By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher – May 9, 2011
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams
Happy Monday fanatics.
You want to know what would make me very happy here on May 9, 2011?
That’s if I never hear the song, “Time of Your Life” by Green Day ever again.
Over the weekend, I became a graduation professional. I’m very proud of my beautiful wife, who graduated from THE Iowa State University’s veterinarian school over the weekend. So yes, I took in all of those festivities. In addition to that, my sister in-law received her degree in education, also from THE Iowa State University.
Point is, I’m sick to death of that song. Here’s a note to all soon-to-be grads out there…When you’re picking out music for your slideshow or whatever, skip over the Green Day. It isn’t cool anymore.
Enough of that rant…Here’s what else is on my mind.
On basketball recruiting…
On Sunday afternoon, a handful of sources confirmed to me that former Louisiana Tech star Olu Ashaolu is no longer considering Iowa State in his search for one-year home. Ashaolu has narrowed it down to Texas, Oregon, San Diego State and Xavier.
I never thought that Fred Hoiberg and the Cyclones had much of a chance here, but I thought they’d at the very least get a visit.
Too bad, so sad. Just hope that Ashaolu doesn’t end up in Austin now because he’s good. I’d hate to see him on Iowa State’s schedule twice next season.
In some old news, 2011 target (former Dayton signee) LaDontae Henton committed to Providence last week.
As far as Iowa State’s 2011 big board goes, former Dayton signee Percy Gibson is the only target left according to my calculations.
Paging Cornell Mann: Let’s get it done.
Also, sources are telling me that after his two run-ins with the law, Jordan Railey will likely be a part of Iowa State’s program next season. At this point, it doesn’t sound like he’ll get the boot.
A Big 12 basketball opening?
Gary Williams shocked the college basketball world when he retired from Maryland late last week. Who’s next in line? The hot name right now is Texas A&M’s Mark Turgeon.
Turgeon’s name popped up often throughout N.C. State’s coaching search in March. I have no clue if this Maryland rumor will actually develop. I do know one thing though. When a name surfaces as a candidate for multiple jobs in one silly season, it generally means that the coach isn’t happy for one reason or another. Take Minnesota’s Tubby Smith, Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin, Arizona State’s Herb Sendek and Marquette’s Buzz Williams for example. Not happy with your contract? Use the media to get your name “out there” for other jobs. So is Turgeon genuinely interested in Maryland? He could be. Or, this could be a planted seed. Who knows?
Let’s say this does go down though. What happens to the sleeping giant that Billy Gillispie woke up years ago, also know as Texas A&M basketball?
The Aggies will still have some players next year but stability will be down within the program as a whole. Would anybody transfer? Who would replace Turgeon, who I view as one of the games top coaches?
The point is that from an Iowa State perspective, this would soften next season. With or without Turgeon in the mix, the league is going to be down in 2011-12. Opportunity is knocking…
If Turgeon leaves, I imagine Memphis’ Josh Pastner and Marquette’s Buzz Williams to be prime candidates for the A&M job.
Quick Maryland Note: The one additional tidbit that I’m hearing about this Maryland job is that most high profile names (like Shaka Smart) will not be interested. Why? Timing. It is May 9 people. Take this job in March and it is a slam dunk. Take it in May and even John Calipari would have a hard time filling out a competitive roster for next season. There has been and will be more attrition with Williams’ departure. Williams is credited as the man who saved Maryland basketball and rightfully so. By retiring in mid-May, he could also be the guy who buried it into a deep hole in the year 2011.
Geoffroy will be missed
I touched on my weekend filled with graduation bliss up above…It hit me this weekend that Iowa State President Gregory Geoffroy really is leaving. I have no clue who is going to replace him, but whoever than individual is will have its work cut out for him/her.
RANDOM STUFF
– I played a little catch up with my DVR yesterday. I took in the first two episodes of NBC’s "The Voice." Wow. That’s all I can write. That show kicks more butt than Hollywood Hogan in the late 90’s. #TeamBlakeShelton
– It’s now time for my CycloneFanatic.com Laugh of the Week…
– The Kansas City Royals called up Eric Hosmer in early May? Dayton Moore has massive MARBLES.
– I think that I put on 10 pounds yesterday. From the hours of 3-midnight, all I did was watch TV. I’m pathetic. The Braves and Bulls were both on. After that, I indulged in the movie "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." I highly recommend this to anybody. It will get you amped up to move to New York and to become a stock market pariah.
That’s all I’ve got for today. Peace.
