What's it gonna take?

[GonzoCat]

If there is one factor that holds UNI back it seems to me it has been our inability to attract higher level recruits. Other programs (Gonzaga, Butler, VCU, WSU) have gotten better recruits after they achieved a level of success no higher than what UNI has done to date. That has enabled them to sustain a higher level of success for a longer period, at least until they lost the coach that did it.

This year we've beaten two top 5 teams on national TV. Last year we were the talk of the nation most of the year with our all american player, top 10 ranking and ridiculous record. Going back we had the Kansas win that made us the talk of the tourney that year. Anyone who follows college bb knows we have one of the best coaches in the country. It doesn't seem like any of it has translated to any out of state high level recruits saying "I want to play at UNI".

I love the players we have and I'm not a huge fan of the star system, but it certainly has some degree of validity. I'm not expecting us to ever bag a McDonalds all american, but I'd love to see what Jake could do with a few 4 star recruits that fit his system. A bigger, stronger version of Seth Tuttle if you will.

Ever since Hoiberg arrived at ISU, with his zero coaching background, they have been able to attract these type players by the bus load. I'm not saying I'd want many of the players that have gone there, some have had one eye on the NBA from the beginning, some have been of dubious character, and some don't have the work ethic Jake requires. I'm just saying I'd like some of those type players to consider UNI, I trust Jake to sort out which ones have what it takes beyond raw talent to fit in.

And I'm wondering when if ever we will see it happen.

[Neighbor]

Re: What's it gonna take?

You asked one question. The title of the thread.

In my opinion,

It's going to take filling the McLeod on a regular basis. No good player likes playing in front of an apathetic fan base.

[dan_beeding]

Re: What's it gonna take?

You asked one question. The title of the thread.

In my opinion,

It's going to take filling the McLeod on a regular basis. No good player likes playing in front of an apathetic fan base.

We're more likely to see Ban admit he's wrong than see a consistent turn out in the McLeod from this fan base.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: What's it gonna take?

The answer begins and ends with the fans. We can't expect the results we've seen, and the high level recruits (which we haven't gotten any 4 star recruits, but multiple 3 stars over the years) unless we give the program the support they need. That means filling the McLeod. I wonder what Jake thinks when he sees we have record season ticket sales, and a half filled arena for all the non-con games not named North Carolina? If we can't see consistent great crowds, you can't expect Jake to stick around or take that next step in recruiting. That's my two cents I guess!

[unipanthers8907]

Re: What's it gonna take?

The answer begins and ends with the fans. We can't expect the results we've seen, and the high level recruits (which we haven't gotten any 4 star recruits, but multiple 3 stars over the years) unless we give the program the support they need. That means filling the McLeod. I wonder what Jake thinks when he sees we have record season ticket sales, and a half filled arena for all the non-con games not named North Carolina? If we can't see consistent great crowds, you can't expect Jake to stick around or take that next step in recruiting. That's my two cents I guess!

Yep. And it will be those who are "too busy" to support UNI outside of the UNC and Wichita State games who are the loudest ones complaining if/when Jake leaves for another job.

[DownGoesKansas]

Re: What's it gonna take?

Yep. Need people to show up, end of story. But its likely not going to happen anytime soon.

[CincyPanther88]

Re: What's it gonna take?

Filling the arena would be great. But, as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for because it may come true. Getting the 4 star recruits comes with it's own challenges. A lot of these guys you're going to have to worry about their eligibility. Also, are they willing to buy into Jake's system? Are they going to want to play defense? Are they willing to sublimate their talents to Jake's offense? Are they just going to stay a year? Personally, I would rather have the 3 star guys and see Jake coach them up. I don't think it's a coincidence that guys like Kwadzo and Deon and Matt and Wes took a couple of years to be consistently good.

[Zakelsta]

Re: What's it gonna take?

Filling the arena would be great. But, as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for because it may come true. Getting the 4 star recruits comes with it's own challenges. A lot of these guys you're going to have to worry about their eligibility. Also, are they willing to buy into Jake's system? Are they going to want to play defense? Are they willing to sublimate their talents to Jake's offense? Are they just going to stay a year? Personally, I would rather have the 3 star guys and see Jake coach them up. I don't think it's a coincidence that guys like Kwadzo and Deon and Matt and Wes took a couple of years to be consistently good.

