Iowa Program is bottoming out

[longtimer]

Got the win against a bad team at home. We are just untalented. At times with Mulvey and Kingsbury and Brauns in game for significant time I thought I was watching a Duck Schultz team
With 3 games on the road and Michigan State at home it would be a surprise to see us playing in Big Ten tournament
Next year will be ugly especially if rumors are right about portal movements
No reason to point fingers at why we are a bottom team but clearly changes have to be made. It’s going to be tough for Iowa to turn the corner but you have to try

 

[Fryowa]

Got the win against a bad team at home. We are just untalented. At times with Mulvey and Kingsbury and Brauns in game for significant time I thought I was watching a Duck Schultz team
With 3 games on the road and Michigan State at home it would be a surprise to see us playing in Big Ten tournament
Next year will be ugly especially if rumors are right about portal movements
No reason to point fingers at why we are a bottom team but clearly changes have to be made. It’s going to be tough for Iowa to turn the corner but you have to try

It’s money, period dot. Not Fran and not CHA. Until they get enough money to competitively recruit this is the ceiling. You love the Clowns so much, I’d suggest you just join CyFan and start rooting for them since they do have the NIL money that Iowa’s ballerina doesn’t. Either that or start donating a whole bunch of money, because if you don’t there’s no real reason for you to bitch about it.

 

[99topdawg]

It’s money, period dot. Not Fran and not CHA. Until they get enough money to competitively recruit this is the ceiling. You love the Clowns so much, I’d suggest you just join CyFan and start rooting for them since they do have the NIL money that Iowa’s ballerina doesn’t. Either that or start donating a whole bunch of money, because if you don’t there’s no real reason for you to bitch about it.

This is a tough hill to climb and you're right, somehow this is going to have to change.

Using numbers to state the obvious:

The average P4 player makes $171,000.

Our roster makes over $1 million.

Let's say our top 8 guys each make $171,000. This means we have average players, which means we have a mediocre team.

Now, I'm not sure how much it cost us, but the #37 player is committed to us (for now). He's from Florida, not CRapids. He's not coming here for free. He's either coming here on a discount, we're pooling our funds to get one big fish, or somebody ponied up some cash. I have no idea which, if any, are the reason he is committed.

 

[BigD]

I am appreciative that I grew up at a time when teams who tried to buy players was frowned on and once in a while those who cheated got caught and were penalized (however not enough). Still the old system was set up to help equalize the sport enforcing limitations to give smaller programs a chance.

All that is gone by the wayside now. It's all about money even for the players Iowa has. Considering that I don't really watch or follow the NBA millionaire club it is especially disappointing what has happened to college sports

Sure, in my younger days I was everything CHICAGO, but until Jordan came along following the BULLS was about as fun as going to the dentist, and following the CUBS was about as much fun as going to a dentist who didn't use Novocain or any other pain reducing medications. The ultimate was watching and following every game Lickliter coached as Iowa's Head Basketball Coach which if given the choice, I would choose waterboarding first.

I think fans have a tendency to forget what life was like before Fran got here. This is a down year for the basketball program, but even this year would be a better year than Lickliter's average team. His tenure at Iowa is indelibly etched in my memory. Those fans who followed the games during that dark period in Iowa basketball history really showed what suffering as an Iowa basketball fan was all about.

It's a tough situation though, as Fran is not just a coach but above all else, he is a husband and a father and in my opinion those roles should supersede in importance his position as a coach. Obviously, if things were great at Iowa for his three boys they would not be where they are now. Of course, one of the boys graduated and would have had to move on regardless, but all three at the same school now is making a major statement.

The question is will Fran put an exclamation point on that statement or is money, money? We shall see. As much as I have expressed frustration and disappointment at his March madness performances, I still remember what life was like just before he came to Iowa. No one wants to go back there again.

 

[Zstatman]

What are the portal rumors?

 

[Fryowa]

I am appreciative that I grew up at a time when teams who tried to buy players was frowned on and once in a while those who cheated got caught and were penalized (however not enough). Still the old system was set up to help equalize the sport enforcing limitations to give smaller programs a chance.

Prior to NIL college football and basketball programs made the universities, the NCAA, video game companies, and apparel companies billions of dollars…but if they signed an autograph for $20 they got their entire future and career shut down permanently. This is the NCAA and universities getting what they deserve. Don’t forget this was a long road to get here and the NCAA had too many chances to count to make it right in the form of letting players make money off their names by themselves. They didn’t compromise an inch and the NCAA is now reaping what it sowed. Absolutely none of this is on the players. At all.

