Big Ten Basketball

[dalgreen]

I don't know whether to laugh at IU or feel sorry for them.

 

What a waste of all that talent and the one year of Killer.

 

Too bad for Killingsworth that college basketball is 40 minutes and a player is only allowed 5 fouls before disqualification. If college basketball was only 20 minutes with six fouls like the NBA, Killingsworth might be player of the year.

[cjbucks]

I don't see Few ever leaving Gonzaga.

 

He seems very loyal to his alma mater.

 

Katz elaborated in his blog to the same extent, that it's very unlikely that Few leaves Gonzaga, and Calipari too with Memphis(although that was in reference to the Mizzou job, so who knows with a more prestigious job)

 

I'm sure it would be difficult to pry him away, but it doesn't mean IU doesn't sniff around. Few would be crazy not to at least listen to people about jumping to a program as storied as IU. I'm sure John Stockton will do everything in his power to keep Few at Gonzaga.

 

I want to be the first Iowa alumni to come out and say I will not do everything in my power to keep Alford at Iowa. :wink:

[dalgreen]

I don't see Few ever leaving Gonzaga.

 

He seems very loyal to his alma mater.

 

Katz elaborated in his blog to the same extent, that it's very unlikely that Few leaves Gonzaga, and Calipari too with Memphis(although that was in reference to the Mizzou job, so who knows with a more prestigious job)

 

I'm sure it would be difficult to pry him away, but it doesn't mean IU doesn't sniff around. Few would be crazy not to at least listen to people about jumping to a program as storied as IU. I'm sure John Stockton will do everything in his power to keep Few at Gonzaga.

 

I agree with you. I can't imagine any coach not even giving a token listen to IU... out of respect for the program if nothing else. Since they want in-house guys, I wonder what guys like Damon Bailey and Greg Graham are doing these days? :wink:

[JC]

On ESPN, Andy Katz just said that if IU made it clear that Alford was the man, that Alford would go to IU. This info came to Katz through a "close friend" of Alford's.

[JC]

What are these things I keep hearing about some interview of Bob Knight by Dana Jacobsen? Did she ask him if he would consider returning to IU and Knight got pissed? I haven't seen or heard anything of this interview aside from bits and pieces here and there.

[dalgreen]

On ESPN, Andy Katz just said that if IU made it clear that Alford was the man, that Alford would go to IU. This info came to Katz through a "close friend" of Alford's.

 

I have never understood why some people thought Alford would not want to coach at IU.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What are these things I keep hearing about some interview of Bob Knight by Dana Jacobsen? Did she ask him if he would consider returning to IU and Knight got pissed? I haven't seen or heard anything of this interview aside from bits and pieces here and there.

 

From what I gathered at another board, Knight went on Cold Pizza, and said he didn't want to talk about it when questioned about the current IU situation. The interviewer pressed the topic, and Knight got mad and stormed off the set(?).

[Laura]

HA! IU's not even a tourney team right now. They are on their way to watching the NIT too.

 

Mike Davis pretty much communicated his fate on Dan Patrick's show today.

 

What a terrible team.

 

It's about time.

[JC]

On ESPN, Andy Katz just said that if IU made it clear that Alford was the man, that Alford would go to IU. This info came to Katz through a "close friend" of Alford's.

 

I have never understood why some people thought Alford would not want to coach at IU.

 

Despite the over publicized "feud" a couple years back, Alford still has great respect for Knight. But, I think that only goes so far. Say what you will about Alford, but he is Indiana basketball personified. I think he would relish the opportunity to coach IU. I'm sorry that things aren't rosey in Iowas, but the man can coach. He had success at SW Missouri State and Manchester College. Perhaps his name will have a little more capital as a recruiter in Indiana than it does in Iowa.

[dalgreen]

Is Davis' contract up at the end of the season? Will he be paid a nice settlement, as well?

[JC]

Is Davis' contract up at the end of the season? Will he be paid a nice settlement, as well?

