What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?

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.

didn't i make a poll about this on an earlier article from you? give me a little credit here, did i not get you thinking about this parrish? i mean you area great writer, the best on this site but come on man, i brought this up earlier and you write a story about it same day? just a little credit is all i ask.

What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State?

Weasley (no typo) left ISU under some strange circumstances. The few reasons that have leaked out seem weak at best. He may have helped the team on the court, but something was not right off the court. ISU will be better off in the long run without him.

HB was going to NC all along. HB in Tar Heel blue has been a fantasy of HB and his mom for a ong time. He was even named after MJ (middle name). ISU was never seriously in the running. He just used ISU to get access to practice against the team and the shiny new practice facility to make himself better.

Mark it down. ISU will finish better than 8th in the Big 12 this year. They are MUCH improved over last year's 10th place team.

Jack Straw250 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 21, 2009	Posted on: November 21, 2009 12:11 am Score: 63 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? Glad he's at Syracuse!!!!!! Go Cuse! [ Reply to Comment ]
mikef1077 Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Oct 25, 2006	Posted on: November 21, 2009 1:24 am Score: 59 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? well then iowa state would have been pretty good. I still dont think they would be as balanced as this cuse team. [ Reply to Comment ]
BuckeyeBoundQB8 Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 25, 2006	Posted on: November 21, 2009 1:37 am Score: 77 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? didn't i make a poll about this on an earlier article from you? give me a little credit here, did i not get you thinking about this parrish? i mean you area great writer, the best on this site but come on man, i brought this up earlier and you write a story about it same day? just a little credit is all i ask. [ Reply to Comment ]
d-winner2 Reputation: 87 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 22, 2006	Posted on: November 21, 2009 3:37 am Score: 45 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? Yeah, well...What if Flynn and Devendorf had stayed in Syracuse?? [ Reply to Comment ]
Gander Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 19, 2008	Posted on: November 21, 2009 5:55 am Score: 48 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? Devendorf was ran out of town [ Reply to Comment ]
richardb52 Reputation: 76 Level: Pro Since: Dec 19, 2008	Posted on: November 21, 2009 6:12 am Score: 38 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? Now I see why Paul Harris left last year. He would have gone from being a starter to being a sub. [ Reply to Comment ]
Bandolph Reputation: 83 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 28, 2006	Posted on: November 21, 2009 8:18 am Score: 86 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? Devendorf and Harris, nice players but I will not miss watching an opponent blow by Devo because he was pumping his fists, so self absorbed in congratulations, because he had a trey. I do not miss Harris's 10 thumbs when the game is close. This team is the sum of it's parts. Good parts. [ Reply to Comment ]
tazclone Reputation: 27 Level: Rookie Since: Aug 22, 2008	Posted on: November 21, 2009 10:12 am Score: 26 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? Glad Wesley Johnson and his medling greedy brother left ISU. Syracuse can keep him. Team chemistry is much better and ISU will be better fior the long term. ISU will surprise many this year. [ Reply to Comment ]
tazclone Reputation: 27 Level: Rookie Since: Aug 22, 2008	Posted on: November 21, 2009 10:13 am Score: -10 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? LOL...ISU is as balanced right now. [ Reply to Comment ]
ksclone Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Nov 21, 2009	Posted on: November 21, 2009 11:34 am Score: 139 What if Johnson would've never left Iowa State? Weasley (no typo) left ISU under some strange circumstances. The few reasons that have leaked out seem weak at best. He may have helped the team on the court, but something was not right off the court. ISU will be better off in the long run without him. HB was going to NC all along. HB in Tar Heel blue has been a fantasy of HB and his mom for a ong time. He was even named after MJ (middle name). ISU was never seriously in the running. He just used ISU to get access to practice against the team and the shiny new practice facility to make himself better. Mark it down. ISU will finish better than 8th in the Big 12 this year. They are MUCH improved over last year's 10th place team. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts