I can not believe that our team has fallen this far. We may not win a game this year. Lick was never a great hire. What did he do to deserve a Big Ten coaching job? He won a couple of NCAA tourny games at Butler with someone elses players. He hasn't really recruited any talent to Iowa. I don't know what coach with any potential would even consider our program. Last year we were considered a "bad loss" when looking at potential tourney temas resumes. That is pathetic.
Maybe I am really bitter right now, but am I wrong?
Yeah but what do they do? Fire the coach now after 2 games? Who would you bring in now?
Have to give him credit for consistency I guess. 50 game 1, 50 game 2...going to go out on a limb and say we score 50 against Bowling Green on Friday and lose by 5.
Let's get wrestling started so Carver Hawkeye can see a few crowds! Wow this is pretty much paper bag time.
Licklieter is tacking our program to new places. The announcers said it over and over again, Iowa has not lost back to back home games to open a season since 1931, and Iowa has NEVER, NEVER had three lossing seasons in a row. Thanks Coach. Wh not bring back DR. Tom Davis, if Kansas State can bring back Bill Schnider as a football coach and Nebraska can bring back Dr. Tom Osborne as ther AD why not bring back Tom? He still has a passion for the Black and Gold. Just a thought.
I have a feeling that I may be in the minority here, but I think we need to give Lick some more time...
Look at what he did at Butler. He took a no-name school from Nowheresville, Indiana, and took them to the Sweet 16. Now, 3 years later, Butler (and Lick's recruits who are juniors and seniors) is ranked 10th in the Coaches Poll and 11th in the AP Poll, so Lick has shown the ability to recruit.
Yes, it seems like the team has no direction, and players do not yet understand their roles - and that is indeed a problem. But if Lick has a plan in place, and is working on getting his system in order, then we need to allow it to happen.
Personally, I don't think a college football or basketball coach should be fired before he has completed 5 seasons (unless he hits a player or does something illegal). That way, he has a chance to get a full career out of his recruits (I say 5 because that allows for a redshirt year as well).
I know that Iowa basketball has become "boring" and lacks style and up-tempo play. But, perhaps I am one of the few out there who think that Lickliter has the potential to turn the program around and make them Big 10 contenders.
I believe in giving coaches a chance but when players leave and we lose the way we are it is not getting any better. His style may have worked in the mid-majors but I don't think it will in the big 10. Maybe Keno Davis wants to come back home.
I would love to have Keno Davis but don't think there is any chance. I wanted to give Lickliter more of a chance heading into the year but after seeing the seats empty and playing even two games the way they have I've changed my mind. It's a sad time for hawkeye BB and not going to change any time soon. I want to support the players and the coach but they continue to give us nothing to look forward to.
Perhaps I am one of the few out there who think that Lickliter has the potential to turn the program around and make them Big 10 contenders. One of the VERY few, I would guess, but I respect your opinion. His Butler record aside, however, I'm wondering what he has accomplished in Iowa City that gives you any confidence that he CAN turn it around.
One full season is generally not enough data, but when you hold up the results from the season itself with the transfers that took place immediately after the season ended, toss in the recruits he signed on this spring and evaluate the results from the first two games, most reasonable observers would conclude that Lick doesn't have this thing going the right way. Not even close.
If the Hawks can't match last year's win total, I say 2 seasons is enough data and we move onto the next guy.
Here's the bottom line fellas. Lick has not been able to recruit Big Ten basketball players here at Iowa. He has had his chance. He cannot run his style of offense with the players he has recruited...and it's "slow ball". What an absolute joke. Turn these kids loose and let them play Lickliter !!!!!!!!!!! Let these kids have some fun. Your system ..win or lose, is horrible. I love Iowa basketball. I cannot go to the game or watch it, without leaving early or turning the channel. It is just too sickening to watch. No offense to seventh grade boys basketball...But that is the closest comparison. We can't pass, we can't shoot, we can't dribble drive, we can't play defense, we are undersized and underskilled at every position on the floor. The bench gets worse. This may be the worst Big Ten basketball team I have ever seen placed on a basketball floor. I've watched Big Ten basketball for 35 years. I'm not talking the worst Iowa team ever...I'm talking the worst Big Ten team EVER TO STEP ON THE FLOOR. The kids need a chance to have fun. That is why I believe he has such a high transfer rate. It's not fun playing for that man. Kids get your education ...if you think you have some skills ..leave the program. Lick has to go.
