Talking to a buddy after tonight's loss about why it stings so much even though iowa was playing with house money. Losing to a border rival doesn't help, but also runs like this don't come around very often for Iowa so you don't want to see it end... compared to the blue bloods who know they'll be in the mix every year. What's different for Iowa this year is finally having confidence in the coach long term. Which gets to the next question - what are reasonable expectations for next year? I don't think you can simply say elite 8, especially with losing Stirtz. However, sweet 16 oddly enough feels like a solid level of expectations for Iowa basketball next year. What do y'all think?
expectation for next year and waxing philosophical
- Thread starter Anon1751457816
- Start date
All reasonable thoughts there. In reality, it all depends on what they do in the portal. The Stirtz importance is really an enigma. His best game was tonight which they lost. Certainly the other teams had him as the marked man, but I honestly don’t think he’s irreplaceable. Tonight was the first time I honestly felt that way all season that he might be irreplaceable. The only thing I know for certain is we finally have a coach that is better than 98% of the other coaches out there.
Yep, I think fairly regular Sweet 16 runs under McCollum should be a reasonable expectation. Deeper runs in the Tourney often require a bit of luck (for most programs), so I would also anticipate an occasional Elite 8 (or better) with McCollum at the helm.
The thing with Stirtz is there are so many things he did that just don’t show up in the box score. Not to mention, he’s always the #1 guy on every scout, so it gives more room offensively for other guys. But I agree with you in that I feel a lot better now than I did pre tourney that other guys have shown they can step up.
Future expectations all depend upon coach’s ability to recruit. He had a booster by bringing 6 of his guys with him from Drake this season. He doesn’t have that next season. He’ll need to find some dudes.
But, as someone else said he’s one of the best coaches in the game. That gives us a huge head start every season. I could honestly see us “struggling” to an average-ish record in Big Ten play every season but gelling in the tournament when his coaching and short turnarounds take over.
We were a dozen points away from a final four in his first year with a cobbled together roster of guys that didn’t previously play high-major basketball. Watch out in the future if he can get bigger and more athletic guys that play his system. Maybe he should look overseas more since I guess you can recruit guys that played professionally over there to come play in college now.
But, as someone else said he’s one of the best coaches in the game. That gives us a huge head start every season. I could honestly see us “struggling” to an average-ish record in Big Ten play every season but gelling in the tournament when his coaching and short turnarounds take over.
We were a dozen points away from a final four in his first year with a cobbled together roster of guys that didn’t previously play high-major basketball. Watch out in the future if he can get bigger and more athletic guys that play his system. Maybe he should look overseas more since I guess you can recruit guys that played professionally over there to come play in college now.
Expectations depend on what we have and lose. We will miss Stirtz for sure, finding a point of his caliber will be tough. Didn't sound like Banks will be back base on Ben thanking him, Stirtz and Hausen for their contributions last night.
Combs can play point but that is a pressing position of need.
I am assuming Alvaro will be back, but you never know with the portal. Koch, Sage, Thompson and Howard are solid and I expsct them back.
Will be interesting to see what happens inside. Cam needs to get stronger and develop offensively but can't question his heart. Not sure Jirak is the answer inside next year, we need a BIG. Will be interesting to see what Harris brings to the table.
I would pencil in Koch, Sage, Combs, Folgy and Cam to start the season, depending on portal additions and losses.
Combs can play point but that is a pressing position of need.
I am assuming Alvaro will be back, but you never know with the portal. Koch, Sage, Thompson and Howard are solid and I expsct them back.
Will be interesting to see what happens inside. Cam needs to get stronger and develop offensively but can't question his heart. Not sure Jirak is the answer inside next year, we need a BIG. Will be interesting to see what Harris brings to the table.
I would pencil in Koch, Sage, Combs, Folgy and Cam to start the season, depending on portal additions and losses.
Every year is different. If BMC plans to stick around for a few seasons, this will not be the last run for Iowa in the tournament. I feel pretty confident in saying that. However, Iowa is still likely to have down years where they barely make the tournament or end up in the NIT. Fans need to be realistic.
