Graham Couch: Iowa Basketball is a mid-major roster

The Athletic's rundown on Cook in the draft. Lol

Projected draft slot: second round to undrafted

Key stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 56.6/14.3/66.1

Comment: Cook is an interesting player with a lot of skill. He’s bouncy — especially for his size — and has good touch around the basket. But it’s hard to find a good player nationally who has been more misused than Cook was last year. He played nearly one-third of his minutes next to two true centers despite his best position also being at center. As the rest of the basketball world downsized, Iowa decided to play three true bigs fairly regularly and then give Fran McCaffery a contract extension. Go figure. Despite the fact that he should be playing most of his minutes as a true center, Cook still produced. It would be interesting to see him in a more functional situation, and Cook alluded to the potential for a transfer at the end of the season (although he has since squashed a rumored move to Missouri). He’ll get workouts, and if he was to stay in the draft, he’d be an interesting two-way contract candidate as well as a likely training camp look. But his stock is not where it should be right now after the dysfunctional Iowa season.

They are correct in a lot of that, but Cook will never see the NBA court
 
The Athletic's rundown on Cook in the draft. Lol

Projected draft slot: second round to undrafted

Key stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 56.6/14.3/66.1

Comment: Cook is an interesting player with a lot of skill. He’s bouncy — especially for his size — and has good touch around the basket. But it’s hard to find a good player nationally who has been more misused than Cook was last year. He played nearly one-third of his minutes next to two true centers despite his best position also being at center. As the rest of the basketball world downsized, Iowa decided to play three true bigs fairly regularly and then give Fran McCaffery a contract extension. Go figure. Despite the fact that he should be playing most of his minutes as a true center, Cook still produced. It would be interesting to see him in a more functional situation, and Cook alluded to the potential for a transfer at the end of the season (although he has since squashed a rumored move to Missouri). He’ll get workouts, and if he was to stay in the draft, he’d be an interesting two-way contract candidate as well as a likely training camp look. But his stock is not where it should be right now after the dysfunctional Iowa season.

God I hope Fran is reading that! Iowa fans see it, every other fan sees it. PLEASE FIX IT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
 
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Reactions: VeloClone
Yes, but historically Iowa has beaten these teams. One year of loses does not make it an annual thing. Not saying we will win all of them, but it is certainly not a crazy thought.

What is Fran's record vs those teams? Maybe I'm wrong but I thought Fran has struggled some against Penn State
 
You have to remove 2 cupcakes from the schedule as the B1G is going to a 20 game conference schedule next season.
2 of Syrancuse, Oregon, UConn
1 Big East
1 ACC
ISU
UNI

Goes 3-3 at best

5 Cup cakes

5-0 (hopefully)

20 BIG

10-10 in BIG or 11-9 based of Frans track record would put Iowa at 18-13 or 19-14 of they go 1-1 in the BIG ten tournament. If they get lucky and go 4-2 against the 6 good OOC teams or 12-10 in the BIG it could be 20-11 or 21-12 going 1-1 in the Tournament again.

that would be bubble or NIT at best. Without Cook I can see 16-15 as the best case senario.
 
The Athletic's rundown on Cook in the draft. Lol

Projected draft slot: second round to undrafted

Key stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 56.6/14.3/66.1

Comment: Cook is an interesting player with a lot of skill. He’s bouncy — especially for his size — and has good touch around the basket. But it’s hard to find a good player nationally who has been more misused than Cook was last year. He played nearly one-third of his minutes next to two true centers despite his best position also being at center. As the rest of the basketball world downsized, Iowa decided to play three true bigs fairly regularly and then give Fran McCaffery a contract extension. Go figure. Despite the fact that he should be playing most of his minutes as a true center, Cook still produced. It would be interesting to see him in a more functional situation, and Cook alluded to the potential for a transfer at the end of the season (although he has since squashed a rumored move to Missouri). He’ll get workouts, and if he was to stay in the draft, he’d be an interesting two-way contract candidate as well as a likely training camp look. But his stock is not where it should be right now after the dysfunctional Iowa season.

This is exactly the criticism many of us have been saying about Fran's coaching for years now. Forcing playing bigs like it is 1988 and not adjusting to the current style of play, guard oriented spread small ball is just not working. Cook playing center like Lard is for ISU would fit his style quite well, suit today's game and help his pro stock.

I assume that Cook has and will get this type of critique of his game from scouts this off season. Not promising those hawk fans hopeful for his return to EIU since, I doubt the coaching/situation is changing for him next year.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: carvers4math
Didn't you return four starters this year? How did that experience do for you?

Not well when we replaced the senior with 2 freshman and the rest sophomores besides Baer as the lone JR that played significant time.

Now we return 5 starters and 3 bench guys, add in a true SF and another combo/ pg that will see the minutes. It is a similar yes, but we have more depth next year for sure.
 
A lot of Iowa fans like Fran for some reason.

You can like a guy, but you dont have to like how he coaches. I think Iowa fans dont want to admit that Fran is not a good fit, and myself wants to see him succeed. So we get defensive and try to be on his side and see his side of things, but if this trend continues with missing on top recruits and sub par seasons in next 1-2 years it will get ugly. Lick ugly
 
This is literally exactly what I was thinking. I do not think Iowa will be better next year if Cook leaves. If things click and go write I can see them pushing for a bubble team AT BEST. I do not think it will happen, but I can see experience getting them at least 3-4 more wins and 2-3 more wins can happen if they just play a little defense.

