Is this message board a good thing?

[cyclonenum1]

Did all of the fawning over Harrison Barnes on this site bring him to ISU? How about all of the positive momentum about him signing as his decision neared?

The blunt reality is that this site is primarily an echo chamber for fans...things are negative regarding MBB on this site because a lot of negative things are happening within our MBB program...losses, player defections, etc. It is what it is.

By the way, if you think this site is overly negative...you really should go check out the sites of some programs that are really passionate and have high expectations...they make this place look like romper room...and our situation is much worse (in MBB) than all of their situations.

 

[CTAClone]

Is this message board a good thing? Yes it is IMO. For us at least.

While we may seem rather tame compared to some other boards, what we say here does affect recruiting/players attitudes. So while I don't think it's wrong to speak out, to say it doesn't affect anything is just burying your head in the sand.

 

[Clonefan32]

I guess I'm confused how this board could be considered a bad thing. It's really not like it is perpetuating any bad feelings towards any program. It's not like fans wouldn't be upset with our basketball program, had they not gotten on here and read the negativity. Do you really think some fan hops on here, reads a few posts, and says "You're right, they should fire McDermott!"

If upset fans don't vent here they vent to their friends through conversation, through e-mail, at work, at home, ect. You also act like we think our opinion matters in the grand scheme of our athletic program. No one comes on here, starts a thread, and expects change to come of it. I can think of 3-4 posters who do seem to view this board in that regard, but they have largely been phased out.

In the end, it's a place for people to express their opinions about the state of our athletics. Some people, guarded by the veil of having only a screen name and avatar, make some pretty bad posts. For the most part, however, I think there is some good conversation.

 

[Bader]

you really should go check out the sites of some programs that are really passionate and have high expectations...

Only you could possibly make yourself look pompous in a thread like this.

We all appreciate the time you spend discussing our pee-wee team, we know how much time you have to devote to your real team.

 

[CloneIce]

Its not the fans fault.

Iowa State fans are the most optimistic, supportive, forgiving bunch of fans you will find at any high major school. Fans are negative about the basketball program for a reason, hard to be positive when you are being repeatedly kicked in the junk during the offseason and then finishing near the bottom of the Big 12 during the season. It doesn't help matters that the same pattern of player turnover has been repeating itself and has been the defining them of Gmac's tenure.

 

[alarson]

Only you could possibly make yourself look pompous in a thread like this.

We all appreciate the time you spend discussing our pee-wee team, we know how much time you have to devote to your real team.

For real? He was correct on other message boards, ours is one of the tamest around, especially for its size. And ESPECIALLY for how bad we've been. Newsflash: we have been awful in our 'marquee sport' for 4 years.

This message board is a good thing in many ways for ISU.

 

[Al_4_State]

Anyone who thinks Cyclone Fanatic is really negative or toxic needs to read some other schools boards. Good lord. This place is tame.

 

[ISUboi12]

Anyone who thinks Cyclone Fanatic is really negative or toxic needs to read some other schools boards. Good lord. This place is tame.

As the OP stated, it is draining and depressing reading some of the garbage on this site. It is embarrassing being associated with these people. The Bo Barnes thread is a perfect example. I don't care if you would see the same thing on another schools board. Fact is you are seeing it within our "community" and I think popular opinion here should be that it will not be tolerated.

Its strange to see people stereotype Hawkeye fans and turn a blind eye to the things said on this site.

 

[moforisu]

This board is far more damaging than it will ever do good. If I was a recruit reading this board, and they do, what good do they get here compared to the bad.

I have read a lot about JP's ego. Holy Cow, doesn't even compare to a lot of poster on here who think they can run the world....................wow!

I come on here seeking information, not some lame brains nit wit opinion over and over and over and over again.

My time on here has gone down greatly because of the trash thats on here!

 

[Angie]

I hate the "this site isn't as bad as others/big schools' boards" excuses. Who cares? This isn't their board, this is ours - we don't have to lower our standards just because others have. It's not that hard to think of a constructive, informed way to say something, rather than just "So-and-so sucks."

 

[alarson]

I hate the "this site isn't as bad as others/big schools' boards" excuses. Who cares? This isn't their board, this is ours - we don't have to lower our standards just because others have. It's not that hard to think of a constructive, informed way to say something, rather than just "So-and-so sucks."

Well some are saying its so awful for our school to have these boards.... its not, because EVERYONE has these boards, and when you compare, ours is very tame compared to others, so in reality even on the negative side our board is a net positive compared to other institutions.

And quite frankly, the people ******** about how bad the boards are the most are often the same people who are as big of a problem, as many of them are the people baiting the other side, even in threads that have nothing to do with basketball.

