New Mexico/Alford Live Look-in

[HawKCP]

I thought it was a stupid move for a coach to try to one up a player. (Shada is right, this was after an Iowa dunk and MSU called timeout - Thomas did the flex as well). Some people call it being competitive. I think he shows a bit of arrogance that needs to be held back when you are the coach (my opinion).

Not the exact same scenario or reaction...but did you see Thad Matta after Evan Turner hit the shot to beat Michigan? He was looking away from the action...away from his team and right at the Michigan bench and making gestures toward them. There wasn't a camera in his face...but I have absolutely no doubt that if you're going to condemn Alford for flexing his muscles or calling a kid out after their BYU game this year...then you probably wouldn't like this action.

 

[glidinghawk]

I know I'll be executed for this on this board but I'm cheering for New Mexico. I hated the fans that ran him off then, and I hate them now. Us bringing in Lick instead of Stan Heath also frustrated me. I enjoy watching all the Alford haters stew in misery, b/c at the end of the day Alford was a solid coach and learning on the job. He would've taken Iowa to the next level and we pushed him out, just sad. Watch his games, he changed zones at the right time, went man to man, the difference b/w new Alford and late Iowa Alford is he learned how to coach/call a game on D. Let the hate fest for me begin.

Amen, thanks for a great post.

Alford is a much better recruiter and bench coach than Lick is. He is much more creative with his defensive schemes and plays on offense.

But I do admit I was pretty happy with the hire of Lickliter in April 2007 and I thought Barta hit a grand-slam homer at that time.

I'm also happy that Barta grew a pair over the past week.

GlidingHawk

 

[glidinghawk]

Sits fine with me. Alford had nine seasons to prove himself at Iowa. He could not compete on a day in and day out schedule against Big 10 competition. Alford positioned his move to New Mexico like it was his option and he chose to leave Iowa for New Mexico. No, the bottomline is he knew he was going to be shown the door at Iowa and wanted to save face. Because we know Alford is a Marketing machine and is all about his image.

I am glad he is no longer at Iowa. Why? Because he had nine years to create a consistent, competitive team and he failed. Coaching in the Mountain West ... well, that is not the Big 10. Yes, he beat some rated teams. But night in and night out, he is not going to face the Ohio States, Michigan States, etc. Just wait til the tourney starts ... San Diego State already downed New Mexico in the Mountain West tournament ... Give Boy Wonder til about Thursday or Friday to be out of the tournament.

I think Alford will get his team to the Sweet 16.

GlidingHawk

 

[woodyk1]

Not the exact same scenario or reaction...but did you see Thad Matta after Evan Turner hit the shot to beat Michigan? He was looking away from the action...away from his team and right at the Michigan bench and making gestures toward them. There wasn't a camera in his face...but I have absolutely no doubt that if you're going to condemn Alford for flexing his muscles or calling a kid out after their BYU game this year...then you probably wouldn't like this action.

I didn't think it was cool for Matta do that if he was looking at the Michigan bench. I did not see it live, but seeing the replay, I thought he may have been gesturing towards the folks who are running the clock. However, I did not see it live, so I won't say you are wrong if it was towards the Michigan bench.

I don't like it when a coach singles out an opposing player, even when the 18-21 year old player is being immature. Coaches have the ability to be above the fray, even during heated moments. I tend to like the coaches who can be act professionally overall. Again, just my opinion.

 

[Thomzahawke]

I honestly could care less about Steve Alford. I was happy he left when he did. I wasn't working. He lost the fan base. The students didn't like him. I don't think about him being here anymore. There are not "what ifs' with him. It's like being jealous of an ex-wife I guess. No future in it....who cares.

 

[DaHawk56]

How did that one sit with everyone..

#3 Seed for New Mexico

It was no surprise. Basically, Iowa paid Alford millions to learn how to coach at the BCS level. Then, when he started coaching well, the fans got their way and ran Alford out because they never got over the PP incident.

Anyway, I thought it was a mistake to let Alford go, but it was clear that Alford would never be able to win over the fans. Although not ecstatic about the Lickliter hire and knowing full well that it would take awhile to recover given what was leftover after Smith left, I thought his personality would be better suited for Iowa fans (and a fresh start was a breath of fresh air).

Lick's first 3 years have been a rough ride (key words: as expected), but he finally has his people in place and the next couple years should have been interesting. But again, the fans run out a coach, this time after he has his pieces in place to get Iowa's program back on track.

Although I think a good coach could take the players Lick has brought together and win some games, I highly doubt Iowa brings in a coach that is better than Lick.

If Barta can get Pearl to Iowa City, the Lickliter firing (albeit not necessarily deserved) would be worth it. But I have a feeling we can expect a lateral move at best, and possibly a step down in coach quality. I hope I'm wrong, but outsiders looking at the Iowa program over the last 10 years can't be too excited about coming to coach here.

I have a feeling that fans will be again regretting the loss of Lick, as it appears some are regretting the loss of Alford now, and the loss of Davis before him. It's been a slow steady decline, but maybe Iowa fans deserve it. You got what you wanted, we'll find out if the grass is greener shortly. In my mind, the only hire (that Iowa has any shot of pulling off, albeit slim) that would bring this program to greener pastures more quickly than Lick, would be Bruce Pearl. Can Barta do it, or is our stay in mediocrity (or worse) prolonged?