 

[longtimer]

I am appreciative that I grew up at a time when teams who tried to buy players was frowned on and once in a while those who cheated got caught and were penalized (however not enough). Still the old system was set up to help equalize the sport enforcing limitations to give smaller programs a chance.

All that is gone by the wayside now. It's all about money even for the players Iowa has. Considering that I don't really watch or follow the NBA millionaire club it is especially disappointing what has happened to college sports

Sure, in my younger days I was everything CHICAGO, but until Jordan came along following the BULLS was about as fun as going to the dentist, and following the CUBS was about as much fun as going to a dentist who didn't use Novocain or any other pain reducing medications. The ultimate was watching and following every game Lickliter coached as Iowa's Head Basketball Coach which if given the choice, I would choose waterboarding first.

I think fans have a tendency to forget what life was like before Fran got here. This is a down year for the basketball program, but even this year would be a better year than Lickliter's average team. His tenure at Iowa is indelibly etched in my memory. Those fans who followed the games during that dark period in Iowa basketball history really showed what suffering as an Iowa basketball fan was all about.

It's a tough situation though, as Fran is not just a coach but above all else, he is a husband and a father and in my opinion those roles should supersede in importance his position as a coach. Obviously, if things were great at Iowa for his three boys they would not be where they are now. Of course, one of the boys graduated and would have had to move on regardless, but all three at the same school now is making a major statement.

The question is will Fran put an exclamation point on that statement or is money, money? We shall see. As much as I have expressed frustration and disappointment at his March madness performances, I still remember what life was like just before he came to Iowa. No one wants to go back there again.

Lick was a horrible pick as coach but he represents a short period in Iowa basketball history. If course I don’t want to watch that again but there are a number of periods of Iowa basketball that were good in the past
At times when all looked bleak in steps Ralph Miller. And then an unknown Lute Olsen
Of course money has become a major part but hiring the right coach also is important
Even Drake has demonstrated that in a lesser program
As has been disgusted I am not a huge Fran supporter. 15 years and he will have won 4 games against the likes of Grand Canyon and Temple. You really can’t do much worse than that. Coupled with no real challenges for Regular season championships and one cannot objectively say those have been a good 15 years. Longevity has got him the most wins but also the most losses
I just wish he would retire and give some other up and comer a chance
And for the record I am not nor have ever been a Clones fan. I was glued to the radio from the early 60s listening to Zoble call Iowa basketball and football and have been listening watching and attending games ever since. Doesn’t mean I can’t have an option on Iowa sports

I wish I could root for Clones. Would make March a lot more fun

 

[thedukeofearl]

I am appreciative that I grew up at a time when teams who tried to buy players was frowned on and once in a while those who cheated got caught and were penalized (however not enough). Still the old system was set up to help equalize the sport enforcing limitations to give smaller programs a chance.

All that is gone by the wayside now. It's all about money even for the players Iowa has. Considering that I don't really watch or follow the NBA millionaire club it is especially disappointing what has happened to college sports

Sure, in my younger days I was everything CHICAGO, but until Jordan came along following the BULLS was about as fun as going to the dentist, and following the CUBS was about as much fun as going to a dentist who didn't use Novocain or any other pain reducing medications. The ultimate was watching and following every game Lickliter coached as Iowa's Head Basketball Coach which if given the choice, I would choose waterboarding first.

I think fans have a tendency to forget what life was like before Fran got here. This is a down year for the basketball program, but even this year would be a better year than Lickliter's average team. His tenure at Iowa is indelibly etched in my memory. Those fans who followed the games during that dark period in Iowa basketball history really showed what suffering as an Iowa basketball fan was all about.

It's a tough situation though, as Fran is not just a coach but above all else, he is a husband and a father and in my opinion those roles should supersede in importance his position as a coach. Obviously, if things were great at Iowa for his three boys they would not be where they are now. Of course, one of the boys graduated and would have had to move on regardless, but all three at the same school now is making a major statement.

The question is will Fran put an exclamation point on that statement or is money, money? We shall see. As much as I have expressed frustration and disappointment at his March madness performances, I still remember what life was like just before he came to Iowa. No one wants to go back there again.

I think fans have a tendency to forget what life was like before Fran got here. This is a down year for the basketball program, but even this year would be a better year than Lickliter's average team. His tenure at Iowa is indelibly etched in my memory. Those fans who followed the games during that dark period in Iowa basketball history really showed what suffering as an Iowa basketball fan was all about.

