It's officially official--Walk BMC is coming to Iowa

[BigD]

I agree.

Will be interesting to see who ends up where.

I'm old/young enough to remember the transition from Davis to Alfraud. Granted, there wasn't a portal then but I don't remember a lot of players grumbling or transferring

Keep in mind that if Fran ends up at a power five school he likely will take a player or two with him from the Iowa roster.

I do wish him and his family the best and appreciates that he did get Iowa out of the ditch that Lickliter drove our program into.

 

[PCHawk]

At least I can admit I’m a moron, you should try it. It’s liberating and why kid yourself?

You're a moron. Damn, that was liberating.

 

[PCHawk]

I can't believe it's been 15 years since Fran was hired. I remember being really excited for the Alford and Lick hires and being pretty bummed about the Fran hire, based on resumes. But then after listening to him talk after accepting the job I was all in. He will always be one of my favorite coaches and I think he was a lot closer to having us way better than he was to having us a little worse. The philosophy to conserve energy on defense to be able to go all out on offense got old tho.

 

[1980HAWKFAN]

I expect if we lose players, it is more about NIL $$ than anything else. I could see Freeman doing well in this system, Dix as well......I think Fran's system certainly held attraction for the run and gunner, and those players I do not see doing well under McCollum IMO, unless they would be willing to learn defense. As has been offered in this thread earlier, I think we see something more akin to Bo Ryan, which is a good thing- I dont think anyone in the B1G figured out how to consistently beat Ryan.

Dix and Harding, if they were to come back can't be taught lateral quickness. This year they couldn't stop any guard from blowing right past them. You either have it or you don't. You can't teach someone to be quicker.

 

[BigD]

Dix and Harding, if they were to come back can't be taught lateral quickness. This year they couldn't stop any guard from blowing right past them. You either have it or you don't. You can't teach someone to be quicker.

If I get to choose between the two I would choose Dix. Harding is anything but a quick defender. Ben needs a really explosive type guard who can take it to the hoop and get up under the shirt of the players he will be defending.

 

[Zstatman]

Iowa men's basketball put out a pic today of a young Ben McCollom, age 7-9 I'd guess, with Mr. Davis having his arm around his shoulder.

 

[Seth53]

What is your favorite flavor

Hawkeye Thunder of course

 

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

I really hope this works out. He’s done a helluva job his whole career. Hope he can do the same here. Glad it’s him and not “the next option”.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

It was interesting in reading his bio, that one of his title teams finished 38-0 and averaged 82 points per game. he stated that he doesn't necessarily play a slowdown game but rather adapts his style to the talent he has AND the talent and style of the other team.

That alone is refreshing! Too often teams grow stagnant ( ahem, KF, FMc) due to dogmatic philosophies that can be successful yet equally be square players in round schemes.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

I also think Owen is dnc ... He's a top priority and is rated #1 center in portal right now.
Plus, think I read Benny Mac is known for pg development. Maybe Brock sticks and grows, too!

 

[Tippett]

The new recruit who just decommitted left the door open too.

So did Koch.

 

[Tippett]

Dix and Harding, if they were to come back can't be taught lateral quickness. This year they couldn't stop any guard from blowing right past them. You either have it or you don't. You can't teach someone to be quicker.

They were never really taught team defense and McCollum basically plays packline defense. Players have to be in their gap at all times and a player needs to keep the ball in front of them for two dribbles so help can be there. I would say Stirtz is not any quicker than Dix and Harding is actually pretty quick.

 

[1980HAWKFAN]

It doesn't matter what defense you're in if your players are out quicked. Packline defense I think has one guy tough on the ball and 4 sagging ready to help. How many times did last year's players get torched from deep because they couldn't get out fast enough to cover the shooter. Any defense McCollum runs will work better if he has the personal to execute it.

 

[PCHawk]

It doesn't matter what defense you're in if your players are out quicked. Packline defense I think has one guy tough on the ball and 4 sagging ready to help. How many times did last year's players get torched from deep because they couldn't get out fast enough to cover the shooter. Any defense McCollum runs will work better if he has the personal to execute it.

I dont think it's a quickness issue. Harding is plenty quick. It's a lack of focus and urgency on that side of the floor.

 

[Tippett]

It doesn't matter what defense you're in if your players are out quicked. Packline defense I think has one guy tough on the ball and 4 sagging ready to help. How many times did last year's players get torched from deep because they couldn't get out fast enough to cover the shooter. Any defense McCollum runs will work better if he has the personal to execute it.

Defense was not stressed under McCaffrey and there were really no consequences if they had a breakdown. That will not happen with McCollum. The bench is a great motivator.

 

[skinnykilmer17]

Who knows what the future holds but No question Fran had to go. I was never a fan. He never had the bench coaching chops as evidenced by his record in close games or his lack of tournament success. Rarely “outcoached” anyone.

McCollum has won multiple D2 titles meaning he must having a good group of assistants doing scouting, game planning etc etc. In just the two games I have seen his team played with discipline, were really well coached, and his X’s and O’s seemed quite a step up from Fran’s. With the exception of one stud those were D2 kids playing against superior talent.

With change comes risk. I’m all for it. This guy seems hungry to win and quite the competitor.
Fran vacillated from raging maniac to being over medicated or something. More the latter lately.

 

[HuckFinn]

At least I can admit I’m a moron, you should try it. It’s liberating and why kid yourself?

I represent that remark…

 

[HuckFinn]

Keep in mind that if Fran ends up at a power five school he likely will take a player or two with him from the Iowa roster.

I do wish him and his family the best and appreciates that he did get Iowa out of the ditch that Lickliter drove our program into.

Had not thought about Iowa players following Fran. Hmm. That may be interesting.

 

[HuckFinn]

If I get to choose between the two I would choose Dix. Harding is anything but a quick defender. Ben needs a really explosive type guard who can take it to the hoop and get up under the shirt of the players he will be defending.

Nope Don’t agree. Dix is an elite defender in this new world. Does he get blown by? Yeah. But not much. And the same guys that are critical of Dix and Harding continually gripe about Iowa not having a point guard that can blow by opponents. Duh. I would welcome both of them back in a heartbeat. Dix is looking at 1 million $ in the portal and Harding has enjoyed interest from some solid power 5’s. Google it.

 

[HuckFinn]

I just have to comment. I know. I have beaten a lot of dead horses in my time. But. The behavior by coaches in the Big Dance moves Fran waaay down the list.