Iowa and Iowa State

[pinchweasel]

All you guys are doing is whining about Iowa basketball, and not addressing the questions in the OP. Just saying...

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

It will be ABSOLUTELY shocking if Mulvey doesn't immediately announce a transfer at seasons end. I could be reading that wrong, but they didn't red shirt him to keep him and develop him another year as a Jr. That ship has sailed. They RS him so he could retain another year of eligibility, drop down a level and still have 3 years (covid year) to play somewhere else. Iowa desperately needed more post players this year, if Riley was ever going to contribute to this team, THIS was the year. He still couldn't get minutes and the writing was on the wall once the season got rolling. He wasn't in the top 10. Fran and co probably talked him into staying this year because they knew how weak we were at post and at worse, they need him for practice purposes coming into this year. Riley has been a great team mate, but I don't think there's any plan for him as an Iowa Hawkeye contributor.

I could be wrong here, but I don't think I am.

He's gotta go down as the first guy in NCAA history who only spent three years in high school, but then spent six in college?!

 

[MelroseHawkins]

He's gotta go down as the first guy in NCAA history who only spent three years in high school, but then spent six in college?!

I was at the Iowa Illinois game and watched from floor level down by the Iowa bench. I was surprised how thin of a frame Mulvey has. He has not put on any significant bulk at all. He definitely has some height but is thin as a rail, IMO. I was within just a few yards of him. It was funny because he was helping the young uns take the stools to the floor at timeouts and back after the TO.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I think most on the board would agree that the Iowa program has been stuck in a long stretch of for lack of a better term mediocrity. Had some decent teams and some very good players (mostly sons of former players) without a lot of success in the tournament. Enthusiasm or lack thereof seems to be turning into apathy. Showing up with smaller crowds and even lack of posting on this board. So how does Iowa inject enthusiasm back into the program
Most posters don't see it as a coaching change. Some say we just don't support the NIL

On the other hand how does Iowa State do it? Great fan support even in a down year. Of course Hilton is way more conducive to watching basketball. Are their fans just better? Is our fan base getting to old? Of course there is no dispute that they have had a lot more success on the court. A number of championships and pretty good success in the tournament. 3 years ago they were way down. Bring in a new coach and he recruits a bunch of players that take them to the sweet 16 the next year. This year could be special

How do they do what we seem to not be able to do?? Can't believe its the NIL Is it just tradition? Iowa has money Iowa is in the Big Ten Iowa seems to have some advantages HOW do you explain it?

I've always asked how does TJ Otzelberger come into Iowa St just a few yrs ago and have them playing at that level and a potential #2 seed in the tournament this season. 2nd place in arguably the best conference in the nation. When he came in, he only had 5 scholarship players and was successful out of the gun.

Iowa has been out of the 2nd round of the NCAA's for like 37 yrs. I'll tell you how TJ did it, with defense. That team is nasty on D and that makes them be in every game. An analyst after last night's game said Iowa State turned over Kansas St. in 32% of Kansas St's offensive possessions which is absurd. I looked at Iowa St's players and they are just different. They are just built different like Robert Jones. Just more athletic which I suspect plays into more individual speed and quickness which plays into playing much faster as a team.

 

[BigD]

The West side of Iowa has all those beautiful beaches to lure in the better players. Also cow tipping brings in the better recruits. We just can’t compete against such an advantage.

I would guess that Fran is out in his backyard today working on de fense. Probably burying the post seven feet deep. Making sure de fense isn’t going to move. Trouble is it’s only two feet above the ground.

Home Improvement: Fencing Scene

In the Home Improvement episode "A Sew Sew Evening" in Season 3 Tool Time does a Salute To Fencing when Tim and Al shows everybody about installing a fence w...

youtu.be

 

[MelroseHawkins]

The West side of Iowa has all those beautiful beaches to lure in the better players. Also cow tipping brings in the better recruits. We just can’t compete against such an advantage.

