Legitimate thoughts around poor (to date) recruiting results

T

tednugentfan

Banned
I really thought the 2014 class would be somewhat of a breakthrough, especially based on an NIT championship appearance. What has unfolded is well below even my lowest bar expectations. There is no way that anyone can convince me that CHA, the facilities, Iowa City, BTN coverage, big ten conference exposure, etc., are so abhorrent that we cannot land kids. I keep reading how much kids like McCaffrey, but don't we have 3 assistants that should be delivering results by now? Geez, we are basically chasing juco crumbs now to get a PG in the class and have thus far only landed Oglesby Lite.
 
I'm definitely concerned with the basketball recruiting. Even programs with less results are landing at least one kid better than ours. I'd much rather see us bank the schollies than give them to Lickliter-esque recruits. At this point we won't be landing anyone with a pulse for 2014, and that's very surprising and disappointing.
 
What does Legitimate thoughts mean? Does that mean only thoughts that agree with yours? I mean I wish Kentucky got one of their top 3 choices at PG, so they didn't pilfer our top choice from us....Is this a "legitimate thought"?
 
It's obvious that Fran has squandered what was an uber impressive NIT title game run...I thought we'd land some one and dones and a few other studs because of it and losing a guy to Kentucky and the world's best used car salesman, is unacceptable as well.
 
HawkeyeShane said:
It's obvious that Fran has squandered what was an uber impressive NIT title game run...I thought we'd land some one and dones and a few other studs because of it and losing a guy to Kentucky and the world's best used car salesman, is unacceptable as well.
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yeah, and i'm sure there's absolutely no way he can bring in any more players, especially since signing day is already passed.


oh wait.


i'd feel a lot better about this if Fran had some history of identifying under-the-radar talent.


oh wait.
 
MeatMan said:
yeah, and i'm sure there's absolutely no way he can bring in any more players, especially since signing day is already passed.


oh wait.


i'd feel a lot better about this if Fran had some history of identifying under-the-radar talent.


oh wait.
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Just wait, meat man, just wait. If you think this is going to end up being a good recruiting class I will have to group you with the fans who think our football team can stop a fake punt. I wish there was hope for this class, but it's too late in the game for that. Mark my words we will have one of the two worst recruiting classes for 2014.
 
Stanzi said:
Just wait, meat man, just wait. If you think this is going to end up being a good recruiting class I will have to group you with the fans who think our football team can stop a fake punt. I wish there was hope for this class, but it's too late in the game for that. Mark my words we will have one of the two worst recruiting classes for 2014.
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no, i don't think this will end up as a good recruiting class. we missed out on the homerun. but, we have a nice roster, so we aren't in a make or break situation. if we have another low class next year, feel free to get worried. there is still a chance at picking up a good player in the spring, maybe even a JUCO. but, i've had this exact conversation with several posters already in just the last week or so, so i felt like being snarky.

i believe that to consistently get high ranked guys, you have to at least be making the dance. that's been like 9 years. i think Fran is great, and trust him, but if we don't make that next step we aren't going to get the big fish.

also, to the bolded part, step back from the ledge a bit.
 
If you take a look at all of the outstanding basketball players in this country, many of whom land on teams with lesser reputations or in conferences that are not in the top tier, I think there is plenty of opportunity out there to recruit some very top notch players. Often, where a basketball player ends up becomes an inexplicable event. I have watched some of the lower level teams come into Iowa City over the past years, or have seen players on other BT teams that really were not high level recruits, and I think, "Wow! Where in the heck did that guy come from?" So, hopefully we can find a couple of those types for 2014. Remember: Fran is an experienced, hard working, charismatic guy who coaches in the BT. Don't be foolish enough to underestimate his ability.
 
tednugentfan said:
I really thought the 2014 class would be somewhat of a breakthrough, especially based on an NIT championship appearance. What has unfolded is well below even my lowest bar expectations. There is no way that anyone can convince me that CHA, the facilities, Iowa City, BTN coverage, big ten conference exposure, etc., are so abhorrent that we cannot land kids. I keep reading how much kids like McCaffrey, but don't we have 3 assistants that should be delivering results by now? Geez, we are basically chasing juco crumbs now to get a PG in the class and have thus far only landed Oglesby Lite.
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There is your problem right there. recruits outside the state don't care that we went to the NIT. Fran got a great 2012 class because they were instate kids who knew that the program has improved greatly. A recruit from a different state has little idea the job Fran has done. All those recruits look at it, is the fact that our program haven't been dancing for awhile. Once we make the tournament this year recruits will warm up to the idea of playing for Iowa.
 
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I love it, its always wait till next year after Iowa made the NCAA Tournament. Y'all sound like Cub fans, always on the come but never today. If you are in sales (which recruiting is), tell your boss that next year I'll make the sales after I've established myself and see if you still have a job. This years class is not critical, but drop the excuses for a poor job at closing the sale with Iowa's top tier recruits. Recruiting is not completely over yet, but if Uhl and Miller spurn the Hawks, then you can mark this season's recruiting efforts down as an F, in terms of getting guys Fran really wanted. And I will also point out that Fran is 0-1 vs. Hoiberg, and 0-2 against Buzz Williams, when they've gone head to head for a recruit. Thus, so far the staff has yet to demonstrate they can win a recruiting battle against schools no better than Iowa, except for in-state type recruits. Otherwise, Fran & Company has done a great job of turning this program around, but to sustain his success, imo, he is going to have to find a way to get some of his top tier choices to choose Iowa. You are only going to go so far relying on under the radar type recruits and Aaron White successes are few and far between.
 
Losing a top flight recruit happens all the time, just ask Michigan State, to name one. We're just not use to it as fans, because Iowa has not been in the running for a top flight recruit in a decade plus (qualified - out of state recruit), so we're not used to it. I believe Fran is turning (has turned) the program around, and kids are noticing. Even if he strikes out (however that is defined) with this year's class, with an NCAA trip this year, new facilities, renewed enthusiasm in the fanbase, they'll be other top flighted kids who will commit to Iowa. It will happen.
 
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I understand the consternation, but I wouldn't worry about recruiting until it shows up on the floor. Iowa will be pretty good for the next few years but will need some more athletic ability IMO to really get to where the fans want to be.

Regardless I see iowa comfortably in the tourney the next few years with a chance to do some damage, and IMO, that should be enough for the time being.
 
BryceC said:
I understand the consternation, but I wouldn't worry about recruiting until it shows up on the floor. Iowa will be pretty good for the next few years but will need some more athletic ability IMO to really get to where the fans want to be.

Regardless I see iowa comfortably in the tourney the next few years with a chance to do some damage, and IMO, that should be enough for the time being.
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What this year is showing is that the NIT run put us in contention to be considered by high-level guys. NCAA will put us over the top. Now we've got to go out and do it.
 
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