Update on Harrison Barnes

djkent01 · 07-08-2008, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

With all of his interviews it is obvious he wants to play for a team thats going to win a lot of games. Why would he choose ISU?

I really hope he does, but if that is his criteria.... 14-18 doesn't cut it.

Preaching to the choir here, but last time I made a comment about the lack of success in ISU BB I was neg rep'd to death. In any case, he is a player that can make a difference. If he believes in coach and the players there/coming in, he can be the difference maker. We've seen it a lot in recent years, starting with Carmelo Anthony and right up through Beasley. Coach has to sell this.

Tornado man · 07-08-2008, 08:20 PM

WIth all due respect, I struggle to understand the mind-set of those fans who diminish or discount our chances with HB, and then publicly reflect that thinking with posts for anyone to see.
I have been to many other campuses, and to many athletic events. This is absolutely "Disneyland" here! Our university, with its broad-based faculty, can enable anyone to professionally flourish. We are the land grant university in a state that ranks in the top five in the country in literacy and educational levels. I have not seen a campus as beautiful as ours in any other large university setting.
Then we have our huge - just huge - basketball fan base - IMO, also the most loyal in the Big XII in terms of unwavering support. Our only competition are KU and OSU; yet I've been to Allen Fieldhouse in their losing days (pre-Larry Brown), and we would never treat our home-town athletes like they did.
I do not put on the Cardinal and Gold glasses - I am a realistic fan. But I am also a confident fan, one who sees ISU as the benchmark, and who wonders how many schools can really measure up to us.

ajk4st8 · 07-08-2008, 08:22 PM

I'm just saying from what I've read in his interviews.... playing for a championship type contender is a huge factor for him. I've NEVER read him say something about playing for a certain type of fanbase, or going to school with a beautiful campus.

We were 14-18.

SeattleClone · 07-08-2008, 08:37 PM

I'm definitely hoping that HB waits until after this season to make his decision, and hopefully we can manage some success or at least show some signs of life this year. Combine that with HB knowing that he will be the biggest star this town has ever seen, and that's our best chance.

What's a higher status than Mayor anyways? Mafia Boss of Ames? Mack Daddy of Ames? Mayor of Ames II "Mayor Harder"? Ok, those are dumb I know, I'm just thinking out loud. I'm not usually one to hang my hat on one person as a savior of a program, or give someone a nickname before they've officially earned it, but I'm willing to make an exception here.

ISUonthemove · 07-08-2008, 08:38 PM

It would probably benefit us if he waited until his senior year, so we have a chance to start winning and proving ourselves. If he were to decide now, we wouldn't have much of a shot. In two years, we will hopefully be competing for a Big XII Championship and going Dancing.

ajk4st8 · 07-08-2008, 08:40 PM

Totally agree with those last two posts. We need to start winning games and knock off a few good teams.

bfnnhn · 07-08-2008, 08:50 PM

Had an opportunity to visit with my sister's neighbor who is the third cousin to the Asst. AD's best friend and he said Harrison ate all his carrots last night......I'm just sayin'

ISUonthemove · 07-08-2008, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by bfnnhn

Had an opportunity to visit with my sister's neighbor who is the third cousin to the Asst. AD's best friend and he said Harrison ate all his carrots last night......I'm just sayin'

Wait...how is that relevant? He has great court vision? Crap! Now he is definately going to Duke.

SeattleClone · 07-08-2008, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by bfnnhn

Had an opportunity to visit with my sister's neighbor who is the third cousin to the Asst. AD's best friend and he said Harrison ate all his carrots last night......I'm just sayin'

At first I didn't care what you had to say, but then again, you DO have 4 popped collars...

jsb · 07-08-2008, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by mpc4isu7

After speaking with Harrison within the last day, he is very pleased and excited with his play and the increase in attention he has brought himself from his play at the LeBron Camp. The one thing he continually re-iterates is his patience and waiting in his recruiting process. With all this talk going around about a 'verbal this fall' or 'before this next season' one may think that from what they've heard from teammates, 'inside sources', etc. is the legit truth. However, from Harrison himself, he has no intentions on deciding this early before his senior year of ball, he has seen things he likes in many school, he has seen things he hasn't. Two pretty important factors in his recruiting process he feels are the school's campus and business program. On top of that, the most important he thought is the ability to win games and make a championship run. From Harrison himself, he is happy where he stands as of today, he is in no rush to decide before this next season, and he wants to win.

What Harrison has said from speaking with him within the last month:

USC: Loves the campus and the area. Likes the current players and staff and really see's them as a 'championship-caliber' team here within the next few years who he see's will win a lot of games.

