why mcdermott was a bad fit

**Gnomeborg** · 05-22-2010, 09:09 AM

stopped reading when you used "ur" instead of "you're"

**CycloneErik** · 05-22-2010, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by st8

I think McD was great, He accomplished so many things during his time in ames... off the court that is

GMac – What Could Have Been… Wide Right & Natty Light

Was that stuff serious, because that was almost disturbing.

Also, why do people say it takes talent to play halfcourt but not uptempo? They both take talent, just maybe a different sort.

**SeattleClone** · 05-22-2010, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Gnomeborg

stopped reading when you used "ur" instead of "you're"

Yeah, but it saves SO much time! It's three less letters, plus you don't have to struggle to find that dang apostrophe!

**Jarrods79** · 05-22-2010, 09:35 AM

I'm still in shock that Creighton took the dead weight off our hands...suckers!!

**cykadelic2** · 05-22-2010, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by isucy86

That statement might have been true in year 1, but in watching ISU's offense the last couple years our offense was basically the high ball screen with Garrett & Brackins. IMO it didn't fit Garrett's skills because he isn't a PG who breaks down a defense with his dribble.

That's an interesting comment regarding Garrett's skills given that Coach Hoiberg basically said the opposite at his intro press conference. I would agree with Coach on that one.

There were several things that led to GMac's struggles at ISU, but I don't think a strict offense and too many set plays had much to do with it.

The number one issue was losing Wesley Johnson and the manner in which it affected GMac's coaching and his player relationships, especially last season when he had enough talent on the roster for the first time to compete for a post-season bid. Pollard touched on this after GMac left for Creighton, GMac treated Brackins differently than the rest of the players and the others on the team resented that. Throw in a high mainteance kid like Colvin (also disliked by his teammates) and you had a perfect recipe for real bad team chemistry.

Another big issue was lack of quality guard play. Mike Taylor was the only high quality guard during GMac's tenure and, by default, he had to handle the ball way too much and became a turnover machine in Year 1. Poor guard recruiting by GMac was a killer for the program and that helped result in high roster attrition from the likes of Buckley, Eikmeier, Brister, McIntosh, etc.

Regarding GMac's on-floor strategy and coaching, I thought he did a good job his first 3 seasons with limited talent and injury issues, especially in the guard court when he lacked consistent, quality PG play. This past season, he got away from what worked for him at UNI by playing an extended man defense (which he ditched halfway in the conference season) and by running way too many isolation sets for Brackins which ended up stifling ball movement and player motion (and played a part in bad team chemistry).

**Wesley** · 05-22-2010, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by ISUAlum2002

At UNI, McDermott was coaching players who were there because they wanted to get a free education and play the game they love.

At ISU, McDermott was coaching players who all think they can play at the next level and get paid to do it. He couldn't relate to that type of player.

The end.

Ya mean like the departed German Bomber? It seems like most of the players that we have had were thinking next level. Frankly, we saw many players out of position not knowing where to go on the court. McD would finger point and try to tell therm to move, move, move to position. It was a very disorganized effort. When Mike Taylor ran the show he went so fast that the out of place people did not hurt as much.

**ManBearClone** · 05-22-2010, 10:43 AM

Just go back to his introduction pep rally speech. I think it's obvious he never got it. That is what ISU basketball is. Kept saying I want to beat Iowa, I want the players Iowa gets. I remember thinking screw that. I want to beat Kansas. I want the players Kansas gets. Just beating Iowa went out in the 80's. Compare that to FH speech. Fred gets it.

**Wesley** · 05-22-2010, 11:00 AM

Being a CEO, it was tough for him to relate to the coffee breaks and sick days off by our players. He wanted the hundred plays run by end of game. The players just went to lunch.

**GoShow97** · 05-22-2010, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Clone1450

I'm uncertain about which type of caliper you are talking about exactly. Please clarify so I can interpret your post.

Do you mean this kind?

or this kind?

Thanks

That ain't no Brembo.

**lmsoup** · 05-22-2010, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by cykadelic2

That's an interesting comment regarding Garrett's skills given that Coach Hoiberg basically said the opposite at his intro press conference. I would agree with Coach on that one.

