Site: ISU MBB

Jeremy · 05-19-2008, 04:38 PM

Iowa State Men's Basketball - Where Things Stand, Where We Go
CycloneFanatic.com
Jeremy Lind
5/19/2008

There is no debating the fact that Iowa State is currently in the middle of a major rebuilding process for Men's Basketball. There is also no question that today's news of Wesley Johnson leaving puts us back another year, at least. But what is debatable, unfortunately, is where exactly we are as a program and where we can go from here. Hopefully I can shed at least a little light on the issues...

First of all, let's remember that not even the coaching staff knows much about why Wesley left or where he's going. To be quite honest, the immediate future of the program was being built around Wesley. He was going to be the go-to-guy for the next two years and there was no contingency plan for something that nobody thought would ever happen, his departure from the team. With the staff not knowing anything about his abrupt change of plans until it was far too late to do much recruiting, we're realistically looking at another 14 - 18 win team next year. Most would say that leaves us with little progress over the past couple years, that is debatable depending on how you look at progress.

Now, I want to give a little insight from the conversations I've had with players and those close to the program. The below are bullets of the conversations...

1 - The players think very highly of Coach McDermott and his staff. They have no question about his integrity or desire to make them better individuals. The have absolutely no doubts that he is a great coach and a great person. Some of the players would prefer a more up tempo game but that is to be expected.

2 - The departure of Wesley Johnson was a complete shock to the staff and most of the players. There had been rumors for around three weeks now but nobody on the staff knew anything about them and the players didn't put much stock in them when I had previously asked. Even Wesley's best friends were confident he'd return in the fall. Once word got to the staff of the potential departure, they tried as hard as possible to get Wesley to see what he could achieve at Iowa State over the next two years but he wanted nothing to do with Iowa State and surprised everybody with his lack of honesty and the way he handled things (or rather didn't).

3 - Wesley had given no indication whatsoever that he was unhappy with the staff or his teammates. He was up-beat after his recent prognosis and was determined to come back as a dominant player in the Big XII this coming fall. The staff was prepared to mold the team around Wesley and his offense next season. By moving Wesley to his natural position and having a more complete offense, everybody was expecting big things from him this fall.

4 - The staff makes it a priority to understand the kids and know what is going on. They had asked Wesley, as they have with all the other players, if he was happy and if he had any problems - he stated he was happy and ready to return.

5 - The only thing any players had to say that was not positive was that they wish the fans were more positive and that things would fall in to place to actually start showing improvement in the win/loss columns. Everybody was very positive about the direction of the program, only one had any reservations about their potential playing time or role on the team. Overall the players are more positive and up-beat than they have been at any point over the past 3 years.

6 - The staff is currently trying to figure out exactly what they want to do for next year. Without Wesley, the plans change completely. Barring any further defections, we should hear a little more about the game-plan over the next few weeks.

7 - As always, the players shared rumors and concerns about defections. Nobody was 100% confident that everybody currently on the team would be here in the fall but nobody would put bets over 50/50 on anybody leaving either. They're all confused about Wesley leaving and as long as nobody does anything off of emotion, we "should" be ok.

8 - There had been rumors of Brackins leaving pretty much since January when his slump was going pretty hard. Those rumors have quieted down to almost nothing over the past three to five weeks to the point that nobody on the team thinks he'll leave. Of course that can change, but if Brackins knows what he can achieve with some of the future players we have lined up, he should be solidly on-board.

9 - The overall feeling regarding this coming season is that it will be tough at times but overall better than last year, even without Wesley. Of course we would be much better with him on the team, however, the players feel that the overall balance on the team should be much improved from last year even without his presence.

Jeremy · 05-19-2008, 05:47 PM

As you can see above, the article is now ready and posted.

gocubs2118 · 05-19-2008, 05:51 PM

I have a fishy feeling that his brother pushed him to this. This is the total opposite of what Wesley's character has been like the past 2 years.

ajk4st8 · 05-19-2008, 05:54 PM

I guess as nice of a prospect he was, I really don't care that he is gone. He just seemed out of place on the court at times. Too small for a big position... to slow for guard. His flat shot did get hot from time to time.

I would be SHOCKED if Wes EVER gets drafted. So to me it's not near as bad as losing Mike Taylor. We survived with out him and we will do so again.

247cy · 05-19-2008, 05:55 PM

Good write up. I'll be waiting for more details to come out. On the surface, it looks like a immature act by Wesley, and it's something he'll have to deal with as things progress.

I hope Brackins realizes that the game plan will now be to pound it inside and let the offense run through him. I hope that's more than enough to convince him to stay. I hope LS and DG are ready to help as well.

Craig you are the offense now!

cycopath25 · 05-19-2008, 05:55 PM

I claim ignorance: What's this talk about Wesley's brother?

Jeremy · 05-19-2008, 05:57 PM

I disagree, respectfully. I think Wes is being pressured to go elsewhere where he can get more attention and focus to groom him towards the NBA. Unfortunately he's going to take a year delay by transferring and there are no guarantees that everything will go perfectly where ever he ends up. I think he fit our program very well for what we would have this coming year and I'm extremely shocked by his behavior and lack of testicular fortitude consider what I've come to know and expect of him as a great person.

CyGuy33 · 05-19-2008, 06:01 PM

I will also plead ignorance, what is the talk about his brother

Cydkar · 05-19-2008, 06:02 PM

He was going to be the centerpiece of this team....he and Craig. NBA people would find him just fine at ISU. Unless he didn't like Mac's style.

Cyclone711 · 05-19-2008, 06:07 PM

They found Beasly didn't they? If you are in any major d1 conference you will be found. If he wanted to surround himself with coaches who could better prepare him for the NBA that's another story. But saying that if he played at ISU no one would notice him I don't buy at all.

scottie33 · 05-19-2008, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

I disagree, respectfully. I think Wes is being pressured to go elsewhere where he can get more attention and focus to groom him towards the NBA. Unfortunately he's going to take a year delay by transferring and there are no guarantees that everything will go perfectly where ever he ends up. I think he fit our program very well for what we would have this coming year and I'm extremely shocked by his behavior and lack of testicular fortitude consider what I've come to know and expect of him as a great person.

Possibly by recently hired TCU head coach Jean Prileaou sp??

Is that because Jean needed someone to base his offense around or wanted to get Wes away from Mac as quick as possible?

247cy · 05-19-2008, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclone711

They found Beasly didn't they? If you are in any major d1 conference you will be found. If he wanted to surround himself with coaches who could better prepare him for the NBA that's another story. But saying that if he played at ISU no one would notice him I don't buy at all.

Exactly. They found Fizer. They found Tinsley. Blalock got drafted. Not to mention past greats like Hornacek, Grayer, Hoiberg, etc.

Tornado man · 05-19-2008, 06:11 PM

The players "wish the fans were more positive?" Are you kidding? IMO, the players are very lucky to have our fan following for a team with their record. Most other Big XII teams would kill for the fan support that the Cyclone players enjoy!

cycloneworld · 05-19-2008, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

The players "wish the fans were more positive?" Are you kidding? IMO, the players are very lucky to have our fan following for a team with their record. Most other Big XII teams would kill for the fan support that the Cyclone players enjoy!

Agreed. There are always going to be negative fans out there but tell me how an 11th place team in the conference has the #23 ranked attendance in the nation?!

Look at several other teams in the Big 12...Texas Tech, Missouri, Nebraska...those types of teams would BEG for our fan support and they were better teams last year.

Cydkar · 05-19-2008, 06:15 PM

All players wish fans were more positive. They all hear the bad things louder than the good.