Audi Crooks to Transfer

[JEFF420]

So anybody about 6’3” and 250 pounds can score 28-40 points in the Big 12 ? Sorry I disagree.

EXACTLY. She is an absolute stud but has not reached that next level in Ames and with this staff. I honestly think a big market team will be great for her if she wants to get there. They will not have the same kid gloves ISU fans do for her. She needs to bring her conditioning and training to another level. Niang bit the bullet and look at the wealth and success he has achieved. I will be cheering for her success even if she's in Iowa City (except when she plays ISU)

 

[harimad]

It would make sense. Could keep the Fareway endorsement.

In all honesty, and siap in here, but what would the odds be of her next landing spot redshirting her, getting her in better shape and conditioning and redefining her game for her senior year? That's probably what I would do in her shoes

She doesn’t need an entire year to lose the bad weight she’s carrying. It isn’t as much weight as people think it is. It could be done in an off-season if she had the motivation to do it.

 

[cycloneworld]

EXACTLY. She is an absolute stud but has not reached that next level in Ames and with this staff. I honestly think a big market team will be great for her if she wants to get there. They will not have the same kid gloves ISU fans do for her. She needs to bring her conditioning and training to another level. Niang bit the bullet and look at the wealth and success he has achieved. I will be cheering for her success even if she's in Iowa City (except when she plays ISU)

If she lands somewhere with a coach that actually has a track record of making players better, she’ll thrive.

The fact that this staff let her get away with her defensive effort for 3 years is insane.

 

[clonedude]

Fact is…. in this new era of college athletics, if you are a program like ISU that is working with a pretty tight budget, you need to invest in football and some in MBB…. and that’s basically it.

Of course you have to keep the others afloat…. but other than that you are not going to get a return on your investment.

It’s just the reality. Just as I’m not going to blame a player for transferring every single year if they can get more money each time, and end up walking out of college financially set for life…. they would be dumb not to unless they are perfectly happy where they are and the money they’re getting. But it’s their decision.

Everyone needs to face it…. “Iowa State” means very little to most of these athletes. Most of them do not play for ISU. They play for the coach, or the money, or the amenities like the facilities etc. Most have NONE of the ties and pride about ISU like most of us do.

Heck, nearly the entire football team quit on ISU when the coach left…. they didn’t care about ISU like they cared about Matt Campbell, or making a little extra money.

It’s all a business, and everyone needs to do what is in their best interest…. not the interest of Iowa State. What’s in the best interest for ISU probably doesn’t make a players top ten list of why they stay here.

It’s just how it is. Which is why I lose more and more interest, and care less more every year. But the ratings are still off the charts, so most people don’t feel the same way I guess? I’m just old.

 

[CycloneVet]

Also must be nice to be Billy Fennelly and make as much as he does with no actual qualifications or skill beyond being his son and married to a former player.

What’s he make per year?

 

[throwittoblythe]

I thought Brend made a really good point about the life long implications for AC by making this decision.

Of course she’ll go make more money next year than probably any other year her whole life. But then what? Unless she goes through an extreme change and defensive development, she’s unlikely to play in the WNBA.

Brends point was by leaving ISU, she cost herself lifelong money for local endorsements, speaking gigs, etc. two days ago she was on track to be an ISU legend and beloved in the state for her whole life.

But she quit on ISU. A lot of those opportunities won’t exist anymore and that has a cost that might outweigh the short term gain from next year.

 

[BryceC]

And how many does she give up on the defensive end? If she has to score 40 to offset her defense then what's the point?

Depending on what happens in the portal, we might be missing her 30 PPG when we’re trying to win every game 42-38.

 

[BryceC]

I thought Brend made a really good point about the life long implications for AC by making this decision.

Of course she’ll go make more money next year than probably any other year her whole life. But then what? Unless she goes through an extreme change and defensive development, she’s unlikely to play in the WNBA.

Brends point was by leaving ISU, she cost herself lifelong money for local endorsements, speaking gigs, etc. two days ago she was on track to be an ISU legend and beloved in the state for her whole life.

But she quit on ISU. A lot of those opportunities won’t exist anymore and that has a cost that might outweigh the short term gain from next year.

Did she quit on Iowa State, or did Iowa State fail these players? I agree she’s given up the legend status but she gave this a good run and nobody could say the last 3 years have been a good on court experience.

 

[clonedude]

I thought Brend made a really good point about the life long implications for AC by making this decision.

Of course she’ll go make more money next year than probably any other year her whole life. But then what? Unless she goes through an extreme change and defensive development, she’s unlikely to play in the WNBA.

Brends point was by leaving ISU, she cost herself lifelong money for local endorsements, speaking gigs, etc. two days ago she was on track to be an ISU legend and beloved in the state for her whole life.

But she quit on ISU. A lot of those opportunities won’t exist anymore and that has a cost that might outweigh the short term gain from next year.

Jake does have a really good point there.

But…. do any of us know if this is all about money? Maybe she’s not real happy here? Outwardly she portrays that she is happy… but some people are good at hiding what is really going on.

