Zack McCabe Appreciation Thread

[bcl20]

What bothers me most about this whole episode is the inability of so many to comprehend how negativity directed towards players harms the hawkeyes.

We can't even have one thread in support of a player without a few has-been keyboard jockeys chiming in with their criticism.

Fan venom spread all over Twitter, message boards, and the press does far more to hurt the Hawkeyes than a player having a sub par game.

Fan message boards are great because talking about and analyzing sports is great and fun. Part of analyzing the game does involve critique and pointing out a players negatives (but a player really shouldn't be on here reading any of it). Honestly, that's not really the same thing as tweeting as harassing a player and telling him he blows.

 

[DDThompson]

Fan message boards are great because talking about and analyzing sports is great and fun. Part of analyzing the game does involve critique and pointing out a players negatives (but a player really shouldn't be on here reading any of it). Honestly, that's not really the same thing as tweeting as harassing a player and telling him he blows.

All true.

And even on a message board there is a way to critique a player without tearing him down or blasting with over-the-top negative adjectives. State the case without all the vitriol.

That does require some self-discipline but it still isn't too much to ask.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Did Zach really say to go "suck a fat one" on twitter? I don't have twitter so I have no idea if that's true. If he did, I don't think he's telling all Hawk fans to "suck a fat one"...Zach is a smart guy, he's going to know that Marijuana is only legal in Colorado and Washington. So, in effect, I believe his comments only pertain to Hawk fans in those states...and for the Washington Hawk fans, they will have to wait until June when the new law is implemented to "suck their fat one".

 

[Eda]

I like McCabe. He's a good and dedicated Hawk.

I just wish the friggin' refs would give him a charge call one of these games.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Re: Zach McCabe Appreciation Thread

I would rather have them exposed to that language then that last 3 point shot - now that was graphic!!

That gave me a chuckle.

 

[hawkeye12345]

I like McCabe. He's a good and dedicated Hawk.

I just wish the friggin' refs would give him a charge call one of these games.

What are you talking about? He's been called for charging many times this year.

 

[homes]

I appreciate that McCabe wanted to be a Hawkeye, and that he's committed himself to being the best player that he can be for the Hawkeyes.

 

[Ihawks61]

Ok, first off let me say this, just because some people go to twitter and vent or say what is on their mind that's their right to do so. Second anyone on here that would honestly say that they would want McCabe to shoot the ball with the game on the line(is fullofchit) he has not shot the three well in the last what 8 games. He should not even be in the ball game in that situation. Look I love the kid and all, great person, hard worker, big heart, but I am not going to blow smoke up his AZZ just because I am a Hawkeye Fan. He should never ever shoot the ball in a last second, minute, or any other time to attempt to win or tie the ball game period. That is all carry on

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

It's pretty unfortunate when "fans" call out players via social media, etc. Do I get intense when watching Iowa athletics? Absolutely. Do I take to Twitter because a player missed a shot or hooked a field goal to the right? No.

The unfortunate thing about social media is it allows people to reach a lot of people - instantly. And in many cases, those people feel entitled or powerful behind their anonimity.


Zach, like every player before him and ever player after, did and will work his tail off as part of the Hawkeye program.

Me? Well, my basketball career never advanced beyond 10th grade. So who am I to call out a kid who is obviously talented enough to have the opportunity to play basketball at a Big 10 school. That is a rare opportunity. Who am I to single him out for a missed shot? Who am I to say "he is too slow" to play in the Big 10. I never received any letters to play college ball. I never had my favorite Big 10 think enough about my skills to offer me a scholarship and allow me to wear the Black and Gold for 4 years.

Nope. My level of basketball skills stopped at the 10th grade ... And I am guessing that not many of us had careers that extended beyond highschool (if even that).

Let's keep things in perspective. Your team loses? Sure, be upset. But leave it at that. You don't think these kids want to win or hit that last-second shot? Could you have hit that last second shot? Could you have taken that charge? Nah ... I am guessing you were at home eating Cheetos and drinking a Coors Light ... Perspective folks ... Perspective ... And I think the majority do have it... but with social media, the unfortunate part is it allows EVERYONE to have a voice ...

Zach will soon be a former Hawk. He was lucky enough to run on the court for four years at Carver. He was part of the program when it hit rock bottom, and he stayed ... Countless hours in the gym ... managing school and managing being an athlete in a major division ... That has to be a lot of sacrifice ... I don't know ... I was never good enough to be asked ...

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

Ok, first off let me say this, just because some people go to twitter and vent or say what is on their mind that's their right to do so. Second anyone on here that would honestly say that they would want McCabe to shoot the ball with the game on the line(is fullofchit) he has not shot the three well in the last what 8 games. He should not even be in the ball game in that situation. Look I love the kid and all, great person, hard worker, big heart, but I am not going to blow smoke up his AZZ just because I am a Hawkeye Fan. He should never ever shoot the ball in a last second, minute, or any other time to attempt to win or tie the ball game period. That is all carry on

And this knowledge you graciously share comes from your playing days in the Big 10 I assume?