I would guess that Fran is out in his backyard today working on de fense. Probably burying the post seven feet deep. Making sure de fense isn’t going to move. Trouble is it’s only two feet above the ground.

Home Improvement: Fencing Scene

In the Home Improvement episode "A Sew Sew Evening" in Season 3 Tool Time does a Salute To Fencing when Tim and Al shows everybody about installing a fence w...

youtu.be

Lol. I forgot how good that show was. I should watch some.

 

[thedukeofearl]

Anyway: We have the Cyclones projected as a 2 seed in Omaha against South Dakota State
Playing the winner of the South Carolina/New Mexico matchup

I will be cheering for the Drake Bulldogs, an 11 seed playing Clemson in Pittsburgh
The will play the winner of the Creighton/College of Charleston matchup

Mere Projections...

Creighton will have a tough time with Drake but should prevail

 

[thedukeofearl]

I've always asked how does TJ Otzelberger come into Iowa St just a few yrs ago and have them playing at that level and a potential #2 seed in the tournament this season. 2nd place in arguably the best conference in the nation. When he came in, he only had 5 scholarship players and was successful out of the gun.

Iowa has been out of the 2nd round of the NCAA's for like 37 yrs. I'll tell you how TJ did it, with defense. That team is nasty on D and that makes them be in every game. An analyst after last night's game said Iowa State turned over Kansas St. in 32% of Kansas St's offensive possessions which is absurd. I looked at Iowa St's players and they are just different. They are just built different like Robert Jones. Just more athletic which I suspect plays into more individual speed and quickness which plays into playing much faster as a team.

They immediately pass the ball and are in constant motion, and are tough and aggressive

Fun to watch and certainly look like, at least a Sweet Sixteen team

 

[longtimer]

They immediately pass the ball and are in constant motion, and are tough and aggressive

Fun to watch and certainly look life at least a Sweet Sixteen team

Clones took down a good Baylor team last night by double figures. I would guess they have to be considered one of the 7 or 8 teams capable of winning it all? they are really playing well
The good thing about it is the fact that it can be done. There is always hope down the road

 

[ryno]

The West side of Iowa has all those beautiful beaches to lure in the better players. Also cow tipping brings in the better recruits. We just can’t compete against such an advantage.

I would guess that Fran is out in his backyard today working on de fense. Probably burying the post seven feet deep. Making sure de fense isn’t going to move. Trouble is it’s only two feet above the ground.

Home Improvement: Fencing Scene

In the Home Improvement episode "A Sew Sew Evening" in Season 3 Tool Time does a Salute To Fencing when Tim and Al shows everybody about installing a fence w...

youtu.be

Love it!

 

[wwhawk]

Here's my take. My biggest issue is the defensive side of the ball. This team cannot convince me that they can consistently make stops or that under Fran's system there is an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball. So when we get to March and the NCAA tourney I find it hard to really get excited and really buy in to us making a run, because I simply don't believe we play a defense capable of doing so.

It's March Madness so every year I'm always excited we've made it, but the problem is deep down I'm not 100% on board because I've been let down so many times in the past. I'm not saying it's time for Fran to go, because it's not my call to make and I see both sides of the argument, but until something changes internally and see a change in the composition of the roster and the style of play I simply don't see the writing on the wall that anything will really change in terms of making a run. I'm simply not one of those people that get overly excited by making the tournament anymore because I'm far from optimistic that we have the type of team that can make a run.

That said I can't wait for the women's tourney!!!

ISU is #2 in KenPom Defense rating ... Iowa is #272.​

While Iowa is #24 in offense efficiency, ISU is #57. That hurts to type, as the Clowns are among my most disliked teams.

With his longevity, Fran is indeed Iowa's winningest coach. But before he reached that mark, he became Iowa's losingest coach. NOT saying he should be fired. With the (hopefully) returning and incoming talent, and some success in the portal, next season should be a good one. But unless and until he commits to stressing much better defense, his 28 years of never coaching a team into the Sweet 16 will continue.

