11th Place

Drive4cy

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How can some of you not look at this in a realistic manner? There is nothing wrong with questioning the coaching, but how can you not recognize the situation McD walked into was not conducive to a quick turnaround?

I agree but some of the "situation" is his doing. There's no excuse at all to lose McIntosh, Dunson, Taylor, Vette, and Brister in the short time he's been here. I totally accept the loses from Wayne's teams but the other five leave me scratching my head a bit. I'm not even counting Marsden since that is different IMO. At the same time this makes me even more excited about McD because if we had 1-2 of those guys who I listed above on this roster we'd be in a lot better shape early in Greg's tenure. Overall I'm still very pleased with Greg and the fact we've been competition this season despite his recruiting blunders that will only get better hopefully.
 

kingcy

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Funny thing is McD was reported to be the front runner for the KSU job 2 years ago. Instead he chose to come to ISU.
 

jahfg

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I agree but some of the "situation" is his doing. There's no excuse at all to lose McIntosh, Dunson, Taylor, Vette, and Brister in the short time he's been here. I totally accept the loses from Wayne's teams but the other five leave me scratching my head a bit. I'm not even counting Marsden since that is different IMO. At the same time this makes me even more excited about McD because if we had 1-2 of those guys who I listed above on this roster we'd be in a lot better shape early in Greg's tenure. Overall I'm still very pleased with Greg and the fact we've been competition this season despite his recruiting blunders that will only get better hopefully.

He was given a very short amount of time to get enough guys to field a team. You don't have the luxury of being picky. There were some interesting circumstances involved and it isn't as if McD drove them away from the program. It is hard to project that a kid will leave because he suffers from dyslexia or homesickeness.

In the end, he is held accountable for his recruits, but I can't put all the blame on McDermott's shoulders.
 

kingcy

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I agree but some of the "situation" is his doing. There's no excuse at all to lose McIntosh, Dunson, Taylor, Vette, and Brister in the short time he's been here. I totally accept the loses from Wayne's teams but the other five leave me scratching my head a bit. I'm not even counting Marsden since that is different IMO. At the same time this makes me even more excited about McD because if we had 1-2 of those guys who I listed above on this roster we'd be in a lot better shape early in Greg's tenure. Overall I'm still very pleased with Greg and the fact we've been competition this season despite his recruiting blunders that will only get better hopefully.

Mcintosh, Taylor, Dunson were quick fixes, McD needed a team to put on the court. Dunson couldnt keep up in bookwork. Mcintosh thought he should be the man in McDs system. Taylor would be here but he got into trouble and he ran him. If Taylor would have been allowed to stay on the team and he messed up again you would be all over him for keeping him on the team. Vette didnt work out, what coach in this country can keep 100% of his players for 4 yaers. Brister didnt follow the rules and he had issues back in Texas.
 

Clones85'

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Dunson= Learning problems
Taylor= Problems
Vette= Who knows?

I give you McIntosh and Brister as legit guys who left just b/c. The other guys were really out of coaches hands.
 

Clone_12

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Brister's problem was definately out of McD's hands...and no cyclone#1 I don't have a problem with people having their doubts...it's just the continual ripping of our coach over and over and over again that gets me...and then the off the wall comparisons to coaches that inherit McDonald's All-Americans or go to legendary programs...and I think you are missing one key component when comparing McD to some of these coaches. Talent on the court...the number 1 factor for success. Maybe KState will make a run in the tourney, but right now they are underachieving more than we are. They have the best player in college basketball, and another 1st round NBA pick as his teammate, with good experienced role players, and have some VERY humbling losses. I judge coaches that are new to programs and using another coaches players by whether their teams overachieve or underachieve. Apparently you judge by wins and losses, and nothing else.
 
