Iowa vs Iowa state

Jeremy · 03-12-2007, 06:38 PM

Iowa vs Iowa state - Men's Basketball Potential
CycloneFanatic.com
Jeremy Lind
Editorial

Get ready for a quiet few months in the state of Iowa as Hawkeye and Cyclone fans rebound from seasons that ended with relatively little flair, and no I'm not talking about the disappointing football seasons for the two schools.

After both teams suffered through the fall, the Men's Basketball season wasn't much better. What hope do the fans have for next season? Let's take a look...

When people talk about March Madness in the state of Iowa, too frequently they're talking about what went wrong in the regular season and why they're sitting on the outside looking in. Both Iowa and Iowa State have been models of inconsistency the past decade, but one has taken the necessary steps to get to an even higher level than they've reached in previous eras of success. Can you guess which team's fans have something to look forward to?

If you guessed Iowa, you've either spent too much time in prison the past eight years or you're one of the two crazies that thought Iowa should have been an at-large in the NCAA Tourney this year.

Now, if you guessed Iowa State, you'd clearly be on the right track. I'm not trying to bash Iowa or it's fans, but there is an amazingly clear difference in the direction the programs are headed, that much is certain.

So why does one team have a ton of potential, even after two recent scandals, and the other team has a somewhat gloomy outlook even after hiring the so-called "wonder boy" from Indiana eight years ago?

First of all; Iowa State has shown dedication to it's program while Iowa clearly hasn't. One might refer to the McCarney situation to draw comparisons to a lengthy tenure that didn't result in much improvement after the first few seasons. Complacency can be the killer of all 'good' and Iowa clearly hasn't done anything to improve it's odds of winning. Just because a guy can play ball doesn't mean he can coach it. At what point does one notice the lack of character building and improvement within a program? (I guess at least nine years.)

Secondly; Iowa State has a proven leader and developer at the helm while Iowa has a questionable and somewhat shady has-been calling the shots. If you were a recruit looking to learn a few things before heading to the NBA, which would you rather play for?

Thirdly; Iowa State plays in a much deeper and tougher conference. While the Big Ten might have one great team and two good teams each year, they have around four or five terrible teams most of the time as well. The Big XII on the other hand usually has at least one or two great teams, three to five good teams and a few decent teams before trailing off to the terrible teams. Competition isn't always just about the best team in the league, often times it's about the worst teams.

Finally; Iowa State has shown a willingness to support multiple athletic programs at the same time instead of over funding one to the point that all the others suffer. It's no coincidence that Iowa State is building momentum in Men's Basketball, Wrestling, Football, Women's Basketball, Gymnastics and Volleyball all at the same time that Iowa is losing steam in all of their programs, arguably even Football and Wrestling.

While coaching isn't the only influential factor in the path a program takes, Iowa State has clearly taken all the right steps to make sure it has as big of an advantage as possible in that department. Another key factor in building towards success is making sure the fans know what part they have to play in the future of the programs. Mark that as another advantage for Iowa State

At the same time Iowa State is stocking up star recruits right and left for Men's Basketball, Iowa is left hunting for just about every position. Who would have guessed that a coach in his first few months on the job would out-recruit a former Hoosier standout in his eighth year on the job? That alone should be evidence enough for anybody still questioning the direction of the two Men's Basketball programs.

cstrunk · 03-12-2007, 06:42 PM

Cha-ching! Nice article, Jeremy.

darts180 · 03-12-2007, 06:52 PM

Great read Jeremy. I agree, I think that the potential of what is happening at Iowa State is limitless. I think that the fact that we have a guy leading the department, who won't let complacency stagnate the programs will never let what has happening at Iowa now, or us last Fall, happen again.

madcityCY · 03-12-2007, 06:57 PM

the bright future in the majority of our sports is thanks to one man. No cyclone fan needs to be reminded of that, but how thankful I am to have a great leader, or should I say leader of leaders. It's amazing how far vision, grit, and determination can get you in a town where no one wants to come... coaches or recruits.

bandit · 03-12-2007, 07:40 PM

You hit the nail on the head. Our MBB is clearly on the way back up, the FB is a work in progress, but I have reason to believe GC will have us back to winning ways soon.

I can't wait until FB begins-five long months away

guitarchitect7 · 03-12-2007, 07:49 PM

I think you got it all wrong. Its obsured to speculate such an issue. Your points are completely irrelevant. I wish you find some other way to amuse yourself in your free time............................

