drought or make a sweet 16 for hoops fans to be satisfied with the overall job he's done and all that comes along with that is sky high expectations. I personally think he gets 1 or the other (B1G title) or a sweet 16 or better run in the next 3 seasons.
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RobHowe
Guest
To be clear, I'm not saying people should be satisfied with the program. It's really up to the individual what he or she expects from it. I was just asking to gauge what people expect.
For me, I think five years is a pretty good sample size to compare the program to what others in the league have done. When one considers what Fran inherited, basically following up the worst stretch in program history, he's done well, IMO.
For me, I think five years is a pretty good sample size to compare the program to what others in the league have done. When one considers what Fran inherited, basically following up the worst stretch in program history, he's done well, IMO.
If Fran makes the sweet 16, fans will just be pissed he didn't make the elite 8. If he wins a conference title, they will just be pissed he didn't win 2.
earlhamhawk
Well-Known Member
I see I'm not the only one that read the end of season notes at hawkeyesports ,if I could link it I would some real eye opening gems in that article
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
I agree I spend most of my free time on here defending Fran and the tremendous job he's done with the program. I was just stating what it would take IMO for people to at least be temporarily satisfied it would take 1. a B1G title or 2. a trip to the 2nd weekend of the NCAA's. But even then - he would just be setting the bar even higher and it wouldn't be enough and they would immediately want more. Nature of the beast.
Like, let's say Jbo's senior year, Iowa makes an elite 8 and wins a B1G title, if Iowa takes a dip the next year people will be upset he didn't recruit better to fill the void left by that big class, much like last season.
I think we're set for a good run in the next few years the likes of which we haven't seen in a while. JB's senior year could be a highlight of that. But with the McCaffery boys and the instate talent in 2019-2020, it likely won't be a huge immediate drop off. If we attract another Cooklike player with this run, it could easily be extended.
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
Don't get me wrong, I'm elated with the work Fran has done to get the program back to the top half of the B1G, which is where it's resided for the majority of my lifetime before Alford, then Lick, came along.
My only point was that I would trade the consistency we've had over the last 5 years with inconsistency if it came with a conference title (or two) or a deep NCAA Tourney run.
I mentioned Indiana, but look at Michigan. In the last 5 years, they've won 2 B1G regular season titles and in a year they didn't, they made the Nat'l Title game. But in 2015, they went 8-10 in the B1G and didn't make anything. 2016 and 2017 have been okay. So they've been anywhere from 15-3 all the way to 8-10....but man, I'd take those results in a heartbeat over "Steady Eddie" consistency....
lightning1
Well-Known Member
It's not good enough. Not to keep spending money to support the program. Not for me.
Be careful. It's this kind of thinking that caused us to get rid of Tom Davis and then get the Alford/Lick years.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
Eh, I would trade the last 5 years for a deep tourney run or conference title too and I am pretty damn happy with the last 5 years. It could have been better.
If this isn't good enough for you to support the program, that means you haven't supported the program in 30 years. So why did you say "keep supporting"?
SteveGarvey1
Well-Known Member
I'm happy with the last five years but not thrilled about it. Could have been better but could have been a lot worse also.
Perhaps it could have been better the last 5 years. Fran would probably agree with you. But I'll keep the coach who's continuing to build the program. History has shown that that is more likely to get your deep tourney runs at Iowa.
lightning1
Well-Known Member
They hire a HC. I re-up my season tickes. When it's obvious to me that the HC isn't going to get it done, I cancel them. I am actually in a "no tickets til we get a new AD" position now. So, it may be awhile for me. I don't like being lied to and Barta is a liar.
lightning1
Well-Known Member
Davis was garbage.
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RobHowe
Guest
How so?