Still…
It’s tempting. Very tempting. Especially with this comparison being floated around a lot the past week, it’s very very tempting to think BMC could in fact be the Cignetti of college basketball. Okay, unlikely, but I think he has a chance to be…somewhat similar, especially if Iowa can improve their NIL game a little. (Thus, @EvilMonkeyInTheCloset may finally one day be able to spank that monkey while actually awake, as BMC cuts down the nets and wins that ever elusive national championship
.)Anyway, I will end with something Iowa fans probably won’t like: the goal should be to pattern the basketball program using Iowa State and Purdue as models (with the goal of going one step higher and reaching a Final Four). The last time I had any hope the Iowa basketball program could be as good as the days of Lute Olsen or early Dr. Tom era was January 18, 1993.
I now have hope again…33 years later.
Cam's probably not going to get stronger. That's not his issue. He's limited skill wise, and he's 6'8 or 9 playing against ALOT of bigger players. Jirak actually appears to have some skills. He just needs to get on the floor more, and get in since with his role.
Ben praised Jirak during the season and how much he’s improved. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people next year.
I’ll be watching the transfer portal for an experienced C/PF and a skilled PG.
McCollum’s system and track record practically guarantees, at the bare minimum, a top 1/2 expectation across the board - B10 finish & NCAAT seeding.
IMO it is not unreasonable to hold regular top 1/3 expectations going forward - 6th or better B10 finish, 5th or better NCAA seed, and at least one NCAAT victory. How much better depends on the players BM brings to Iowa City.
McCollum’s system and track record practically guarantees, at the bare minimum, a top 1/2 expectation across the board - B10 finish & NCAAT seeding.
IMO it is not unreasonable to hold regular top 1/3 expectations going forward - 6th or better B10 finish, 5th or better NCAA seed, and at least one NCAAT victory. How much better depends on the players BM brings to Iowa City.
The regular season was not particularly good, which I think is a better indicator of where the team is. One nice run in the tournament is fun, but fans shouldn’t skyrocket their expectations over it.
Let’s see how the next three seasons go. Then we will know what expectations to have. In the end, we are still a low population state with multiple D1 schools and little in state talent. Things will always be stacked against us. For now, steady improvement in the B1G and recruiting is the only reasonable expectation.
Let’s see how the next three seasons go. Then we will know what expectations to have. In the end, we are still a low population state with multiple D1 schools and little in state talent. Things will always be stacked against us. For now, steady improvement in the B1G and recruiting is the only reasonable expectation.
Things I expect to improve -
1. Attendance. There should be some more sellouts in the B1G season. Hopefully a lot of them
2. NIL $. This run should give fans hope that their money will be used wisely
Things that should improve -
1. Recruiting and portal interest - Ben is now pretty famous. #1 and #2 will help
2. Ben's compensation
3. More well-rounded scoring. Sage, Coop, AF, Combs - could/should all average double figures.
Things I hope for -
1. Better rebounding - need a portal guy to do that. Or Trey Thompson?
2. Not having 6 B1G opponents in the Top 20. Likely a pipe dream
3. A stud PG. This one could be tough. A lot of these guys are more likely to like a faster pace.
Things I'm afraid of -
1. None of the above will happen
1. Attendance. There should be some more sellouts in the B1G season. Hopefully a lot of them
2. NIL $. This run should give fans hope that their money will be used wisely
Things that should improve -
1. Recruiting and portal interest - Ben is now pretty famous. #1 and #2 will help
2. Ben's compensation
3. More well-rounded scoring. Sage, Coop, AF, Combs - could/should all average double figures.
Things I hope for -
1. Better rebounding - need a portal guy to do that. Or Trey Thompson?
2. Not having 6 B1G opponents in the Top 20. Likely a pipe dream
3. A stud PG. This one could be tough. A lot of these guys are more likely to like a faster pace.
Things I'm afraid of -
1. None of the above will happen
With a stud point guard and more skilled players, we will probably play at a faster pace.
The problem with having a year like this, in McCollum’s first, is that it raises expectations to a level that is probably higher than you can reasonably expect, at least in the short term. When Tom Davis narrowly missed the Final Four, many Hawk fans thought Final Four runs would be fairly routine, but once Raveling’s recruits were gone, Hawkeye basketball wasn’t really much of a factor.