I hope our AD grows some nuts and brings in BJ Armstrong or Kevin Gamble to jumpstart this program. We need a good young coach that can get some recruits and change the current system totally. Our tax money is currently being spent on a 21 million dollar expansion of Carver Arena. The hole is being dug as we speak. Is the wrestling team and women's basketball going to turn the profit? Or is the Iowa football team going to be the only sport that brings in enough cash to keep the others funded. There is absoltely no reason why Iowa basketball should not turn a profit. We as fans do not expect much other than a good entertaining game ....win or lose. The current state is pathetic and beyond repair with our current coaching staff.
We are undersized and underskilled at every position on the floor.........This may be the worst Big Ten basketball team I have ever seen.I want you to be wrong, but these first two games provide clues as to what the next 27-28 are going to be like.
Less than 8,000 people were at Carver last night, and that's with the students in town. During Thanksgiving Break, they're going to be playing in front of friends and family, and who's going to go out in the cold and the snow to watch them get slaughtered in January and February?
Even with the fans sitting this season out, I think things are going to have to really unravel for the university to cut him loose mid-season, but this is one CRAZY BAD TEAM. 10 wins would be an absolute miracle. Makes the Dr. Tom Davis years look like the Wooden Era.
I am sorry if I seem harsh. I am sickened and pissed off as hell that it has come to this. The AD needs to get this situation resolved this year in mid season at the latest. I would fire Lickliter right now. How could it get any worse fellas. It can't. The last three years I have not looked forward to Iowa basketball, at all. I watched all the games anyway. I am now at the point where I can't do it. It is too SICK to watch. Nobody's going to the games. Wait until the Big Ten games start. It's going to be five dollar tickets and one dollar hot dogs. That might not fill Carver. We can thank our football team for funding Lickliter. In this economy, you are going to have to put a respectable product on the floor to keep your job. More than just the kids going to class and getting good grades. It's a business. This one will be bankrupt soon. i think I'm done ranting. I'm just really pissed off about this.
Actually Iowa has had a three season losing streak. They had losing seasons in 1929-30, 1930-31, and 1931-32 under coach Rollie Williams. Iowa has never had four losing seasons in a row.
I have a feeling that I may be in the minority here, but I think we need to give Lick some more time...More time to do what? Make the basketball team lose money this year and the university get rid of the basketball team for a girls crochet team. There is absolutely nobody going to watch the basketball team and I'll bet anything that they are in the red as far as budgets go. Licks style of basketball just flat out sucks, we will never get a big time athlete, it's boring to watch and reminds me of a early 1900's style of basketball (except they could pass better back then), I feel free to speak for all of my fellow Hawkeye family on this one WE ARE SICK OF LOSING!!!!!!!!!!! He has had his chance and has shown NOTHING, hell he can't even keep his own recruits! Look at what he did at Butler.Look what Charlie Weiss did at New England. Yes, it seems like the team has no direction, and players do not yet understand their roles - and that is indeed a problem. But if Lick has a plan in place, and is working on getting his system in order, then we need to allow it to happen.How many years are we going to fall for the "he's got a plan in place" garbage! Presidents of the United States of America have "plans in place" all of the time, but we all know how they turn out. Personally, I don't think a college football or basketball coach should be fired before he has completed 5 seasons (unless he hits a player or does something illegal). That way, he has a chance to get a full career out of his recruits (I say 5 because that allows for a redshirt year as well).So should Lackluster Lick get 6 or 7 years, I just figured that he deserved a couple of more years since he has half of a recruiting class transfer every year. perhaps I am one of the few out there who think that Lickliter has the potential to turn the program around and make them Big 10 contenders.Big 10 contenders?????? Have you seen Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State, Illinois, Purdue play this year or have you seen their recruiting class. Iowa doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as these teams right now and there is NO WAY that Lick and his slow 6'4" players will ever compete with these other teams 6'8" NBA prospects. Iowa needs to open up the pocket book and give the fans a coach that will put a competitive team on the floor and will work a hell of a lot harder on the recruiting trail. Fire Lick and bring Marble in as a intern coach, effective immediately.
