What is the number of wins necessary to pique Paige & WBury interest

[BSpringsteen]

What is the magic number of wins that will make Paige and Woodbury's ears perk up and believe that if they go to Iowa, they will be playing in the NCAA tourney?

I think if we flirt with .500, it will be apparent that we are on an upward track and their involvement would clearly put Iowa back in the NCAA tourney quickly.

So my number is 14

 

[brett108]

What is the magic number of wins that will make Paige and Woodbury's ears perk up and believe that if they go to Iowa, they will be playing in the NCAA tourney?

I think if we flirt with .500, it will be apparent that we are on an upward track and their involvement would clearly put Iowa back in the NCAA tourney quickly.

So my number is 14

I think the number is different for each. My guess is that getting Woodbury won't require a large amount of wins. He is Iowa's to lose. On the other hand, with the way Kansas looks, and the way Roy Williams recruits, Iowa could win out and probably not get Paige. He is on too many elite program short lists.

 

[CAARHawk]

I just keep thinking it will take a move in Spring recruiting. The current roster gas some good players, but nobody to really get excited about.

They will both want to see the new facility, but it would be nice for them to see a real baller running up and down in it.

 

[RADMAN]

I think if it comes down to a number that I wouldn't want either kid. If they can't see where this program is going and how they can help move it forward then they lack the desire I would want to see. After 9 games I can see how exciting the Hawks will be once they play together a little longer. Fran and his staff will make kids better and his style will be electric. Looking back on Licks style kids would have to wonder how they could throttle down to play in a slow and boring system. If we don't get those two kids, we will have players that will be better and fit the program well. How many of us ever heard of Basabe a year ago? Have the faith in the coach. He's a winner.

 

[tweeterhawk]

I would hope the recruits are looking less at W-L record and more on type of play, excitement, chance to compete and perhaps to get noticed at a higher level. I think if everybody stays healthy and Fran can keep them around he will have a nice core on which to build. But we need the first really good, name recruit. Once we get that, I would think recruiting to Iowa City will get much easier.

 

[clicheusername3]

I don't have a number but I would say Sweet 16.

 

[bogeyman]

I would hope the recruits are looking less at W-L record and more on type of play, excitement, chance to compete and perhaps to get noticed at a higher level. I think if everybody stays healthy and Fran can keep them around he will have a nice core on which to build. But we need the first really good, name recruit. Once we get that, I would think recruiting to Iowa City will get much easier.

Core is a good word. My thought is we have a bunch of "3rd" options on this team that are serviceable, but not a go to guy or true scorer. We desperately need this and also a true center. With our three frosh + May, we have 4 players who should be solid 4 year players like a Horner/Brunner type. But we need a stud or two badly.

Fran knows he has those two players in Paige and Woodbury that could turn the program around. Paige/Marble/McCabe/Basabe/Woodbury for a couple years looks exciting on paper, add May for 1 year as he's a soph, with Ogelsby and White solid bench players. Paige and Woodbury are perhaps the two most important recruits in Iowa History. Gary Dolphin was talking to a friend of mine and told him that Fran has said those two guys are program changers. Fran knows it, now go get em Fran!

 

[JDavis11]

I don't think there is an overall number but there are some big games. Winning these in state games would be a huge start.

Then we need to win some B10 games... then B10 games on the road... the next step would be knock off a ranked team.

Not sure if we do all of that this season but if we reach those bench marks (which actually would be pretty close to your 14 number) then I think we definitely have their attention.

 

[Husky28]

I don't have a number but I would say Sweet 16.

This. If there is such a thing as an event or number of wins that'll make them strongly consider Iowa. Otherwise, it's more about what Fran will provide and will they be in Big Ten Championship consideration by year three...

 

[CAARHawk]

I say forget number of wins and start thinking about number of Benjamins. Just remember, you need to make sure there is plausible deniability.

 

[TrustKF]

What gets Paige's interest are two things, style of play and recruiting. He is the type of kid who wants to be surrounded with skilled players. When I was at Linn Mar he was constantly checking recruiting class ratings for teams like Iowa State, North Carolina, Kansas etc. Style of play is also a factor because he was very disinterested in what Lickliter had to offer for him in that regard, he simply did not want to be a part of that. So I think that Fran's style is obviously going to be a factor in his interest in Iowa, and of course what this is ultimately going to come down to is how successful Fran is in implementing it.