 

[Larry Legend]

I think most on the board would agree that the Iowa program has been stuck in a long stretch of for lack of a better term mediocrity. Had some decent teams and some very good players (mostly sons of former players) without a lot of success in the tournament. Enthusiasm or lack thereof seems to be turning into apathy. Showing up with smaller crowds and even lack of posting on this board. So how does Iowa inject enthusiasm back into the program
Most posters don't see it as a coaching change. Some say we just don't support the NIL

On the other hand how does Iowa State do it? Great fan support even in a down year. Of course Hilton is way more conducive to watching basketball. Are their fans just better? Is our fan base getting to old? Of course there is no dispute that they have had a lot more success on the court. A number of championships and pretty good success in the tournament. 3 years ago they were way down. Bring in a new coach and he recruits a bunch of players that take them to the sweet 16 the next year. This year could be special

How do they do what we seem to not be able to do?? Can't believe its the NIL Is it just tradition? Iowa has money Iowa is in the Big Ten Iowa seems to have some advantages HOW do you explain it?

Follow the Coach, Follow the Coach, I think Redford or Hoffman said something similar. Recruits, are mid major players, lucked out with Garza and the Murray twins, however if you are into March Madness, same results whoever he recruits. Long timer, at the stage where I am tired of hearing that we could do worse. Oh my God remember Lick Dick and so on so on and so on. Same goes for Football, in the thinking on this platform, My God, who else can we get to go 8 and 4 and go to the titty twister bowl, love the tassels by the way.

 

[justwinbaby]

Watching ISU and they are way more athletic than us. It’s obvious that they know how to play defense. If we want to be on the level of ISU we need to take a page out of Beileins book and hire a defensive specialist. Until we do we will continue to have teams that are good offensively but who are going to struggle to stop anyone. Which usually translates to not making the second weekend of the big dance.

 

[justwinbaby]

I know that most of us are afraid of getting rid of an average coach and hiring a bad coach but it’s hard to watch ISU play at a different level while we are stuck in med.

 

[hawkinn3]

ISU could win a natty this year, F me.

 

[trj]

ISU could win a natty this year, F me.

Slow down. Let them get out of the first weekend. Can they run it back in the next 4 or 5 days without losing their mojo?

 

[Grady]

At one point in recent years one of Fran's top assistants left, and I thought: what a perfect time to bring in a defensive specialist coach. He didn't. Oh, but I forgot, Fran's got a video out where he teaches defense. Seriously. What coach would ever be dumb enough to buy it?!
It's not unlike Ferentz refusing to hire a high-powered offensive coach, even tho it's obvious to any high school student Iowa needs dramatic improvement in that area.
For both of 'em, it's hard to know if it's a blind spot, ego, or stubbornness. Personally, I think it's the latter two for both of them, with the stubbornness being reinforced by the relative success they've both had over their long careers.

 

[Grady]

Shoving Coach Tom Davis out was the first mistake. His 1999 team was the last Sweet 16 team at Iowa. It led to Alfraud killing the program.... and then Lackluster burying it. Then came along Fran.....a rebuilder of programs....rebuilt Iowa to make it competitive again.....but has not achieved any serious, big time, success in the NCAAs at any program he has coached....including Iowa.....14 years and running....you also have the issue with his son's struggling on the court tied in with all the nepotism issues at Iowa.

I think fan apathy, an older/richer fan base that has been given priority seating at Carver for decades......Carver not having a student section close to the court like at Michigan St......games being played on a million different channels........sometimes in the middle of the week late at night in the dead of winter.....the women's program actually being a championship caliber program with a Jordan Esqu player in Clark.....and again Fran has not done anything great in 14 years aside from digging the program out of the ground. Some nice things like several NCAA appearences with a few first round wins and a BTT tournament title.

I think the Big Ten is also just a tough conference. You need to have guards and strong center play to do well in it.....as well as for the NCAAs. Iowa has not been good enough in these areas....especially guard play. Fran has not been able to seal the deal with impactful, difference making guard play.

