One of several things I would hope for next year (2023)

HaydenHawk56

Well-Known Member
Iowa sports teams are not making national news for all the wrong reasons. Worse offense in football and now the worse basketball loss historically in terms of point spread as a favorite against a BIG underdog...at home no less.

I still say a total dick move by Proctor in what he pulled (although he will likely turn out just fine career wise), but historically bad offenses can scare the fish away.

I suspect historically bad basketball losses also don't help the cause.

2023 should be a year of getting their shit together in the Iowa Sports Departments.
 
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Nice to get mentioned for something. Iowa basketball is pretty much the definition of mediocrity. Never awful, never great. Make the tournament about every other year and get crushed early.
 
Nice to get mentioned for something. Iowa basketball is pretty much the definition of mediocrity. Never awful, never great. Make the tournament about every other year and get crushed early.
The basketball team has become like the football team in 1 way. Can't win the B1G season title, but produces 1st round talent.
 
Iowa sports teams are not making national news for all the wrong reasons. Worse offense in football and now the worse basketball loss historically in terms of point spread as a favorite against a BIG underdog...at home no less.

I still say a total dick move by Proctor in what he pulled (although he will likely turn out just fine career wise), but historically bad offenses can scare the fish away.

I suspect historically bad basketball losses also don't help the cause.

2023 should be a year of getting their shit together in the Iowa Sports Departments.
Honestly the Iowa woman lost to a Tech school from Chicago last year during the winter break and the season turned out fine, well until the NCAA second game, so I'm not too worried about Iowa bouncing back. That is if they get Kris back soon. I think they are not going to be as good as I predicted they would be his year but people will forget about this game at some point.
 
Nice to get mentioned for something. Iowa basketball is pretty much the definition of mediocrity. Never awful, never great. Make the tournament about every other year and get crushed early.
Never awful? We were plenty awful before Fran. Also Fran has made the tourney 7 out of the last 9 years.
 
Never awful? We were plenty awful before Fran. Also Fran has made the tourney 7 out of the last 9 years.
I would say 7 out 9:years is good especially coming out of the Lickliter black hole.

Now having said that I don’t see how anyone with any brain matter that functions correctly can say that it’s a good thing that after seven times of being in the tournament we have yet to get past round two. I think PC you would agree Fran needs to break through the ice.
 
I would say 7 out 9:years is good especially coming out of the Lickliter black hole.

Now having said that I don’t see how anyone with any brain matter that functions correctly can say that it’s a good thing that after seven times of being in the tournament we have yet to get past round two. I think PC you would agree Fran needs to break through the ice.
Agreed. Fran is earning his keep.....or should I say keeping his head above water, but:

2 Red Flags:

1. Fran has never been to the Sweet 16 or better at any coaching stop in his entire career.
2. Arguably, Fran's best teams ever (Garza led 2 seed and KM led 5th seed) could not get out of the first weekend. Both of those teams are considerably better than this latest build.

I'm inclined to think, at least my standard at Iowa considering where we are as a program, you don't fire a coach that has his team make the NCAA tourney 3 out of every 5 years....and under this scenario those 3 out of 5 years include no significant run....this would be the bare minimum standard. And significant runs in a five year span could/should extend the coaches stay longer.

Under this standard (my standard), Fran is passing.

I do wonder though, how many 5 year cycles (making the NCAA tournament 66% of the time or better) do you give a coach that does not make the Sweet 16 or better? Or who has never made the Sweet 16 or better?

Or is this an infinite pass at this point in time?

This is what ultimately doomed Mr. Davis with Bowlsby.....but Mr. Davis at least had 1 Elite 8 run at Iowa and 2 Sweet 16 runs.

I think with Barta at the helm, it will be good enough as long as asses are in the seats.
 
Agreed. Fran is earning his keep.....or should I say keeping his head above water, but:

2 Red Flags:

1. Fran has never been to the Sweet 16 or better at any coaching stop in his entire career.
2. Arguably, Fran's best teams ever (Garza led 2 seed and KM led 5th seed) could not get out of the first weekend. Both of those teams are considerably better than this latest build.m



I'm inclined to think, at least my standard at Iowa considering where we are as a program, you don't fire a coach that has his team make the NCAA tourney 3 out of every 5 years....and under this scenario those 3 out of 5 years include no significant run....this would be the bare minimum standard. And significant runs in a five year span could/should extend the coaches stay longer.

