Iowa State and the first transfer team in college basketball

[exCyDing]

Fun article on Iowa State & Hoiberg pioneering the transfer trend in college athletics.

Iowa State and the first transfer team in college basketball

Before the chaos of the transfer portal, there was Fred Hoiberg and an Iowa State squad full of transfers that made history in 2011-12.

www.espn.com

 

[beentherebefore]

I agree that it was enjoyable to read about some fun Cyclone memories. Also reminds me of what some folks claim is and is not "the right way." Now it appears it simply is "the way."

 

[cyclones500]

Although not much 'new' in it since we're so familiar with it, but cool to see perspective/quotes from several former players like Scotty, Melvin and C-Babb.

 

[CyDegen]

Good read. Myron always does good work so not surprised.

 

[CYdTracked]

Only difference is today players don't have to sit out a year like a lot of ours did back then and the NIL money is now a factor too. Being able to recruit transfers when Fred did was probably a more challenging task just because of the year most of them had to sit out so they were basically committed to ISU for at least 2 years and we didn't have the NIL money to compete against either. Now it's basically free agency with the free year and money out in the open. Just because the player pool is 4 times what it was then doesn't mean it is easier to find players. Also with that year of sitting out those players got a chance to work on their game and develop a chemistry with other players before they actually played in a game.

 

[Guetterdone1]

I looked at the picture and was like "hey I was at that game" then I was like " wait I might be in that picture". Sure enough my mug right behind cy.

 

[CyJack13]

Tark did this at Fresno St over a decade before. Chris Herren, Courtney Alexander, Tremaine Fowlkes, Avondre Jones, Rafer Alston.

 

[HFCS]

The difference is we struggled for a year while they all sat out and practiced…which is why traditional powers never took that route.

Honestly that’s a bigger difference than the pro players now.

 

[Clonefan32]

The difference is we struggled for a year while they all sat out and practiced…which is why traditional powers never took that route.

Honestly that’s a bigger difference than the pro players now.

I agree with this. The transfer market was under-utilized before because many teams couldn't afford to have a large portion of their roster sit for a year. We were uniquely situated in Fred's first year because we were able to tolerate a bad year. The reason the big schools stayed way is because they could attract immediately available talent.