Interesting Fran quote

EddyP

Well-Known Member
Hawkeyes prepare to host Minnesota on Wednesday


“Ultimately it comes down to toughness,†McCaffery said. “And we lack that right now, I don’t mind saying that. We don’t have the toughness that’s necessary to defend in this league. And somehow it’s incumbent upon me and my staff to get our guys to not only be able to execute fundamentally, but to be more physical, be tougher, and do it more consistently.â€

“To be honest with you, I’ve never gone through with any team I’ve ever been associated with what we’re going through now,†McCaffery said. “I am really working hard to try and get it corrected, and there’s a couple ways to do that. You can obviously work on drills…ultimately you’ve got to put it together.â€

Actually 3 ways Fran:

1. Drills
2. Slam a chair on the floor
3. Sit next to you on the bench

I think we are into phase 3.
 




I remember bob knight 20 to 30 years ago with another of his great teams that was getting whomped at Illinois. He took all his starters out and they didnt play the last 15 minutes. they got the message, were rested and beat a good team a couple days later.

Oh I long for those days when every team played on Thursday night and Saturday. You knew when the games would be and after each day you knew the standings.
 


I remember bob knight 20 to 30 years ago with another of his great teams that was getting whomped at Illinois. He took all his starters out and they didnt play the last 15 minutes. they got the message, were rested and beat a good team a couple days later.

Oh I long for those days when every team played on Thursday night and Saturday. You knew when the games would be and after each day you knew the standings.

As I remember it (and I'm not saying I remember correctly) he sat all the starters with the exception of Uwe Blab.
 


Ah yes you are probably correct. Alford might have been a sophomore or junior. I think this was a year or two before they won the title with Keith Smart.

Of course Knight didnt care about ruffling feathers, hurting feelings, etc of his fans, players, administration.

I hope fran's quotes sink in and somebody lays some hard fouls on anyone driving the lane. Hell I would like to see a really hard foul just trying to keep players without the ball who want to establish a post position.
 






Seems very odd to me that he has never seen this before in all his years of coaching???

I think he means the whole team.

I dont see any players sticking their nose or chest in on an opponent, they are playing defense very upright, not fighting through or around screens.

I had the pleasure of watching Dolph Pulliam at Drake an his 'belly button' defense was just that. He focused on the opponents waist and hips because no matter how many head and shoulder fakes you make a player is only going in the direction his hips are pointed in (at least with speed). And Dolph used his strength.
 




The one continued pattern I like about Fran is he calls it like it is ... And he is the first to shoulder some of the blame. It is one thing to simply call out players but many a time Fran follows up a critical comment with a comment that is critical of him and his staff. I really just like everything about Fran ... He continues his mission; he has a plan, and the Hawks will get there ... I know this ... this is the most excited I have been about Iowa basketball in about 7 years ...
 


Ah yes you are probably correct. Alford might have been a sophomore or junior. I think this was a year or two before they won the title with Keith Smart.

Of course Knight didnt care about ruffling feathers, hurting feelings, etc of his fans, players, administration.

I hope fran's quotes sink in and somebody lays some hard fouls on anyone driving the lane. Hell I would like to see a really hard foul just trying to keep players without the ball who want to establish a post position.

Is that when Knight put tampons in their lockers? Maybe Fran should give that a try.........
 


Most of us knew that we weren't going to "arrive" yet this season. What is essential is that Fran keeps pushing these players to work their hardest in each game. That way, when they all fully understand the system, and when the players are here that can fully implement the system, the culture of hard work has already been established. Only then, with system and effort and athletes, will the wins come.
 


He must not of watched last year.

Good point. I like McCaffrey, think he will get it done here etc., but what was the guy thinking by not getting a juco rebounder with some muscle? These guys are a dime a dozen and we allegeldy have Florida connections with Speraw and Texas connections with Dillard.

I am not talking Reggie Evans caliber, but some dude with some street game and a mean streak who wants to board and defend. Poor job of evaluating the needs of the team IMO. Basabe's struggles aside, he knew what he had returning with Archie and Brommer...not much.

I am calling my shot now and saying somebody will pick up a flagrant foul tomorrow night attempting to stop a dunk.
 


I hope and believe that Fran is talking more about mental toughness than physical toughness. To the extent that he may want more physical toughness, I do not think he wants flagrant fouls. I will admit that many BT teams play defense in a pretty darn physical way...see Wisconsin, MSU as two examples. I have no problem with returning the favor against physical teams. I have heard the Iowa fans respond to a flagrant foul against one of their own and they show no mercy. I would say we should avoid that kind of play, period.
 


The one continued pattern I like about Fran is he calls it like it is ... And he is the first to shoulder some of the blame. It is one thing to simply call out players but many a time Fran follows up a critical comment with a comment that is critical of him and his staff. I really just like everything about Fran ... He continues his mission; he has a plan, and the Hawks will get there ... I know this ... this is the most excited I have been about Iowa basketball in about 7 years ...

agreed
 


McCaffrey is not calling for flagrant fouls, but he wants guys to contest dunks. If Archie had connected on his haymaker attempt a block, he would have been called for a flagrant foul. I am not implying he was out to hurt anyone, just stating that I expect dunks to be contested for the rest of the season.

I think it is obvious he is talking about physical toughness. If you can figure out how to rebound using telepathy, let me know.
 