Under this standard (my standard), Fran is passing.

I do wonder though, how many 5 year cycles (making the NCAA tournament 66% of the time or better) do you give a coach that does not make the Sweet 16 or better? Or who has never made the Sweet 16 or better?

Or is this an infinite pass at this point in time?

This is what ultimately doomed Mr. Davis with Bowlsby.....but Mr. Davis at least had 1 Elite 8 run at Iowa and 2 Sweet 16 runs.

I think with Barta at the helm, it will be good enough as long as asses are in the seats.

Yep, I would say you nailed it pretty good.

This past loss was a bad one. When your dealing with college age athletes you’re going to have a game like this pop up once every couple of years. The big question will be how does the team respond? That’s when you find out what you’re made out of.

Also you bring up a good question about how long is just getting to the tourney good enough? When do fans start expecting more? Maybe the Iowa fan base toleration level equals that of the Chicago Cubs fans base or the Chicago Bears. That was one hell of season in 1985 for “da bears” but that was 37 years ago. That’s mind boggling for those of us that were around then. I was in my twenties then.

As a cubs, bears, and Iowa fan this is frustrating to say the least. It almost sounds, dare I say it, cyclonish……… when the mindset accepts it.
 
Yep, I would say you nailed it pretty good.

This past loss was a bad one. When your dealing with college age athletes you’re going to have a game like this pop up once every couple of years. The big question will be how does the team respond? That’s when you find out what you’re made out of.

Also you bring up a good question about how long is just getting to the tourney good enough? When do fans start expecting more? Maybe the Iowa fan base toleration level equals that of the Chicago Cubs fans base or the Chicago Bears. That was one hell of season in 1985 for “da bears” but that was 37 years ago. That’s mind boggling for those of us that were around then. I was in my twenties then.

As a cubs, bears, and Iowa fan this is frustrating to say the least. It almost sounds, dare I say it, cyclonish……… when the mindset accepts it.
For sure......there is a chance though that Fran may solve this problem....and not exactly favorably. We may not have to wait and see how long is to long to go without a Sweet 16 because:

With Fran's history of uneven recruiting (and indifference to half-court defense)....and eventually he is going to run out of former Mr. Davis's former player's offsprings.....and landing a Garza or KM is like lightening striking twice and we don't have Doc Brown's time machine to know when lightening will strike again........

We will have to watch and see if Fran starts to struggle to get these guys into the Big Dance period.

Not saying doomsday is coming for Fran, but he may have his work cut out for him. Hopefully that Brock Harding kid becomes the guard that has always eluded Fran and he gets a true big man or two that really works out for him.

He needed to spin the straw into gold when he had the chance....and he made iron pyrite in the NCAAs with Garza and KM. To think what could have been with future recruiting had significant runs happened.

And, Austin Gary Barta Powers won't be around forever gnawing his snaggle-tooth teeth into the Kinnick bleachers.

In terms of this year and what has transpired already, they are going to have their work cut out for them to get into the Big Dance. Say they do, I think Iowa is going to have to have a game like they did against Iowa St to make the Sweet 16...everything is going to have to go in and the opponent is going to have to be ice cold. But, that 2nd round opponent is going to be significantly better than the clowns.

I really do want things to work out for Fran and he can push this program further along. But, have we already seen his best days at Iowa?

And to think the Douche Bag coach at Iowa St has already taken a team further into the Big Dance than Fran has ever had.
 
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For sure......there is a chance though that Fran may solve this problem....and not exactly favorably. We may not have to wait and see how long is to long to go without a Sweet 16 because:

With Fran's history of uneven recruiting (and indifference to half-court defense)....and eventually he is going to run out of former Mr. Davis's former player's offsprings.....and landing a Garza or KM is like lightening striking twice and we don't have Doc Brown's time machine to know when lightening will strike again........

We will have to watch and see if Fran starts to struggle to get these guys into the Big Dance period.

