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Between the half full gym last night playing a hated border rival (and I get the kids are still on break) and the lack of any discussion of the OT and exciting win last night on this Board, it does seem that Iowa MBB apathy has hit an all time high IMHO.

I texted a buddy last night that Fran seems to have lost his team. Then the second half happened and I texted back and said Never Mind. He texted and said he forgot the game was even on.

I have defended Fran a lot over the years, but absent something compelling happening this season, its hard to ignore the overall direction of things in MBB.
 
Unless UI commits to dedicating more resources to the program and refreshing it (not just a coaching change; student-seating, in-game experience, more bathrooms, more vending, etc.), the odds of hitting on another underdog coach, one who HAS TO identify and hit on high-level talent because of that lack of athletic department commitment, ain't good.

And the reason you'd need to hire an underdog coach is that no coach with any pedigree or track record is taking the Iowa job. Fran's salary usually has been middle to back of the Big Ten, so you can forget about throwing money at a big name to lure him in.

On top of that, the basketball coaching fraternity is much tighter than in football. It knows the situation at Iowa. And with the success Fran has had in relation to the history of the program, it would definitely process the school firing him as a negative as far as job attractiveness. That's why the pool of candidates after Alford and Lickliter was very underwhelming. And what has changed since then, resource wise?

I get it. The crowds are dismal. Apathy has set it. But this isn't getting better with just a coaching change. That's the low-hanging fruit that the mob can rally around (not accusing you of that).

The discussion is much, much deeper than that. Hopefully Beth Goetz is working on it.
 
NorthKCHawk said:
Between the half full gym last night playing a hated border rival (and I get the kids are still on break) and the lack of any discussion of the OT and exciting win last night on this Board, it does seem that Iowa MBB apathy has hit an all time high IMHO.

I texted a buddy last night that Fran seems to have lost his team. Then the second half happened and I texted back and said Never Mind. He texted and said he forgot the game was even on.

I have defended Fran a lot over the years, but absent something compelling happening this season, its hard to ignore the overall direction of things in MBB.
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To have the team get off the mat after last game and to come home to a half empty arena and do what they did in the 2nd half/OT is wildly impressive. I was ready to cast off Payton at halftime. Dix seemed to be the only bright spot. (What a player he is Hoiberg was singing his praises after the game)

Hell of a game. But yeah the apathy is what it is and if a tree falls in the forest... Plus game was on Peacock how many Iowa fans have gotten that? I did so I could watch Caitlin last yr more then anything. And if not for Iowa playing football on it occasionally too I wouldn't have continued to have it.
 
I used to be really put-off by Fran's sideline antics, and his childish outbursts at the referees are inexcusable for a grown man. But at this point, I'd love for him to get back to his chair-slamming days during timeouts to get his players' attention. Maybe things came too easy for him last year as a FR, but Freeman needs to have a fire lit under his ass...he's lollygaggin' it out there most of the time. Remember how last year the coaches said he was just 'scratching the surface' of his potential? Pryce Sandfort needs a personal defensive coach to improve his defensive footwork. The list of needed personal player improvements is endless. Does Fran have the fire in his belly to push this team like they need to be pushed?
 
Rob is so dead on with this. Iowa is giving Fran very little support or help outside of the bare minimum. No one wants to coach in that environment, play in that environment or be in that environment. Winning isn't enough because Iowa wins. Despite all the issues, Fran still churns out a competitive roster every year. We are 11-4 right now. not 4-11 and Iowa's loses have all been to very good opponents. Iowa produces great players and kids with high character. There has been lack of post season success, no doubt, but you are telling me that if Iowa somehow made a run to the 2nd weekend this season that next year attendance is any better? I don't think it would and it'd be a completely different roster. Then it'd be, well, 1 sweet 16 in 16 seasons isn't cutting it. If we raise the bar, we'll still continue to hang him with it.

I fear for what is next but also will embrace where we go. I just wish the school's administration was committed to improving and being a better program. Right now, we only have a coach that's committed to that.
 
ESPN listed the attendance at 7,812, there's no chance there were that many people in the stands.

For those of you who were actually there, what would you guesstimate as actual number of butts in seats?
 
Grady said:
I used to be really put-off by Fran's sideline antics, and his childish outbursts at the referees are inexcusable for a grown man. But at this point, I'd love for him to get back to his chair-slamming days during timeouts to get his players' attention. Maybe things came too easy for him last year as a FR, but Freeman needs to have a fire lit under his ass...he's lollygaggin' it out there most of the time. Remember how last year the coaches said he was just 'scratching the surface' of his potential? Pryce Sandfort needs a personal defensive coach to improve his defensive footwork. The list of needed personal player improvements is endless. Does Fran have the fire in his belly to push this team like they need to be pushed?
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It's worth keeping in mind that every player has an individual ceiling.

It could very well be that this team's talent level is what it is. I'm not saying it can't improve, but at some point asking a third grader to run an 11 second 100m isn't possible.

Maybe this is their ceiling talent-wise, or very close to it.
 
Grady said:
I used to be really put-off by Fran's sideline antics, and his childish outbursts at the referees are inexcusable for a grown man. But at this point, I'd love for him to get back to his chair-slamming days during timeouts to get his players' attention. Maybe things came too easy for him last year as a FR, but Freeman needs to have a fire lit under his ass...he's lollygaggin' it out there most of the time. Remember how last year the coaches said he was just 'scratching the surface' of his potential? Pryce Sandfort needs a personal defensive coach to improve his defensive footwork. The list of needed personal player improvements is endless. Does Fran have the fire in his belly to push this team like they need to be pushed?
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I can't remember which coach said it but "the bench is a great motivator" needs to apply to Iowa's effort on defense.
 
Gander Hawk said:
I can't remember which coach said it but "the bench is a great motivator" needs to apply to Iowa's effort on defense.
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That'd be a great practice if Iowa could stay healthy....we're unfortunately so short handed we are using walk ons in spot duty pretty much on a the reg. He also showed Ladji and Traore the bench last night either way tho.
 
Rob's points then and now are apt. I agree that this is a much larger discussion than Fran keeping his job. And to be clear, I think Fran is an excellent talent evaluator, really good at development of players, and an okay bench coach. I don't want him fired. I like him and would love to see him get an Elite 8 type run and go out on top at Iowa. But, it just is what it is at this point.

The problem with Fran that is accelerating the apathy that has been growing for years now, is everyone thinks he is about to leave or get fired. So, why should we as fans invest in a coach that has one foot out the door and a team that seems about average and has no stars?

To me, regardless of what Fran does this year, Beth and Fran need to make a choice. Either you get Fran to publicly declare he is staying at Iowa and finishing his career here, with Beth's full support, or you find his replacement and hope for some magic. Whatever the announcement is, it needs to be coupled with the announcement of a committee to implement changes in the MBB to increase fan engagement and experience to actually address the issues Rob has laid out. You gotta give the fans something to latch onto here, Beth! Hope is not a plan!!!
 
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