Still in awe of hawk fans

**Cloned4Life** · 03-10-2011, 07:35 PM

I have friends and co-workers who actually believe that 'mad fran' out-performed Freddy this year. They sound just like the idiots who wrote that comparison article a few weeks ago in the iowa City paper.

Are you serious!?

The hawks lost 20 GAMES! 20 LOSSES ON THE SEASON.
They won 11.
We beat them on their home court.
They one ONE more game in conference, and they played 2 more games
Top to bottom yes the Big 12 is greater than the little 11. Collectively, our conference did not lose to their conference. And while the RPI somehow shows the 'legends and leaders' a smidge ahead of the Big 12, the Big 12 has the clear lead in the power rankings.
Without a lucky win against an overrated Purdue team at home, they'd be sitting at 10 wins. That is horrendous. Absolutely horrendous.
The Mayor pulled out 16 wins with 6 scholarship + 1 walkon rotation. Half our starters were among the leaders in minutes played in the conference.
Not to mention, I conservatively count 6 'shoulda/coulda/woulda' games that we p!ssed down our leg. We win half those and we're playing in the NIT, something most in the preseason thought would literally be impossible.
We were dangerous to teams that needed wins, improved throughout the year despite injuries and a few suspensions, and played hard and came out with wins late in the year even after a long losing streak- resilient.
Everyone loves Fred. Everyone makes fun of 'fran'
Freddy turned DG into the most improved player in the conference, and one of the most improved in the country.
I actually watched a few hawk games this year. More than a few actually, and I'm kind of embarrased about it. I thought they sucked. Even late in the year, I thought they sucked. I saw nothing that scares me about their style of play, about their coach, and I certainly see nothing to worry about it recruiting.
Our freshman class coming in is not only better, but our transfers coming in immediately give us a chance to push for middle of the pack in the conference at worst. Actually, I see us competing for top 3 or 4. I see no such hope in the eastern part of this state.

I couldn't be more excited about the future of Iowa State basketball under Freddy. Can't wait for next season - it's transfer time! (in a good way!)

**CONEClone** · 03-10-2011, 07:37 PM

I really don't care what Hawk fans are saying. I'm just happy we've got Freddy.

**Sloup** · 03-10-2011, 07:41 PM

At the end of the day, only the overall record and the outcome of the game between the two teams matter. In both of those, Iowa State has the advantage.

That said, they have reason to be excited.

**NobodyBeatsCy** · 03-10-2011, 07:49 PM

There is no amount of douchebaggery from hawks that will surprise me anymore.

**cyfreddy** · 03-10-2011, 07:50 PM

Yeah, I had a similar response from a (Hawkeye)co-worker today. "He said, that he was glad we lost to Colorado since everybody was bragging Iowa State up early in the season when we were 13-2. Most Cyclone fans realized that our non-conference schedule was not that strong, and once we started conference play it was going to be allot tougher to win games. Heck, it is not any different then the media playing to the Hawks in football, dreaming that the Hawks will be playing for the National Championship.

**Cy's Taxi** · 03-10-2011, 07:53 PM

They have reason to be excited, and that's good for them. Maybe they'll actually acknowledge they have a basketball team for the first time in a long time. Their coach is good, and he has experience winning, and if he's anything, he's passionate. He's going to have a heart attack and looks like he's going to have a Bob Knight chair incident, but he's passionate.

I'd take the Mayor of the stroke waiting to happen over there any day. Fred has a good thing going, and I can't wait for next year.

**Mr Janny** · 03-10-2011, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Sloup

At the end of the day, only the overall record and the outcome of the game between the two teams matter. In both of those, Iowa State has the advantage.

That said, they have reason to be excited.

Agree. Basabe and Cartwright were absolute home runs for them. If McGee can come in next year for us and play like Cartwright did this year for them, I would be very, very happy.

Even so, I don't see a game changer in the guys they have signed so far for next year, and they lose Cole who is their only legitimate big man. I think they'll be better next season, but probably end up close to .500.

**crash_zone** · 03-10-2011, 07:59 PM

Future years are open for debate, but this year I view it as no contest. Fred beat Fran. Record-wise. Recruiting-wise. Both teams grew as the season progressed. Fred just did a better job at making it happen fast enough at the beginning of the season so that ISU didn't get beat by any cupcakes.

**Rhoadhoused** · 03-10-2011, 08:00 PM

There is no argument. We absolutely beat them in every way this year. I think they have plenty of things to be optimistic about for the future though. Cartwright and Basabe are good.

**2forISU** · 03-10-2011, 08:01 PM

Next year will give us a better indication of the two coaches and the programs. Too early to say one is better then the other.

**Balrog** · 03-10-2011, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by CONEClone

I really don't care what Hawk fans are saying. I'm just happy we've got Freddy.

HERE HERE ConeClone!

The truth be known (except for the small percentage of crazed, over-the-top black and gold kool-aid drinkers out there), most EIU fans are quite concerned about Freddie Ball.

They can deny, deny, deny,.............. but it is the truth.

Coach has their attention.

GO CYCLONES

**LutherBlue** · 03-10-2011, 08:15 PM

We're really comparing a horse poop season to a cow poop season. But I think both sides have reason for optimism because their teams competed hard, for the most part. I think Fran will do well there if he can get some players. I actually kind of like him. Of course I prefer Fred and his staff and I think we will again be better than Iowa next year.

**Chipper** · 03-10-2011, 08:16 PM

If you want to compare, meet 'em in the urinal.

**Yes13** · 03-10-2011, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Janny

Agree. Basabe and Cartwright were absolute home runs for them. If McGee can come in next year for us and play like Cartwright did this year for them, I would be very, very happy.

Even so, I don't see a game changer in the guys they have signed so far for next year, and they lose Cole who is their only legitimate big man. I think they'll be better next season, but probably end up close to .500.

Apparently Cartwright really improved throughout the year. I remember laughing at Iowa during our game with them because they had no one who could dribble. I thought Cartwright was terrible.

**Mr Janny** · 03-10-2011, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Yes13

Apparently Cartwright really improved throughout the year. I remember laughing at Iowa during our game with them because they had no one who could dribble. I thought Cartwright was terrible.

Yes, he did. You can make a legitimate argument that he was the best player on their team during the conference schedule. Basabe is good, but he has a tough time creating his own shot. A lot of his production comes off of putbacks. Cartwright can create his own shot as well as distribute. He was more valuable to them, in my opinion. Plus, the guy had an uncanny knack for hitting buzzer beaters at the end of the first half. he had probably half a dozen or so on the year.