Not saying doomsday is coming for Fran, but he may have his work cut out for him. Hopefully that Brock Harding kid becomes the guard that has always eluded Fran and he gets a true big man or two that really works out for him.

He needed to spin the straw into gold when he had the chance....and he made iron pyrite in the NCAAs with Garza and KM. To think what could have been with future recruiting had significant runs happened.

And, Austin Gary Barta Powers won't be around forever gnawing his snaggle-tooth teeth into the Kinnick bleachers.

In terms of this year and what has transpired already, they are going to have their work cut out for them to get into the Big Dance. Say they do, I think Iowa is going to have to have a game like they did against Iowa St to make the Sweet 16...everything is going to have to go in and the opponent is going to have to be ice cold. But, that 2nd round opponent is going to be significantly better than the clowns.

I really do want things to work out for Fran and he can push this program further along. But, have we already seen his best days at Iowa?

And to think the Douche Bag coach at Iowa St has already taken a team further into the Big Dance than Fran has ever had.

Wouldn’t it be irony if this years team ends up breaking the ice. That would be so awesome and give Kris huge bragging rights over his brother. ;)
 
Wouldn’t it be irony if this years team ends up breaking the ice. That would be so awesome and give Kris huge bragging rights over his brother. ;)
Iowa has to make it first. Lunardi had them in the play in game today and several others I am seeing have them out. That's how bad that loss was the other day. We now have no margin for error and we need to beat the bottom half teams on the road. If Kris isn't back and back to being himself, Iowa is going to miss the dance this year. They still can, and with Kris and a healthy roster, this is easily a NCAA team, without him or with other injuries we likely won't be.
 
The season is not over, although I am really unimpressed with the team so far this year. Seems like this team will need to make threes to win games. So far there is no evidence that this team can rely on the three point shot.

I can live with Rebracca and Murray, but the rest are pretty inconsistent. Even Murray disappears at times. Don't believe this is a recipe for a NCAA tournament bid.
 
Yep, I would say you nailed it pretty good.

This past loss was a bad one. When your dealing with college age athletes you’re going to have a game like this pop up once every couple of years. The big question will be how does the team respond? That’s when you find out what you’re made out of.

Also you bring up a good question about how long is just getting to the tourney good enough? When do fans start expecting more? Maybe the Iowa fan base toleration level equals that of the Chicago Cubs fans base or the Chicago Bears. That was one hell of season in 1985 for “da bears” but that was 37 years ago. That’s mind boggling for those of us that were around then. I was in my twenties then.

As a cubs, bears, and Iowa fan this is frustrating to say the least. It almost sounds, dare I say it, cyclonish……… when the mindset accepts it.
At least the Bears and Cubs sealed the deal, being a Hawkeye and Viking fan I am still waiting....
 
At least the Bears and Cubs sealed the deal, being a Hawkeye and Viking fan I am still waiting....

Even though 1985 was a long time ago I still find great pleasure reflecting back on that championship season. The same with the Cubs. It took a while to get those championships and it was so rewarding. For the cubs the new owner came in with the goal of doing what he had to do to build a championship team. He said as much when he bought the cubs. Sure to his word he did it. Now that it has been done I think the Cubs are now just a money cow to him.

Now Iowa in football, well that’s a different animal. It seems like auto pilot, status quo is the rule of the day. Financially it makes perfect sense for Kirk. Why mess with the goose that lays the silver eggs. If the powers that be are happy with the seven to eight wins a year why gamble with it? Win your four patsy non-conferee games and the four conference games with the bottom half teams of the conference and wha La you’re at eight wins and carrying a big paycheck to the bank every year.

So in essence I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. I know I’m not.

What’s frustrating is that we know the defense is good enough to win big. The offense is simply putrid. Can’t get worse. Next year will be a better year just by default. Certainly Kirk knows this and so it’s likely he will keep Brian around for next season and at least one more after that. That’s $1,800,000 in Brian’s pocket (poor guy). That’s more than a person who works forty years and makes $40,000! a year will make cumulatively. It also gives Brian a chance to redeem himself and a chance to resurrect his career.

