Matt
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Cover3
Well-Known Member
Agree, but I have bolded, etc., what I believe to be the key word in your post. Applying this to the prominent recent attrition problems for the football team, and the basketball team's similar problems under Alford and (esp.) Lickliter, it should be somewhat apparent that encountering tumult (i.e. losing, pressure, or suspensions) in a 4-5 year endeavor is easier to 'gut out' if one is close to home.
I'm not saying Gatens shouldn't be commended for not transferring, but of all the players that left under Lick, how many were from Eastern Iowa? It could be argued that the most prominent football suspension this year after McCall's and Coker's was Derby's. We don't know officially why McCall was suspended, and the allegations against Coker at one time were very serious, but is it any surprise that the kid from Iowa City stuck around after a multi-game suspension and getting removed from the QB depth chart?
Love that we're recruiting top guys from out-of-state (kind of have to) in both sports, but if you look at who sticks around through different kinds of adversity, then our programs' 'systemic' problems might appear to be more geographic.
I think Fran might have the right remedy for it though, giving off a bunch of energy and enthusiasm . . . and getting some big wins.
the fact that both matt and aj grew up as hawkeye fans probably helps a littl too. i commend matt because he was so used to winning in hs yet he stuck it out through the 3 worst years of iowa basketball. i hope we can play good enough to warrant a bubble team so he can at least have an outside chance at the dance. if there ever was a kid that deserved it. good for matt finally having a season he can be happy with.
1hawkeye1
Well-Known Member
Agree completely. I know every kid has the right to go where they like. But it pisses me off when local kids leave the state to go to N Carolina, Wisconsin, UCONN, etc. It shouldn't I know. But it does.
Thank you Matt Gatens, Aaron Olgesby, and others.
Tmoney12
Well-Known Member
Aaron Olgesby? Is he a new recruit?
hawkeyescott
Well-Known Member
Did Aaron Oglesby stay home and go to Coe and is he any relation to Josh?
HandsyHobo
Well-Known Member
I seriously doubt that's part of their consideration.
18-year-olds with multiple opportunities in front of them should do what is best for their future. Leaving Iowa doesn't mean you can't come back.
trapperjon
Well-Known Member
First name was wrong, but I think we knew what he meant. Orr not?
It bothers me too when local kids sign up elsewhere (Marcus Paige, Harrison Barnes, etc).
20 years ago this stuff didn't happen as much. We have not been relevant in BB since Tom Davis's 1st or 2nd year. He did pretty well recruiting, but if Olsen would have stayed , Iowa BB would be as popular FB. We would probably have at least one national tiltle under our belts.
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
It's simply a natural reaction to what we perceive as a guy helping himself out as opposed to helping himself and his home state out.
There is a difference between players from Iowa staying home and players from other states. It is numbers. There are not enough slots on the major programs in most of the other states where we get recruits. Illinois is a good example. At the B1G level just NU and the Illini. Not all of the top Illinois players would even qualify to play at NU. Iowa has produced some great players in recent years, but there would always have been room for them at Iowa or, God forbid, ISU.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
It bothers me too, but only because we've (the AD) allowed the program to fall to the point where Iowa just hasn't been a viable option. I don't hold anything against a kid for taking an opportunity at a Kansas or UNC, especially when Iowa is no alternative.
thejumper5
Well-Known Member
tm3308
Well-Known Member
Ummm. . .You jinxed us. Thanks, dude.
You're not the only one who's first thought was of that post lol.
GhostofBTT
Banned
Whenever I have a big decision to make in life, I always stop to consider how it will effect the state of Iowa before I act.
bcl20
Well-Known Member
Honestly, players should make my hobby of college basketball fandom more enjoyable than choosing what's better for themselves. I will irrationally hate them if they do otherwise.
