Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

[SteinPizza]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

And how far is Ames... and Des Moines... from Des Moines???

Distance - 30 miles
Culturally - 3,000 miles

[Mudrafan]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Get 9-yr off of this board so we can start discussing UNI Panthers again. The overrun of Iowa is utterly ridiculous. We really don't give a damn what Iowa fans think about UNI. Get over it.

[TH1974]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Get 9-yr off of this board so we can start discussing UNI Panthers again. The overrun of Iowa is utterly ridiculous. We really don't give a damn what Iowa fans think about UNI. Get over it.

Still here, mudra? I thought you were leaving years ago.

[TH1974]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

If that's what he said, I just lost a lot of respect for Katz.

I'm sure he didn't really say that. It was probably really McCaffrey or maybe Sally Mason who put those words in his mouth. They absolutely HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE UNI and would conspire to do just about anything to see us go away.

I'll admit that there is a strong desire to beat Iowa, but I'd take 1 win against Creighton this year over 10 wins against Iowa.

I don't know. 10 wins is would pad the record pretty well for a year. Pretttaaayyyy Pretttaaaaayyyy well.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

,

Get 9-yr off of this board so we can start discussing UNI Panthers again. The overrun of Iowa is utterly ridiculous. We really don't give a damn what Iowa fans think about UNI. Get over it.

in mudras defense, I would be pissed off if a rival fan knew far more than me about my team as well.

[UNIGrainer]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Here's my transcript:

Katz: What have you learned about the intensity of the rivalry among IA, ISU, and UNI in BB?

Fran: We just changed it where we're going to [play UNI every other year]. We've always played Home-n-Home. And quite honestly I think that has - that was kinda what really helped Northern Iowa advance. I- I- obviously you've got great coaches... so you've had an opportunity for those to - we would come in and play and ISU would come in and play and you look at the job that Ben's done and upgrading his schedule. He's got a senior dominated team - er- an experienced team. So what they're doing is playing a lot of really good teams to prepare themselves to maybe get an at-large bid out of the MisValley. So, as they've closed the gap- of course they beat us last year and they beat Iowa State last year. They've not only closed the gap- they've won their fair share of games. That's what makes rivalries what they are... It has to be: We don't know who's gonna win. It'll be a great game. IA-ISU has always been that way... UNI certainly more than crept into that conversation- they've become- put themselves right in the middle of it... If we play each other, we're gonna keep knocking each other off. And that's why a lot of schools at our level don't do that. I'm not playing those guys. Because you know what intensity means in this state. If you grow up in this state... you're wearing Hawkeyes (or Cyclone or occasionally UNI or Drake stuff). That's where it all stems from. There's no pro sports here. It's all college...

Katz: I think that one thing when you play those games- you know you play Northern Iowa - that's the biggest game on their schedule. Unfortunately for you, you've got to find ways to keep your kids in the present because you've got the cumulative effect of the Big Ten season which is brutal...

Personally, I think this is funny because of the delusional thinking on the part of Fran and Katz.
First, Fran is stating that he is canceling the Home-n-Home because he's afraid of loosing. (Also why this is pertinent to this thread)

Ok - so far that makes sense. It's not 100% that UNI will win these - probably more like 60-70%. But Iowa's chances are certainly a LOT better in 9 of their other 11 preseason games. UNI, ISU are certainly the best teams on their pre-season schedule. Average RPI of the 9 other teams: 262.
The game after UNI is South Carolina State, with an RPI of 343 (out of 344). Yeah, don't look ahead, guys! Focus!

Look at what Katz says, though. "you know you play Northern Iowa - that's the biggest game on their schedule."
We're playing A LOT of teams that are better than Iowa. Is there a special rivalry that makes us really want a W against Iowa. No more than St. Mary's, Creighton, UNLV, ISU, WSU, etc. And all those teams are tougher opponents. So, no, having B1G on your shirt does not make you automatically a big deal opponent. [/rant]

It certainly isn't the biggest game on our schedule, but it is always one of the biggest nonconference games on the schedule, even when they suck. The unfortunate reality is even when they suck, we have to prove our worth to most of the people in this state by beating ISU and Iowa first and foremost. I'd say we get a 2nd chance later in the year when the postseason comes around, but if we don't beat ISU and Iowa (now ISU or Iowa) we lose a lot of standing within the state. Beyond that, they are an in-state rival and most of us simply don't like them very much. So yes, this game is one of the biggest games on the schedule from a fan standpoint especially. They certainly aren't the BEST team on the schedule by any means, and probably aren't the biggest game (certainly not this year anyway) but they certainly will be one of the biggest for a number of reasons. That being said, Katz has to know that UNI isn't so small-time that the only important game is Iowa. He has to know that as a professional college basketball analyst.

