Washpun Commits to Tennessee

It shows the support our fans have for a local kid. Honestly, if I was a Tenn fan I'd be thinking "the best we can do is a kid from Iowa?!" Its kind of sad that we have one pg on roster but we don't want a local one.
 
I think Fran and co have made great strides in at least being considered by some nice prospects. We came in late on this kid and he had already developed a relationship with the new Tennessee coach. I don't see this as a huge loss for the Iowa program. Yes, he possibly could have helped next season but in the long run, I would still prefer to see Fran bring in guys like Basabe and Cartwright.

You have to respect Washpun's decision to stick with the coach who started recruiting him a while back. Life goes on. We can't get too upset when we miss out on kids. It takes time to develop relationships and Fran will get it done. I don't see any reason to panic or think that Fran "can't close the deal."

Iowa basketball has not been relevant during most of these kids' lives and so it will take some wins before players start taking notice.

I would still prefer that Fran bring in players who won't bolt for the NBA after one or two seasons. I think that is why we are seeing so much parity in college basketball and why schools like Butler are doing well in the big dance ... They have played together for three of four years while most of the "big dogs" are playing true freshmen.

I liked what I saw this year in the Iowa program. We are headed in the right direction and there will be kids we miss out on. But, for every four or five kids we miss we will land one. Iowa fans have been asked to be patient for about 10 seasons now. So it is frustrating to "just keep being patient." Because at some point we do need to start landing some of these kids and we do need to see more wins. But, if any staff can do that I believe this one can.
 
I stated in the original thread about the signing that it was the first time I actually hoped Iowa lost one of these recruiting battles. So I am not upset about the loss, but I think the offer was not a good idea. Just not a lot of upside and a bunch of downside.
 
HawkeyeRyno said:
I'm not saying we are doomed. But the fact that some of you don't think it is concerning how many recruits this staff has missed on then I guess I wish I shared your optimism of a below average basketball team. I like Fran and want him to succeed but if he can't recruit, which we all agreed was Lickliter's major problem, then how do we get better. I just see Fran his staff put in all this work only to get the cold shoulder consistently and it hurts because I want to see him do well.

BTW, it's passion that I show. I always want the best for Iowa. Some of you just don't care about things as much as some of us others but I've never degraded you as a fan.
Click to expand...

You can't expect Fran to get all his top targets in year one. Give him time to develop relationships and recruit players. He's been behind the eight ball with the 2010 and 2011 classes because he hasn't had as much time as coaches who have been at their school for 3 plus years. Now if next year and the year after he's stilling not getting any of his target recruits then I'm sure almost all of us will be concerned as you are now. Just relax man and give it time. I have confidence Fran will get it done.
 
I used to laugh when someone stated that a forum such as this one influenced the decision making of a potential recruit, but I know better now. I have talked to two D1 recruits that stated to me that the forums and what was being said was a part of their final decision making process. One stated, 'why would I want to go where I was not wanted?'

Then we had Canzeri and he only confirmed what I had already been told. The next thing you will see is other teams fans coming on boards as fans bashing them with the hopes of steering them away from competition...could already be happening...
 
IAJay said:
LOL, yes he picked Tennessee because of message boards.
Click to expand...

Yep....

I am not saying he picked because of the message boards. I am saying most people would want to play where they are wanted. Obviously he was more wanted in Tenn.
 
TheNebraskaHawk said:
I used to laugh when someone stated that a forum such as this one influenced the decision making of a potential recruit, but I know better now. I have talked to two D1 recruits that stated to me that the forums and what was being said was a part of their final decision making process. One stated, 'why would I want to go where I was not wanted?'

Then we had Canzeri and he only confirmed what I had already been told. The next thing you will see is other teams fans coming on boards as fans bashing them with the hopes of steering them away from competition...could already be happening...
Click to expand...

I agree 100%

People are crazy if they think fans can not influence where the kid decided to play.
 
