Better job so far: Fran at Iowa or Freddy at ISU?

[ccyclonepower25]

Why do we need to compare ourselves to Iowa? I can see in football when the one game means so much to the record/recruiting/ect.

But in Basketball, we only play them once in 30+ games. We only have one Iowa player on our roster, so I am not so sure we are fighting over the same recruits.

Both Basketball teams can be successful at the same time. Its alot more difficult to both be successful in Football.

[intrepid27]

Hate to say it but I think Fran will be sucessful at Iowa. When comparing him to Fred you need to remember that Fran has been a coach for 30 years and a head coach for 12 years vs 2 years for Hoiberg.

Fred (much like CPR) have a ton of potential but will make mistakes like all young coaches.

[Naughtius]

Only 1 objective way to decide this.

Freddy ROCKED the light-up reindeer sweater in the Applebee's/CoK commercials. Fran looked like a dweeb.

Freddy FTW.

[BCClone]

The original question is impossible to answer at this point in time. Fred had more in place when he took over, and he took the win-now approach by bringing in a lot of talented transfers. Benefits of this is obviously a lot of experienced upper-classmen, negatives are that the players don't have a great sense of togetherness, and there is no real player development when you get players for 1 or 2 years.

Fran inherited a team with no real talent other than Gatens. He's brought in some great young talent, and they are all getting a lot of experience and serious playing time early, which should pay dividends in the next couple years. As of today, Iowa's 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th leading scorers and rebounders are all freshman and sophmores. Then you look at next years class, and you have a 7 foot big man coming in who had offers from big time schools such as Kansas and UNC. He also was MVP of the Lebron camp this summer which had 4 and 5 stars from all of the country participating. And also, Mike Gessell is going to be able to come in right away and probably start, I've seen him play about 20 times and think he's the real deal, and will be a 4 year starter for Iowa.

At this point it is hard to tell. They both came into bad spots, but at different angles. Fran has had a couple good wins this year, so he is showing promise. Fred big win so far would probably be Baylor last year.

Fred started with 2 starters and a few on the bench. Iowa had a little less. Fred had no recruiting done, Fran was recruiting for sienna and brought a few with him. This is why they took different approaches, IMO. Fran had a staff, Fred didn't.

With this I think Fred had a tougher spot. I agree that it will take another 1-2 years to get a read on either.

[CyCloned]

It is really hard to say. If you look at how pitiful Iowa was at the beginning of the year to now you would have to go with Fran. It looked like the Hawks were going to be winless in the Big 10 after getting blownout by Campbell.

Time will tell. I have not watched the last two Iowa games, but it appears that WI and MN couldn't make a shot. Maybe the Iowa defense has improved a lot or maybe they just happened to play two teams in a row that had one of those nights.

[Palmer]

Oh that's right, I forgot.

I'll go do that thing the Samarai did when they failed. You know, sword to the gut until you die.

1. You spelled Samurai wrong.

2. You are the worst form of troll. Irritable, but never do quite enough to get banned.

[acgclone]

I'm not sure who's done better so far, but they seem to be on a similar level in terms of results IMO. I surely don't believe that Fred inherited a better situation than Fran. That is complete nonsense.

He CREATED a better situation short term, by taking the transfers that he did. Fran could have went that route too, but chose a different direction. Time will tell which was the better route.

But most of that talent that Fred brought in, didn't even affect last year. Head to head is obviously in Fred's cap at this point.

Recruiting is way too early to say. Iowa's class is ranked higher, but if you look at offers, ours was probably deeper outside of Woodbury. Again, time will tell on recruiting.

[Freebird]

I don't hate ISU at all, I actually graduated from ISU. It's hard to say at this point which program is actually in better shape. When I said that Fred inherited a better situation at ISU, I meant the overall state of the program, not just players. Iowa's basketball was at a historic low 2 years ago when Fran inherited it. There was absolutely zero fan support after the Lickliter debacle and recruits were walking away once he was canned. What recruit would want to come to Iowa at this point in time? Fred came into a job where they just had a player drafted in the first round, and Garrett was returning, who was without question a better player than anyone that Iowa had. Also, ISU had Vanderbeken and Scotty returning. It's hard to say that ISU had more in place than Iowa did at that time. The only returning starters for Fran were Gatens and Jarryd Cole.

