Agree with a lot of your post, but not the bolded part. He got the name "The Mayor" while a player at ISU, not as a coach. He was regularly the person interviewed on the radio and TV. I remember one specific postgame interview with Keith Murphy whose voice cracked during the interview (he had a cold) and Keith asked, "What was that?" to which Fred, without a pause, posited, "Puberty?" Fred was a MAJOR personality while at ISU. He wasn't the trash talker we loved about Georges, but he also didn't live in the same social media environment. However, if you don't think Fred was a "personality", watch this video, especially the dunk on Iowa's Acie Earl at ~ the 45 second mark!
Niang popularity as a Cyclone
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That’s probably true. Fred is definitely a funny guy, and there wasn’t nearly as much opportunity for players to get exposure. He just isn’t quite the outgoing open book like Georges is.
Though my fave Hoiberg moment ever is still “Nice, Georges” at the post CyHawk presser.
I'm an Ames native whose father was a (now retired) professor at ISU. I grew up going to games at Hilton due to our family's having season tickets.
I made the decision to go to UNI. If I had a nickel for every time I told someone up there or anywhere that I was from Ames but went to UNI who responded with a quizzical and vaguely judgmental look on their face and then asked me "Why didn't you just go to Iowa State?" I would have been able to pay for a semester of tuition at the time.
I don't know if it's just an Iowa or Midwestern thing, and I hope attitudes have evolved since then, as it's been a long time since I was a college student, but the unspoken belief that you have to stay home or as close to home as possible when choosing a college always struck me as being quite odd and a$$ backwards.
It is kinda weird that 3 of our most recognizable and beloved athletes of all time kinda fall into this bucket of did/do not apply their trade back at ISU. Hoiberg discussed here, but also Gable and Cael Sanderson. I realize every situation is different. No opinion here, just pointing out the parallels
Watching Sammy roast Iowa in Carver on senior night was awesome.
I don't get the people still rooting against Fred. I started off pretty neutral on his tenure at Nebraska but now find myself actively rooting for him. We are having success and his success or lack there of doesn't really impact us.
Tominaga is going to be one of the best players in the Big 10 this year and best shooters in the country. He played well at the World Cup against pros.
Yeah, I don't get it either. I have to say, watching Nebraska at the end of the season last year a couple times, they were light years better than they were the previous couple of seasons. I don't think they'll be great, but I think they can be a solid team. That McGowan was a highly rated recruit, but losing him made them better as a team.
They will miss that NDSU 5th year guy they had last year. He reminded me a bit of McCullar when he was at TTU. Not eye popping stats but a really nice all around player that makes your team a lot better.
Its easier to be beloved when you only played, and now as a well paid player have the ability (and desire) to come back and do great things.
Fred is trying to live a post playing career and coach. The only way he doesnt get dinged just a touch is to stay here forever. Thats a big ask.
That being said, I love Georges.
Fred is trying to live a post playing career and coach. The only way he doesnt get dinged just a touch is to stay here forever. Thats a big ask.
That being said, I love Georges.
Torrvik has a team sorting feature that showed Nebraska was a Top 25 team in just the month February. They went 6-2 and beat 5 top 50 teams in that span. Of course, before that they were 10-13 overall with just 3 big ten wins. The season also ended with a Big Ten tourney loss to Minnesota.
Sam Griesel was a great add and will be missed but Tominaga was their best player. They will need transfer adds Brice Williams and Reink Mast to step up in the front court. I really don't know who plays PG with Uhlis' career likely toast from the gambling sting.