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Cyclone44

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I think comparing Mo Valley and success at UNI is just as bad as comparing McD success at North Dakota or wherever he was at. Playing in the Big 12 in Basketball and Football require a certain level of recruiting. I think the only comparisons that make since is comparing equal conferences or coaches in your our conference. Those are the ones you have to beat. If you are going to have the bottom of the recruiting class in either basketball or football you are going to end up at the bottom of the conference. Again, basketball is easier do to the number games. Get one or two great recruits and you are off to the races. One or two in football and oh well there is next year. As for recruiting McD first year it was better than his second year. Brackins is the exception and I don't know how he got him. But, he has some things to prove yet. When he got Brackins I said Boy if we can continue that we are on our way. But, now we are down to walk ons and etc. Every big name player goes someplace else. I'm not sure if it is McD or his assistants. But, we need some one to be able to recruit. You are trying to be in the big time. I hate Iowa, but I look at that team and coach and I say give them a year or two and they will be beating us like a drum. He has gotten some big games out of the talent that he was given. Coaching is necessary and some are a lot better than others. Recruiting is number one. All the coaching in the world is not going to turn poor talent into winners. Look at the freshmen that have been or is in the Big 12 now. I look at Texas KSU KU as examples, they have gotten NBA talent in freshmen. They don't have to be in 'THE SYSTEM' to be good. They turn those teams into conference leaders and NCAA tournment teams. All the coaching during game day as the one guy was saying that he see's from McD hasn't helped much. Maybe if he was getting his coaching through to the team during practice he wouldn't have to be waving his arms and telling his players where they should be on the floor.
 

Clones85'

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Compare McD's recruiting to Morgan's recruiting. Not a big difference. Around the same number of 3 star players. Morgan had a couple 4 star players but never had a 5 star like McD has had.

We are not even having this discussion right now if we have Lucca and Taylor on the team (neither of which are McD's fault). We would be an NIT team at worse. Bad breaks
 

Clone_12

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So far I think McD has done a very good job recruiting given the circumstances he walked into...I agree that it is a whole new world recruiting now than it was for him in the MVC, but so far I have no complaints seeing as he had a month to wrap together his first, and landed Brackins, Garrett, and Staiger in his second...the jury is still out on next year's and we won't know until next year...You can tell whether or not a guy can coach by what he does in the MVC however. I have my doubts that most d1 coaches could lead a team lead by Brooks McKowen into Baton Rouge and knock off final four bound LSU...and I doubt many coaches could've took our team last year, and took Kansas to ot with that squad.
 

cybsball20

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As far as recruiting goes, I would rather see us not fill scholly's just because we need a body. If we can't get a QUALITY player then just let it go. I think we have absolutely WASTED some scholarships the last couple of years when we didn't need to...
 

cyclonenum1

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Ha! Gillispie is such a good coach that he couldn't control his players for half the season? Come on man! The SEC is down this year. They have one great team and a couple good teams. 2 teams total in the top 25.

"Just because a guy has talented players does not mean he is lesser of a coach? " Of course it doesn't. I don't really know what you are trying to say here. A guy that has the talent that Martin has on his team should strive for more than just the NCAA tourney. He has gotten out coached in every game this year but one.

I am getting tired of ready your posts that bash McDermott with little knowledge to back up your claim. McDermott did a fantastic job coaching the team to as many wins as they had last year and he may have less talent this year. Give him time and his program will work. He has proven it.

I have been...we are just about the end of 2 years and counting...tick, tick, tick, tick...

I want to see some RESULTS...they are called wins, my friend, and far too few Cyclone fans appear interested in counting them these days.
 

snowcraig2.0

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I have been...we are just about the end of 2 years and counting...tick, tick, tick, tick...

I want to see some RESULTS...they are called wins, my friend, and far too few Cyclone fans appear interested in counting them these days.

The end of year two. Anyone who thought we would be winning the Big 12 by now was kidding themselves. If things haven't substantially improved by the end of next year, then I will start getting worried. Stop acting like you are the only one here who wants bigger and better things for ISU. Everyone here wants that. Some of us are just able to be a bit more rational about it than others....
 

cyclonenum1

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Case in point to you being an idiot. You are comparing McDermott's success at a D-1 school to a high school basketball coach! The Mo Valley was stacked when McDermott was there and he still got UNI to the tourney 3 straight years

I love it...it took a while...but you have reverted to name calling just because someone happens to disagree with your opinion. Sorry.

Hey, how many teams did that "stacked" Missouri Valley Conference get into the Final Four? The Big 12 is "big boy" basketball every year with usually 10-12 quality teams. The MVC is a mid-major conference where in their best years they have a bifurcated conference of haves and have-nots. In most years they have one...maybe two quality teams.