 

[Clone5]

And how many does she give up on the defensive end? If she has to score 40 to offset her defense then what's the point?

Audi needs to get better defensively but our program's defense has been an issue long before Audi arrived. Look at these defensive rankings I put in another thread out of 315+ D1 teams over the last several years.
219, 202, 273, 121, 137, 263, 103, 51, 210, 280, 255, 208, 150, 81, 131.
A better defensive coach will hold her to a higher standard and she will be motivated to not get embarrassed defensively moving forward. There will still be issues (like ball screen defense) but I wouldn't be surprised if some of the defensive problems are cleared up at her next stop with better coaching on that end.

 

[ScottyP]

Jake does have a really good point there.

But…. do any of us know if this is all about money? Maybe she’s not real happy here? Outwardly she portrays that she is happy… but some people are good at hiding what is really going on.

Could be that once she realized that everyone abandoned ship, she didn't want to stick around.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

If you really want Bill gone stop going to games. There is really no reason to get rid of him as long as the team is drawing 11k per game

I mean that's exactly what's going to happen. Season tickets will drop like a rock next year.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Did she quit on Iowa State, or did Iowa State fail these players? I agree she’s given up the legend status but she gave this a good run and nobody could say the last 3 years have been a good on court experience.

Jake does have a really good point there.

But…. do any of us know if this is all about money? Maybe she’s not real happy here? Outwardly she portrays that she is happy… but some people are good at hiding what is really going on.

Both good points which I left out. She may very well be leaving for valid reasons. We don't know the dynamics. One example: It's possible she wants to win at the highest level and with Jada/Addy gone, she didn't want to participate in a rebuild in her final year.

It's impossible to know what specifically was going on. I don't blame her for leaving, even if its about money, or team dynamics, or whatever. She's an adult and it's her choice.

I take Jake's point that IF the money is A factor (I'm sure it is at some level), then this might be a short term windfall at the cost of long-term, sustained income.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

My money is on Iowa for Audi. Jensen was her recruiter in high school; has always talked glowingly about Crooks the last 3 years.
Jan likes her and she likes Jan.

They already have a stud 5 returning and Audi is way too slow for that offense. I'll call my shot now though, Brown is gonna end up being a Hawkeye unless a blue blood comes calling.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I think Audi and Addy both have great potential if they get the right coach and the right situation. Both could be All Americans.

It's too late for Audi. Our staff and strength and conditioning team absolutely failed her.

 

[BCClone]

They already have a stud 5 returning and Audi is way too slow for that offense. I'll call my shot now though, Brown is gonna end up being a Hawkeye unless a blue blood comes calling.

Isn’t she from Kansas or Ok? I think OSU is a strong possibility with their cleaning of house. She could be a focal point and the star of a team that handled us.

 

[BCClone]

It's too late for Audi. Our staff and strength and conditioning team absolutely failed her.

Do you know how hard they worked with her when she first showed up? They dedicated one person to her. Sometimes you can lead a horse to water but you can’t force them to drink.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I thought Brend made a really good point about the life long implications for AC by making this decision.

Of course she’ll go make more money next year than probably any other year her whole life. But then what? Unless she goes through an extreme change and defensive development, she’s unlikely to play in the WNBA.

Brends point was by leaving ISU, she cost herself lifelong money for local endorsements, speaking gigs, etc. two days ago she was on track to be an ISU legend and beloved in the state for her whole life.

But she quit on ISU. A lot of those opportunities won’t exist anymore and that has a cost that might outweigh the short term gain from next year.

Didn't help with her choice of messaging in her portal announcement. "Grass is greener where you water it..." umm, ok?

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I thought Brend made a really good point about the life long implications for AC by making this decision.

Of course she’ll go make more money next year than probably any other year her whole life. But then what? Unless she goes through an extreme change and defensive development, she’s unlikely to play in the WNBA.

Brends point was by leaving ISU, she cost herself lifelong money for local endorsements, speaking gigs, etc. two days ago she was on track to be an ISU legend and beloved in the state for her whole life.

But she quit on ISU. A lot of those opportunities won’t exist anymore and that has a cost that might outweigh the short term gain from next year.

I don't think it's fair to say she quit on Iowa State. This is BF's second major rebuild in 5 years, it's pretty clear what the problem is.

 

[GP4ISU]

I thought Brend made a really good point about the life long implications for AC by making this decision.

Of course she’ll go make more money next year than probably any other year her whole life. But then what? Unless she goes through an extreme change and defensive development, she’s unlikely to play in the WNBA.

Brends point was by leaving ISU, she cost herself lifelong money for local endorsements, speaking gigs, etc. two days ago she was on track to be an ISU legend and beloved in the state for her whole life.

But she quit on ISU. A lot of those opportunities won’t exist anymore and that has a cost that might outweigh the short term gain from next year.

Couldn’t agree more. I think 20 years from now, when that money is gone, she looks back and regrets the “forever” stuff she could have had.