So Where is the Bar for Iowa Basketball

[#1DieHardHawk]

I'd prefer to go ahead and miss that but it's likely the position we will be in. When Fran leaves, I expect a mass exodus, besides maybe Koch, they are all there because of Fran and I'd say none of them are there because of Iowa.... again, sans maybe Koch.

Unfortunately, that's the reality we will face.

In general, that is typical whenever any head coach leaves, but with the current lack of enthusiasm surrounding the program, it probably will be worse than usual.

Sadly, as time goes on, it will be less and less about the coach and/or school anyway, and more about who ponies up the most money.

 

[InGoodCo]

Unfortunately, that's the reality we will face.

In general, that is typical whenever any head coach leaves, but with the current lack of enthusiasm surrounding the program, it probably will be worse than usual.

Sadly, as time goes on, it will be less and less about the coach and/or school anyway, and more about who ponies up the most money.

Right, I feel it's telling that the school has shown little to no investment in it's program outside of the absolute bare minimum. When I say that, this is what I mean. No advertisement. No festivities around the program at all. Fan experience, not only not addressed, completely ignored. As a fan of the team, I feel like it's our administration indicating that Iowa basketball is not worth it to them. So, in response, I understand why Iowa fans have no ownership or interests in the program. If people think that this has been an uncompetitive program over Fran's tenure....I'm here to tell you, we all know it can get worse. I don't know that we know it can be a WHOLE ton better outside of a flash in the pan season. Iowa basketball is in a horrible spot.

 

[PCHawk]

Fran has had some really good players and really good regular seasons at Iowa. But fans just don't want to watch All Americans play really exciting games in January because they have a sneaking suspicion they will lose one round too early in March.

 

[InGoodCo]

Fran has had some really good players and really good regular seasons at Iowa. But fans just don't want to watch All Americans play really exciting games in January because they have a sneaking suspicion they will lose one round too early in March.

yeah, make it make sense. I think making the S16 would solve almost nothing for Iowa as a program.

 

[Zstatman]

I wonder who is on Beth's short list whenever Fran leaves? I assume she has one.

Any support out there for Ben McCollum?

 

[Will C]

If we can stay a top women's team then I have no problem spending less on the men. I greatly enjoy our women's team. I think I see a lot of potential and our Freshmen are getting playing time.

 

[haydensly]

Right, I feel it's telling that the school has shown little to no investment in it's program outside of the absolute bare minimum. When I say that, this is what I mean. No advertisement. No festivities around the program at all. Fan experience, not only not addressed, completely ignored. As a fan of the team, I feel like it's our administration indicating that Iowa basketball is not worth it to them. So, in response, I understand why Iowa fans have no ownership or interests in the program. If people think that this has been an uncompetitive program over Fran's tenure....I'm here to tell you, we all know it can get worse. I don't know that we know it can be a WHOLE ton better outside of a flash in the pan season. Iowa basketball is in a horrible spot.

I pretty much agree with everything said here and the previous few posts.

I will throw it out there though that you never know what might happen. Louisville was in the absolute dumpster. Probably the worse P6 team out there for a couple of years. They've got a new coach this year who came from College of Charleston and he has totally turned the program around.

I know that Louisville is much more of a blue blood than we will ever be and they have some built-in advantages over us. But if BG can hit on the right coach who can light some fire, maybe she throws more support behind men's basketball and we can climb out of the malaise.

I am not suggesting that this will happen. And I don't advocate for any changes until Fran says his time is up. But I bring it up as a mere possibility. At least we can hope for a scenario like this.

 

[thedukeofearl]

Johnny Orr hated it as well.
Saw some nice Iowa wins there.

Would be nice to have the same students Now

Perhaps deny students smartphones within the city limits of Iowa City

 

[Gibsonian]

I am focused on the present and that is Wisconsin at the Kohl Center. They ripe for the picking and we are game for taking the W. This team has some moxy. Go Hawks!

 

[PCHawk]

yeah, make it make sense. I think making the S16 would solve almost nothing for Iowa as a program.

If only we would have scored one more point in regulation against Tennessee a few years ago, fans would have packed Carver to enjoy one of the winningest three year stretches the Hawks have ever had.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

I am focused on the present and that is Wisconsin at the Kohl Center. They ripe for the picking and we are game for taking the W. This team has some moxy. Go Hawks!

Yep. Love Thewell - best all-around pg under fran since Dev Marble.
Don't like when Dix (Hawks) hot early ... NEVER sustained and ALWAYS leads to a lull ... Like now a 11-2 run by Wisc.
Agree with Sandforts (both) assessment ... Great effort but over lauded, over-played, and too often over their skis. Familiarity and longevity don't= quality.
Give me 2 Thellwells, 2 Freemans and Dix.

 

[PCHawk]

Yep. Love Thewell - best all-around pg under fran since Dev Marble.
Don't like when Dix (Hawks) hot early ... NEVER sustained and ALWAYS leads to a lull ... Like now a 11-2 run by Wisc.
Agree with Sandforts (both) assessment ... Great effort but over lauded, over-played, and too often over their skis. Familiarity and longevity don't= quality.
Give me 2 Thellwells, 2 Freemans and Dix.

Hawks starting hot being a bad thing is something I've never thought about before. But now that I do, I can see it. So often we are in a back and forth shootout for the first 5-8 minutes. Those games almost always get bad halfway through the first half. Interesting.

 

[thedukeofearl]

I definitely don't think or want Matt Gatens to be our next coach. I don't think he's ready and he probably doesn't think that either. So, no heir apparent wants or desires from me. I just think Iowa has a tough sell if they want to upgrade at HC when they do go to make a hire. Mostly because there's tons of evidence that Iowa doesn't give a shit about Men's basketball. No one wants to go into a job like that, even if it's the B1G. Sure, someone is going to see it as a stepping stone gig, but there are easier ones out there with a lot more fan support, funding and administration backing.

The position might be viewed as a steppingstone

 

[thedukeofearl]

Yep. Love Thewell - best all-around pg under fran since Dev Marble.
Don't like when Dix (Hawks) hot early ... NEVER sustained and ALWAYS leads to a lull ... Like now a 11-2 run by Wisc.
Agree with Sandforts (both) assessment ... Great effort but over lauded, over-played, and too often over their skis. Familiarity and longevity don't= quality.
Give me 2 Thellwells, 2 Freemans and Dix.

Dix certainly doesn't shoot enough, certainly didn't when he was open for a quick three

Now he is guarded like the Queen's Jewels

Wonder why we don't set screens

 

[Hawkboys]

The position might be viewed as a steppingstone

Or a place where careers end!