But you are a Hawk fan? You should change your name from "taco" to "poser" because that is what you are. Bet you love the Yankees and Cowboys too.

[LegendofRodA]

If you compare the "coaching job" by both I would give a slight edge to Fran. Mainly because of the talent gap this year. We may be the better team and proved it on the court, but I think Fran still has a couple upsets under his sleeve and I'm not sure we do.

As far as the overall programs are concerned ISU has a substantial lead and here is why: let's say both Fran and Fred are sucesfull in getting their teams to the postseason next year and even the year after. Fran, IMO, would leave Iowa for a better offer in a heartbeat; Fred would not. In fact I believe that outside of maybe the elite programs in CBB (or maybe even still not) Fred will not leave. He could be like Floyd and want to coach in the NBA, but I feel he has learned from previous lessons of those before him that have not made a good transition from college to pro. If you also consider the fan bases right now, Fred's got the fans excited and we haven't won a "big game" under him yet. Fran has won a couple and the fans are starting to take notice, but Carver is still a lonely place on game night.

[HFCS]

First team into a (real) post-season tournament wins, k? Anything else is just a waste of time.

This is the right answer, but until then if you have to pick, it's the team that beat the crap out of the other team twice.

Pretty simple guys.

[acgclone]

If you compare the "coaching job" by both I would give a slight edge to Fran. Mainly because of the talent gap this year. We may be the better team and proved it on the court, but I think Fran still has a couple upsets under his sleeve and I'm not sure we do.

As far as the overall programs are concerned ISU has a substantial lead and here is why: let's say both Fran and Fred are sucesfull in getting their teams to the postseason next year and even the year after. Fran, IMO, would leave Iowa for a better offer in a heartbeat; Fred would not. In fact I believe that outside of maybe the elite programs in CBB (or maybe even still not) Fred will not leave. He could be like Floyd and want to coach in the NBA, but I feel he has learned from previous lessons of those before him that have not made a good transition from college to pro. If you also consider the fan bases right now, Fred's got the fans excited and we haven't won a "big game" under him yet. Fran has won a couple and the fans are starting to take notice, but Carver is still a lonely place on game night.

I don't think the question is who will stay in their respective program longer, and I certainly would bet against both of them making the tourney next year. Assumptions like that are putting the cart in front of the horse, IMO.

[cysocool]

Back from there thrashing in Ames?

The question is, will Fran be around in 2013 when Fred makes it 5 in a row?

Right on...

Freddy = Vegas

Fran = reno

[BigLame]

Hate to say it but I think Fran will be sucessful at Iowa. When comparing him to Fred you need to remember that Fran has been a coach for 30 years and a head coach for 12 years vs 2 years for Hoiberg.

Fred (much like CPR) have a ton of potential but will make mistakes like all young coaches.

Agree with these sentiments. Fran has his style, and despite having the athletes he would like to have to run it, has stuck with it. Probably has tweaked it some due to deficiencies, but the main focus has been the same. Season started very rocky, now has two recent big wins. He & his staff showed intestinal fortitude, now the players have responded in kind. Doesn't mean the won't fall on another rough patch, but Hawk fans should be optimistic. Turnarounds for basketball programs can happen more quickly than they do for football programs.

Tom Davis had coached at Stanford & Boston College, yet found himself @ Iowa for a decent amount of time. No reason Fran couldn't either. Do not think longevity anywhere is determined by things like that. A coach & his family fit & want to stay, or they decide to move on or are pushed in that direction.

Hoiberg is developing & molding his style, which offensively is perimeter/push ball & take good shot regardless of shot clock. Defensively, we mix up man to man & zone, but it is hard to say what our identity is here. Overall, we (ISU) are still working on our mental toughness, both individually & as a team. Hopefully this is something we develop quickly this season & really improve upon.

Believe both can get respective programs their relevance back. Believe Fran has an edge with head coaching experience & having a set style. Believe Fred is ahead in attracting talented players. Now both need to work on the reverse: Fred on his program's style of play & his coaching, and Fran on bringing in more talent.

[Clonefan32]

This is really difficult to say. Fred has put the better team on the floor head-to-head the last two years. I feel like Fran is getting more out of an inferior team this year though. Fred has yet to have an "iconic" win like Fran's win at Wisconsin.

[isufbcurt]

This ones easy!!!

Fred is 2-0 vs. Fran

Game.Set.Match.