If Ferentz doesn't pick it up, Fran will be the new man on campus

homes

homes

Well-Known Member
They will struggle at times this year, no doubt, but it will be a lot more fun to watch. And with next year's class, the upside of the basketball program is huge. Of course, starting from the bottom makes any improvement seem big, but Fran's approach and positive PR attitude is refreshing. He doesn't mind being "sexy".
 
the media in IC has been dying for a coach with a personality. the love won't last long unless he wins though.
 
we beat friggin chicago st people! wait until a real game. i greatly anticipate the "fire Fran" threads after we lose a couple in a row.
 
I like listening to Fran's interviews. The guy knows basketball and doesn't give the same canned answers to questions. I like the amount of info he gives the fans, very refreshing.
 
Fernetz is a good coach, however, the football fans are dying for a boisterous coach like Fran.
With all the issues that Ferentz deals with off the field, he seems to have the personality of Lick and is afraid to say anything. It also doesn't seem like he really has a "quiet confidence" either.
The team is a reflection of their coach, supposedly and doesn't seem to play with a ton of emotion and football is a sport that no matter how workman-like you are, there are times that emotion rules...for instance losing to Minnesota the last two years when that program is in shambles and to ISU a program who didn't know who their QB was until their opener...not good, but their players were emotional and that showed in the result of the game.
 
homes said:
They will struggle at times this year, no doubt, but it will be a lot more fun to watch. And with next year's class, the upside of the basketball program is huge. Of course, starting from the bottom makes any improvement seem big, but Fran's approach and positive PR attitude is refreshing. He doesn't mind being "sexy".
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If he makes the tourney 9 out of his first 13 years he deserves to be in the coversation. Until then, you're can enamour yourself with how sexy he is. Upside is great but it doesn't pay the bills. Also, there's a guy in the wrestling room who might be in the conversation but you might not care for him either because he's big on execution as well.
 
FalseMirage said:
Not to Iowans that play/played basketball.
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I understand your perspective. It's just what it is. Some places are football schools, some aren't. It has nothing to do with titles, or a lack of love for other sports, it is just a mentality, a culture, where the passion of the masses rest.

We all want Fran to wildly succeed. We'll be there cheering like mad, or tuning in from around the Midwest on cold winter nights. But it is what it is, and football is the heart and soul.

When Alford was figured out and then with lick, people quit caring. When football struggles...lots and lots of bummed out people.
 
cecilB said:
And iowans first love will always be football, regardless of how bad, average, or good a BB team is.

It was the one thing Alford understoodvwith clarity.
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bullcrap.

I am a bigger basketball fan than a football fan for the hawks, always have been, always will be.

FINALLY getting a reason to get excited again.

The BS football crap is played out, and personally, have NO reason to get excited about the football program right now.

GO HAWKEYE HOOPS, GO FRAN!!!!!
 
kmotuffe said:
bullcrap.

I am a bigger basketball fan than a football fan for the hawks, always have been, always will be.

FINALLY getting a reason to get excited again.

The BS football crap is played out, and personally, have NO reason to get excited about the football program right now.

GO HAWKEYE HOOPS, GO FRAN!!!!!
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But you aren't representative of the vast majority of fans or students... I am with you on the Go Hawks portion. We need, really need BB to be meaningful again
 
Yeah, if we only had a dynamic, media savvy coach like the Zooker think how much more entertaining things would be.
 
tksirius said:
Can you imagine the love fest if we go to the NCAA tourney this season?
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What if we win the NCAA tourney?!!
Come on man, we ain't going to the NCAA's this year. Our record will be improved cause we loaded up with cupcakes in the non-con part of our schedule. But we still won't be very good.
No doubt we are headed in the right direction and Fran is takin care of business on the recruiting trail.
Our day is coming.
 
cecilB said:
I understand your perspective. It's just what it is. Some places are football schools, some aren't. It has nothing to do with titles, or a lack of love for other sports, it is just a mentality, a culture, where the passion of the masses rest.

We all want Fran to wildly succeed. We'll be there cheering like mad, or tuning in from around the Midwest on cold winter nights. But it is what it is, and football is the heart and soul.

When Alford was figured out and then with lick, people quit caring. When football struggles...lots and lots of bummed out people.
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I love Iowa football first, but I also didn't grow up on the great success that was Iowa basketball. I grew up on Brad Banks, Bob Sanders, Fred Russell, etc.

Football will always pay the bills. But Iowa, historically, is a basketball school (if the debate is just between football/basketball). IIRC, Pomeroy did a historical ranking, and Iowa came in at No. 10 all-time in basketball.

Lute Olson told me that Iowans truly understand basketball, and that was one of the things he loved about coaching here.

We're a basketball school, and if/when Fran gets us on the track of making the tourney with consistency, that's going to be plain to see for everyone.
 
Interesting thread by the OP.

When I was on campus (78-82), Lute was established and Hayden was trying to do so.

A BB ticket was far far harder to get than a FB ticket.

Things swing back and forth. Would be good to be relevent and respected again in BB.
 
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