 

No, its not. Reports are that his lawyer has worked out a settlement package.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Is Davis' contract up at the end of the season? Will he be paid a nice settlement, as well?

 

No, its not. Reports are that his lawyer has worked out a settlement package.

 

Just make sure that you don't screw it up as badly as Mizzou has. They managed to make the process of getting rid of a bad coach a black mark to the university.

[hawkeyecub]

I just do not think Alford will end up at Indiana. First of all I have my doubts on whether or not they'll offer the job to him.

If they did, I'm not 100% sure he would take it. Indiana is definitely a better job than Iowa. He has a much better shot of winning a national championship at Indiana than he does at Iowa. By no means am I saying that the Iowa basketball job has more lure than Indiana.

But he also has a much better chance of having his legacy tarnished and having that relationship ruined. If the results were the same at Indiana as they have been at Iowa during his first 6 years he definitely would have been shown the door. He also would be scrutinized and constantly under a microscope more than he is here.

Plus he still has a very good relationship with Bob Knight. Alford's stops are very similar to Knight (playing at OSU, coaching at Indiana). I think Knight may tell him that he's better off not going back home.

I know his family genuinely enjoys their life in Iowa City and I think Steve likes it here also. Financially I don't know if there's anything to gain at Indiana.

I don't put anything into what Katz or any other ESPN insiders say after speaking to "a source close to Alford." Isn't it funny how those guys always get the sensational, juicy stuff from these unnamed sources, even though most of the time it later turns out to be false?

 

Now part of me thinks it's very possible that Alford really always has coveted this job and will jump at it. He hasn't had the best support in Iowa and could possibly want to take this opportunity to leave.

 

I hope he (and Craig Neal) stays at Iowa. I think he's developed as a coach, the addition of Craig Neal has really helped him, and I think he is becoming the coach we thought we were getting 7 years ago. Now I probably wouldn't be devastated or as upset as I would be if Ferentz left, but I still really hope he stays.

[Derwood]

Steve Alford is a cretin

[badgercub]

I just do not think Alford will end up at Indiana. First of all I have my doubts on whether or not they'll offer the job to him.

If they did, I'm not 100% sure he would take it. Indiana is definitely a better job than Iowa. He has a much better shot of winning a national championship at Indiana than he does at Iowa. By no means am I saying that the Iowa basketball job has more lure than Indiana.

But he also has a much better chance of having his legacy tarnished and having that relationship ruined. If the results were the same at Indiana as they have been at Iowa during his first 6 years he definitely would have been shown the door. He also would be scrutinized and constantly under a microscope more than he is here.

Plus he still has a very good relationship with Bob Knight. Alford's stops are very similar to Knight (playing at OSU, coaching at Indiana). I think Knight may tell him that he's better off not going back home.

I know his family genuinely enjoys their life in Iowa City and I think Steve likes it here also. Financially I don't know if there's anything to gain at Indiana.

I don't put anything into what Katz or any other ESPN insiders say after speaking to "a source close to Alford." Isn't it funny how those guys always get the sensational, juicy stuff from these unnamed sources, even though most of the time it later turns out to be false?

 

Now part of me thinks it's very possible that Alford really always has coveted this job and will jump at it. He hasn't had the best support in Iowa and could possibly want to take this opportunity to leave.

 

I hope he (and Craig Neal) stays at Iowa. I think he's developed as a coach, the addition of Craig Neal has really helped him, and I think he is becoming the coach we thought we were getting 7 years ago. Now I probably wouldn't be devastated or as upset as I would be if Ferentz left, but I still really hope he stays.

 

Just to play Devil's Advocate, of course Alford is going to say he loves it in Iowa City, what would you expect him to say? I would think Bloomington is probably just as nice a place to raise a family also. Your feelings aside, Alford has taken some heat since coming to Iowa, and deservedly so, so I don't think he maybe "feels the love" as much as you think he does. If he is offered the Indiana job, I could definitely see him bolt bolt from Iowa City.