The part I don't understand about his statements is this:

I'm not playing those guys. Because you know what intensity means in this state. If you grow up in this state... you're wearing Hawkeyes (or Cyclone or occasionally UNI or Drake stuff). That's where it all stems from. There's no pro sports here. It's all college...

How is that a rationale NOT to play us and Drake. They shouldn't play us because in-state games garner passion and excitement from the fans in a state full of people who love college sports? You'd rather give them boring blowouts they won't get engaged in? I really don't understand his point there.

[UNIGrainer]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

I'm sure he didn't really say that. It was probably really McCaffrey or maybe Sally Mason who put those words in his mouth. They absolutely HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE UNI and would conspire to do just about anything to see us go away.



I don't know. 10 wins is would pad the record pretty well for a year. Pretttaaayyyy Pretttaaaaayyyy well.

Thats a lot of words in one post for you.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

did katz REALLY have to clarify that he was talking about non-conference games? i mean come on. obviously EVERY conference game is more important to EVERY team in america because winning your conference is 1) everyones #1 goal and 2) the only way to guarantee postseason play.

i could maybe make an exception for Chaminade, or drake because they are terrible.

[sivert]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

no offense, but i dont think you being being honest with yourself. just look at the reaction on this message board for example. by my math, iowa has sucked for 9 of the last 11 years yet the discontinuation of that game has caused universal OUTRAGE here. why?

no offense taken, but I think you might have misunderstood why there was "outrage" over the stop of the Home-n-Home.

Years back (80's, 90's) Iowa was generally the clear favorite. Recently, not so much, and as Fran said, we'll knock each other off. So now, because they're no longer the favorite, they aren't so interested in playing. It is a little irritating when our bigger neighbor takes his ball and goes home simply because he is getting beat sometimes. It isn't outrage so much as an observation of stupidity and pride.

Still, my position has never been outrage. I say, good. Let them go. I don't think we should have gone for the DM classic. Iowa has been nothing but an RPI drain for the last several years.

Oddly, you can't say the same for Iowa. Mathematically, playing UNI and loosing was better for Iowa's RPI than playing and beating some of the other teams on their schedule. Initially, reasons given for dropping UNI games were to schedule better teams. When Iowa's schedule of cupcakes was released, we saw again how stupid and dishonest they are. You have to admit that Iowa's scheduling was stupid this year. Probably cost them the NCAA's if they have a pretty good season.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

i disagree, as long as they dont lose to a campbell-type int he non-conference. barring some meltdowns, the big ten is rightfully getting 7 teams in the tournament. can iowa repeat their 7th place finish from last year? i have my doubts, but its realistic.

i bet the games vs both UNI and ISU are near pick-ems.

fran is repeating the exact process that rebuilt 3 other programs into NCAA teams. do what you know, and do it well. its hard to fault him for that. just i like i am not going to b1tch at jake for playing 6-9 guys on the perimeter or Ferentz for having a MLB cover a WR.

plus, iowa has already committed to a much tougher schedule in the next two years.

[ubuntuCAT]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

How can anyone think the Iowa game is biggest game on UNI's schedule this year? Bigger than Louisville? (or any of the teams in that tournament) Bigger than Creighton at home? The Iowa game is up there but it isn't #1.

FYI last year attendance was greater for the Creighton game than the Iowa game.

[sivert]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

i disagree, as long as they dont lose to a campbell-type int he non-conference. barring some meltdowns, the big ten is rightfully getting 7 teams in the tournament. can iowa repeat their 7th place finish from last year? i have my doubts, but its realistic.

i bet the games vs both UNI and ISU are near pick-ems.

fran is repeating the exact process that rebuilt 3 other programs into NCAA teams. do what you know, and do it well. its hard to fault him for that. just i like i am not going to b1tch at jake for playing 6-9 guys on the perimeter or Ferentz for having a MLB cover a WR.

plus, iowa has already committed to a much tougher schedule in the next two years.

Interesting.
I'll start a thread on Iowa's chances of making the NCAA tournament.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

How can anyone think the Iowa game is biggest game on UNI's schedule this year? Bigger than Louisville? (or any of the teams in that tournament) Bigger than Creighton at home? The Iowa game is up there but it isn't #1.

FYI last year attendance was greater for the Creighton game than the Iowa game.

who thinks that?

[clenz]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

who thinks that?

Did you read the transcript of the interview?

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Did you read the transcript of the interview?

yes, and i listened to the interview.

do you think that katz really took the time to research the schedule of an opponent of the coach he was about to interview, or do you think that it more likely a harmless comment based on 10-15 years of experience in college hoops? im going with the latter.

the ability of this board to feel slighted by the smallest of details is unparalleled.