Just Kidding, great read. It is odd for sure on the immediate success of Iowa State even after its hard times, while Iowa is still wandering the pasture looking for grass to chew on.

mjones34 · 03-12-2007, 07:55 PM

I was listening to some Hawk call in show today and Alford was on there taking questions. Some guy called and praised Alford saying he did such a great job with what he was given. This blew me off guard! It's one thing to tell Greg Mac. that he did a great job with what he had, but Alford? GM was given basically half of march and a summer to come up with players to play big 12 ball and was two plays away from going 8-8 in the conference. There should be no "we did well for what we had" with Iowa. Alford had not only this last year, but 2-3 years before this season to prepare for the day when Horner, Brunner, Hansen ect graduated. Maybe if he had recruited better, they'd be in a post season tourney. Get over it, hawk fans! In the words of Billy Madison "you blew it, you lose!"

Nedrick · 03-12-2007, 08:20 PM

Just look at my sig for justification of Jeremy's column...

alaskaguy · 03-12-2007, 08:24 PM

And who is too blame for how little Alford had, the Easter bunny? Recruiting is part of the game in addition to coaching. So was the guy praising Alford for his coaching acknowledging that Alford has done a **** poor job of recruiting?

benjay · 03-12-2007, 08:29 PM

Well, let's remember that Iowa did at one time show dedication to men's basketball. That was when they fired a guy by the name of Tom Davis to hire a bright new up-and-comer - a former Hoosier with a huge amount of potential.

But that's a little outside the scope of the article. :P

BigM · 03-12-2007, 08:37 PM

Wonder which 4/5-star recruit GMac is gonna bring in this year? Negedu, Tchiengan, Morgan.

mark · 03-12-2007, 08:38 PM

Jeremy ... I bleed cardinal and gold ... but this is as about as worthless a write up as the predictions about who ISU football coach would be. There is nothing to support hardly any of the assertions you are making.

All this type of writing does is create unreasonbable expectations. If we can split with Iowa next year in the big four sports -- I will be happy. I am not convinced that Mac can do the job -- I see no facts to think that he can put someone into the NBA any quicker than Alfraud.

ILets face facts -- Iowa has more money -- more fan base -- and now they are pissed. Unfortunately I think a sleeping giant has been awakened over at EIU.

chadm · 03-12-2007, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by mark

Jeremy ... I bleed cardinal and gold ... but this is as about as worthless a write up as the predictions about who ISU football coach would be. There is nothing to support hardly any of the assertions you are making.

All this type of writing does is create unreasonbable expectations. If we can split with Iowa next year in the big four sports -- I will be happy. I am not convinced that Mac can do the job -- I see no facts to think that he can put someone into the NBA any quicker than Alfraud.

ILets face facts -- Iowa has more money -- more fan base -- and now they are pissed. Unfortunately I think a sleeping giant has been awakened over at EIU.

This is the reason I am glad JP is the the new A.D. We need to get over the attitude of "this is the best we can do". Mark, I am sure you have been a fan as long or longer than I have. But we need the drive to be the best. I really hope your post about what Jeremy stated had nothing to do with a bias about which interenet site is better. We are all Cyclones, and with any team, should be united on one cause of getting better.

cubs_81 · 03-12-2007, 09:05 PM

Iowa does have two 4* recruits in Hamga and Gatens for the 08 class. So i wouldn't say they are getting leftovers.

darts180 · 03-12-2007, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by mark

Jeremy ... I bleed cardinal and gold ... but this is as about as worthless a write up as the predictions about who ISU football coach would be. There is nothing to support hardly any of the assertions you are making.

All this type of writing does is create unreasonbable expectations. If we can split with Iowa next year in the big four sports -- I will be happy. I am not convinced that Mac can do the job -- I see no facts to think that he can put someone into the NBA any quicker than Alfraud.

ILets face facts -- Iowa has more money -- more fan base -- and now they are pissed. Unfortunately I think a sleeping giant has been awakened over at EIU.

Wow, I don't even know where to begin with this post. If you want a definition for "little brother" thinking, read this post.

OK Mark, it will not be easy, but we can get to the next level. It will take a lot of work, and money. It will take the good coaching, and the ability of the men who lead the program to demand the best, and not settle for anything less than that. It will take the fans to shake this mentality of "oh no, there is no way that we can compete." The coaches won't be allowed to think that way by Jamie, so the fans have to get past that as well.

And, Mark, I will guarantee you that, if the men who lead the programs have the level of success that many of us on here are talking about being REALISTIC, our coaches are going to be approached by other schools. They may even take other jobs. But in making this committment to developing an outstanding athletic department, it will not be impossible to replace them.

In terms of Iowa, and whatever they will do, who cares. They are not who we need to compare ourselves to, we need to be secure enough in ourselves to go forward, and build what Iowa State is capable of. It is time, and you can come along for the ride, or be left behind. The choice is everyone's to make.