I do think that it reflects upon Fran, and it doesn't bother me that much. It bothers me a little, because it's true that coaches who don't talk to refs...have players that don't talk to refs, and vice versa. I'd rather have a team and coach that don't communicate with officials like they're on an episode of Jerry Springer. But that's Fran's style and he does it well.
And i think the Technical Foul is a symbol for something larger that was happening in that game. Wisconsin is and will always be, a team of sharpshooting, high execution, clean-cut white boys. I'm not saying that Wisconsin doesn't have any tough players, because they always have huge doughy white guys with last names that sound like... they were born in Wisconsin (like Frank Kaminsky, Mike Bruesewitz, Keaton Nankivil) and I bet those guys are pretty tough dudes. But, they are not a physical team by nature, they are a jumpshooting team.
I don't want Basabe to do that again, I'd prefer him to not 'send messages' via technical foul. But for the first time in a while, Iowa was playing with a street-fight mentality and I liked it. I like the fact that Iowa got called for a wimpy Technical, the wisconsin player made it into a 6 point possession, and Iowa still held on for the convincing win. I thought they were going to collapse, but they hit some big shots, played nice Defense and won.
I didn't like that play from Basabe, I think it was selfish and immature. However, in the big picture of the game, it showed that Iowa wasn't scared. And why should they be? They should expect to win and they did.
Teddy, you are all over the place here and let me reiterate that you said that Fran was not a good in-game coach, which still torques me.
Statement 1: Really, you are going to compare what Fran does to Jerry Springer? Also, to say that coaches who don't talk to refs, have players that don't talk to refs? Please site and example of a Major college basketball coach that does not talk to refs, in fact, find one in the BIG, if you think you have then look at tape, ignorant. Did you watch Bo during the game and just watch Izzo, they as much Springer-like as Fran and any other coach.
Statement 2: You are going to cross the threashold and say "clean-cut white boys?" This type of thinking just boggles my mind, something from the Stone Age actually. I just don't understand the mentality, so you essentially said that Basabe got the T because he was black, correct me if I am wrong...my interpretation (btw, clean-cut white boy here and just find that beyond ignorant).
Statement 3: So what do you want? Basabe showing he isn't going to back down, or what? Everything Basabe does is under a microscope by fans right now, granted the T was right out in front of everyone, but cripes Gatens has to be feeling relief not being scrutinized anymore.
Statement 4: See last sentance on my reply. Get off the kid's back, he realized it was a mistake instantly, his teammates got on him. Fran got on him a little bit, but Mel knew he screwed up and he more than made up for it how he played with 4 fouls to end the game.
I don't understand fans that are critical of Fran and his emotions. I don't understand why people are making way too much of this situation than it is. McCabe has had far more ignorant T's in his career, but the difference is the games were already decided. The T at UNI was far worse than Basabe's, a lot of people probably won't agree with that, but that is my opinion.
So what do fans want? An Iowa team that settles getting run over by any competition, or one that shows some nerve on the road and a sense of fearlessness?
I want the latter and unless T's start happening with regularity by players, what came out of this particular T was nothing but positive.
This may actually allow Iowa to play more loose and relaxed, big wins like that help teams to not "over try" or "play too fast" and just play ball.
