FreddyBrown
Moderator
so did losing Jake--but ISU losing Wesley Johnson really had to hurt. That kid looks like a future NBA All-Star.
Losing Tyler Smith stung, and
- Thread starter FreddyBrown
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GodGodGodBathia
Well-Known Member
ISUck is falling apart.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
I was impressed with McDermott's ability to get him at ISU, to see in him what others did not see...he was a late commit IIRC...so that was a feather in his cap....but then losing him...one step forward and two back.
I don't know why he left but maybe Mac could not afford to keep him there. Just sayin.
HawkeyeMike23
Banned
I don't think Johnson was happy with the way Mac handled his foot injury. Also, he was looking for a more open system to play in, and his brother had a lot to do with him leaving. I think once he saw a little bit of NBA potential in him, he wanted to get Wes somewhere where he would have more exposure.
FreddyBrown
Moderator
On the way to the office this morning I heard Dan Patrick say he thinks Johnson is the best player in college basketball. He did put on quite a show last night, and it wasn't the first time.
Of course, if anyone talented chooses to move on they must be paid off by someone. So you are saying Jim Boeheim is a cheater now? Maybe Johnson realized he couldn't be a top 5 pick at ISU so he went to a place that is on ESPN every other game. Shocking I know, but it has to be about money hand shakes doesn't it?
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
And some people seem to think that every coach (other than Lickliter) who gets a good recruiting class must also be cheating.
Thawki
Well-Known Member
Hey, IAJay.
Normally when I hear talk like this, I agree with you.
However, Boeheim does have a rep for cheating. His program was on probation at one point. A Syracuse grad that has his own show on sports radio down here in KC and is on right now as I type this even jokes about him being a cheater from time to time. He pretty much concedes he is one, but doesn't talk about it all the time.
I'm just saying...
Normally when I hear talk like this, I agree with you.
However, Boeheim does have a rep for cheating. His program was on probation at one point. A Syracuse grad that has his own show on sports radio down here in KC and is on right now as I type this even jokes about him being a cheater from time to time. He pretty much concedes he is one, but doesn't talk about it all the time.
I'm just saying...
HawkeyeMike23
Banned
Ok, do you think he would be getting as much attention this year if he stays at ISU as he is at Syracuse?
Spotting Johnson while he was injured in HS was a real coup for Mac. It is the kind of break that can send a new coach into immediate successland...along with Brackins, Mac should have had the horses to challenge KU and Tx...but alas, ISU still is not the big-time like the Big East or KU and Tx. Johnson is a top 7 pick in the mock drafts but could end up 3 or 4,along with Evan Turner.
Iowa needs a stroke of luck like Johnson to land in their lap to really make a leap upward....not likely,but still hoping. Harrison Barnes could be like Johnson in two years...he is already the #1 pick in the 2012 draft in the mocks.
Iowa needs a stroke of luck like Johnson to land in their lap to really make a leap upward....not likely,but still hoping. Harrison Barnes could be like Johnson in two years...he is already the #1 pick in the 2012 draft in the mocks.
switch351
Well-Known Member
Maybe not from the media but I think scouts watching Brackins would have to take note. Sure the media helps with hype but a scout is not payed to go off media hype, they're paid to see talent. They're already watching Brackins so they would have to see Johnson.
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
Iowa needs a stroke of luck like Johnson to land in their lap to really make a leap upward....not likely,but still hoping. Harrison Barnes could be like Johnson in two years...he is already the #1 pick in the 2012 draft in the mocks.
i think the last thing iowa needs is a one-and-done or two-and-done guy. this program is desperate for continuity, and bringing in someone who is just trying to put up big numbers to up their draft stock does nothing to build the program long term. ricky davis comes to mind.
i think the last thing iowa needs is a one-and-done or two-and-done guy. this program is desperate for continuity, and bringing in someone who is just trying to put up big numbers to up their draft stock does nothing to build the program long term. ricky davis comes to mind.
I was not really thinking about the guy being a one and done, but again, if Barnes was coming to Iowa next year, I think the program would profit from his presence. It has to be the right kind of kid, who plays team ball, but as Carmelo showed at Syracuse, and DRose showed at Memphis, one year guys can be helpful. Going to the final game next year would boost the Iowa program immeasurably even if a Barnes took off. Iowa BB needs a shot in the arm, to get fans back, to put them on the college bb map again, to get Peter Jok and Marcus Paige to give them real consideration...of course, we could struggle for 6 years building a team,then be primed for a big 7th year to make the tourny ,then have an injury occur and start all over again...there is that path.
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
funny you mention derrick rose... sure, he got memphis to the championship game. of course, that season was susequently vacated by the NCAA, memphis lost their coach to kentucky, and all of their sports are currently on a three-year probation. their biggest win so far this year is at home against houston.
for whatever reason, this happens more often than not with top basketball recruits. how about oj mayo? i just don't think the iowa program is in a position to take a risk on a guy that might only be around for a year or two.
of course, i have no reason to think that harrison barnes is in that category and i would love to have gotten him. but highly touted guys who play a couple of years of team-oriented basketball and stay out of trouble are the exception, not the rule. it's no coincidence that they usually end up at one of the top 5-6 elite programs (unc, duke, kansas, ucla, etc.). i would add kentucky to that list but calipari is a walking violation and i'm guessing it's only a matter of time before they get hammered by the ncaa.
for whatever reason, this happens more often than not with top basketball recruits. how about oj mayo? i just don't think the iowa program is in a position to take a risk on a guy that might only be around for a year or two.
of course, i have no reason to think that harrison barnes is in that category and i would love to have gotten him. but highly touted guys who play a couple of years of team-oriented basketball and stay out of trouble are the exception, not the rule. it's no coincidence that they usually end up at one of the top 5-6 elite programs (unc, duke, kansas, ucla, etc.). i would add kentucky to that list but calipari is a walking violation and i'm guessing it's only a matter of time before they get hammered by the ncaa.
HawkeyeMike23
Banned
This is where I think I differ with most people. I would gladly take an NCAA tourney run even if Iowa couldn't hang it in the rafters after a couple of seasons. Just being mentioned with the best of the best does more for recruiting than anything else. I am not for outright cheating by any means, but Calipari has never been indicted for his actions. When you recruit the highest echelon of talent, usually you also have to deal with their entourage. I know it sucks, but it is what it is now in big time college basketball. You gotta play the game in order to be successful at this level or you need Coach K to get the best suburban kids in the country every season.