[TripJ]

I just do not think Alford will end up at Indiana. First of all I have my doubts on whether or not they'll offer the job to him.

If they did, I'm not 100% sure he would take it. Indiana is definitely a better job than Iowa. He has a much better shot of winning a national championship at Indiana than he does at Iowa. By no means am I saying that the Iowa basketball job has more lure than Indiana.

But he also has a much better chance of having his legacy tarnished and having that relationship ruined. If the results were the same at Indiana as they have been at Iowa during his first 6 years he definitely would have been shown the door. He also would be scrutinized and constantly under a microscope more than he is here.

Plus he still has a very good relationship with Bob Knight. Alford's stops are very similar to Knight (playing at OSU, coaching at Indiana). I think Knight may tell him that he's better off not going back home.

I know his family genuinely enjoys their life in Iowa City and I think Steve likes it here also. Financially I don't know if there's anything to gain at Indiana.

I don't put anything into what Katz or any other ESPN insiders say after speaking to "a source close to Alford." Isn't it funny how those guys always get the sensational, juicy stuff from these unnamed sources, even though most of the time it later turns out to be false?

 

Now part of me thinks it's very possible that Alford really always has coveted this job and will jump at it. He hasn't had the best support in Iowa and could possibly want to take this opportunity to leave.

 

I hope he (and Craig Neal) stays at Iowa. I think he's developed as a coach, the addition of Craig Neal has really helped him, and I think he is becoming the coach we thought we were getting 7 years ago. Now I probably wouldn't be devastated or as upset as I would be if Ferentz left, but I still really hope he stays.

 

Just to play Devil's Advocate, of course Alford is going to say he loves it in Iowa City, what would you expect him to say? I would think Bloomington is probably just as nice a place to raise a family also. Your feelings aside, Alford has taken some heat since coming to Iowa, and deservedly so, so I don't think he maybe "feels the love" as much as you think he does. If he is offered the Indiana job, I could definitely see him bolt bolt from Iowa City.

 

I've already stated in this thread that I hope he does leave for Indiana, and personally, I think he's as good as gone if the job is offered to him.

 

Bob Bowlsby, our AD, has been steadfast in standing by Coach Alford through some pretty disappointing seasons. But after Coach pulled off his best coaching effort in his entire tenure at Iowa (getting last years' team to the tournament after all of the early season turmoil), declined to offer him an extension.

 

Secondly, the cupboard is pretty bare next season. And that might be generous. I think we'll be perfectly awful next season regardless. Couple that with the fact that after the run we made late last year and the success we've had this year, I doubt Alford's stock will be any higher any time in the next 2-3 years.

 

I think he's gone. It's funny. When he and Coach Ferentz came here, everyone thought that we made the right hire in baseketball and screwed up the football hiring. Now, in retrospect, we had that completely backwards.

 

:oops:

[Chocolate Milk]

Who is the player of the year, to this point, in the Big Ten? We were talking about it last night and there are a lot of justifiable choices.

[bmkhawk]

Although I have felt differently in the past, I would prefer it if Alford stayed. He seems to have made a LOT of progress in the PR department and checking his ego a bit since he first arrived. It would disappoint me to see IU reap the benefit of Iowa providing paid (and not cheaply) training for Alford; just when he starts putting it together, some other team might benefit.

 

That said, if he does go, I hope Bowlsby considers Craig Neal for the position, despite the fact that he has no head coaching experience. Neal has definitely brought a ton to the bench since his hire. He also appears to have recruiting ties in place...something I worry about were the hawks to hire McDermott from UNI.

 

Also, I don't think the cupboard is bare next year. It won't win the big 10, but it will be in the running for a tourney spot again. Haluska and Henderson is definitely a good start. A lot of it will depend on how good Cyrus Tate really is (could be the best juco power forward in the country this year...and he will have three years of eligibility remaining).

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Who is the player of the year, to this point, in the Big Ten? We were talking about it last night and there are a lot of justifiable choices.