Kansas: Really enjoys and respects the coaching staff; however, he does not see them making championship-run in the next few years due to loss players to the NBA. Knows they will be good but questions how good.

Iowa State: Obviously, Ames is his roots. Loves the program and school in general and really gets along well with players and coaches. However, also does not know how hard of a push the Cyclones can make to become a 'championship team'. A big plus for Iowa State is being right here in Ames, where he gets to be around the basketball program much more than other schools.

Iowa: Treats him well when is in IC.

Kentucky: Recruiting quite hardly and likes the direction in which the program is going. Rich history.

Texas: Likes the program and there consistency in winning games. See's himself fitting in with their style of play.

TCU: Still extremely close and talks to Prioleau on a daily basis.

Duke: Talks to on almost daily basis and see's an offer coming soon. Really likes Coach K and staff.

However, one huge thing Harrison always does bring up is whether or not he is trying to go to a big school and win championships and perhaps not get the 'stardom' he would at a school like Iowa State, or go to say, TCU or Iowa State and be 'the star'. Something he is really thinking about and has not determined in his recruiting process.

Does Harrison feel that Iowa State needs to be competing for a national championship or just a conference championship? We've never competed for a national championship, so I don't think we'll start now. I certainly hope that he is not as serious about TCU as he is about us. Although, I guess if we were to lose him, going to TCU would be pretty funny.

I hope he looks closely Beasley.....he went to a school that sucked at basketball and parlayed it into the 2nd draft pick.

Man....I wish that kid would pick Iowa State. I can understad the lure of the other schools, but he would be loved here.

bigredqb7 · 07-08-2008, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by jsb

Does Harrison feel that Iowa State needs to be competing for a national championship or just a conference championship? We've never competed for a national championship, so I don't think we'll start now. I certainly hope that he is not as serious about TCU as he is about us. Although, I guess if we were to lose him, going to TCU would be pretty funny.

I hope he looks closely Beasley.....he went to a school that sucked at basketball and parlayed it into the 2nd draft pick.

Man....I wish that kid would pick Iowa State. I can understad the lure of the other schools, but he would be loved here.

never competed for a national championship? does marcus fizer and jamaal tinsley ring a bell?

SeattleClone · 07-08-2008, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by jsb

Man....I wish that kid would pick Iowa State. I can understad the lure of the other schools, but he would be WORSHIPPED here.

Fixed it for ya'

Clones85' · 07-08-2008, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

I think he is right in the fact that USC and Kentucky are built to be more perennial powers and legit champions whereas Kansas is built to contend every 3-5 years or so.

I am going to have to strongly disagree here Jeremy. How is Kansas built to contend every 3-5 years? They are a number one or two seed about every single year. When was the last time USC was a 2 seed? When was the last time they were in the Final Four? When has Tim Floyd ever been to the Elite 8? Have they ever been a championship school in basketball?

I know Kentucky has won something like 7 National Championships but as far as recent history, they are no better (slightly worse) than Kansas. Kansas contends for a championship every 3/4 years out of 5. USC 1 out of 10 MAYBE.

I think some people are really not seeing the big picture here. It doesn't really matter if we went 14-18 last year. You put a Barnes on your team and Dykstra and you could be in the Sweet 16 the next year. We have great role players to fill around them. Look at Kansas St last year. Terrible, terrible program before Beasley got there. He took them from garbage to some big wins. I think McDermott is a better coach than Martin and can do even better things with a player of Barnes caliber.

I don't feel great about our chances but I don't feel down about them either. I think he was all but ours before Prileou left to TCU. I think the constant player turnover is a poor reflection as well. Those 2 things are really hurting us but we have a year to fix those. Get a great relationship with him and have no more player turnover and I think our chances continue to increase

clone11 · 07-08-2008, 09:59 PM

Correct, this decade. We were the best team in the country by the end of that year. We would beat that MSU team 7-8 times outta ten on a nuetral floor. It can, and will happen again!
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scottie33 · 07-08-2008, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by jsb

Does Harrison feel that Iowa State needs to be competing for a national championship or just a conference championship? We've never competed for a national championship, so I don't think we'll start now. I certainly hope that he is not as serious about TCU as he is about us. Although, I guess if we were to lose him, going to TCU would be pretty funny.

I hope he looks closely Beasley.....he went to a school that sucked at basketball and parlayed it into the 2nd draft pick.

Man....I wish that kid would pick Iowa State. I can understad the lure of the other schools, but he would be loved here.

Isn't that the purpose of each year of every team is to compete for a national championship or a conference championship?