By the way...Gerry Faust was a FB coach.
 

cyclonenum1

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Ha! Gillispie is such a good coach that he couldn't control his players for half the season? Come on man! The SEC is down this year. They have one great team and a couple good teams. 2 teams total in the top 25.

"Just because a guy has talented players does not mean he is lesser of a coach? " Of course it doesn't. I don't really know what you are trying to say here. A guy that has the talent that Martin has on his team should strive for more than just the NCAA tourney. He has gotten out coached in every game this year but one.

I am getting tired of ready your posts that bash McDermott with little knowledge to back up your claim. McDermott did a fantastic job coaching the team to as many wins as they had last year and he may have less talent this year. Give him time and his program will work. He has proven it.

At least Gillispie was able to keep the UK players in the fold...something McDermott could not do when he came in.
 

cyclonenum1

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This board makes me sick sometimes. cyclone#1, I'm not sure how you can even consider yourself a fan. You have admitted that you don't get to see many of the games yet we are to respect your opinion. How does that work? I just don't see how a fan could possibly downgrade the program they cheer for at every possible turn.

I guess this fan is just not as comfortable with having a mediocre BB program as many of the fans on this site appear to be. I haven't written off McDermott being able to "do it" at ISU yet but, as I said earlier, I am very underwhelmed at this point in his tenure. And on this site if you express those opinions you are ridiculed as not being a good fan and called names.
 

snowcraig2.0

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I guess this fan is just not as comfortable with having a mediocre BB program as many of the fans on this site appear to be. I haven't written off McDermott being able to "do it" at ISU yet but, as I said earlier, I am very underwhelmed at this point in his tenure. And on this site if you express those opinions you are ridiculed as not being a good fan and called names.

All hail #1 and his lofty expectations. I wish we all could have your courage. Good for you sir.... :rolleyes5cz:
 

cyclonenum1

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I am a season ticket holder (cheap seats in the corner of the balcony), but I can tell you what I see. I love to watch Mac coach on the sideline. I've never in my life seen a coach who is so into the game and "teaching the game" to his players. I'm not sure that I've ever seen Mac sit down during the game. Ever. I remember winning tickets one time (my seats are in the corner balcony) at a "Coach Speak" luncheon, sitting in the parquet, and hearing him yell, "Get your hands up Jiri" while putting his hands up to demonstrate. :smile:

Love the way Mac gets into the game. He is fun to watch coach and I can see the players respond, even from where my seats are. Seriously, the next time you are in Hilton for a game, take some time, from time to time, to watch Mac "teach". :smile:

I go to as many of the "Coach Talks" lunches on campus that I can and always walk away impressed with his passion for the game and teaching young men (they are just young men, for those of us who forget that after a hard loss). My feeling after the lunch today, is no different.

Oh, by the way, we are 2 wins behind number 4 Texas A&M in the conference standings. Just two wins separates us from 4th place in the conference? A tough Big 12 conference? Two wins? Not quite the "sky is falling" scenario, in my humble opinion. :wink:

I know what some of you are thinking ... "darn kool-aid drinkers, who let them on the board? Apparently there isn't any criteria for who is allowed to post here ..." :wink: My point is, that I feel there is reason to be optimistic for the future, and being a Cubs fan (there is always next season) has nothing to do with it. :smile:

(The optimism as far as talent next year and the year following have already been covered in this thread.)

I enjoyed reading this. Thanks.

This post was an epiphany of sorts for me. I get it now.

You see I am an ISU fan first and foremost. I am only a McDermott fan to the extent that he happens to coach my ISU team. This is why I could care less what his record at UNI was.

Many of you appear to be either McDermott fans first and foremost or at a minimum put your love of him on an equal pedestal with you love of the Cyclones. Maybe it is that he is an "Iowa boy" or something...I'm not sure.

At any rate, this was the same thing that happened with McCarney and FB and that led to us keeping a coach for too long...in short, we did what was best for the coach rather than what was best for ISU and the program. Again...I am not saying (or have I ever said) that we should cut McDermott loose right now. What I am saying is that I am starting to have concerns as we close out year 2 and begin year 3 of his tenure.