What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?
Posted on: November 20, 2009 10:51 pm
Edited on: November 20, 2009 10:54 pm
Score: 139
Who's the man most bothered by what happened at Madison Square Garden late Friday?
It has to be North Carolina coach Roy Williams, right?
I mean, Syracuse just ran his team off the court.
But second to Williams, I'm guessing, is Iowa State coach Greg McDermott, whose former player, Wesley Johnson, led the Orange to an 87-71 win over the Tar Heels while establishing himself as the star of a team that has rebounded from the exhibition loss to Le Moyne with wins over the Pac-10 favorite (California) and ACC favorite (North Carolina). Johnson finished with 25 points and eight rebounds against the Tar Heels; he was the best player on the court. When the Orange move into the top 10 of the Top 25 (and one) late Sunday, he'll be the main reason, making it difficult not to wonder if he could've done the same for Iowa State.
Think about it.
How good would a Wesley Johnson/Craig Brackins combo be this season?
Both are possible lottery picks in the 2010 NBA Draft.
Both are All-American candidates.
If McDermott had them to go with Lucca Staiger and Marquis Gilstrap, the Cyclones might've been the smart pick to finish third in the Big 12 behind only Kansas and Texas. As it is, Iowa State was picked eighth. And it's things like these that can change a coach's entire career.
What if Johnson never transferred? Could he have led Iowa State to the NCAA tournament last season? If so, would the "winning culture" created by an appearance have been enough to convince Ames High star Harrison Barnes to reject an offer from North Carolina and play at the school for which his mother works?
Obviously, we'll never know the answers to those questions.
But they are interesting questions, aren't they?
"We're so thankful to have him here from Iowa State," Syracuse guard Andy Rautins told ESPN's cameras right after the win over UNC. "He's helping this team in more ways than we could've imagined."
Indeed, Johnson is doing exactly that.
Now imagine what he could've done for Iowa State.
Comments Add a Comment
topofthemorn
Reputation: 11Level: Amateur Since: Nov 24, 2009 |
Posted on: November 24, 2009 11:50 pm
Score: 137
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? |
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cornelius51
Reputation: 80 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 6, 2008 |
Posted on: November 22, 2009 12:09 am
Score: 160
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?Gary,
Glad to see you're finally giving ISU a little notoriety (although we haven't deserved it of late and this is a rather dubious way of doing it). Unfortunately, this is a hypothetical ISU fans have been mulling over ad nauseum for months. Still, it's nice that members of the national media are finally catching on. However, you, like most pundits except for Andy Katz, underestimated this current group of Cyclones. It's highly unlikely this team finishes 8th in the Big XII as you predicted. They are experienced across the board and play like a TEAM! It will be fun to watch and I bet they finish somewhere between 7th and 3rd. Seriously, you should write more about ISU as I would estimate we have one of the most rabid basketball fan bases in the country (even though the last 4 years have given us new lows). We have among the highest percentage of alums who live out-of-state among D-I schools (over 50%), yet we continue to finish in the Top 30 in national attendance every year (and despite the doldrums). You're missing something if you haven't seen the fanaticism of Cyclone basketball. See http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum /mens-basketball/. I think it's because you are too busy writing about Memphis. |
Occhioni03
Reputation: 55Level: Pro Since: Mar 14, 2008 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 6:56 pm
Score: 48
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?If Flynn stayed at the Cuse for one more season...... (takin a deep breath, lettin the possiblities sink in) First, they would have been preseason number 2 behind Kansas. Second, NO team in the Big East would beat them. Third, in my mind they would win the National Title and Flynn and Johnson would be picked in the top 5 of the NBA draft.
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rocco_su_fan Level: Superstar Since: Dec 25, 2008 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 2:14 pm
Score: 70
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?LMAO at the people who think Iowa State is a better basketball team without Wes Johnson. |
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goosecuse Level: Superstar Since: Nov 25, 2006 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 1:55 pm
Score: 96
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?Devo driving the lane shutting his eyes and hoping it goes in,that was getting old, he never got thew calls his way, because he is such a punk, this team looks well rounded compare to teams in the past. Donte Green just wanted to gun it up, I think we have some chemisrty to work with here!
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marothisu
Reputation: 3 Level: Amateur Since: Nov 21, 2009 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 1:32 pm
Score: 94
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?Yes, many people have questioned this. What if Wes Johnson never left Iowa State? Iowa State would be even better, but please don't act as if ISU might not be good this year. The level of improvement between the last three years and this year is absolutely astonishing. Don't be surprised to see ISU in the NCAA tournament this year either. Just because they don't have Wes Johnson doesn't mean they can't be good. They will surprise many, many people this year.
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gosu44 Level: All-Star Since: Jul 6, 2008 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 1:08 pm
Score: 102
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?if you really "follow college basketball", you would remember an all rookie performer in the Big 12 who averaged about 13 ppg as a frosh and soph (12.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg as a freshman). You would also remember hearing people say during every Syracuse game last year that their best player is a transfer named Wes Johnson. Or if you read any Big East pre season article, you would have read that he is a potential break out player in the Big East.
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BigBreesy
Reputation: 57 Level: Pro Since: Nov 15, 2009 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 12:58 pm
Score: 113
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?First off nothing against Devendorf but I think Syracuse is a better team without his wasted shots bad turnovers and cold streaks... I said this right when I heard he left that to me it was addition by subtraction. I just think guys like Rautins, Jones and Scoop fit into the 2-3 and the entire scheme much better than Devendorf ever did. However that said who can deny that with Flynn being here and rotating between Jardine, Triche and Rautins with Flynn we'd have the deepest guard set in the NCAAs
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E-Man
Reputation: 89Level: All-Star Since: Jun 8, 2007 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 12:35 pm
Score: 45
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Namistayouguys Level: All-Star Since: Aug 25, 2006 |
Posted on: November 21, 2009 12:08 pm
Score: 64
What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?How did anyone rate this post more than 1 star? You're better off without Wes? kill yourself pal
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I think not having Lesley hurt ISU more last year than it will this year. This year the folks filling the spot Lesley would have had are Big 12 Necomer and this weeks Big 12 Rookie of the week Marquis Gilstrap. Marquis is backed up by Charles Boozer (Carlos' little bro). Having Lesley's talent on the court with Brackins would have been nice but if he didn't want to be a Cyclone they have done a good job of filling in very talented individuals in his absence.