EIU's Tyler Smith May be Leaving....

**nfrine** · 04-20-2007, 08:22 AM

**keepngoal** · 04-20-2007, 08:26 AM

Boy oh boy, they sure are down playing his importance on the message board.

before it was: "as long as we have TS, we will go far next year" ....

drivel.

- keep.

**ISUFan22** · 04-20-2007, 08:31 AM

Very interesting read - full of irony and some good info.

That will be a tough loss for Iowa should it happen.

**ISUFan22** · 04-20-2007, 09:29 AM

Been doing a bit of reading on this. It sounds like, should this transfer happen - Tyler will file a hardship request to the NCAA, requesting they allow him to play in '07.

**Jeremy** · 04-20-2007, 09:33 AM

This could be one of those losses that's felt for a couple of years. TS is the only returning player that can have a huge impact on the score in any game and if he's not there, they're in much worse shape than we were a year ago. I know he may have only stayed another year but when he's their only quality returning player and their recruits aren't game-changers, this really could be a huge blow to their program.

**SplitIdentity** · 04-20-2007, 09:37 AM

In all honesty, this is one of those situations, that even though he's a great player, if he leaves, I'd understand. He has a kid in Tennessee, and his dad is starting to really get hit hard with cancer. I can only imagine how difficult it is being 12 hours away from a dying father and a currently father-less kid.

This would hit the Hawks hard if he leaves - I would expect a drop in a couple of wins for most predictions, but Iowa would by no means "fail" next year. I'd compare it to maybe this last year, maybe a little better.

But, whatever happens, I know I speak for a lot of Hawk fans, we all wish Tyler well.

**mike4cy** · 04-20-2007, 09:38 AM

Wow, that would be huge. Too bad GMac couldn't snag him, I am pretty sure that would more than even out the Haluska deal...How can they possibly think that they don't NEED him to be competitive next year?

**SplitIdentity** · 04-20-2007, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

This could be one of those losses that's felt for a couple of years. TS is the only returning player that can have a huge impact on the score in any game and if he's not there, they're in much worse shape than we were a year ago. I know he may have only stayed another year but when he's their only quality returning player and their recruits aren't game-changers, this really could be a huge blow to their program.

Have to disagree. While it's a blow, it's not a huge blow. There are some decent in-coming recruits. Given none of them are "huge" scorers, Lickliter has done a good job securing the DeMatha point guard (and qute a steel IMO) Jeff Peterson. Also, there are some other shooters that he's recruiting right now. While they may not be Tyler Smith's, I'd compare Peterson to a better Jeff Horner (an impact on the team right off the bat).

We'll see, but I wouldn't say this is a huge hit for the Iowa program.

**Knownothing** · 04-20-2007, 09:44 AM

Horner was a top 100 recruit. Peterson was offered by St. Louis and Princeton. Not even close to being able to compare. The best thing about Peterson is his GPA. Seems to be a smart kids with some basketball skills. Not a baller with some class room skills.

**9seven** · 04-20-2007, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

Have to disagree. While it's a blow, it's not a huge blow. There are some decent in-coming recruits. Given none of them are "huge" scorers, Lickliter has done a good job securing the DeMatha point guard (and qute a steel IMO) Jeff Peterson. Also, there are some other shooters that he's recruiting right now. While they may not be Tyler Smith's, I'd compare Peterson to a better Jeff Horner (an impact on the team right off the bat).

We'll see, but I wouldn't say this is a huge hit for the Iowa program.

I just don't see how this can't be a huge loss. Next year you've already lost Haluska's 20+ pts, not to mention his leadership and now you lose Simth's 15+ pts. Thats 35 pts, over half of the points the Hawks score a game. Freeman hasn't proven he can score, neither has Johnson or Tate. You'll need Palmer and the incoming recruits to really pick up the scoring to maintan the level of sucess you had last year.

**ISUFan22** · 04-20-2007, 09:49 AM

Stating this is not a huge blow is bigger spin than Cyclone football fans have been subjected to over the last decade. While not debilitating, it sure will be rough for Iowa. It's not done though, so who knows what will happen.

**wartknight** · 04-20-2007, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

Have to disagree. While it's a blow, it's not a huge blow. There are some decent in-coming recruits. Given none of them are "huge" scorers, Lickliter has done a good job securing the DeMatha point guard (and qute a steel IMO) Jeff Peterson. Also, there are some other shooters that he's recruiting right now. While they may not be Tyler Smith's, I'd compare Peterson to a better Jeff Horner (an impact on the team right off the bat).

We'll see, but I wouldn't say this is a huge hit for the Iowa program.

You've had too much black and gold kool-aid. You realize that he was being recruited by only 2 other mid major schools and NEITHER had a coach? And you call that a steal?

**Bobber** · 04-20-2007, 09:56 AM

They look to be having a very similar experience to what we did a year ago. Losing Smith will hurt, but I think it will be a struggle for them next year even with Smith in the line up.

Can't blame Smith for wanting to get back by his family. I'd want to be close to my dad in that situation.

**SplitIdentity** · 04-20-2007, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by wartknight

You've had too much black and gold kool-aid. You realize that he was being recruited by only 2 other mid major schools and NEITHER had a coach? And you call that a steal?

Yes, I call Peterson a steal. Any point guard that starts for one of the best high school teams in the nation, averages 14 points and 5 assists plaing against other Division I type competition, and only has offers from two other schools (mid-major at that), then yes, I call that a steel. A hidden gem. Just watch.

And of course Smith leaving is a big blow - I never said it wasn't. What I said is that it won't be crippling. Without Smith, Iowa will be back to square one in tems of a team. Last year, Smith came in, and we got lucky. I doubt Iowa will be as lucky this year with a stud player, but instead of having a stud player to save the team from failure, the Hawks have a good coach.

In all honesty, with Smith, I expect post-season of some sort - probably NIT. Without Smith, I expect no post-season, and a season very similar to this one.

**Jeremy** · 04-20-2007, 09:58 AM

Yeah I have to respectfully disagree as well. Smith is the only go-to-guy that you'd have, by far. The new recruits are being heavily hyped by the Hawk faithful as we'd do to our's but that's about the end of the line as far as them being steals. I don't think any of the incoming recruits would average over 10 points a game on a decent team and if they do more than that next year it's just because there was no other option on offense. Freeman hasn't proven anything, Haluska was your only quality leader and pretty much the only reason you guys weren't bottom of the league this year. Smith is a guy that would have averaged 20 & 8-10 this year and without him, you guys are really going to struggle.

That's just coming from an Iowa State fan that has been through what you guys are going through far too often.