Now we have McCollum narrowly missing a Final Four his first year. Hawk fans are AT LEAST going to expect Sweet Sixteen appearances to become the norm. But unlike with Davis, I believe Ben WILL continue to have tournament success. While Dr. Tom was a good coach, I think Ben is a great one. Davis had his biggest success with another man’s players. Ben took a team of mid-major players (that he recruited), to a level Iowa hasn’t reached in 39 years.
I expect a step backwards next season, but if Ben can get a roster of P5 caliber players, then the sky’s the limit.
Now we have McCollum narrowly missing a Final Four his first year. Hawk fans are AT LEAST going to expect Sweet Sixteen appearances to become the norm. But unlike with Davis, I believe Ben WILL continue to have tournament success. While Dr. Tom was a good coach, I think Ben is a great one. Davis had his biggest success with another man’s players. Ben took a team of mid-major players (that he recruited), to a level Iowa hasn’t reached in 39 years.
I expect a step backwards next season, but if Ben can get a roster of P5 caliber players, then the sky’s the limit.
Perennial March Madness participant. Always win at least one. Sweet 16 every 2-4 years or so.
I love the future with what we have now. Of course some guys could go. IMO we need a PG and a legit Center for next year. I don't think Cam M is going to develop offensively at this point in his career. He'd be a great energy and defensive guy coming off the bench though.
I love the future with what we have now. Of course some guys could go. IMO we need a PG and a legit Center for next year. I don't think Cam M is going to develop offensively at this point in his career. He'd be a great energy and defensive guy coming off the bench though.
1. I hope Banks can comeback, work on his handles away from the basket and keep hitting treys and add a deadly mid-range jumper off the dribble.
1A. A couple of 6-10+ guys who can really rebound and score and shoot from deep if possible
2. We need a new Stirtz to go with Combs someone close to him to run the offense and distribute.
3. Koch, AL, Sage Howard and new guys hitting treys and slashing to the rim
I think that is a good 8-10 players who can repeat a very good season
Or maybe a couple illini "pros" would come to Iowa to get more minutes
Our team plays in a big time league, maybe the best league with top TV exposure to recruits and players.
Iowa needs to get most top Iowa talent which is something that Tom Davis didnt do later on and one thing that led to his being hung out to dry.
There are hundreds of great high schoolers and portal players who will want to jump to Iowa and play for such a successful coach.
And stud pt guards are many times one and done. I would say a very good pt guard with the ability to penetrate and dish etc will be good enough with the motion offense
Future looks bright but it did after Tom Davis’s first year also. Never to return to the elite 8.
darn good coach, can he get the talent. I like his odds but we shall see.
darn good coach, can he get the talent. I like his odds but we shall see.
My guess our next PG is more in the style of Trevor Hudgins back from the NW Missouri State days. Just an absolute bulldog killer.
So much this. While McCollums track record speaks for itself, we were 9th place in the conference this year? And just because of this incredible run many are now saying we should be top 4-5 every year. Illinois was bigger, faster and stronger at every position. Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, it’s just always going to be tough. And to say oh we just need a few 6-10 guys in the portal (sure thing) or a stud pt guard (again, who doesn’t) it’s a challenge in Iowa City. I have zero doubt he’s the guy who can get it done with less as he already proved this year. Let’s hope we can keep building and what an incredible season. Go Hawks!
Ben’s teams have never played at a fast pace. Even when winning national championships.
I’m with you. I take a more European stance on sports. We have 3 pieces of hardware. Regular season, Conference Tournament and NCAA tournament. We were average in 2/3. I’d like to see us win more across the board. Getting hot at the right time in a tournament does not tell me that we have turned the corner. Is Ben a good coach? Yes. Can he bring talent to Iowa? To be determined. We need more NIL money.
Ben has proved over and over he can coach up point guards. My concern is getting a Big that can be a rim protector and finish around the basket. I love the fight in Cam,but he missed so many bunnies.
Need to get players who go for rebounds, I don't care how tall they are. I don't care if they're from Mars.
I really hope we see that improvement next year. As he comes off the bench.
We need to add some athletes to this team. More height with good attitude.
A player like Filip Rebraca would have been really valuable this season.
Not a pipe dream, and as noted even McCaffery was able to do it.
Does it matter? How old is Yaxl from Michigan? You play by the rules that are out there and Iowa should be and is nodding different.