Coach McD on radio

**clone87** · 03-07-2008, 09:34 PM

A friend of mine in the KC area heard McDermott on a radio interview asked whether he felt X's and O's were more important than recruiting in the Big 12 compared to the Valley. McD's immediate answer was recruiting, and that he actually underestimated just how important that was when he first arrived in the Big 12.

This is disturbing, but true. The very thing that made people worry about him when he was first hired was his ability to recruit elite talent. I think the guards we have coming in (plus Lucca) sound great for next year, but our bigs worry me (an undersized 4 in Mann and a thin project in Hamilton). Also, with our two remaining schollies, I was surprised to hear we are really going after yet another 6-5 swingman. Seems to be that is a surplus area with WJ, Lucca, Sean, Boozer, and Wes E.

**kingcy** · 03-07-2008, 09:41 PM

The way he is going after post players now is a sign he has realized that mistake and is going to fix it. At least he is willing to say when he was wrong and willing to fix it.

**ISU4ME** · 03-07-2008, 09:58 PM

Remember Sean Haluska was recruited for the walk-on program as was Brian Peterson. Both have played admirably well given the losses we suffered at the guard position.

**isucy86** · 03-07-2008, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by clone87

I was surprised to hear we are really going after yet another 6-5 swingman. Seems to be that is a surplus area with WJ, Lucca, Sean, Boozer, and Wes E.

Looking at the players you list above, bringing in a 6'5" to 6'7" wing players makes a ton of sense to me. Eikmeier & Boozer are wing guards. Haluska will be a senior and gone after next season.

That leaves W. Johnson & Lucca. I realize Wesley has been hurt this year, but I'm beginning to wonder if Wesley's best position isn't PF where he played as a true frosh. I understand a foot injury will impact his quickness- but can he guard guys like Rush, Walker or Carter? ISU might be better of to put 20lbs on Wesley and play him in the post.

**CycloneGizzard** · 03-07-2008, 10:20 PM

I understand what McD is saying, but quite frankly I've been underwhelmed by his X's and O's this season. I think our offense is incredibly boring and easy to defend and our defense has been lacking as well. I know that McD is a big man to man d kind of coach, but I think mixing in a zone every now and then would've been nice, especially against a team like mizzou that is not good at shooting the 3. Oh well, we'll be better next year, I hope.

**cyclonenum1** · 03-08-2008, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by clone87

A friend of mine in the KC area heard McDermott on a radio interview asked whether he felt X's and O's were more important than recruiting in the Big 12 compared to the Valley. McD's immediate answer was recruiting, and that he actually underestimated just how important that was when he first arrived in the Big 12.

This is disturbing, but true. The very thing that made people worry about him when he was first hired was his ability to recruit elite talent. I think the guards we have coming in (plus Lucca) sound great for next year, but our bigs worry me (an undersized 4 in Mann and a thin project in Hamilton). Also, with our two remaining schollies, I was surprised to hear we are really going after yet another 6-5 swingman. Seems to be that is a surplus area with WJ, Lucca, Sean, Boozer, and Wes E.

Actually, I do not find this disturbing...I am glad that he now understands how important talent is in a power conference. He may not have understood this very well initially...but it is good that he has come to the realization in the first two years rather than trying to keep doing the same mid-major level type of recruiting.

**northernclone** · 03-08-2008, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by clone87

...and that he actually underestimated just how important that was when he first arrived in the Big 12. E.

Glad he's aware, but honestly I doubt that is saying he would have recruited better players. Regardless of whether or not you think x's and o's are king or not... you still go after talent. Personally, I don't think last year's class would be considered a miss given the depth the program dropped after the mass defection from the Morgan firing (5 star Brackens, Diante, Lucca). Then... this year's class... no one can honestly comment on how good they are.

So, again... while he may have learned the importance talent. Everyone should be careful to not leap to the conclusion that he simply did not work to recruit... or that he did not pull a good class (especially given how deep we fell as a program).

**HandSanitizer** · 03-08-2008, 08:23 AM

Good athletes make coaches look smart. Put Coach Gmac in charge of Kansas and we would probably being saying "man that guy can coach".

**Aclone** · 03-08-2008, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by clone87

McD's immediate answer was recruiting, and that he actually underestimated just how important that was when he first arrived in the Big 12.

I'll also point out that this doesn't indicate exactly when Mac realized his error, and changed his ways. Was it the June after her was hired? That November? I guess we'll see.

I'm a little surprised that he's recruiting juco wings myself now, but when I thought about it, it made sense. First off, he's looking for a dimension of defense that Rahshon had, and WJ hasn't been able to. Wes would need some relief as well--Lucca and Company aren't the quickest guys. There are some talented guys at the forward slot in the conference, like James Anderson at OSU. Secondly, these guys have two years--which means the scholarship slots would reopen when the 2010 Dykstra-Barnes-Stevens-Anderson class is ready to enroll.

**ajk4st8** · 03-08-2008, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneGizzard

I understand what McD is saying, but quite frankly I've been underwhelmed by his X's and O's this season. I think our offense is incredibly boring and easy to defend and our defense has been lacking as well. I know that McD is a big man to man d kind of coach, but I think mixing in a zone every now and then would've been nice, especially against a team like mizzou that is not good at shooting the 3. Oh well, we'll be better next year, I hope.

I am not writing off coach Mac as our coach, but you can't disagree with what you said.

**CyValley** · 03-08-2008, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by clone87

McD's immediate answer was recruiting, and that he actually underestimated just how important that was when he first arrived in the Big 12. This is disturbing

Disturbing? Not for me.

Any coach stepping into a new league must analyze his new situation and adjust to circumstances if he's to be successful ultimately. Sounds to me as though Greg looked around the league, sized it up, and changed his thinking and replotted the route that will lead him to his goals. Good enough for me (but maybe not good enough for others here).

Greg is working at it, and learning. And, shoring up the Iowa State MBB program is a big job. I'm one fan who doesn't expect him to finish the job overnight.

**Wesley** · 03-08-2008, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

I'll also point out that this doesn't indicate exactly when Mac realized his error, and changed his ways. Was it the June after her was hired? That November? I guess we'll see.

I'm a little surprised that he's recruiting juco wings myself now, but when I thought about it, it made sense. First off, he's looking for a dimension of defense that Rahshon had, and WJ hasn't been able to. Wes would need some relief as well--Lucca and Company aren't the quickest guys. There are some talented guys at the forward slot in the conference, like James Anderson at OSU. Secondly, these guys have two years--which means the scholarship slots would reopen when the 2010 Dykstra-Barnes-Stevens-Anderson class is ready to enroll.

He may be going for the proverbial best talent he can get. Maybe he cannot recruit a big man worth the effort at this point if a great 6-6 is available. Is he interested in 6-6 Jerrell Crayton of Bellevue East?

**Wesley** · 03-08-2008, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

I am not writing off coach Mac as our coach, but you can't disagree with what you said.

Sorry. Better teams do switch defenses. Fact.

**EggMcClone** · 03-08-2008, 04:02 PM

Yeah, why would it be disturbing that our coach apparently underestimated the importance of recruiting? Kind of a confusing statement but I didn't hear the original quote so maybe he meant something else.

**cybsball20** · 03-08-2008, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by EggMcClone

Yeah, why would it be disturbing that our coach apparently underestimated the importance of recruiting? Kind of a confusing statement but I didn't hear the original quote so maybe he meant something else.

The only disappointing this is it may have set us back an additional two years for him to figure this out. I'm glad he realizes it now though...