Graham Couch: Iowa Basketball is a mid-major roster

7th would probably be on the very edge of the bubble, right?

Especially if the OOC doesnt go well.
On the edge but still a good chance at making it in. I thought this year the B12 would be down from 16-17 but it really wasn't. 40% of the conference made the '18 Sweet 16.

I think 6th will be the worst spot for ISU. I think both Kansas and KSU will be really good and after that its somewhat a crap shoot from 3-6. WV lost a couple all time greats, I'd probably pencil Tech in the same slot as ISU since they are losing Evans and Smith.
 
Prohm can also point to his development of Canaan and Payne at Murry St as proof he can develop players. It is to early to say that he'll do that at ISU but, Wigginton and Lard look like all league performers in year 2 with pro potential.

I define "development" as what happens once they hit campus.

Wigginton was great but, well, given his accolades coming in, he should have been. Lard is definitely more of a diamond-in-the-rough kind of find or, at least, we were willing to take a chance on an academic risk that seems to be working out.

I think you need at least two seasons to see if there is "development."

If Wigginton and Lard develop like they should, they should each be First-Team AC kind of guys as soon as next year and, depending on how long they stay in school, contenders for B12 POTY and All-American teams by the time they are done.

If they leave early, that just nods towards your pro potential.
 
Correct, Iowa State probably can't afford to lose on the road to a B1G cellar dweller.

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I'd bet a modest sum that ISU finishes 5th or 6th. 7th feels low and 4th feels high. It will be tight in that group probably. I haven't studied the other teams' rosters but I think the top 3 are pretty good.
 
Where will ISU finish this year in the Big 12?
I'd like to think top-half, but that is pretty optimistic. 6/7 finish is arguably more believable.

If I had to guess, I'd guess that the 4-8 range will be very volatile next season. 7 and up have good chances of seeing the Tournament.
 
That would have been 8-10 last season.

Depending on how Maui, @iowa and the Big 12/SEC Challenge go that could be flirting with the wrong side of the bubble.

I am on record saying ISU will finish between 4th and 7th and make the NCAA tourney

You are on record Iowa will miss the tourney for the 3rd straight year and still retain Fran because you guys can't afford to fire him now
 
I am on record saying ISU will finish between 4th and 7th and make the NCAA tourney

You are on record Iowa will miss the tourney for the 3rd straight year and still retain Fran because you guys can't afford to fire him now

Almost got it right, except for the bold part.
 
I'd bet a modest sum that ISU finishes 5th or 6th. 7th feels low and 4th feels high. It will be tight in that group probably. I haven't studied the other teams' rosters but I think the top 3 are pretty good.

I mostly agree those are pretty reasonable expectations. Just curious who you got third? As of now I think it's pretty easy to have KU #1 (foresee continuity issues there however) and KSU #2 but after that 3-7 is tough
 
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Almost got it right, except for the bold part.

How bad is your basketball program if you retain a coach after 3 missed tourneys in year 9 if you can afford to fire him? Let's face it, you guys can't afford to let him go which is why he will still be there
 
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How bad is your basketball program if you retain a coach after 3 missed tourneys in year 9 if you can afford to fire him? Let's face it, you guys can't afford to let him go which is why he will still be there

No.
 
Why else would you retain a coach with his body of work if he misses the tourney in year 7, 8 and 9 if it's not about money?

Barta seems to have a long leash for the most part and the big time donors seem to be OK with Fran.

If he wanted to, 9-10M is really not that much in regards to the Iowa budget.
 
Why else would you retain a coach with his body of work if he misses the tourney in year 7, 8 and 9 if it's not about money?

Because Iowa is in great shape with three top 50 recruits from in-state over the next couple classes (with one obviously being Fran’s son). If Iowa misses out on Carton and Foster and does not make the tournament either of the next two years, Fran will be gone.
 
Because Iowa is in great shape with three top 50 recruits from in-state over the next couple classes (with one obviously being Fran’s son). If Iowa misses out on Carton and Foster and does not make the tournament either of the next two years, Fran will be gone.

So if ISU doesn't get Carton signed and doesn't make the tourney this next year Fran will be fired? Foster won't decide by that time
 

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