Worst Coach

[HawkForce]

No that loss to NW State embodied what Steve Alford's tenure at Iowa was. Let's not make it out that he was some savior coach here that we pushed out...he left ALOT to be desired. He was 6 games under .500 here in conference play...So I mean it was a great improvement considering what we have now...however I don't consider only 3 top tier big ten finishes in 8 years in the Big Ten successful. And he never advanced past the 2nd round in ANY tournament.

Say what you want it was time for a change, Just did we make the right choice with Lickliter?

 

[JHHawk]

Nobody is saying the SA era was great, only that it was not the low point in Iowa bb program history like John indicated.
And the trend is your friend here....last 4 years of SA we finished 4th,6th,2nd and 4th in the league....that is not the low point in Iowa bb by any standard.
Sure, everyone was relieved when Barta ultimatumed SA out of Iowa because it saved the buyout,but by contrast those 7 winning seasons in a row look ok with a little perspective from 3 straight losing seasons since....just me.

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

Let's admit it, Todd Lickliter is a horrible coach. He can't figure out why we have so many turnovers. Our turnovers are actually double what the stats show because we have to take heave shots to beat the shot clock. In my opinion those are the same as a turnover. Why don't we try taking the first open shot we have instead of trying to run the shot clock down and then just heaving it up. Or maybe once run the ball up the floor and see if we can't get an open shot instead of walking it up and passing it around until the shot clock runs out or we throw it away. Also lets try to go toward the basket with the ball instead of toward the ten second line. This is so frustrating to watch the worse basketball in school history.

Horrible coach? No ... In over his head? YESSSSSSSSS

 

[woodyk1]

" This is not going to turn around until they get players into the program that can either hurt teams off the dribble, or everyone on the floor can stick jump shots....which is what you saw with his Butler teams...AJ Graves was a capable point guard, and their two, three, four and five could stick jumpers. "

Interesting point - in listening to the Hawk Talk show a little tonight, a caller asked Coach Lickliter to compare Cully Payne to AJ Graves as point guards. Coach said Graves was a point guard for his freshman year, but then was switched to the 2 guard. The guard Mike Green transferred in from Towson State for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 years. Coach did mention that is was like having 2 point guards on the court, but if you compare assist totals between Graves and Green, you will see (in the links below) that Green's totals were close to double of Graves.

Graves = A.J. Graves Stats, News, Photos - Butler Bulldogs - ESPN

Green = Mike Green Stats, News, Photos - Butler Bulldogs - ESPN

Coach Lickliter was very complimentary of Payne as a point guard. He said he sees the floor well. I don't think he has soured on Cully.

I think the overall point is getting more players who can create their own shots or shots for others will be the key to the future of this team getting better.

 

[hawkdoctor]

No that loss to NW State embodied what Steve Alford's tenure at Iowa was. Let's not make it out that he was some savior coach here that we pushed out...he left ALOT to be desired. He was 6 games under .500 here in conference play...So I mean it was a great improvement considering what we have now...however I don't consider only 3 top tier big ten finishes in 8 years in the Big Ten successful. And he never advanced past the 2nd round in ANY tournament.

Not counting the big ten tournament when you say ANY?

 

[HawkeyesWin]

I like that next year our Freshmen and Sophmores will be Sophmores and Juniors. I'm not ready to write of Lick yet, but I may soon be the only one in his camp.

That being said, we have to win many more games next year.

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

I have no statement on this topic. My patience is running thin with this guy, i don't know how much more of the standing around, ball screen, pass, ball screen, pass, ball screen, shot offense we run! It is getting pathetic, i mean doesn't he have any "set" plays in his offense? Our OB plays are pathetic as well, we always throw it over half court and then have to bring it back up the court!

I think you just made a statement ...

 

[NewMexHawk]

New Mexico was the first school that offered Alford a job. Had another school offered, Alford would have been gone. Alford had worn out his welcom with most Iowa fans.

Alford was under the gun. He no longer had Bowlsby to protect him. Alford either had to put up or he was gone the following year, of that there was no doubt. Either go to the NCAA or he was going to be standing on the street corner with a sign saying, "Will coach for food." And along comes UNM and offers him a BIG out to the delight of almost every Hawk fan.

Barta then signs the big Lick...to the enjoyment of many hawk fans and many hawk fans were wary because of the "Butler style," me included, and I haven't changed my opinion.