Less than 8,000 people were at Carver last night , and that's with the students in town. I bought season tickets when I was a freshman in the 07-08 season. That was alright.
I didnt buy season tickets last year and didnt watch one game.
I think Jay Kelley's departure cause some of the problems. He was the go-to guy if things weren't going right. I can't say I totally support his decision, but I feel for the kid, and I can't talk bad about a kid who lost his mother.
In all honesty, Iowa should have beaten VaTech. In watching the game, if Iowa players would put a little more effort in, I think Iowa would have much better chances on offense, and at least a little more time to get back on D.
Speaking of D, that's where the Hawks really need to work. I think if they get back on D more quickly, they can start winning some more ball games. All in all, I think that once these young players find their stride, they will be a great team, and be high in the Big Ten.
P.S. Man can they shoot mean threes when they get good looks!
Jake Kelly was the biggest blow, but I'd take any of the guys that have transfered since Lick got here. The biggest issue is just what you said legacy... all they can do is shoot threes. No motion, no big men except against NC Central and PV, no athletes, possible exception of Tucker.
We've lost too much talent, and none has been replaced. Tucker is showing flashes, but like Kelly before him if there is no one else that shows up it doesn't make much difference. It doesn't matter how well you shoot the three ball if you can't score in any other fashion. We've taken more 3 ponters than 2s. We're shooting 40% from the field, not even 70% from the free throw line, and 15 turnovers a game. Isn't a bunch of slow sharp shooters supposed to have a good free throw percentage? Isn't this offense about ball control and causing turnovers, not commiting them?
They are young, and don't seem to have a true point guard. I think that speaks more to lack of recruiting the right players for your own system than they are young and give him time.
Jake Kelly would not have saved this season, he was a bit to much of shake and bake with no real game. Why do we have no point guards???? Payne isn't a Big 10 guard, today, tomorrow, next year or ever...maybe a decent backup at some point. Do we even have one player who could play on any Big10 team?? Gatens would be the only one. Doctor Tom's worst team would beat this one by 30. Where has Lickliter ever been on a major college team?? As a player or coach...that would be never. He is in over his head. His body language was terrible the first 2 years, no wonder everbody is leaving.
PJ, I don't think that Kelly would have saved the season all on his own. I think he hurt as much as anyone, but all of them hurt. I'm surprised, so far Kelly is only averaging 10 points on Ind State. I didn't think he was going to be a 30 point a game guy, but maybe 15+. It's still early though in a new system and team.
I'm curious how the other guys are doing. Where did the others go? I obviously know where T Smith is, but what about the rest? None of them are 30 point guys and NBA all stars, but I still think they are better players than who we have now. Clem's post about Jake Christiansen's final stats made me curious.
I gotta agree that this is NOT what I had hoped for when they hired Todd Lickliter, but I'm TRYING to remain patient. It is hard to get fired up to watch IOWA take to the court this year. I had asked people to be patient last year & thought he'd show us some improvement, but not the case. I feel for him & his headaches & personally know what it's like to have health issues get in the way of a job. But his headaches are just starting I think. If we don't finish .500 or better, I think they should let him go. Now, as far as wrestling; it's too bad we don't have more home meets & draw better crowds, but a lot of wrestling fans are busy going to high school meets & tournaments often at same time IOWA wrestles. I plan to go to at least one U of I meet, but I'm having a tough time deciding between Ok. St. 1/16, Penn St. 1/29 or Ohio St. on 2/19. Maybe I'll win on a scratch ticket or other lottery ticket & be able to hit all 3. I'd just like to see our local guy Beatty before his Hawkeye days are over. Then we have the LONG wait until football starts up again. I'm already looking forward to next year & we haven' t even beaten the Yellow Jackets-----YET!!!
