Why the rush

[sportstalent]

There has been much made about what Iowa should do with their three open scholarships.

Does Iowa really have a need to fill all three scholarships right now?

Unless the right combination of three players come along, there really isn't a huge need to run out and fill all of these scholarships.

The one scenario that would be a preference is a couple of JUCO players (SF/SG) and one freshman (PG).

The 2012 class is the one to go big, Meyer has said yes and there are some other bigs out there that Iowa will have a real shot at. DeJuan Marrero is an interesting SF prospect that was mentioned earlier today here, if Iowa can somehow land him, wow the 2012 class would be Fran's best to date. The ideal class for 2012 would be fill the frontcourt and then get any available SG/SF, like Marrero, that is on that next level of athleticism.

If Iowa were to pursue a couple of JUCO players, lets make sure they have only two years of eligibility, if not, it will take away from the 2013 class and that is already gearing up to be a potential monster class, obviously, it is very early.
It would be nice to see Peter Jok and Akoy Agau in Hawkeye uniforms, so Eric May's scholarship is one and if Iowa got say, Hubbard, that would be the other. However, there are more players in that class that Iowa has already targeted as well, so one or two more for that class would be ideal.

Surely, the staff already has this in mind because as coaches they have to look three or more years ahead, which is why there is no real rush to fill all these scholarships now.

 

[TheNebraskaHawk]

Agreed! Good post...

 

[storminspank]

Bottom line is Iowa MUST get a PG in this spring period.

McCaffery cannot put Marble at the backup PG spot again. It hurts Marble's development at the wing position, as it's not Dev's natural position.

Iowa could use 1 more big, as well. But it is IMPERATIVE that the Hawkeyes gets a backup PG in the spring.

 

[MJSCK]

Bottom line is Iowa MUST get a PG in this spring period.

McCaffery cannot put Marble at the backup PG spot again. It hurts Marble's development at the wing position, as it's not Dev's natural position.

Iowa could use 1 more big, as well. But it is IMPERATIVE that the Hawkeyes gets a backup PG in the spring.

Stormin, do you have any idea who they are really targeting for the pg spot now since they've lost out on their main targets? Is it Glover? Hubbard doesn't seem to be pg material.

 

[IAJay]

Bottom line is Iowa MUST get a PG in this spring period.

McCaffery cannot put Marble at the backup PG spot again. It hurts Marble's development at the wing position, as it's not Dev's natural position.

Iowa could use 1 more big, as well. But it is IMPERATIVE that the Hawkeyes gets a backup PG in the spring.

Exactly, I do not understand why people are so comfortable with saving these scholarships. What are the odds that Iowa hits it big with the '12 class when they are struggling so much to fill out the '11 class.

As Spank pointed out, a point is required because if Cartwright goes down there is no way Fran wants to see Marble as the teams only other point guard. This class and the "rush" is seen around every other program in the country as well.

Lick left this team with such a huge talent deficit that this class was vital to make up for not only capable basketball bodies but to add legitimate Big Ten athleticism to the team.

The '12 class is quite talented in the area and is very important but in order to be legitimate to them, Fran needs to be much improved next season. To piggyback what Spank said, pg is a must and IMO an athletic big with some ball skills is just as important due to the huge hole at the 5. Hubbard would also fill the huge need of a second creator on the perimeter and would become the Big 10's resident felon.

As of right now this team still has a ways to go to see marked improvement next season, so yes, these remaining scholarships need to be filled this season to help with the '12 class.

 

[IAJay]

Stormin, do you have any idea who they are really targeting for the pg spot now since they've lost out on their main targets? Is it Glover? Hubbard doesn't seem to be pg material.

They need another ball handler/athletic guard in the worst way which is why they are going so hard after Glover. They may not find any prototypical points out there at this stage but someone else needs to be able to bring the ball up the court.

 

[MJSCK]

They need another ball handler/athletic guard in the worst way which is why they are going so hard after Glover. They may not find any prototypical points out there at this stage but someone else needs to be able to bring the ball up the court.

A lot of people have stated that we need a backup pg other than Marble so that Marble's development isn't sidetracked. No offense to Marble, but I think we need a different backup pg because Marble's not that great at it.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some Marble but he's not a pg.

 

[jacknicholson]

Excellent post, Sportstalent. I hadn't looked far enough ahead to consider 2013. It is crucial that we get a point guard this year. We will need a point guard with experience after Bryce graduates. We do not have to settle for a big in desperation. It appears that the best are taken, spoken for, or playing games. A talented JC player would fill the bill. Reggie Evans comes to mind but that doesn't happen that often. It might be wise to save a scholarship unless someone very good shows up. Nonetheless I have faith in Fran's ability to find the right player/s to play his style of game.

 

[BigD]

Yep, you guys pretty well summed it all up. PG a must and a big to help out with the loss of Cole. It wouldn't hurt to bank one scholly unless Hubbard is coming on board. Get him, a point guard and a big and I would say Fran has done a great job.

 

[Smarthawk]

If we are to have a winning season we must get a PG. Must.

 

[CAARHawk]

People talk about the need for a PG and that is evident. I would say to run a traditional set it is also imperative to get a post. However, it might be that Iowa doesn't run a traditional set but tries to beat you on the inside by pulling the other teams' bigs outside to guard smaller players. Also, with a line-up like Mel, White, Gatens, Marble, and Cartright they could run the other team around and still have a bit of length.

 

[SirJamaLot]

Bottom line is Iowa MUST get a PG in this spring period.