I watched every Lickliter game and cheered for the Hawks every game, and yelled when we made a three
or, on rare occasions had a good defensive play, and Screamed at the TV on the rare occasions that we
actually won a game

Being a true Hawkeye Fan means that you will suffer and scream and cry tears of blood, and then
watch the next game faithfully

BigD, did you grow up in Iowa

 

[thedukeofearl]

Lick was a horrible pick as coach but he represents a short period in Iowa basketball history. If course I don’t want to watch that again but there are a number of periods of Iowa basketball that were good in the past
At times when all looked bleak in steps Ralph Miller. And then an unknown Lute Olsen
Of course money has become a major part but hiring the right coach also is important
Even Drake has demonstrated that in a lesser program
As has been disgusted I am not a huge Fran supporter. 15 years and he will have won 4 games against the likes of Grand Canyon and Temple. You really can’t do much worse than that. Coupled with no real challenges for Regular season championships and one cannot objectively say those have been a good 15 years. Longevity has got him the most wins but also the most losses
I just wish he would retire and give some other up and comer a chance
And for the record I am not nor have ever been a Clones fan. I was glued to the radio from the early 60s listening to Zoble call Iowa basketball and football and have been listening watching and attending games ever since. Doesn’t mean I can’t have an option on Iowa sports

I wish I could root for Clones. Would make March a lot more fun

I do believe he is going to retire

Beth won't fire him, it would be a graceful way to bow out and he can watch Jack play at Butler while
watching Connor coach on the bench

 

[99topdawg]

I saw this stat recently.

Fran has coached in 24 post season tournaments at Iowa (BTT, NCAA, NIT). He has won more than 1 game twice. They were in the 2013 NIT and 2022 BTT. Ugh.

 

[BigD]

I think fans have a tendency to forget what life was like before Fran got here. This is a down year for the basketball program, but even this year would be a better year than Lickliter's average team. His tenure at Iowa is indelibly etched in my memory. Those fans who followed the games during that dark period in Iowa basketball history really showed what suffering as an Iowa basketball fan was all about.

I watched every Lickliter game and cheered for the Hawks every game, and yelled when we made a three
or, on rare occasions had a good defensive play, and Screamed at the TV on the rare occasions that we
actually won a game

Being a true Hawkeye Fan means that you will suffer and scream and cry tears of blood, and then
watch the next game faithfully

BigD, did you grow up in Iowa

Yep

It's a captive audience type of thing. If your going to be supporter of a local school your choices came down to Iowa or Iowa State. I grew up in the Southeastern part of the State and my Dad attended the University of Iowa. So naturally by location and by family tradition we were always watching and cheering for Iowa. On occasion I would cheer for Iowa State when they were playing the blue bloods. Part of that was due to the tendency to cheer not so much for Iowa State as to cheer against the blue blood programs. Like Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Nebraska, etc when Iowa State was playing them.

Kirk was fortunate to be Iowa's coach when all those same team's (except Ohio State) were relatively down from their past blue blood status. Nebraska, Michigan, Notre Dame had regressed somewhat from their blue blood superiority, What we saw the last couple of years from Michigan was once the norm for them when I was a teenager. Nebraska has never been the same after they joined the Big Ten. I attribute some of that due to they weren't used to playing in a conference that actually played defense ALONG WITH also playing in a much stronger conference from top to bottom. Mind blowing when you think about a conference losing, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska who were powerhouses in the 70's. Iowa State is stuck still playing in the girly men's "as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say" conference.

 

[BigD]

I do believe he is going to retire

Beth won't fire him, it would be a graceful way to bow out and he can watch Jack play at Butler while
watching Connor coach on the bench

That's definitely a possibility.

 

[BigD]

Prior to NIL college football and basketball programs made the universities, the NCAA, video game companies, and apparel companies billions of dollars…but if they signed an autograph for $20 they got their entire future and career shut down permanently. This is the NCAA and universities getting what they deserve. Don’t forget this was a long road to get here and the NCAA had too many chances to count to make it right in the form of letting players make money off their names by themselves. They didn’t compromise an inch and the NCAA is now reaping what it sowed. Absolutely none of this is on the players. At all.

Don't get me wrong I am not being critical of the players as it is ridiculous that that the players were cut out of the money for so long. The NCAA let a lot of crap get by for certain schools especially in the SEC. They will have to have some controls of some kind or else the sport will implode. Who want's to watch the Alabama's and Ohio State's type of programs just buy the best players all the time? If enough fans get fed up with that shit they will just stop watching and Aloha to a lot of college sports fans.