That would put them at 19-14 to 21-12. Which is NIT/ Bubble territory.

Losses last year that could be wins this year
Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
SDSU
PSU
Rutgers
Nebraska
Minnesota
ISU I can see as close next year

I am not crazy to think Iowa can win 20 games next year

Not part of Mad Fran's paradigm. Guess again.
 
You can like a guy, but you dont have to like how he coaches. I think Iowa fans dont want to admit that Fran is not a good fit, and myself wants to see him succeed. So we get defensive and try to be on his side and see his side of things, but if this trend continues with missing on top recruits and sub par seasons in next 1-2 years it will get ugly. Lick ugly

I meant like him as a coach. He has serious deficiencies and is one of the worst in-game coaches I’ve ever seen. I have absolutely no idea how he got an extension other than they are praying his kids will be good. Good luck.
 
2 of Syrancuse, Oregon, UConn
1 Big East
1 ACC
ISU
UNI

Goes 3-3 at best

5 Cup cakes

5-0 (hopefully)

20 BIG

10-10 in BIG or 11-9 based of Frans track record would put Iowa at 18-13 or 19-14 of they go 1-1 in the BIG ten tournament. If they get lucky and go 4-2 against the 6 good OOC teams or 12-10 in the BIG it could be 20-11 or 21-12 going 1-1 in the Tournament again.

that would be bubble or NIT at best. Without Cook I can see 16-15 as the best case senario.

I dont think Iowa is in the Gavitt Games again next season...could be wrong though.
 
The Athletic's rundown on Cook in the draft. Lol

Projected draft slot: second round to undrafted

Key stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 56.6/14.3/66.1

Comment: Cook is an interesting player with a lot of skill. He’s bouncy — especially for his size — and has good touch around the basket. But it’s hard to find a good player nationally who has been more misused than Cook was last year. He played nearly one-third of his minutes next to two true centers despite his best position also being at center. As the rest of the basketball world downsized, Iowa decided to play three true bigs fairly regularly and then give Fran McCaffery a contract extension. Go figure. Despite the fact that he should be playing most of his minutes as a true center, Cook still produced. It would be interesting to see him in a more functional situation, and Cook alluded to the potential for a transfer at the end of the season (although he has since squashed a rumored move to Missouri). He’ll get workouts, and if he was to stay in the draft, he’d be an interesting two-way contract candidate as well as a likely training camp look. But his stock is not where it should be right now after the dysfunctional Iowa season.



That rundown is hilarious while being really accurate, good job by them.

Football=Fake ID
Basketball=The "more functional situations" LOL
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: breck53
You have to remove 2 cupcakes from the schedule as the B1G is going to a 20 game conference schedule next season.
ISU
UNI
2 of UConn, Syracuse, Orgeon.
ACC/B1G
Maybe Gavitt

Besides the very upper tier of the B1G, I would assume these games would be better.
 
The Athletic's rundown on Cook in the draft. Lol

Projected draft slot: second round to undrafted

Key stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 56.6/14.3/66.1

Comment: Cook is an interesting player with a lot of skill. He’s bouncy — especially for his size — and has good touch around the basket. But it’s hard to find a good player nationally who has been more misused than Cook was last year. He played nearly one-third of his minutes next to two true centers despite his best position also being at center. As the rest of the basketball world downsized, Iowa decided to play three true bigs fairly regularly and then give Fran McCaffery a contract extension. Go figure. Despite the fact that he should be playing most of his minutes as a true center, Cook still produced. It would be interesting to see him in a more functional situation, and Cook alluded to the potential for a transfer at the end of the season (although he has since squashed a rumored move to Missouri). He’ll get workouts, and if he was to stay in the draft, he’d be an interesting two-way contract candidate as well as a likely training camp look. But his stock is not where it should be right now after the dysfunctional Iowa season.

Does Twins write for these guys? To be fair, most everyone sees most of this except Fran, his spawn, Barta, and Y. Buddy.
 
And the 20 game schedule still allows you to only play single games against 6 teams (like Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, and Ohio State) and double up against the cream puffs (Rutgers, Illinois, Minnesota, and Northwestern). What happens if the BIG actually starts playing like they should and not the version where Nebraska for cripes sake finishes in 4th place? Good luck with that...

Iowa has 1 plays against Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, Penn State and Minnesota.
 
ISU
UNI
2 of UConn, Syracuse, Orgeon.
ACC/B1G
Maybe Gavitt

Besides the very upper tier of the B1G, I would assume these games would be better.

I dont think Iowa is in the Gavitt next season.

UNI and UCONN I would disagree on. We probably wont get a highly ranked opponent in the B1G/ACC challenge either.
 
That rundown is hilarious while being really accurate, good job by them.

Football=Fake ID
Basketball=The "more functional situations" LOL

I am going to correct you on the Fake ID thing. Coward removed that label last year after the OSU thumping I believe
 
  • Agree
Reactions: breck53

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