So is Lucca staying or leaving?

copenhagen · 11-30-2007, 10:06 AM

Someone on here has to know him or go to classes with him. Or talk with the coaches.

cstrunk · 11-30-2007, 10:07 AM

I don't think that he even knows at this point. I think he wants to stay though, just my opinion.

ISUFan22 · 11-30-2007, 10:13 AM

Iowa State men's basketball: NCAA refuses to reinstate Cyclone freshman | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

A few quotes of interest...

Iowa State basketball coaches Greg McDermott and Jeff Rutter huddled with freshman guard Lucca Staiger in a hallway while practice went on in State Gym on Wednesday morning.

The coaches tried to explain the decision by the NCAA's student-athlete reinstatement staff, announced Wednesday, that Staiger must sit out the 2007-08 season and lose a season of eligibility.

When the conversation ended, a teary-eyed Staiger pulled his practice jersey over his head, walked into the locker room, got dressed and left.

"He was holding out hope, like the rest of us, that they would look at this in a realistic manner and view the facts, and not follow the rule to the letter of the law," McDermott said. "(Wednesday) is the first time he'd been told it was official, pending another appeal, and it hit him pretty hard."

McDermott declined to allow Staiger to be interviewed.

"He's very emotional right now," McDermott said. "My heart goes out to Lucca."

McDermott was informed of the NCAA's decision by Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard after Tuesday night's loss to Northern Iowa.

After Staiger went to the locker room, McDermott gathered his team and told them of the NCAA's decision.

"They understand the sacrifices he's made to arrive at this point in his life," McDermott said. "And to be punished in this matter, they realize how unfair that is."McDermott said Staiger has some thinking to do about his future while the appeal process marches on.

"He understands the value of an education, and he likes Iowa State, his teammates and this program," McDermott said. "He deeply appreciates the way the fans have responded to his case. Our hope is that it is enough to keep him here through this tough time."

So, Greg and Jamie did know about it before it became public Wednesday morning.

And, judging from the quotes and specualtion on Lucca staying...

- Too early to tell or him to make a decision. He's crushed and very emotional right now.
- Still another appeal process to exhaust.

But, if I had to guess from what I know and read here, I'm not feeling great about our chances of retaining him unless this gets overturned.

psycln11 · 11-30-2007, 10:17 AM

I have heard from a reliable source (friend of both Lucca and Clayton) that McDermott has left Vette behind while the rest of the team is in Oregon.

FYI...Vette and Staiger are roommates.

trevn · 11-30-2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by psycln11

I have heard from a reliable source (friend of both Lucca and Clayton) that McDermott has left Vette behind while the rest of the team is in Oregon.

FYI...Vette and Staiger are roommates.

I thought he was roommates with Brackins and Boozer. I probably heard wrong though. I do know that Vette is friends with Staiger. Staiger's even been up to Waverly with him.

cycloneworld · 11-30-2007, 10:21 AM

McDermott was informed of the NCAA's decision by Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard after Tuesday night's loss to Northern Iowa.

Man, Coach McDermott had a bad night on Tuesday.

I wouldn't expect Lucca to stay around with all of the pro offers in Germany. I'd really like him to but I wouldn't blame him for leaving.

cycloneworld · 11-30-2007, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by psycln11

I have heard from a reliable source (friend of both Lucca and Clayton) that McDermott has left Vette behind while the rest of the team is in Oregon.

FYI...Vette and Staiger are roommates.

Reason for leaving Vette behind?

Don't tell me we may lose 3 of our 7 recruits this year.

ISUFan22 · 11-30-2007, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by psycln11

I have heard from a reliable source (friend of both Lucca and Clayton) that McDermott has left Vette behind while the rest of the team is in Oregon.

FYI...Vette and Staiger are roommates.

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

Reason for leaving Vette behind?

Don't tell me we may lose 3 of our 7 recruits this year.

No, no...I think the reason for leaving Vette is for Lucca to have a teammate with him.

Reading this gave me chills and tugged at the heart strings a bit. If true, smart move by Greg.

AirWalke · 11-30-2007, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

Reason for leaving Vette behind?

Don't tell me we may lose 3 of our 7 recruits this year.

Maybe it's to keep him company. I'd hate to be told that I couldn't compete for a year, then have the rest of the team leave for a few days for a road game.

cycloneworld · 11-30-2007, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

No, no...I think the reason for leaving Vette is for Lucca to have a teammate with him.

Ah...ok, I took that the complete wrong way. Props to Mac AND to Vette for doing that for Lucca!

cardinal&gold · 11-30-2007, 10:28 AM

We know that one reason Lucca decided to come here was so he could get a college degree. I don't know if that's enough reason for him to stay and build up his academics, or if he'd really rather go back to Germany and start making some greenbacks. I don't think any of us would blame him for doing so. I just hope he wants to stick around, get his degree, and prove himself on a national stage. Do you think he'd rather win championships in Germany, or help hang ISU's first national championship banner from the rafters of Hilton in a few years?

ISUFan22 · 11-30-2007, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by AirWalke

Maybe it's to keep him company. I'd hate to be told that I couldn't compete for a year, then have the rest of the team leave for a few days for a road game.

Right, as noted in that article - horrible time to get the ruling - with the team leaving the day he finds out.

"Hey, sorry, you can't play. By the way, we'll see ya on Saturday when we get back from Oregon."

Not fun.

I feel much, much worse for Lucca on all this than I do our team.

psycln11 · 11-30-2007, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by trevn

I thought he was roommates with Brackins and Boozer. I probably heard wrong though. I do know that Vette is friends with Staiger. Staiger's even been up to Waverly with him.

ISU phonebook shows Brackins, Boozer, Vette, & Staiger with the same address.

Lee, Garrett, & Wes Johnson also have an address next door to the above.

4VR4CY · 11-30-2007, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

No, no...I think the reason for leaving Vette is for Lucca to have a teammate with him.

Reading this gave me chills and tugged at the heart strings a bit. If true, smart move by Greg.

Sweet.

Flag Guy · 11-30-2007, 10:31 AM

Leaving Lucca a friend is a heck of a move by GMac