So here is what I think Iowa MUST do to have a shot at him:
Bring in some GOOD players this spring. No more projects, program changers. (I know, this is unlikely right now).
And finally, show how Fran's style of play is something players will enjoy, but also something that is going to be successful in the Big Ten.
(I like these chances best).

 

[stevoskin]

I think that Fran will do a good job at selling the style of play to these guys. Getting to 14 wins at this point really does seem possible. I think we will know a lot more tomorrow night after the Iowa State game. Iowa finally strung 2 wins together and if they can get the 3rd game against the biggest rival Iowa State, well, that could be the turnaround point. A win would put us at 6-4 with some good confidence, i don't even remember the last time we beat UNI and ISU in the same year? A loss will take away the little confidence and momentum gained so far. I fear that a loss would send Iowa back down the hill they are trying to climb. Tomorrow is huge! Go Hawks!

 

[DunderMifflinHk]

What gets Paige's interest are two things, style of play and recruiting. He is the type of kid who wants to be surrounded with skilled players. When I was at Linn Mar he was constantly checking recruiting class ratings for teams like Iowa State, North Carolina, Kansas etc. Style of play is also a factor because he was very disinterested in what Lickliter had to offer for him in that regard, he simply did not want to be a part of that. So I think that Fran's style is obviously going to be a factor in his interest in Iowa, and of course what this is ultimately going to come down to is how successful Fran is in implementing it.

So here is what I think Iowa MUST do to have a shot at him:
Bring in some GOOD players this spring. No more projects, program changers. (I know, this is unlikely right now).
And finally, show how Fran's style of play is something players will enjoy, but also something that is going to be successful in the Big Ten.
(I like these chances best).

This is why getting Olasani and Katenda would be huge this spring. If we can get both those guys that would get the ball rolling. Then if Woodbury would commit early (I think someone has said he's a big Hawkeye fan) then he could start to try to convince Paige to follow and possibly Gessell also. If Woodbury commits Paige can see that he will have a very good big man to play with. Also next year I think we need to get to the NIT with some momentum going into 2012. If we can do that I'd say we'd have a good chance with Paige. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[JDavis11]

This is why getting Olasani and Katenda would be huge this spring. If we can get both those guys that would get the ball rolling. Then if Woodbury would commit early (I think someone has said he's a big Hawkeye fan) then he could start to try to convince Paige to follow and possibly Gessell also. If Woodbury commits Paige can see that he will have a very good big man to play with. Also next year I think we need to get to the NIT with some momentum going into 2012. If we can do that I'd say we'd have a good chance with Paige. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Bingo! Katenda and Olaseni would just be huge

Katenda was ranked in the top 150 (I believe top 100) before being hospitalized for appendicitis and missing the AAU circuit. Both of them are from overseas (Katenda - France and Olaseni - England) so coaches haven't seen them much. Both are now starting to get more interest from high majors.

Considering Iowa got in early with them and they're now in Kansas I think we have a chance and they could be really great players for us.

Add Woodbury and we'd be looking at

PG Payne
SG Marble and Oglesby
SF May, McCabe, and White
PF Basabe and Katenda
C Olaseni and Woodbury

Plus the rest of the 2012 schollies
This would be perfect for a PG to step into

 

[TrustKF]

Bingo! Katenda and Olaseni would just be huge

Katenda was ranked in the top 150 (I believe top 100) before being hospitalized for appendicitis and missing the AAU circuit. Both of them are from overseas (Katenda - France and Olaseni - England) so coaches haven't seen them much. Both are now starting to get more interest from high majors.

Considering Iowa got in early with them and they're now in Kansas I think we have a chance and they could be really great players for us.

Add Woodbury and we'd be looking at

PG Payne
SG Marble and Oglesby
SF May, McCabe, and White
PF Basabe and Katenda
C Olaseni and Woodbury

Plus the rest of the 2012 schollies
This would be perfect for a PG to step into

Alright, is there anyone who can tell me how tall and big Olaseni and Woodbury are?? I'm tired of having completely undersized centers who have to go up against players like Lauderdale from Ohio State and get dominated. We need a good 7 footer!

 

[cjhawks]

I would hope the recruits are looking less at W-L record and more on type of play, excitement, chance to compete and perhaps to get noticed at a higher level.

This is correct.

I would rather the recruits focus on the style of play on the floor and be able to form their own vision for the future. From what I've seen, basketball is exciting to watch again and Fran may very well be the guy to get Iowa BBall to the upper level of the B10.

It may even help that recent history is fresh in a guys mind to. Seeing a more uptempo style should get recruits excited as well, regardless if they come or not.