I think the fans are very accurate in this team's shortcomings, however I would caution in looking for a quick fix in Juco players, McDermott tried this at ISU and it blew up in his face, Kansas State is going thru a nightmare this yr, Juco kids can be a real gamble, Cartwright has been a huge find but you still need to rely on 4 yr players, at most I would want 1 JC, a big athletic kid that can average 12-10 like a Reggie Evans,( i know this will be hard to find) add him next yr and we take a huge step towards respectability, a healthy payne and cartwright and our point guard will be fine,
You make my point exactly, I have no real issues with JUCO players, but they are red flags, but in Cartwrights situation, he wasn't.
I would gladly take a C that is athletic from the JUCO ranks, but the staff has to do all their homework and with Fran, I don't think he is going to reach too far on a guy with questionable character. I could be wrong there.
Someone made the point about getting two JC players and getting 6-8 wins in the Big Ten and helping in freshman recruiting. I understand the logic with the Big Ten losing a lot of quality players.
My arguement to that is if Iowa gets the right two freshman, I think you can see those same results.
Basabe wasn't a blue-chipper, but I think he is the 2nd best freshman in the Big Ten today behind Sullinger, at lowest he is 4th behind Craft of OSU and Richmond of Illinois, but those two were Top 100 players, so they were expected to do what they are doing.
I think Stokes and Katenda could be those two freshman that could add a lot to Iowa's roster to get the 6-8 wins people are talking about. The freshman are going to improve in their sophomore years with Basabe being a potential All-Big Ten type player and Iowa's best player.
With Stokes, Iowa would have plenty of depth at the PG position and would allow Cartwright to play some wing and do what he does best, get to lane.
Katenda is just a little bit bigger version of Basabe and his athleticism and shot-blocking ability would give Iowa tougher low post defense. Basabe is really the only player that will contest a shot and can still get the rebound, Katenda could do that same thing. Before Katenda couldn't play this summer he was rated as high as 108 on Rivals.
If Archie isn't on Iowa's roster next season and Iowa can bring in 5 players, then a C, either JUCO or freshman will be a must. If the staff chooses to bring in some JUCO players, that is fine, I trust the staff knows what they are doing. If the staff chooses to go with freshman and player development then I am fine with that as well, I trust in what they are doing.
Yes if Iowa can get a Reggie Evans type big man, then get him to pair up with Basabe.
The program is at a Crossroads and what direction Fran takes it this Spring will be interesting. JUCO or freshman, it really doesn't matter, what type of player will be brought in?