There were several things that led to GMac's struggles at ISU, but I don't think a strict offense and too many set plays had much to do with it.

The number one issue was losing Wesley Johnson and the manner in which it affected GMac's coaching and his player relationships, especially last season when he had enough talent on the roster for the first time to compete for a post-season bid. Pollard touched on this after GMac left for Creighton, GMac treated Brackins differently than the rest of the players and the others on the team resented that. Throw in a high mainteance kid like Colvin (also disliked by his teammates) and you had a perfect recipe for real bad team chemistry.

Another big issue was lack of quality guard play. Mike Taylor was the only high quality guard during GMac's tenure and, by default, he had to handle the ball way too much and became a turnover machine in Year 1. Poor guard recruiting by GMac was a killer for the program and that helped result in high roster attrition from the likes of Buckley, Eikmeier, Brister, McIntosh, etc.

Regarding GMac's on-floor strategy and coaching, I thought he did a good job his first 3 seasons with limited talent and injury issues, especially in the guard court when he lacked consistent, quality PG play. This past season, he got away from what worked for him at UNI by playing an extended man defense (which he ditched halfway in the conference season) and by running way too many isolation sets for Brackins which ended up stifling ball movement and player motion (and played a part in bad team chemistry).

This.....great post by you.

**bostrem00** · 05-22-2010, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by davidrcr24

some thoughts i had as to why mcdermott didnt work out.

when ur at UNI or Creighton you are recruiting kids based on there high school bball skills and what they have done in the high school level.. most kids who play strictly or mostly high school ball will run a more strict offense with more set plays.. thats how high school ball works...

when ur recruiting at Iowa state you have to look to the better more athletic players who are the ones that play mostly AAU ball. when playing AAU ball you run mostly a motion offense....

In a motion offense most of the cuts involve someone cutting an moving away from the ball to create open driving lanes.. in set play offense.. you see more screens that bring someone to the ball...

how many times did we see Gilstrap try to drive the lane and end up running into several players?? a lot from what i can remember... He was used to AAU and motion offense. so now you want these kids to remember a hundred plays and be effecient at them?? when they have never really done it before... thats why i believe that MCD. system didnt and wouldnt work at this level.. it will however work in the MVC where the guards are as willing to penetrate one on one....

would love to hear or read any thoughts on this

This sums it up

**Wesley** · 05-22-2010, 11:38 AM

GOOD
The recruiting was fine. The defense was acceptable. The players tried. KSU. Close games.

BAD
Poor offensive schemes. Rebounding. Shooting from outside. Turnovers. Presses. Layups.

FUGLY
Free throw shooting. Time out usage. Out of bounds plays. Court acumen.

**deadeyededric** · 05-22-2010, 11:45 AM

He tried to make the basic sport of basketball rocket science. He wasn't even in the same league as the top Big 12 coaches. Not even close. It wasn't just a bad fit, it was four years of FAILURE. End of Story!

**Go2Guy** · 05-22-2010, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jarrods79

I'm still in shock that Creighton took the dead weight off our hands...suckers!!

And a 10-year contract to boot! We found an AD who negotiates a contract worse than Jamie.

For being a mediocre coach, McD has essentially had over 15-years of guaranteed employment. Unheard of in this industry.

**Enginerd** · 05-22-2010, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by ManBearClone

Just go back to his introduction pep rally speech. I think it's obvious he never got it. That is what ISU basketball is. Kept saying I want to beat Iowa, I want the players Iowa gets. I remember thinking screw that. I want to beat Kansas. I want the players Kansas gets. Just beating Iowa went out in the 80's. Compare that to FH speech. Fred gets it.

Well, I guess he did accomplish his goals regarding Iowa.

I am with you. Worried from the day I watched the pep rally introducing him. I thought it then and I still think it now...he overestimated his abilities and underestimated what it took to be successful in the Big 12. I think he eventually had a rude awakening but overcompensated for it.

I just never felt like the guy was all in with ISU. Though I am happy he jumped ship to Creighton, I think that move supports my belief. Does anyone believe he will be spotted at any UNI pep rallies while coaching Creighton?