Blum: Last Chance Motel

**ChrisMWilliams** · 04-13-2011, 01:02 PM

A really awesome read from Brent Blum on Fred Hoiberg's love for transfers. Take a few minutes to check this out.

Brent Blum on Iowa State Basketball: Last Chance Motel | Cyclone Fanatic

**acgclone** · 04-13-2011, 01:12 PM

Awesome article. Could not agree more. Fred is stocking the cupboard that was once nearly bare. The next two years, we will have a roster that you can win with.

I also like the motivating factor, that Allen, Lucious, White, Babb, Booker and Clyburn, know that it's now or never for them. So far, they have seemed mature enough to realize that there are likely no more 2nd chances. They have to go to class, stay out of the Story County jail, and produce on the court. And I will guarantee you that they all know this and are reminded frequently.

That isn't something that all 18 y/o FR will know however.

**Tre4ISU** · 04-13-2011, 01:32 PM

Pretty awesome read Blum. Good work. The last line was a great addition.

**rholtgraves** · 04-13-2011, 01:39 PM

Chris, if it is true that Cornell Mann is going to fill one of the ISU assitant coaching positions, is it possible we get one of the two Dayton recruits, LaDontae Henton and Percy Gibson, that has decided not to go there because of a coaching change?

**ChrisMWilliams** · 04-13-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by rholtgraves

Chris, if it is true that Cornell Mann is going to fill one of the ISU assitant coaching positions, is it possible we get one of the two Dayton recruits, LaDontae Henton and Percy Gibson, that has decided not to go there because of a coaching change?

Yes, I believe that Mann will be named the next assistant as early as tomorrow and yes, I assume that is possible on the recruiting front. I don't know that for a fact though. Nobody has told me that. It would make complete sense though. Stay tuned.

**CycoCyclone** · 04-13-2011, 01:47 PM

What I find interesting is McD had so many tranfer OUT's, now we're a destination.

**GoCubsGo** · 04-13-2011, 02:18 PM

The best part of the red-shirt year that comes with transfers is that each player red-shirting is one less player that could potentially be upset with the minutes they're getting. With 13 scholarships to dole out, there is just no way that every one of those 13 players is going to see the floor. Only around 9 players are going to get any type of meaningful minutes.

If White and Booker had been eligible last year, it is much less likely that Godfrey would have seen any significant playing time. In that situation, he may have gotten upset and transferred out. Instead, he played meaningful minutes and improved greatly throughout the year.

Point being, I think bringing these transfers in make it less likely in any given year that a number of players will transfer out, because they are getting meaningful minutes and developing rather than stewing on the bench thinking about how they "should be" playing.

**JRE1975** · 04-13-2011, 06:24 PM

Brent, very well written and well thought out, thanks.

**Cyclonepride** · 04-13-2011, 08:27 PM

Love the article. I still think that Iowa State can and will become a destination for high quality high school players under Hoiberg. They may not be 5 star McDonald All Americans all the time, but I'd bet that he gets one here and there, with some really good top 75/top 100 kids on a consistent basis.

**CycloneErik** · 04-13-2011, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

Love the article. I still think that Iowa State can and will become a destination for high quality high school players under Hoiberg. They may not be 5 star McDonald All Americans all the time, but I'd bet that he gets one here and there, with some really good top 75/top 100 kids on a consistent basis.

Agreed. I don't see any reason to doubt it.

Whatever the best talent is, Hoiberg will find it, right after the winning begins.

So, after next year.

**tec71** · 04-13-2011, 08:43 PM

Brent,
Nice article and a great catch on quote from CFH and the make up Larry and Tim's teams.

We went to the Energy game Tuesday night. Is that your reserved spot at Vets, and will I get towed if I park there in the evening? :)

**Cyforce** · 04-13-2011, 09:00 PM

I got lit up yesterday for suggesting Ejim would play the 4.

**acgclone** · 04-13-2011, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Cyforce

I got lit up yesterday for suggesting Ejim would play the 4.

I personally believe he will play >50% at the 3, but will definitely play the 4 some, when we're going small/fast.

That line up could look like:

Allen
McGee
Scotty
Ejim/Babb/Godfrey
White

Of course, we could go bigger with:

Allen
McGee/Scotty
Ejim
Godfrey/Booker
White

And many more combos/matchups.

**jsb** · 04-13-2011, 10:05 PM

It's a risky strategy, but then so is recruiting freshman who you aren't sure how they will develop.

The key point is that Hoiberg isn't doing this without thought or planning. He has thought this out.

**isucy86** · 04-13-2011, 10:22 PM

IMO a team can recruit talented players, but if they don't know how to win- they may be lucky to be much more than a .500 team.

I like that Fred is bringing in talented guys who know the effort that it takes to win. Too many times over the last couple years, it seemed like we didn't have that toughness needed to win close games. How many times did we see even our best players (Brackins & Garrett), reach for loose balls rather than throw their body in there.

I think Fred will rely on transfers like Allen, Lucious, Babb, White and Clyburn to develop the winning attitude and competition in practice to push the freshmen recruits. I think we were all amazed at the development of Godfrey between November and March- IMO practicing everyday against White & Booker is the reason. I have no doubt that Ejim's game will experience similar growth by practicing against Clyburn. Same goes for Sledge.

My hope is starting with the two scholarships available for next falls class, that Fred transitions to HS & prep school recruits.