DesMoinesHawki
Well-Known Member
I graduated from ISU back in the early 90s and worked for the student paper as a sports reporter. During my time in Ames, I had the chance to cover ISU basketball, football and wrestling. Back in the days of Hoiberg and Bob Utter (qb) and at about the time Jim Gibbons stepped away from coaching ISU wrestling.
My ISU buddy rounded up me and two other Hawk friends ... I had not set foot in Hilton in close to 17 years (holy sh&t that makes me feel old just typing that) ... My have times have changed. Hilton Magic was gone, as were many of its fans. The reason for my post is to say what a shame both programs have fallen so far. During my time at ISU, Hilton would absolutely be deafening. Last night, it had more of a feel of an Iowa Energy game.
And who can blame the fans ... two teams competing to stay out of the Big 12 cellar. The game itself was actually pretty entertaining. I just don't think Coach Mac is going to get it done in Ames. As I don't think Lick is going to get it done in Iowa City.
Taking in the game last night brought back a lot of memories. On the scoreboard they showed highlights from some of the ISU teams in the 80s and 90s and one of the highlights showed a game against the Hawks ... I guess it has been so long since Iowa basketball was competitive that I forgot how strong both programs actually were at one time.
On the way home, the four of us talked about the state of basketball in Iowa. And while it is great to see UNI be successful, it is not so great that the state's two major universities are non factors in Division I basketball.
Attendance at Hilton has been down, and last night I would guess the attendance to be in the 8,000 range. So ISU fans have not quite reached the stage of the majority of Iowa fans (simply tuning out and simply staying home) ... However, I think Mac is under the gun. The ISU fans around me were pretty disgruntled with the state of the program. It was not just random screams throughout the contest, if was the discussions I heard taking place during time outs.
I think ISU fans are a very patient bunch. Even more so than Iowa fans. But, I think the tide is slowly turning in Ames. A below .500 record by Mac in season 4 does not have people too happy. And, next year he looses his top two players.
This is not a dig on ISU or Iowa ... just thoughts that came to me after visiting Hilton for the first time in 17 years ... Times have definitely changed ... Maybe some day both programs will get things going again, but I don't think that will happen with the current staffs in place. But, I hope I am wrong.
My ISU buddy rounded up me and two other Hawk friends ... I had not set foot in Hilton in close to 17 years (holy sh&t that makes me feel old just typing that) ... My have times have changed. Hilton Magic was gone, as were many of its fans. The reason for my post is to say what a shame both programs have fallen so far. During my time at ISU, Hilton would absolutely be deafening. Last night, it had more of a feel of an Iowa Energy game.
And who can blame the fans ... two teams competing to stay out of the Big 12 cellar. The game itself was actually pretty entertaining. I just don't think Coach Mac is going to get it done in Ames. As I don't think Lick is going to get it done in Iowa City.
Taking in the game last night brought back a lot of memories. On the scoreboard they showed highlights from some of the ISU teams in the 80s and 90s and one of the highlights showed a game against the Hawks ... I guess it has been so long since Iowa basketball was competitive that I forgot how strong both programs actually were at one time.
On the way home, the four of us talked about the state of basketball in Iowa. And while it is great to see UNI be successful, it is not so great that the state's two major universities are non factors in Division I basketball.
Attendance at Hilton has been down, and last night I would guess the attendance to be in the 8,000 range. So ISU fans have not quite reached the stage of the majority of Iowa fans (simply tuning out and simply staying home) ... However, I think Mac is under the gun. The ISU fans around me were pretty disgruntled with the state of the program. It was not just random screams throughout the contest, if was the discussions I heard taking place during time outs.
I think ISU fans are a very patient bunch. Even more so than Iowa fans. But, I think the tide is slowly turning in Ames. A below .500 record by Mac in season 4 does not have people too happy. And, next year he looses his top two players.
This is not a dig on ISU or Iowa ... just thoughts that came to me after visiting Hilton for the first time in 17 years ... Times have definitely changed ... Maybe some day both programs will get things going again, but I don't think that will happen with the current staffs in place. But, I hope I am wrong.
