Fire Isaac Brown

[ShockTalk]

3. IB pulls some recruits out of thin air and learns from his mistakes this year and are slightly better next year.

"Slightly better" is not a very lofty goal in 22-23 for a 2021 "conference coach of the year".

[Maizerunner08]

Maybe it’s the homemade chicken noodle soup putting me in a good mood but I’m (mostly) at peace with this season. I’m done belaboring the same points over and over. I just hope next season is better. I’ll just say it’s painful to have zero chance at playing in the tournament. With no WSU, it’s just really hard to get excited about March basketball.

Go Shockers

[ShockRef]

I had a conversation with another ‘old timer’ at half time yesterday. We discussed IB following a ‘legend’ and how difficult that can be. Maybe the IB choice wasn’t too bad considering the circumstances. We didn’t have a lot of luck replacing Krusty (Gene Stephenson) and had to settle with our 3rd or 4th choice until Wedge came along.

Sitting in Koch Arena the past few games has given me some hope (hope is a good thing) about the future. There were 9000 people there yesterday bringing it for a 14-12 (15-12) team likely going nowhere.

I believe IB will eventually be forced to step-down and head to the Juco ranks to build his resume. I will be forever grateful to him for stepping into a no-win situation. I can’t imagine following coach Marshall and having to deal with a pandemic… that’s a lot to ask from anyone.

The Shockers still have a National following and a great fan base… we will rise again. IB is simply a placeholder.

No, I haven’t been drinking… yet!

WStateU,
Usually I read your posts for chuckles and frivolity.
However, this one is a spot on analysis and opinion.

Even the most ardent nonsupporters of IB agree he is really nice guy.
It is also unanimous he was handed a tough situation and following the most popular coach in school history.
No disagreement there, even from the Fever.

However, I have been adamant that WSU is no longer a training station, (if it ever was).
WSU is a legit destination and you can bet if the HC position opened up, the list of hopeful applicants would long and qualified.
ESPN doesn't keep you on the flagship if you are some true mid-major.

IB has made some of the most simple and easily recognized mistakes this year.
Although made some improvement, it is the kind of stuff that should happen over time at a Valley school or equivalent.

Not at Wichita State.

Like I said, a destination school, not a training station.

That is all.

[Kung Wu]

Maybe it’s the homemade chicken noodle soup putting me in a good mood but I’m (mostly) at peace with this season.

Daaaaang, now you got me hungry.

Regarding HCIB I think, .... wait no ... back to the homemade chicken noodle soup. MMMMmmmmmm

[shoxlax]

Recruits can be categorized in the following groups:

1. HS kids
2. Juco players
3. Bench warmers at P5 programs looking for playing time
4. Bench warmers at non P5 looking for playing time
5. Good players at non P5 looking to move up in competition
6. Good players at P5 looking for Top 10 programs/NBA draft
7. Players below D1 level looking for D1 opportunities

I would go hard after #3, #5 and then #2. HS kids would probably be low priority at this point. The problem with HS kids is that they all want to play and will bolt after a year of sitting on the bench. Transfers will be locked in.

I would add
8. International players who haven’t played in the states yet.

[pinstripers]

I would add
8. International players who haven’t played in the states yet.

I imagine this is a comment to remember

[Wildcatmo21]

What's the over/ under on transfers? 8?

[SubGod22]

What's the over/ under on transfers? 8?

I have anywhere from 6 to 9 guys not returning so would place to O/U at 7.5. But If I had to pick a number I'd go with 7 knowing it could definitely be more.

[BostonWu]

So who is most likely to stay then?

[ShockerExpress]

Just out of curiosity, why do people think so many will transfer?

Players lack of confidence in IB?

Because we're bad?

Just based of observation of body language?

They were initially recruited by 3G?

All of the above?

I really am curious. No question this season has been a huge disappointment. However by every metric this is a top 80-100-ish team. Do you expect the other 250+ teams beneath WSU to also have 7-9 transfers?

That seems high to be, but I have consistently been too positive so take it with a grain of salt.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

Just out of curiosity, why do people think so many will transfer?

Players lack of confidence in IB?

Because we're bad?

Just based of observation of body language?

They were initially recruited by 3G?

All of the above?

I really am curious. No question this season has been a huge disappointment. However by every metric this is a top 80-100-ish team. Do you expect the other 250+ teams beneath WSU to also have 7-9 transfers?

That seems high to be, but I have consistently been too positive so take it with a grain of salt.

My personal opinion:

Transfers are the way of life in college basketball these days. That will automatically lead to an average of 3-4 per year. The other potential 3-4 will be older guys who feel their time at WSU is up and might want to try and get a year with a team "at that level". You might also have a younger guy or two in that group who feels they weren't utilized to their potential and will move on to someone who is telling them they will be the man.

[shoxlax]

Entering the portal and actually transferring is a ratio that will be interesting to watch all around college basketball this year.

I despise the portal and what it’s turned college basketball into lately. It is supposed to be in the interest of the player but instead turns them into a piece of property that is lied to, tampered with, and if you are a player staying at a school, recruited over. It makes the slimy of college basketball even worse, and those who try to play by the rules at a bigger disadvantage. How is any of that helping a player or the game?

[Shocktoberfest]

Entering the portal and actually transferring is a ratio that will be interesting to watch all around college basketball this year.

I despise the portal and what it’s turned college basketball into lately. It is supposed to be in the interest of the player but instead turns them into a piece of property that is lied to, tampered with, and if you are a player staying at a school, recruited over. It makes the slimy of college basketball even worse, and those who try to play by the rules at a bigger disadvantage. How is any of that helping a player or the game?

The ratio would be an interesting stat. According the article from last month in the Atlantic, I believe, most if not nearly all players who enter the portal already know where they are headed. At least according to the author and his sources. Obviously that isn't always the case. See Udeze. Lots of stuff going on behind the scenes for sure. Let the tampering begin!

[Kel Varnsen]

Entering the portal and actually transferring is a ratio that will be interesting to watch all around college basketball this year.

I despise the portal and what it’s turned college basketball into lately. It is supposed to be in the interest of the player but instead turns them into a piece of property that is lied to, tampered with, and if you are a player staying at a school, recruited over. It makes the slimy of college basketball even worse, and those who try to play by the rules at a bigger disadvantage. How is any of that helping a player or the game?

Not to mention that there is no commitment required of a player outside of one year. You want to say that the schools should offer four year scholarships and be able to honor that regardless of how good a player ends up being? Fine, then require commitments from the players to stay x years, and a penalty if they don't fulfill that. Gee, sounds like the old transfer rules (one year to sit out) weren't that bad.

If there's no commitment required, then these guys are free agents year in and year out. It's even worse than the pros.

[Dan]

aren't players limited to one free transfer?