 

[expos1994]

I wish McCabes big F-U was the last game he played for Iowa. He said F-U with the airball, then he fouled out of the game with zero points plopped down on the bench and said F-U, then he gets on twitter and basically says F-U to the fans.
I have a feeling we're gonna get some more F-U's as the season winds down. Very costly F-U's.
Be best if he didn't play another game.

 

[mopkins]

This is not necessarily a knock on McCabe, but probably more on Fran...I don't think I'll ever understand what Fran is doing with his substitutions. Woody and McCabe both started, but 3 guys from the bench (Gabe/Josh/Uthoff) played more minutes than them. This happens almost every game with Woodbury, and sometimes Basabe. If they deserve more minutes, shouldn't they be starting? During the Big 10 slate, Gabe almost always gets more minutes than Woodbury. I guess you could point to McCabe's foul trouble as the reason he didn't play as many minutes but still doesn't explain the Woodbury thing.

Also Fran has stated repeatedly that he plays the hot hand. Well McCabe was absolutely the farthest thing from the hot hand on Saturday night. People are quick to point out his few good defensive plays, but he also got blown off the ball for easy layups in the first half and gave up a back door cut for an easy dunk to Decker with no time left on the shot clock. I think it's a no-brainer that McCabe should not have been in the game at the end there, but that is not really his fault.

As for Zach, telling Iowa fans to suck a fat one is beyond ridiculous and immature. He should be suspended for the Minnesota game IMO. If you can't handle criticism you shouldn't be on social media, flat out. Sorry I go to your games and even spent a decent sum of money to fly out to the bahamas to support you just to have you tell me to suck a fat one.

 

[SnapBack]

I wish McCabes big F-U was the last game he played for Iowa. He said F-U with the airball, then he fouled out of the game with zero points plopped down on the bench and said F-U, then he gets on twitter and basically says F-U to the fans.
I have a feeling we're gonna get some more F-U's as the season winds down. Very costly F-U's.
Be best if he didn't play another game.

Dude, just because you were cut from the jr high bball team, doesn't mean you need to take it out on college athletes while you sit at home in your mom's basement.

 

[WindsorHawk]

In all fairness I could have gone 0fer from the field and fouled out. Probably would have hit rim too.

I would love to get a one on one set up between you and McCabe. You would get some perspective on how good you think he is and how good he really is... You are so clueless.

 

[PalmettoHawkFan]

mccabe is an elite basketball player (that is, better than 99% of any kid in his class who played varsity HS)

he is not however an elite B1G player

it's not subject to debate whether zach mccabe could school anyone on this board

 

[expos1994]

Dude, just because you were cut from the jr high bball team, doesn't mean you need to take it out on college athletes while you sit at home in your mom's basement.

Better than me no doubt... but that ain't saying much.
I still say he should play 5-10 minutes tops. And if he were to sit out I think we'd be better off.

 

[HomerChampless]

Re: Zach McCabe Appreciation Thread

Soooooo when he tells us that we “Suck” and to “Go suck a fat one” it’s that he cares about the team and hes a great guy and rescues puppies from burning buildings and volunteers at your local homeless shelter? Also he need not take any responsibility for his actions. Good lesson to kids that look up to him.

I guess you don't like McCabe, huh? McCabe is, IMO, one of two Hawkeyes that can deliver in crunch time (when his shot is on). His outside shot must be guarded by a guard so he's got that mismatch. Before the Wisconsin game, he had a shooter's mentality. Whether his shot was in or out, it didn't effect his play... Not until posters decided to start 'I hate McCabe' threads on HN, and heckle him at games. Way to go bozos. Now we have one player on Iowa's team that has the mismatch, has ice water in the veins, and can deliver in the clutch. Oglesby might be a third (if I include McCabe) if he's consistent...

 

[Hawknigh]

In all fairness I could have gone 0fer from the field and fouled out. Probably would have hit rim too.

Geez. First response in an Appreciation thread is all negative. Very tacky.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

All true.

And even on a message board there is a way to critique a player without tearing him down or blasting with over-the-top negative adjectives. State the case without all the vitriol.

That does require some self-discipline but it still isn't too much to ask.

Exactly. I would never totally trash a player either here or on his Twitter account. After the game, it never occurred to me to even go out to McCabe's Twitter feed and read anything, much less go out there and make harsh comments directed at him. I just think that's a horrible thing to do to somebody.

As was pointed out earlier, people are brave when they have the anonymity of the internet. I've even seen a lot of tough guys in this very thread, and I would wager they would be a whole lot more polite if they were face to face with others.

None of this means I feel I can't criticize any player's level of play - I just try to do it as respectfully as I can, although I generally try not to take part in those discussions to begin with.

My thoughts are that McCabe is a role player who plays hard and has contributed some things over the years. He shouldn't be the go to guy on a great team, but there's nothing wrong with being a role player, and it's on the coach if McCabe is being put in a position he should not be.

I think it's time for people to get off of McCabe's case. He's become a whipping boy, similar to players like Adam Shada. Sure would hate to hear any boos on senior day.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

Good kid, has contributed to the team and program, plays his *** off, he's a home grown hawk, I won't bash him