I think ClownU and their coaches have not been afraid to go after more impactful players at numerous positions from the portal and transfers. Of course, I don't follow ISU nearly as closely as Iowa. They seem to consistently love their basketball there.....more than just jacking off to their Superbowl game with Iowa in terms of football.

This is why I was kinda of hoping Fran was maybe going to move on....thinking maybe he would retire and watch his last son (since he is not coming here) or go coach at another school....perhaps back East. Again, you can't fire him, his body of work does not call for that....and you don't want another CoachDrTom like situation on your hands. That said, he still has a lot of money left on his contract....and an adminstration he is in no danger with or having serious heat.....so he is probably pretty comfortable riding it out.

I thought maybe if Fran moved on....the progam is in decent enough shape....we could get renewed fan interest with new blood....and perhaps a coach that would put more effort into coaching defense and maybe could seal the deal on better guard play. But, that is not going to happen. So, all we can do is wish Fran well and hope for the best.

I think Iowa Men's Basketball is just boring and has been irrelevant in the NCAAs for far to long. Either that, or......fans have been burnt time and time again when they have tried to invest into it.....even with Fran's best teams (including players like Garza, the Murray Twins, White, Marble, Jared U, JaBo, Woodbury, etc). Pure Apathy.

Watching the Iowa Women has been an absolute joy. Watching the men can be a chore at times.

You can say many truthful things about Iowa's men's teams, but "boring" is not one of them. Geez, dude, they typically lead the BTen conference in scoring, play a fast-paced game on offense that cameras have trouble keeping up with...AND they typically have a very low turnover rate, especially considering the offensive pace they play at. Other BTen coaches constantly rave about how difficult Iowa's offense is to guard. Their defense, on the other hand, is a shit-show.
OF COURSE Iowa women have been a joy to watch -- it's always easy to watch winners!

 

[HaydenHawk56]

You can say many truthful things about Iowa's men's teams, but "boring" is not one of them. Geez, dude, they typically lead the BTen conference in scoring, play a fast-paced game on offense that cameras have trouble keeping up with...AND they typically have a very low turnover rate, especially considering the offensive pace they play at. Other BTen coaches constantly rave about how difficult Iowa's offense is to guard. Their defense, on the other hand, is a shit-show.
OF COURSE Iowa women have been a joy to watch -- it's always easy to watch winners!

I think by "boring" is more like the total experience of watching this team and the environment they play in. Carver is morgue when they play. The style of play looks really good against the sisters of the poor.....but gets exposed come real out of conference play and in-conference play. Don't get me wrong, when they are clicking it can look really good. This year, I also liked how they were able to get some back cuts mixed in there for some lay-ups. The flip-side, it is hard to watch losers....but we do win or lose because we are hawkeye fans. You could even not call it "boring".....you could it a predictable product.....and that involves nothing really special come NCAA tournament time (outside of a BTT title and a long NIT run back in the yearly years). 14 years in and still no NCAA tournament to point to and say man that was a fun time...something I will remember foundly.

The problem is, if Iowa does not out-score people.....their defense can't save them.

Ironcially, you could say the same thing for the women.....difference is.....most nights...the women get the job done.....post season included.

 

[oldhawk12]

The West side of Iowa has all those beautiful beaches to lure in the better players. Also cow tipping brings in the better recruits. We just can’t compete against such an advantage.

I would guess that Fran is out in his backyard today working on de fense. Probably burying the post seven feet deep. Making sure de fense isn’t going to move. Trouble is it’s only two feet above the ground.

Home Improvement: Fencing Scene

In the Home Improvement episode "A Sew Sew Evening" in Season 3 Tool Time does a Salute To Fencing when Tim and Al shows everybody about installing a fence w...

youtu.be

Raveling had absolutely zero trouble bringing in top 10 classes that turned out the best teams iowa has ever had. This, above all else, is why those early Mr. Davis teams were the best in school history. And it’s also the reason why we’ve never been the same since…take away random years in between where we’ve overachieved.

Give me a coach that recruits the hell out of players any day of the week. But this will never be the iowa way…