McCaffery cannot put Marble at the backup PG spot again. It hurts Marble's development at the wing position, as it's not Dev's natural position.

Iowa could use 1 more big, as well. But it is IMPERATIVE that the Hawkeyes gets a backup PG in the spring.

Stormin

still waiting for your predicitions, it looks like nebraska and oklahoma both have big classes coming in,( give kruger credit for saving their recruiting season overnight) i don't know how many more scholarships they have left. it is frustrating that we have to wait on these 2 programs but getting glover and olaseni would be huge, adding a point and a low post would give us a legitimate shot at a winning season. Hubbard would be frosting on the cake unless he can handle the point also

 

[JHHawk]

If Iowa has 12 scholly players on the roster next year,all eligible to play, that would be a huge improvement over recent years. I cannot remember the last time Iowa had 13 scholly players on the roster.

So, if Iowa got two more recruits this spring,ie..Glover and Hubbard, or Olesani and Glover, ect....not the end of the world. But I agree that another ballhandler is absolutely a must. After that, a big would be helpful,but Hubbard might suffice.

I agree that we could use a juco this spring opening up at least one more scholly in 2013. Must even out these classes a bit,and having at least 2 to give to Jok and Agau is imperative. If we have one more to work with next year, then Fran might be able to bring in a true program-foundational type class with Woodbury,Gesell,Marrero,Niang,and Staten...or some version of that which includes top100 talent at most positions....upon which Fran could build his program changing teams in 2013-14 with Basabe,Marble and McCabe as seniors,and Oglesby,White and hopefully Olesani as juniors,Woodbury Gesell ect as sophs and Jok,Agau as frosh....that would be a team that could make a real run in March.

 

[HawkeyesWin]

We don't want to be in a situation with 3 open schollies going into next year because we have 4 seniors. Who would want to be in a situation trying to fill 7 schollies after winning 10, 11, and ? games the last 3 years. The 2011 class is a transitional one the helps build some momentum for a transformational 2012 class.

We won't get that transformational class without posting more wins. We won't get more wins without a few players coming in in 2011.

 

[hawkIhoops]

IMO, we can't suck again next year and expect difference maker players to choose Iowa. We are locked in mortal combat with Nebraska for two players, so we need to be honest about where we rank in the eyes of kids who have never of Roy, BJ, Mr. Davis, etc.

Echoing what others stated, we absolutely have to address the PG position. When was the last time we had stability there? Dean Oliver or Horner?

McCaffrey has been outspoken about his recruiting strategy to get the best athletes, regardless of position, that he can find. I have gotten caught up in the we need 1 of these, 2 of those myself, but I am confident that whatever additions the staff makes for next season, they will be upgrades who will help us take the next step.

 

[hawkeye2188]

We don't want to be in a situation with 3 open schollies going into next year because we have 4 seniors. Who would want to be in a situation trying to fill 7 schollies after winning 10, 11, and ? games the last 3 years. The 2011 class is a transitional one the helps build some momentum for a transformational 2012 class.

We won't get that transformational class without posting more wins. We won't get more wins without a few players coming in in 2011.

IMO, we can't suck again next year and expect difference maker players to choose Iowa. We are locked in mortal combat with Nebraska for two players, so we need to be honest about where we rank in the eyes of kids who have never of Roy, BJ, Mr. Davis, etc.

Echoing what others stated, we absolutely have to address the PG position. When was the last time we had stability there? Dean Oliver or Horner?

McCaffrey has been outspoken about his recruiting strategy to get the best athletes, regardless of position, that he can find. I have gotten caught up in the we need 1 of these, 2 of those myself, but I am confident that whatever additions the staff makes for next season, they will be upgrades who will help us take the next step.

I agree with both of you, Iowa cant have another 11-20 year next year or they will be stuck with 7(id hope they could sign someone in the fall) open scholarships in the spring. I dont think it is necessary to fill all 3 but another ballhandler is a must, I think Hubbard/Glover and a big would be a nice way to round out the class.

 

[sportstalent]

Bottom line is Iowa MUST get a PG in this spring period.

McCaffery cannot put Marble at the backup PG spot again. It hurts Marble's development at the wing position, as it's not Dev's natural position.

Iowa could use 1 more big, as well. But it is IMPERATIVE that the Hawkeyes gets a backup PG in the spring.

Agreed, that is why I put PG in parenthesis by the freshman, we need a young PG that can fill in and develop for a season, if he doesn't get better then jump on the 2012 class for someone that is better. It would be nice to have a PG on the roster for longer than two years, even two of them.

We don't want to be in a situation with 3 open schollies going into next year because we have 4 seniors. Who would want to be in a situation trying to fill 7 schollies after winning 10, 11, and ? games the last 3 years. The 2011 class is a transitional one the helps build some momentum for a transformational 2012 class.

We won't get that transformational class without posting more wins. We won't get more wins without a few players coming in in 2011.

I am not saying leave all three open, I am only saying that if all are filled by players with more than two years eligibility, it only leaves one open for the 2013 class and that is not good either.

One thing that I didn't think about was with the 4 seniors and Iowa does bring in a lot of players it could shrink the 2012 class and not the 2013 class, but it would shirnk one of those classes by bringing in more than one player with more than two years of eligibility.

The staff knows what they are doing and whatever they do, it is going to do nothing but help the program today and in the long term. Cartwright was a steal and Basabe was underrecruited, hopefully, this late signing period can produce a couple players that can impact Iowa as they have to date.