Random Thoughts

[TulipCityHawk]

1. Boston College beat Louisville and crushed Florida State this year. That was a good win for us, better than I think many are giving credit for. Granted, their QB being out helped, but it was great to see the fire and passion of the guys in the second half. There are some games when you know it's over before it's over. A "we are not going to be denied" mojo that we frustratingly don't always have, but when we do it's a lot of fun to see.

2. I am in the minority here, but I think Tyler Cook is overrated. I also don't think he plays that hard. He might have a great off-season work ethic, getting lots of shots up, etc. But on the floor, I just never come away thinking he was one of the 4 or 5 hardest working players that played. Some great players have a certain nonchalance (spelling?), and I can't figure out if that's what he's going for or if he just has never been told that he can work harder. I just don't see desperation to dominate the glass or the defensive end.

3. What Ferentz and co. have done with the Paulsens really demonstrates how good we handle linemen. During Levi's (and bro's) first 2 years, every d linemen wanted to go against him to look good. Now he is handling himself pretty well in a bowl game. If you come to Iowa on the line and are willing to work hard and be coached up, you are going to be good at some point. For any other fault we can find with KF, he does a masterful job coaching techinique and building linemen.

4. Men's basketall... first what I love: great preparation for opponents. We generally are well prepared for the other team's sets and tendencies. This is a huge coaching win for Fran. Getting guys locked in to a scouting report and game plan shouldn't be minimized. I also think he has a great menu of plays: inbounds plays, set offensive plays, etc. We run pretty good stuff in general. A third thing, he gets guys to play confidently. He doesn't yank somebody for every mistake. I don't think guys are looking over their shoulders playing with fear.

On the other hand... I think we get outworked. A lot. The reason Baer stands out so much is because his internal motor won't let him NOT play all out. To be honest, as much as I love his effort, he shouldn't be standing out that much. If one guy going balls to the walls stands out that much, there is a problem with the rest of the team (and coaching staff?). I think we don't block out well. I think we get outscrapped and out-toughed more times than the opposite is true.

5. The Scott Frost train has now arrived. Am I worried? Yeah. Now, no doubt he benefited from a Florida talent well that runs deeper than a politician's pockets. Can he get kids from Florida to come to the frigid Midwest? That remains to be seen. But if he does, watch out.

 

[InGoodCo]

Good random thoughts - covered a lot. Darius Wade had played in the 2 previous games, but I get what you are saying about their starting QB being out. Injuries are part of it. It was a good win for Iowa, but let's face it, this was pretty much a down season for the team in general. This was the worst bowl game of the lot that Iowa has played in over the last several. I think it's nice that a down year at Iowa is 8-5 these days.

Don't agree at all on Tyler Cook. He's made tremendous strides IMO and is much stronger with the ball even though he still turns it over from trying to do too much. I think that comes with development and experience. I will agree that he's not Mr. Hustle, but it's not really his game. He's one of the best post players I've seen at Iowa and he's only a little over a quarter through his sophomore season. What I think is lost on this season is Iowa doesn't have a lot of upperclassmen or leaders. They are having to find those roles and they didn't come out of the gate with everything figured out. I think there will be a lot of ups and downs the rest of the way but I think you'll see a much improved team with better continuity and confidence in the 2nd half of the season.

Kirk & Oline - it's a nice combo to have in the B1G West.

Scott Frost is last years PJ Fleck. Fleck took over a program that won 9 games and tanked his first year. I wouldn't worry at all until he proves anything in Lincoln. That offense he runs isn't gonna look the same in November in the midwest. I think it will look at like Rich Rod's Offense when they had Shoe Lace at Michigan. Until I see that work in the B1G I'll not be worried.

 

[Fryowa]

5. The Scott Frost train has now arrived. Am I worried? Yeah. Now, no doubt he benefited from a Florida talent well that runs deeper than a politician's pockets. Can he get kids from Florida to come to the frigid Midwest? That remains to be seen. But if he does, watch out.

Scott Frost is last years PJ Fleck. Fleck took over a program that won 9 games and tanked his first year. I wouldn't worry at all until he proves anything in Lincoln. That offense he runs isn't gonna look the same in November in the midwest. I think it will look at like Rich Rod's Offense when they had Shoe Lace at Michigan. Until I see that work in the B1G I'll not be worried.

Nebraska's problems are bigger than anything Scott Frost can do. It's good that he went there because next October we'll be reading Huskerboard meltdowns about their impending 3-9 season and laughing at all the ritual suicides. Maybe they'll finally shut up and realize they suck. That team is done for. Nebraska doesn't have any recruiting advantage anymore (Frost isin't going to magically get 20 kids a year from Florida and Texas, guys), and even the lowly Hawks are poaching their best in-state talent like Fant, Ott, and Bazata, among others.

This was the same bullshit everyone said when they hired Solich, Callahan, Pelini, and Riley. They were all going to come in and make the Huskers a national powerhouse. Welp Huskerfans, welcome to the B1G; it ain't happening ever again. This isn't your Big 2 JV conference anymore.

There is one downside to Frost, though. We have to wait 10+ months to make fun of them, and for the next 3 years they'll all whine about Riley ruining Nebraska's recruiting as the reason for their suckage (which isn't true).