Hawkeyes prepare to host Minnesota on Wednesday


“Ultimately it comes down to toughness,†McCaffery said. “And we lack that right now, I don’t mind saying that. We don’t have the toughness that’s necessary to defend in this league. And somehow it’s incumbent upon me and my staff to get our guys to not only be able to execute fundamentally, but to be more physical, be tougher, and do it more consistently.â€

“To be honest with you, I’ve never gone through with any team I’ve ever been associated with what we’re going through now,†McCaffery said. “I am really working hard to try and get it corrected, and there’s a couple ways to do that. You can obviously work on drills…ultimately you’ve got to put it together.â€

Actually 3 ways Fran:

1. Drills
2. Slam a chair on the floor
3. Sit next to you on the bench

I think we are into phase 3.

Well, he aint wrong. I think if he want to make them tough he needs to throw wrenches at them, cause if they can dodge a wrench they can certainly dodge a ball.
 


Good point. I like McCaffrey, think he will get it done here etc., but what was the guy thinking by not getting a juco rebounder with some muscle? These guys are a dime a dozen and we allegeldy have Florida connections with Speraw and Texas connections with Dillard.

I am not talking Reggie Evans caliber, but some dude with some street game and a mean streak who wants to board and defend. Poor job of evaluating the needs of the team IMO. Basabe's struggles aside, he knew what he had returning with Archie and Brommer...not much.

I am calling my shot now and saying somebody will pick up a flagrant foul tomorrow night attempting to stop a dunk.

Here we go...again, calling out the staff for not being able to go recruit a JUCO rebounder with muscle.

If it were just that simple...

I am not one of those people that says he this is just Iowa and kids don't come here. The 2012 class to date has proven otherwise.
If Iowa could have just went out and recruited a player like that in worst period of Iowa basketball, I am pretty sure they would have.

Iowa went after HS players like Thomas Gipson, David Kravish, Trey McDonald and others know for rebounding.

It took some kids with a belief in Iowa basketball to come to Iowa, remember these kids have been watching much longer than the 2011 kids.
This is technically Fran's third class coming in and it takes time when Iowa basketball was not even an afterthought to most kids, not even kids in the state.

There is a period where it takes kids to actually believe in what a coach is selling, some longer than others.
Oglesby was the most sought after recruit of the 2011 kids, but Fran got him to believe. White took a visit and became a believer, Gabe was not the most highly sought, but he wants to prove himself.

Recruiting is going again and I cannot wait to see who Iowa can lockup either late in the 2012, maybe your JUCO guy you want, or for the 2013 class. My preference is that Iowa fills the two for 2013, unless a gift falls in Iowa's lap.

Also, I don't think anyone could have predicted the dropoff from Basabe this season. I know there were people out there trying to level expectation, but I don't think anyone called this one.
If the staff saw this coming, it is doubtful they wouldn't have went after another big guy. Brommer has been hurt, he could provide some minutes, Archie is about a 6 minute a game player. Olaseni should be playing more, it is time to get some learning experience and Iowa doesn't need the Center position to score a ton, so long as the 4 spot has a player that is capable.
 


I hope and believe that Fran is talking more about mental toughness than physical toughness. To the extent that he may want more physical toughness, I do not think he wants flagrant fouls. I will admit that many BT teams play defense in a pretty darn physical way...see Wisconsin, MSU as two examples. I have no problem with returning the favor against physical teams. I have heard the Iowa fans respond to a flagrant foul against one of their own and they show no mercy. I would say we should avoid that kind of play, period.

He's talking about the kind of toughness we showed against Wisky, Minny, and Michigan. I think the consistency is what he is talking about more than anything. It isn't losing so much as how you lose. I don't think hard fouls have anything to do with it as some have suggested.
 


Good point. I like McCaffrey, think he will get it done here etc., but what was the guy thinking by not getting a juco rebounder with some muscle? These guys are a dime a dozen and we allegeldy have Florida connections with Speraw and Texas connections with Dillard. I am not talking Reggie Evans caliber, but some dude with some street game and a mean streak who wants to board and defend. Poor job of evaluating the needs of the team IMO. Basabe's struggles aside, he knew what he had returning with Archie and Brommer...not much. I am calling my shot now and saying somebody will pick up a flagrant foul tomorrow night attempting to stop a dunk.
Here we go...again, calling out the staff for not being able to go recruit a JUCO rebounder with muscle. If it were just that simple... I am not one of those people that says he this is just Iowa and kids don't come here. The 2012 class to date has proven otherwise.If Iowa could have just went out and recruited a player like that in worst period of Iowa basketball, I am pretty sure they would have. Iowa went after HS players like Thomas Gipson, David Kravish, Trey McDonald and others know for rebounding. It took some kids with a belief in Iowa basketball to come to Iowa, remember these kids have been watching much longer than the 2011 kids.This is technically Fran's third class coming in and it takes time when Iowa basketball was not even an afterthought to most kids, not even kids in the state. There is a period where it takes kids to actually believe in what a coach is selling, some longer than others.Oglesby was the most sought after recruit of the 2011 kids, but Fran got him to believe. White took a visit and became a believer, Gabe was not the most highly sought, but he wants to prove himself. Recruiting is going again and I cannot wait to see who Iowa can lockup either late in the 2012, maybe your JUCO guy you want, or for the 2013 class. My preference is that Iowa fills the two for 2013, unless a gift falls in Iowa's lap. Also, I don't think anyone could have predicted the dropoff from Basabe this season. I know there were people out there trying to level expectation, but I don't think anyone called this one.If the staff saw this coming, it is doubtful they wouldn't have went after another big guy. Brommer has been hurt, he could provide some minutes, Archie is about a 6 minute a game player. Olaseni should be playing more, it is time to get some learning experience and Iowa doesn't need the Center position to score a ton, so long as the 4 spot has a player that is capable.

Sir, as you know it would have taken me a month to put all my thoughts together. Instead I have you to do it for me. Spot on Sir
 




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