Behind Enemy Lines: Big 12

[EatemupISU]

How much do you want to bet one of the anonymous sources is Bill Self? You don't think he asked Fred what was up with Jameel the last time they visited?

The longer this season goes on, the more respect I gain for Steve Prohm. He is trying to set a foundation of discipline and effort that Fred neglected to. Fred got away with it for a little while, when he had guys like Melvin Ejim in the program. But last year his "let them be" philosophy bit us (BDJ and McKay) and led directly to UAB.

 

[allfourcy]

The last thing we need is an anonymous rumor based on hearsay from someone outside the ISU program about Jameel to make the rounds, so how about we let that one go. Jameel is back, he looked like he's buying in, hopefully he sticks with that because he might have as little as 5 games left in a Cyclone uniform.

Yeah, agree. Just the timing of it all makes one take a "whoa" moment.

 

[allfourcy]

How much do you want to bet one of the anonymous sources is Bill Self? You don't think he asked Fred what was up with Jameel the last time they visited?

The longer this season goes on, the more respect I gain for Steve Prohm. He is trying to set a foundation of discipline and effort that Fred neglected to. Fred got away with it for a little while, when he had guys like Melvin Ejim in the program. But last year his "let them be" philosophy bit us (BDJ and McKay) and led directly to UAB.

Not saying you're wrong, but I don't think its as cut & dried or simple as all that. Lots of things go into running a program and what you have your staff do, etc.

 

[CycloneBBFan]

Just another third party "he said she said", full of "I know somebody" claims from an alleged "breakdown of in-conference foes anonymously". Sounds credible. So is CSI Miami.

 

[herbicide]

The McKay stuff here wasn't a problem last year with the fanbase; what'd y'all think "Fred runs practices pretty loose" meant?

 

[tim_redd]

Didn't Fran Fraschilla openly question Jameel's practice effort a long time ago? I think it was while Jameel was sitting out or maybe it was before he became eligible last year.

Doesn't surprise me in the least....

 

[CYdTracked]

My question moving forward is...is Prohm letting the players run (and I'm hearing he calls very few himself at needed times) all the same plays just because he didn't want to mess with continuity, or is it an area he lacks in his young coaching career that we should be concerned about? Having asked that, its probably not a very fair question, tho, at this time. Inheriting almost a whole team thats been under the same staff can't be easy. Besides, its not like we hired a Power 5 conference coaching veteran. Fred's success was going to make it almost impossible not to question an up-and-comer in the coaching ranks when something doesn't go well.

I don't have concerns about this because he's recruited and coached 2 NBA point guards at Murray State so if he could do it there why not here too? He needs to lay the groundwork this year for the type of program he wants to build here if he is going to have any chance of being able to do that and to come in and be soft and let the players run the show without consequences would have set a bad precedent so if we had to take some lumps with McKay and Cooke because they couldn't get onboard with that then so be it. He's proven so far he's not scared to sit a guy and stand firm on his discipline and you are going to have a lot more respect and control of your team going forward by doing that now than to not do it then play the bad guy later once Fred's guys are gone.

 

[Incyte]

That parent that didn't raise him right sure got a hell of lot more production out of him.

And had one foot out the door knowing he didn't have to deal with long term consequences. . .

 

[randomfan44]

The last thing we need is an anonymous rumor based on hearsay from someone outside the ISU program about Jameel to make the rounds, so how about we let that one go. Jameel is back, he looked like he's buying in, hopefully he sticks with that because he might have as little as 5 games left in a Cyclone uniform.

Didn't McKay get suspended for practice related issues? I think this is well beyond "an anonymous rumor based on hearsay".

 

[Bigman38]

And had one foot out the door knowing he didn't have to deal with long term consequences. . .

what long term consequences? What makes you think it wouldn't have worked again this year?

It's not the way I'd handle things if I was a coach either, but criticizing Hoiberg's handling that, so far, got 10x the production out of McKay is crazy.

 

[randomfan44]

Didn't Fran Fraschilla openly question Jameel's practice effort a long time ago? I think it was while Jameel was sitting out or maybe it was before he became eligible last year. Doesn't surprise me in the least....

Yes. Multiple people with direct contact to ISU practices have made public statements about McKay's practice habits. This isn't anything new, unfounded or scandalous.

 

[Dingus]

How much do you want to bet one of the anonymous sources is Bill Self? You don't think he asked Fred what was up with Jameel the last time they visited?
.

What's up with all the 'Hoiberg and Self as buddies' stuff lately? I must have missed something.

 

[SolarGarlic]

I believe it. I just don't think it's that big of a deal. I'm actually surprised at the reaction here. Should've known some would be overly sensitive to anything remotely negative.

 

[brokenloginagain]

this is one of my favorite articles every year by seth davis. its nice to see what coaching staff's really think/say in exchange for anonymity. nothing about the isu blurb should be that surprising to anyone who follows the program closely.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Say what you want about Fred, but whatever he was doing worked on a level that we haven't seen for a while. Who knows if that is true? At any rate, I think it is beyond question that Prohm runs a different ship, and that has led to some some attitude adjustments being necessary.

 

[brokenloginagain]

since so few click on links....

Welcome to a second dose of the truth. There's not a lot of sugar going down with this medicine, but you need to take it anyway. Trust me, it will make you feel better.
Once again, I have gone behind enemy lines to get the straight dope on the top teams from three of the best conferences in the nation. For this exercise, I spoke with three coaches (head coaches and assistants) from the Big 12 and Big East, plus two from the Pac 12. Last week, I presented similar offerings on the ACC, SEC and Big Ten. In both cases, I granted the coaches anonymity so they would give it to us straight. Then I pried, provoked and prompted them to divulge the potential weak points and tendencies of these teams.
If these assessments seem unduly harsh, that is my fault, not theirs. We know these teams are good; that's why they're on this list. Therefore, it is more instructive to focus on their areas of vulnerability as we crest into the postseason.
So consider this a public service so that you can load up for the most exciting time of the year. Once more, with feeling, come and feast on the truth, Hoopheads. May it set you free.

 

[dahliaclone]

What's up with all the 'Hoiberg and Self as buddies' stuff lately? I must have missed something.

Self got Hoiberg's daughter a job within the KU basketball program. Might be some of it.

 

[EatemupISU]

what long term consequences? What makes you think it wouldn't have worked again this year?

I think you can draw a direct line between Fred's hands-off approach and the repeated head-scratching losses over the past few years. UAB shouldn't have surprised us after South Carolina and Texas Tech last year. If guys think they can take practice off it is hard to keep them from taking a game off from time to time too.

 

[Cydkar]

The last thing we need is an anonymous rumor based on hearsay from someone outside the ISU program about Jameel to make the rounds, so how about we let that one go. Jameel is back, he looked like he's buying in, hopefully he sticks with that because he might have as little as 5 games left in a Cyclone uniform.

McKay gets the benefit of the doubt going forward, from me, but that doesn't mean I don't believe that he wasn't a piece of work last year. I have a VERY good source that claims he required a "babysitter" last year. Nothing has been posted or said to make me doubt that for a second.

 

[ZB4CY]

You guys are my sources!