Meanwhile those of us who have been waiting for that one year to come around are just getting older and older. Hoping for that one special season where all things fall right. We know if it ever happens it will so rewarding.

I keep hoping that Kirk will come out of his mental hibernation and realize……… “Hey I have nothing to lose as I have total coaching security and why not bring in a coach who believes in a wide open offense. Certainly it couldn’t be worse than the last three year’s offensively.”

Problem is what does he do with his son? How does he save face for his son? Is that possible at this point? If he keeps him around as OC what message is this sending to the Iowa fan base? Does he even care at this point when it comes to his son’s life?

Like I said don’t hold your breath.
 
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Even though 1985 was a long time ago I still find great pleasure reflecting back on that championship season. The same with the Cubs. It took a while to get those championships and it was so rewarding. For the cubs the new owner came in with the goal of doing what he had to do to build a championship team. He said as much when he bought the cubs. Sure to his word he did it. Now that it has been done I think the Cubs are now just a money cow to him.

Now Iowa in football, well that’s a different animal. It seems like auto pilot, status quo is the rule of the day. Financially it makes perfect sense for Kirk. Why mess with the goose that lays the silver eggs. If the powers that be are happy with the seven to eight wins a year why gamble with it? Win your four patsy non-conferee games and the four conference games with the bottom half teams of the conference and wha La you’re at eight wins and carrying a big paycheck to the bank every year.

So in essence I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. I know I’m not.

What’s frustrating is that we know the defense is good enough to win big. The offense is simply putrid. Can’t get worse. Next year will be a better year just by default. Certainly Kirk knows this and so it’s likely he will keep Brian around for next season and at least one more after that. That’s $1,800,000 in Brian’s pocket (poor guy). That’s more than a person who works forty years and makes $40,000! a year will make cumulatively. It also gives Brian a chance to redeem himself and a chance to resurrect his career.

Meanwhile those of us who have been waiting for that one year to come around are just getting older and older. Hoping for that one special season where all things fall right. We know if it ever happens it will so rewarding.

I keep hoping that Kirk will come out of his mental hibernation and realize……… “Hey I have nothing to lose as I have total coaching security and why not bring in a coach who believes in a wide open offense. Certainly it couldn’t be worse than the last three year’s offensively.”

Problem is what does he do with his son? How does he save face for his son? Is that possible at this point? If he keeps him around as OC what message is this sending to the Iowa fan base? Does he even care at this point when it comes to his son’s life?

Like I said don’t hold your breath.
They should send Brian to Vegas to learn the casino business with Moe Greene.
 
I would say 7 out 9:years is good especially coming out of the Lickliter black hole.

Now having said that I don’t see how anyone with any brain matter that functions correctly can say that it’s a good thing that after seven times of being in the tournament we have yet to get past round two. I think PC you would agree Fran needs to break through the ice.
I think Fran needs to break through the ice to appease a portion of the fan base. I'm just not a big believer in tournament results. They are just too random for me to put any stock in.

It definitely sucks that Fran is 0-4 in round of 32 games. But do I think Fran somehow struggles in winning round of 32 games? My opinion is no. Fran "sucked in BIG 10 tournament games" until last year. He didn't out of nowhere learn to coach those games. He simply caught some breaks and the team took advantage.

The trick is to put together a team capable of taking advantage. In my opinion, Fran has had 5 teams that had legit sweet 16 chances. The bad news is he's 0-5 with those teams. One was derailed when Patrick got cancer. One team never got a chance because of Covid. The other 3 fell short. The good news tho is 3 of those teams were the last 3 years. Fran is putting together really solid teams, and I refuse to believe he has some weird coaching block that makes him forget how to coach in round of 32 games.
 
It would be his best coaching job (year) at Iowa. That is for sure.
I agree with a lot of what you said in your previous posts. But I don't agree with this at all. If Fran sneaks in as an 11 seed, wins against a 6 seed, then beats a 10 seed who upset a 2, there is no way that's a better coaching job than getting a 2 seed in the tourney based on a 31 game regular season. That would just mean they had a mediocre season end with one game going their way. One game doesn't make a season. At least not in the sense of a great coaching job.
 
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