HawkeyeHypnosis
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Didnt know if everyone would be able to view the page from the link since it's a mobile. Here's the story:
INDIANAPOLIS --- There might not be a crueler reality than Matt Gatens referring to the Iowa Hawkeyes as "they." No longer "we."
Gatens has defined the Iowa program — not just been a mere part of it — for eight years, dating back to his verbal commitment as an Iowa City High freshman.
He started every one of Iowa’s 126 games with many twists and turns since opening night 2008, and there’s a realistic chance his collegiate playing career reached its conclusion Friday with a 92-75 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal loss to Michigan State.
But for the first time in his four years, Gatens departs Indianapolis at least knowing Iowa is in the conversation for a postseason bid, to be announced Sunday night.
"He's carried us, he's led us, he's done everything for the team," sophomore Devyn Marble said. "To see him upset and to feel that we came up short for him, it was heartbreaking to the whole team."
The expectations have been raised for 2012-13 and beyond, when Iowa’s future is trending toward NCAA tournaments.
Second-year head coach Fran McCaffery is a big reason for that, as are his recruits on the current roster and those enrolling next fall.
But Gatens, arguably, is the primary catalyst behind Iowa's resurgence.
"He had probably the biggest impact," said rookie guard Josh Oglesby, the most likely candidate to try and replicate Gatens' role. "Great senior captain, great person, great basketball player. Anything you name, he has it. I thank him still to this day."
Like it or not, the No. 5 jersey won’t be donned next year at Carver-Hawkeye Arena — not unless one of the incoming freshman dares to wear Gatens' number.
"Matt's one of the greatest Hawkeyes there is," sophomore forward Zach McCabe said. "He's one of the greatest teammates I’ve ever had playing basketball, and he’s a great guy on and off the court. He's a fierce leader and competitor — that’s what I love about him.
"We're really going to miss him because he meant a lot to Iowa basketball. He's one of the greats."
The tributes continued rolling in for a guy who surged to national attention with a shooting spree in February, possibly portending some type of professional career.
"I don’t know that I’ve had a better captain — I’ve had some really good ones, and that’s an amazing statement from me," McCaffery said. "But then on top of it he raised his game to a completely different level to where he was virtually unstoppable."
"At one point in time, I think most people respected what he'd accomplished — I think now you look at him differently and say, wait a minute, this guy has clearly got NBA potential. He’s in the best shape of his life, shooting the ball extremely well, and I hope he plays for a long time."
It just won’t be for the hometown Hawkeyes.
"I’ll miss it. It's going to be tough. But it’s ... I’ll always be a part of Iowa," Gatens said. "I’ll always be cheering them on. It will be different stepping away and being a fan again, but I’ll always be proud.
"Depending where I’m at, whenever I’m back in town, I always love going over to Carver and watching games. It’ll be fun."
Gatens leaves the legacy to Marble, McCabe, Oglesby, Melsahn Basabe and Aaron White, not to mention highly-prized signees Adam Woodbury and Mike Gesell.
“If they do really take that next step, I’ll be really proud as a guy who’s not being there to be a part of it,†Gatens said. “I’ll have that feeling that maybe I helped them out to go in the right direction.
“It’s a foundation, it’s a building block.â€
Yes, he is.
Didnt know if everyone would be able to view the page from the link since it's a mobile. Here's the story:
INDIANAPOLIS --- There might not be a crueler reality than Matt Gatens referring to the Iowa Hawkeyes as "they." No longer "we."
Gatens has defined the Iowa program — not just been a mere part of it — for eight years, dating back to his verbal commitment as an Iowa City High freshman.
He started every one of Iowa’s 126 games with many twists and turns since opening night 2008, and there’s a realistic chance his collegiate playing career reached its conclusion Friday with a 92-75 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal loss to Michigan State.
But for the first time in his four years, Gatens departs Indianapolis at least knowing Iowa is in the conversation for a postseason bid, to be announced Sunday night.
"He's carried us, he's led us, he's done everything for the team," sophomore Devyn Marble said. "To see him upset and to feel that we came up short for him, it was heartbreaking to the whole team."
The expectations have been raised for 2012-13 and beyond, when Iowa’s future is trending toward NCAA tournaments.
Second-year head coach Fran McCaffery is a big reason for that, as are his recruits on the current roster and those enrolling next fall.
But Gatens, arguably, is the primary catalyst behind Iowa's resurgence.
"He had probably the biggest impact," said rookie guard Josh Oglesby, the most likely candidate to try and replicate Gatens' role. "Great senior captain, great person, great basketball player. Anything you name, he has it. I thank him still to this day."
Like it or not, the No. 5 jersey won’t be donned next year at Carver-Hawkeye Arena — not unless one of the incoming freshman dares to wear Gatens' number.
"Matt's one of the greatest Hawkeyes there is," sophomore forward Zach McCabe said. "He's one of the greatest teammates I’ve ever had playing basketball, and he’s a great guy on and off the court. He's a fierce leader and competitor — that’s what I love about him.
"We're really going to miss him because he meant a lot to Iowa basketball. He's one of the greats."
The tributes continued rolling in for a guy who surged to national attention with a shooting spree in February, possibly portending some type of professional career.
"I don’t know that I’ve had a better captain — I’ve had some really good ones, and that’s an amazing statement from me," McCaffery said. "But then on top of it he raised his game to a completely different level to where he was virtually unstoppable."
"At one point in time, I think most people respected what he'd accomplished — I think now you look at him differently and say, wait a minute, this guy has clearly got NBA potential. He’s in the best shape of his life, shooting the ball extremely well, and I hope he plays for a long time."
It just won’t be for the hometown Hawkeyes.
"I’ll miss it. It's going to be tough. But it’s ... I’ll always be a part of Iowa," Gatens said. "I’ll always be cheering them on. It will be different stepping away and being a fan again, but I’ll always be proud.
"Depending where I’m at, whenever I’m back in town, I always love going over to Carver and watching games. It’ll be fun."
Gatens leaves the legacy to Marble, McCabe, Oglesby, Melsahn Basabe and Aaron White, not to mention highly-prized signees Adam Woodbury and Mike Gesell.
“If they do really take that next step, I’ll be really proud as a guy who’s not being there to be a part of it,†Gatens said. “I’ll have that feeling that maybe I helped them out to go in the right direction.
“It’s a foundation, it’s a building block.â€
Yes, he is.