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I think Frost will at least have them consistently competitive. 8 and 10 win seasons with chance every so often in BIG championship game. Will that be good enough for the Nebby fan faithful. That will be the story. If not, they will just keep drawing straws.

 

[Fryowa]

I think Frost will at least have them consistently competitive. 8 and 10 win seasons with chance every so often in BIG championship game. Will that be good enough for the Nebby fan faithful. That will be the story. If not, they will just keep drawing straws.

I really don’t think they’ll even get back to that point. The success they had before wasn’t due to spectacular coaching, it was due to some good initial years that led to a massively lopsided recruiting advantage; identical to what’s happened at Alabama. Nebraska doesn’t have the geography, scholarship quantity, nor the resume to attract the best talent the way they did 30 years ago. It’s a different landscape in college sports.

What’s really hurt them more than anything was firing coaches for wining 9-10 games. Nothing good comes out of that (unless you’re a Hawk fan, then this is all good). Now no proven coach would come near that job because he’d have to start out with Riley’s recruits and knowing if he didn’t win the West right away the fans, media, and NU admin would be after his head in embarrassing fashion.

Frost was the one and only possibility for the job because he’s never coached a big boy team and the fans love him by default. He knows if he fails it can be blamed on outside forces and he still be the Husker golden boy.

 

[mopkins]

Honestly win or lose I was willing to throw out the results of the Pinstripe Bowl completely. That field was a complete joke and neutralized everything either team wanted to do offensively. That being said Iowa seemed to make halftime adjustments and came out and dominated that second half. It was good to get a win, but I hope Iowa never plays in that bowl game again.

Scott Frost will have some success at Nebraska. I just don't think he can get the kids his offense needs like he had at UFC. Bo Pelini won 9 games a year there and still got fired. The fan base is delusional

I love Tyler Cook, but I think the fans got too hyped for him. He is what he is...a beast in the lane offensively who struggles the further he gets from the hoop. I'd like to see him use that athleticism more on defense and on the boards, but he is one of the few players for Iowa who can dominate a mismatch

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I am also one who does not think Cook is the most important player on the Iowa team. He's really good around the rim for the flashy dunks but does have a limited offensive game. Actually, I don't think he gets that many rebounds either. I think Nunge and Garza have more upside potential in a couple years. Better overall game and will learn better D going forward.

I mean I think Cook is a good player and most would like to have on their team, but I don't view him as dominant as some others do, at least at this point. He needs a consistent 12 ft shot and the ability to drive from 12 ft depending on how the defender is playing him.

 

[InGoodCo]

I know this is the FB board... but I want it on record I think TC is just scratching what he's capable of and is much more then just a flashy dunker and will continue to add to his toolbox on the offensive side of things. I have been incredibly impressed with the leap he's made this off season...but that's just me. He just seems like he's better with the ball then a year ago - and I think his decision making is starting to grow. I think his play is over shadowed by how the team overall has looked out of the gate.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Cook is critical to our team and he is that good. he does struggle with getting the ball stripped down low, but he is also usually double-teamed and still forces contact at the rim. Is he NBA ready? not yet. but if he starts consistently making the 15 ft jumper like he did last game; then he's NBA ready.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Honestly win or lose I was willing to throw out the results of the Pinstripe Bowl completely. That field was a complete joke and neutralized everything either team wanted to do offensively. That being said Iowa seemed to make halftime adjustments and came out and dominated that second half. It was good to get a win, but I hope Iowa never plays in that bowl game again.

Scott Frost will have some success at Nebraska. I just don't think he can get the kids his offense needs like he had at UFC. Bo Pelini won 9 games a year there and still got fired. The fan base is delusional

I love Tyler Cook, but I think the fans got too hyped for him. He is what he is...a beast in the lane offensively who struggles the further he gets from the hoop. I'd like to see him use that athleticism more on defense and on the boards, but he is one of the few players for Iowa who can dominate a mismatch

I agree w/u on the pinstripe. that field was not fair to either team and no bowl game should be played on ice. it was ridiculous and unsafe.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I really don’t think they’ll even get back to that point. The success they had before wasn’t due to spectacular coaching, it was due to some good initial years that led to a massively lopsided recruiting advantage; identical to what’s happened at Alabama. Nebraska doesn’t have the geography, scholarship quantity, nor the resume to attract the best talent the way they did 30 years ago. It’s a different landscape in college sports.

What’s really hurt them more than anything was firing coaches for wining 9-10 games. Nothing good comes out of that (unless you’re a Hawk fan, then this is all good). Now no proven coach would come near that job because he’d have to start out with Riley’s recruits and knowing if he didn’t win the West right away the fans, media, and NU admin would be after his head in embarrassing fashion.

Frost was the one and only possibility for the job because he’s never coached a big boy team and the fans love him by default. He knows if he fails it can be blamed on outside forces and he still be the Husker golden boy.[/QUOTE]
Spot on all of it. Totally different landscape to what college football was back when I was a kid to now. If it wasn't for Frost being who he is and the timing of his career shooting up what would Nebraska be doing now? Would they have Riley back? As a Hawk I hope so and they very well may have kept him if Frost wasn't available but we aren't finding that out now. But the rope he'll have will be longer then any of the previous handful of coaches they've had due to his golden boy name. I think they'll get better (hard not to from where they are) but to what extent and how fast is anyones guess.