Boom. Nailed it. The reason we don't get that caliber of player is the same reason Austin transferred. Why Lyle, Olivier, Montgomery, etc all left. High talent, but low willingness to fit inside of Jakes system/program. 4 star guys want to go be the star somewhere, and they want the coaches recruiting them to tell them they'll be the star. Jake doesn't tell guys that.

[Zakelsta]

Re: What's it gonna take?

On the attendance issue: if the athletic offices goal was to put 7000 people in the McLeod every game, they could. That isn't the goal. The goal is to create a competitive environment WHILE being profitable.

We have seen five dollar ticket promotions yield sellouts during break. We have seen ourselves pack 20,000 into the Uni dome with cheap ticket promotions. We know it works. It just doesn't make enough money.

[claw]

What's it gonna take?

Filling the arena would be great. But, as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for because it may come true. Getting the 4 star recruits comes with it's own challenges. A lot of these guys you're going to have to worry about their eligibility. Also, are they willing to buy into Jake's system? Are they going to want to play defense? Are they willing to sublimate their talents to Jake's offense? Are they just going to stay a year? Personally, I would rather have the 3 star guys and see Jake coach them up. I don't think it's a coincidence that guys like Kwadzo and Deon and Matt and Wes took a couple of years to be consistently good.

WSU is seeing that right now. They have a roster full of guys who were top 150 type players coming out of high school but they don't seem willing to work hard enough, play within Greg's system correctly, or do the small things needed on a daily basis to get better.

WSU was great when Baker and FVV, guys who weren't highly recruited and were passed over were playing with a massive chip on their shoulder to prove people wrong. They out worked everyone. To go along with them they had Early, Stutz, etc... all doing the same. They had a roster of "no names" that became names for busting their ass. Now? I don't see that same fire from Baker and FVV. I don't even see a spark in the eye of their current set of underclass role players

It's a catch-22 with that type of player, especially when you have a coach like Jake, or Marshall, that doesn't give a damn how talented you may have been coming out of high school and will treat you like just another walk on I matter how good you are

[claw]

On the ticket price side

4,000 tickets at $15 equal to 7,000 at 8.50. The problem is there can't be 7,000 tickets sold at 8.50.

[BCPanther]

Re: What's it gonna take?

I don't think it's terribly easy to play for Jake. He demands out of this world conditioning and weight work and an all out commitment to defense with no guarantees your going to see the ball much on offense.

He's obviously not a guy that screams and yells but he's still a tough guy to play for. There's lots of those 4 star kids who don't have the desire to do those things.

[UNIdad]

Re: What's it gonna take?

I would add one more thing. Sending a few guys to the NBA will get the attention of nationally prominent recruits.

[TH1974]

Re: What's it gonna take?

Yep. And it will be those who are "too busy" to support UNI outside of the UNC and Wichita State games who are the loudest ones complaining if/when Jake leaves for another job.

I doubt that'd be the case.

[CyCarp]

Re: What's it gonna take?

Filling the arena would be great. But, as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for because it may come true. Getting the 4 star recruits comes with it's own challenges. A lot of these guys you're going to have to worry about their eligibility. Also, are they willing to buy into Jake's system? Are they going to want to play defense? Are they willing to sublimate their talents to Jake's offense? Are they just going to stay a year? Personally, I would rather have the 3 star guys and see Jake coach them up. I don't think it's a coincidence that guys like Kwadzo and Deon and Matt and Wes took a couple of years to be consistently good.

Totally agree. We often hear Jake say that he recruits more than the players skill set. He wants guys who are great young men, are willing to buy into his style and work as a team. Higher recruits are also more likely have some baggage like egos and selfish play. Lastly, let's not forget that Jake likes to recruit guys young. How many times have we seen Jake offer a guy very early, then he blows up? We've also seen where the kid commits here early and his star ratings don't move because he's already committed.