Please discuss the following proposition:

[FreddyBrown]

Boards like this are not representative of the broader fan base, or more accurately today, the broader potential fan base. But I think they're unrepresentative in the other direction from what reading the boards might lead one to believe. On any board like this, there's a solid contingent of fans who believe things aren't that bad and that with a little patience we'll be back to being a solid program again. They may not be in the majority but they are very well represented.

Out there in the real world, I think people in that category are even harder to find than on the boards. The people out there who aren't looking hard for reasons to be optimistic look at the record and what the team looks like (if they watch at all) and they conclude that the program stinks and the coach stinks.

I'm not saying that the fact those people appear to more numerous makes them right. It just makes them more numerous. But it does highlight part of the challenge the program faces in marketing.

This struck me as I was having a rare listen to local sports radio on the way home tonight, and I heard one of the talking heads who's not an Iowa fan by background stating the case for what's wrong with Iowa hoops. I think he's looking at it the way most people do, if they're not looking hard for reasons to hold out hope.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

You make a great point, but you also make that sound like a one way street when it goes the same for both ends of the spectrum...the majority are the empty seats that represent apathy in the fanbase...the fair weather fans...what you get on the board are the more passionate fans, those who are pi$$ed and want everyone fired and gone, no matter what and those who are eternal optimists/kool-aid drinkers and think the big break is coming with the next game or recruiting class.

 

[swanhawk]

Freddy...I think that is a good point. I know I have several friends who used to watch Iowa basketball religiously, who now don't even know when Iowa is playing now. I will admit that they all have families now, so life is a lot more complicated, but the last number of years has really just worn a lot of fans out. I think they are just tired of this product and are frankly finding other things to do with their time.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but something has to give. I don't have anything personal against Lick, but somehow, somewhere, excitement needs to return. Even if the players looked like they were having fun I think would help some, but the expressions on their face make you think they aren't even enjoying playing.

Say what you want about Weber and Ryan, but that was worth watching tonight just to watch the excitement and passion they both had. They were into the game and you could see that excitement rubbing off on their players.....that game was intense and I'd have bought a ticket for that in a second. You just don't see that when you watch an Iowa game.

 

[burky247]

Well said Swan.

I sometimes wonder if I would be a little less negative about the program if I didn't actually attend the games. It's just that I get in my seat around 45 min before the game starts with the bands playing and the team warming up and I start remembering how Carver use to be and the goose bumps start up. Then the game starts up and it just doesn't feel like Iowa basketball.

I know I usually don't feel as bad after a road loss...so maybe there is something to this. But I always expect to win at home. Winning on the road is never easy. So who knows.

 

[HeneryHawk]

Most people that I know that love Hawkeye basketball have lost touch with this program, when games are on, who is playing. They want to be in to it, but they have no hope that the this dog will hunt. They dont see a good product, nothing enjoyable, and they will wait it out, or simply forget about it all together(they pretty have), and I think is most people out and about.