 

[ajdwhs87]

I saw this stat recently.

Fran has coached in 24 post season tournaments at Iowa (BTT, NCAA, NIT). He has won more than 1 game twice. They were in the 2013 NIT and 2022 BTT. Ugh.

Didn't you live it? It should always be in the back of the mind. Of course 2022 ended with Richmond. It was really only fleeting, as usual, since they were 12-8 regular season BT. The ups and downs. That team struggle more than it seemed it should then they put it together. 12-2 before that with a 2 point loss at Ill. and the Michigan loss at home by 5. Not a whole season or even conference of greatness but here was the chance to shine. So that highest high got capped with a big down. Such have been the ups and downs with Fran.

Of course once before that and it was recent and they had the horses that he probably wouldn't have again so you knew it was the last shot. Not like we are a blueblood so go do the Fla. Gulf Coast, Loyola, Chi. thing. What was it that year, St. Peter went 3-1 in the tourney and sent Kentucky and Purdue home. We really should have gotten to Kansas that year even if we lose.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

What a weird thread to start right after a win that puts us two games up on one of the teams we are fighting to beat out to get into the conference tourney.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I do believe he is going to retire

Beth won't fire him, it would be a graceful way to bow out and he can watch Jack play at Butler while
watching Connor coach on the bench

She doesn't want to have to I'll say that. The ball is in Frans court on how this goes since he's got the contract that goes through 2028. He can flex puff his chest out and force her to fire him. Or as I and most would hope for is that he and the school negotiate his buyout to be made and he walks away. I'm sure Iowa would love to lower that number but I don't think he's got any reason in the world to not demand he get all of it.

I hope Iowa sucks it up and finds the $ to both pony up for Frans buyout and DeVries or another good coach that they'd end up wanting. I don't think DeVries's contract has a crazy high one either. Which is kinda wild considering he's in yr 1 of his.

 

[thedukeofearl]

Yep

It's a captive audience type of thing. If your going to be supporter of a local school your choices came down to Iowa or Iowa State. I grew up in the Southeastern part of the State and my Dad attended the University of Iowa. So naturally by location and by family tradition we were always watching and cheering for Iowa. On occasion I would cheer for Iowa State when they were playing the blue bloods. Part of that was due to the tendency to cheer not so much for Iowa State as to cheer against the blue blood programs. Like Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Nebraska, etc when Iowa State was playing them.

Kirk was fortunate to be Iowa's coach when all those same team's (except Ohio State) were relatively down from their past blue blood status. Nebraska, Michigan, Notre Dame had regressed somewhat from their blue blood superiority, What we saw the last couple of years from Michigan was once the norm for them when I was a teenager. Nebraska has never been the same after they joined the Big Ten. I attribute some of that due to they weren't used to playing in a conference that actually played defense ALONG WITH also playing in a much stronger conference from top to bottom. Mind blowing when you think about a conference losing, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska who were powerhouses in the 70's. Iowa State is stuck still playing in the girly men's "as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say" conference.

Excellent Post, BigD

So you actually bleed Black and Gold

It's a heredity situation

 

[Zstatman]

Fran will get all of his contract money due him, no matter how he leaves.

 

[thedukeofearl]

.

Kirk was fortunate to be Iowa's coach when all those same team's (except Ohio State) were relatively down from their past blue blood status. Nebraska, Michigan, Notre Dame had regressed somewhat from their blue blood superiority, What we saw the last couple of years from Michigan was once the norm for them when I was a teenager. Nebraska has never been the same after they joined the Big Ten. I attribute some of that due to they weren't used to playing in a conference that actually played defense ALONG WITH also playing in a much stronger conference from top to bottom. Mind blowing when you think about a conference losing, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska who were powerhouses in the 70's. Iowa State is stuck still playing in the girly men's "as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say" conference.

Iowa State is stuck still playing in the girly men's "as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say" conference.

You Clowns are girly boys

 

[Gander Hawk]

This is a tough hill to climb and you're right, somehow this is going to have to change.

Using numbers to state the obvious:

The average P4 player makes $171,000.

Our roster makes over $1 million.

Let's say our top 8 guys each make $171,000. This means we have average players, which means we have a mediocre team.

Now, I'm not sure how much it cost us, but the #37 player is committed to us (for now). He's from Florida, not CRapids. He's not coming here for free. He's either coming here on a discount, we're pooling our funds to get one big fish, or somebody ponied up some cash. I have no idea which, if any, are the reason he is committed.

I was going to say, they must have some money because they're getting some fairly high level visitors.