Well since the boards play a deciding factor, then based on that criteria we should sign Katenda, I'm fine with that. :) Although I don't like it that he is in South Bend so close to the signing period.
 
I am ok with Washpun picking TN. If he thinks Martin's loyalty is going to translate to PT if he can't beat out 4 star kids, then that is his choice. He may surprise me and I wish him the best, but TN has a lot of talent on the roster, has a lot of talent coming in and is always recruiting talent. For Martin it is a dangerous offer, as TN isn't looking for him to recruit Iowa. They want the players KY, Louisville and Memphis are after, period. I think WW will be school shopping this time next year and will end up at ISU, Creighton or UNI to finish his career. Washpun signs with Missouri State if not for Martin going to TN and other high D1 programs obviously saw him play while recruiting Ogelsby.

I will take a less athletic PG that can score the ball and is better than 50% from the line.
 
Last edited:
HawkeyeRyno said:
I'm not saying we are doomed. But the fact that some of you don't think it is concerning how many recruits this staff has missed on then I guess I wish I shared your optimism of a below average basketball team. I like Fran and want him to succeed but if he can't recruit, which we all agreed was Lickliter's major problem, then how do we get better. I just see Fran his staff put in all this work only to get the cold shoulder consistently and it hurts because I want to see him do well.

BTW, it's passion that I show. I always want the best for Iowa. Some of you just don't care about things as much as some of us others but I've never degraded you as a fan.
Click to expand...

Agree with Ryno's sentiment. Just because Fran McCaffery works very hard at recruiting does not make him an effective recruiter, especially given how bad Iowa basketball has become.

Iowa BB is in a tough situation because the program won't get turned around until they recruit a difference maker, but the difference-making players don't seriously consider Iowa (even those 25 miles away like Paige).

Can't really blame the "Fran's the man" crowd for trying to find some optimism about Iowa basketball. I'm just unsure if any optimism is realistic (put me in the "see it to believe it" about Iowa basketball getting turned around).
 
hawkincal said:
Agree with Ryno's sentiment. Just because Fran McCaffery works very hard at recruiting does not make him an effective recruiter, especially given how bad Iowa basketball has become.

Iowa BB is in a tough situation because the program won't get turned around until they recruit a difference maker, but the difference-making players don't seriously consider Iowa (even those 25 miles away like Paige).

Can't really blame the "Fran's the man" crowd for trying to find some optimism about Iowa basketball. I'm just unsure if any optimism is realistic (put me in the "see it to believe it" about Iowa basketball getting turned around).
Click to expand...

The man has been here for one year and was left with nothing for a roster. Hell I wouldnt even want to play here.
 
hawkincal said:
Agree with Ryno's sentiment. Just because Fran McCaffery works very hard at recruiting does not make him an effective recruiter, especially given how bad Iowa basketball has become.

Iowa BB is in a tough situation because the program won't get turned around until they recruit a difference maker, but the difference-making players don't seriously consider Iowa (even those 25 miles away like Paige).

Can't really blame the "Fran's the man" crowd for trying to find some optimism about Iowa basketball. I'm just unsure if any optimism is realistic (put me in the "see it to believe it" about Iowa basketball getting turned around).
Click to expand...
Trying to get some optimism? Did you watch a freakin game last year? What a clueless post! The program IS getting turned around and if we don't sign a player this year we will be better next year than last. White and Olglesby will move us closer to .500 or above. We will get 3 players in the next couple weeks and they will be players that will help and not just be practice players. I guess you missed the OSU, Wisconsin, MSU, and Purdue games and the other 10 games we were in until we ran into a cold streak. For every name you have seen posted as potential signee, there are 20 other players waiting in the wings.
 
Look some of the opinions being expressed here, both sides, are understandable were the clock forwarded 12 months from now. But given that Fran and his staff been on the job for one year and 14 days as of now, I think some of these comments and concerns are very premature.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top