 

[alarson]

Also, can you really say our board itself is exceptionally negative? You hear just as much, if not more crap yelled about GMac and our awful performance at a basketball game. Its more likely that the situation around ISU basketball is just exceptionally negative, and that is going to show through in our basketball boards.

 

[Angie]

Well some are saying its so awful for our school to have these boards.... its not, because EVERYONE has these boards, and when you compare, ours is very tame compared to others, so in reality even on the negative side our board is a net positive compared to other institutions.

And quite frankly, the people ******** about how bad the boards are the most are often the same people who are as big of a problem, as many of them are the people baiting the other side, even in threads that have nothing to do with basketball.

I'm not saying at all that our site is bad (as a mod I would obviously think quite the contrary), just that there's no reason for us to sound like ill-informed naysayers just because other people are doing it. I used to hate when my dad asked me if I would jump off a bridge just because everyone else was doing it - but he had a point.

If even one potential recruit ever looks at a board and backs away from that school because of it, however, it's no "net positive." I don't think anyone would say that our site is like that, but it is certainly a valid concern as to why people should just try and think before posting.

 

[alarson]

If even one potential recruit ever looks at a board and backs away from that school because of it, however, it's no "net positive." I don't think anyone would say that our site is like that, but it is certainly a valid concern as to why people should just try and think before posting.

If theyre looking at our boards, theyre probably looking at the boards of wherever else they might be considering.....

Nothing wrong with saying people should think before posting, but some seem to think that anything negative=not thinking before posting, and that things should be rainbows and unicorns around here.

 

[ISUboi12]

its not, because EVERYONE has these boards, and when you compare, ours is very tame compared to others, so in reality even on the negative side our board is a net positive compared to other institutions.

Out of curiousity, how do you (and others claiming this) know that everyone has boards with this exceptional negative side? Do you really spend time on every other schools board?

 

[alarson]

Out of curiousity, how do you (and others claiming this) know that everyone has boards with this exceptional negative side? Do you really spend time on every other schools board?

I have visited multiple other schools boards, yes, as well as other non-sports boards. I also know others who have done the same.

 

[ISUboi12]

I have visited multiple other schools boards, yes, as well as other non-sports boards. I also know others who have done the same.

Multiple? Or every? Have you been to a Maryland Tarapins forum? How about San Diego State University?

My point... I don't like the umbrella statement that all other schools have this same problem or worse. Nobody knows that is a fact. The schools that you probably have spent time on are probably the boards where school reputation and prestige are enough to offset the perception of the fanbase.

I know that drama is part of sports. I am ok with meltdown threads when coach scoots for an SEC school or when a productive player leaves... but not the awful and insulting **** spewed by anonymous posters at someone they have never met before. There are a lot of people who obviously do not get enough attention in real life and IMO should not get any on here.

 

[Wesley]

I also have been on other numerous boards. They can be lewd and crude.

The negativity or less than positive comments on MBB is deserved after letting so much talent underachieve this year.

The football, women's bball team, hockey and volleyball are examples of programs which have way overachieved for the talent. These are the positive stories.

So then you look at the bball and staff to ask why. One bball assistant coach moves to another side position, one leaves for a smaller school just before signing and one maybe announces Thursday. Then you lose a center that has lots of playing time to look forward, you hear rumors about a young point guard that might move on. Then you hear less and less mention of people in the additional signing class.

Let's face it, the positive spin has run their course. It just comes down to wins. The high road method to losing and oblivion is not cutting it for sports fans. All we had to do was win three or four more games and the positive spin could have continued. However, the spin has finally unwound in the last week.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

This message board is not a bad thing. What is happening to our basketball program under Greg's leadership is the bad thing.

 

[azn4cy]

If theyre looking at our boards, theyre probably looking at the boards of wherever else they might be considering.....

Nothing wrong with saying people should think before posting, but some seem to think that anything negative=not thinking before posting, and that things should be rainbows and unicorns around here.

Exactly. I'm fairly new around here and I think the fact that every thread about MBB turns into the same thing (WM vs GM, JP's ego, bring LE/random old ISU coach/player back) gets a little old, but come on, it's a message board.. it's people expressing their opinions. If someone wants to bash a recruit without any backing, people will call that person an idiot about it.

As far as the recruits looking at the site? I'm sure Bo Barnes is sitting at home looking at the ONE negative thread and decides oh crap, i'd better not go to ISU because one of ISU's thousands of fans decided he didn't like me. Are you kidding me? A recruit will come here because they like the coaches, the facilities, and the system, not because the fan base at the university will drool over them.

Apparently just because we live in an ultra-sensitive time where teachers are getting lawsuits for disciplining children, it means all Cyclone fans need to sugarcoat everything when it comes to our sports programs.

If you really think that, good luck in the real world.