 

From a numbers perspective, there's Je'kel Foster, then there's planet earth. S. Brown and Davis have decent cases. Vukusic scores a bunch and is decently efficient, Killingsworth is right there but he can't make a free throw. I'm surprised how inefficient all the Iowa players are.

[badgercub]

Who is the player of the year, to this point, in the Big Ten? We were talking about it last night and there are a lot of justifiable choices.

 

From a numbers perspective, there's Je'kel Foster, then there's planet earth. S. Brown and Davis have decent cases. Vukusic scores a bunch and is decently efficient, Killingsworth is right there but he can't make a free throw. I'm surprised how inefficient all the Iowa players are.

 

Im sorry, but I highly doubt the people who vote for player of the year for the conference look at the efficiency numbers you are always talking about. After being at the Wisconsin/OSU game last night, I would cast my vote for Terrence Dials, he was unstoppable and has put up great numbers all year.

 

edit: After looking at the numbers, maybe I based my opinion on Dials a little too much on last nights performance, I humbly withdraw his name for POY.

Edited February 16, 2006 by badgercub

[Chocolate Milk]

Who is the player of the year, to this point, in the Big Ten? We were talking about it last night and there are a lot of justifiable choices.

 

From a numbers perspective, there's Je'kel Foster, then there's planet earth. S. Brown and Davis have decent cases. Vukusic scores a bunch and is decently efficient, Killingsworth is right there but he can't make a free throw. I'm surprised how inefficient all the Iowa players are.

 

Im sorry, but I highly doubt the people who vote for player of the year for the conference look at the efficiency numbers you are always talking about. After being at the Wisconsin/OSU game last night, I would cast my vote for Terrence Dials, he was unstoppable and has put up great numbers all year.

 

Dials was great last night.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Who is the player of the year, to this point, in the Big Ten? We were talking about it last night and there are a lot of justifiable choices.

 

From a numbers perspective, there's Je'kel Foster, then there's planet earth. S. Brown and Davis have decent cases. Vukusic scores a bunch and is decently efficient, Killingsworth is right there but he can't make a free throw. I'm surprised how inefficient all the Iowa players are.

 

Im sorry, but I highly doubt the people who vote for player of the year for the conference look at the efficiency numbers you are always talking about. After being at the Wisconsin/OSU game last night, I would cast my vote for Terrence Dials, he was unstoppable and has put up great numbers all year.

 

We're talking about who deserves it, not who will get it. If you want to talk that, then the MSU trio will take votes from itself, Dee Brown will get undeserved votes, and Dials, Tucker, and Killingsworth will also pull some in. If OSU finishes in second or better, Dials might take it.

[badgercub]

Who is the player of the year, to this point, in the Big Ten? We were talking about it last night and there are a lot of justifiable choices.

 

From a numbers perspective, there's Je'kel Foster, then there's planet earth. S. Brown and Davis have decent cases. Vukusic scores a bunch and is decently efficient, Killingsworth is right there but he can't make a free throw. I'm surprised how inefficient all the Iowa players are.

 

Im sorry, but I highly doubt the people who vote for player of the year for the conference look at the efficiency numbers you are always talking about. After being at the Wisconsin/OSU game last night, I would cast my vote for Terrence Dials, he was unstoppable and has put up great numbers all year.

 

We're talking about who deserves it, not who will get it. If you want to talk that, then the MSU trio will take votes from itself, Dee Brown will get undeserved votes, and Dials, Tucker, and Killingsworth will also pull some in. If OSU finishes in second or better, Dials might take it.

 

I seriously don't know who I would give it to. There are arguments that could be made for several guys, but I don't think anyone is really running away with it.

[illiniguy]

the player of the year is Greg Brunner.

[bmkhawk]

It's going to kill Greg that this year he is shooting under 50% when the rest of his career he has always been above.

 

That said, it is amazing what he is able to do near be basket being that he is 6'6" at best.