Difference between Ben and Fran

[Hawkangler]

Good to hear Ben after the game, he was not happy with the team's play. Everything isn't Candy and Nuts. Fran would have said, "It was a great game".

I understand it was an exhibition but you play with the lights on, the way you practice. A lot will be learned for sure. Rebounding was the most concerning.

I'm sure we'll see significant improvements next time out of the gate.

 

[Roncuba65]

Every player Fran coached practiced Phenomenal until game time...

Good to hear Ben after the game, he was not happy with the team's play. Everything isn't Candy and Nuts. Fran would have said, "It was a great game".

I understand it was an exhibition but you play with the lights on, the way you practice. A lot will be learned for sure. Rebounding was the most concerning.

I'm sure we'll see significant improvements next time out of the gate.

 

[TheGreatDivider101]

Fran was the king of hyperbole. I remember him telling Dolph that Jack Nunge was going to be a future superstar in the Big10. Jack was very good but not on the level of Glenn Robinson, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, etc.

 

[HawksRule73]

Body of Work.

 

[The Big Z]

Fran was the king of hyperbole. I remember him telling Dolph that Jack Nunge was going to be a future superstar in the Big10. Jack was very good but not on the level of Glenn Robinson, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, etc.

Did Fran actually ever compare him to those 3? Because I'm guessing he didn't.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Ben is pretty transparent with the media, post game. Fran acted like he was bothered and irritated by post game activities. Ben has personality, wit, and humor. Fran sat head down, arms folded, and looking disgusted. Signs of one in and one out. Time took it's toll.

 

[Palmerhawk]

I like Ben but when Alford" threw players under the bus" fans absolutely hammered him

And when fran came ,fans liked that he was " a players coach,"...and did not criticize players.

Ben basically openly critical of Cam for lack of leadership and implied, like kf, that trey thompson and Ethan harris are not practicing as well as he wants.

I have zero problem with any of these coaches approach..I just find it interesting how they get critiqued by some fans.

 

[Palmerhawk]

Ben's players seem to love him, so did frans..that's what's important.

Watching "Saban" he never sugar- coated..tough love was his approach.

 

[Hawksfor3]

I have zero problem with any of these coaches approach..I just find it interesting how they get critiqued by some fans.

Because, "everybody's got one." Remember?

 

[Manfredi]

I'd say defense.

 

[TrojanHawkeye]

I'd say defense.

...and hair style

 

[MacMiney]

Whole team played sideways at times. But phenomenal.

 

[HawkBall23]

I know it was just an exhib, but I was a bit shocked how many times that UIS got open cuts and back door looks against the D, especially in the 1st half. One of those back doors was so open it looked like all 5 Iowa defenders were glued to the 3pt line and the cutter had 98% of the area inside the arc all to himself.

Lots of time to shore that up, but it was hard to ignore.

Seems they need to really work on rebounding and overall FT% as well.

 

[Hawksfor3]

I'd say defense.

 

[Hawklove]

I like Ben but when Alford" threw players under the bus" fans absolutely hammered him

And when fran came ,fans liked that he was " a players coach,"...and did not criticize players.

Ben basically openly critical of Cam for lack of leadership and implied, like kf, that trey thompson and Ethan harris are not practicing as well as he wants.

I have zero problem with any of these coaches approach..I just find it interesting how they get critiqued by some fans.

Exactly. When Fran first came here he could do no wrong. I remember posting something about his temper on Hawkcentral’s forum and got blasted by some folks. I expect Ben will not be as popular in a few years. Having said that, I think Ben has tremendous maturity in the way he handles himself in interviews and post game pressers.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Fran had such a dichotomy in interviews. I loved hearing him explain basketball, he did such a good job of describing different aspects of it. You could tell he was articulate and knew the game very well. Which is why I think he’d be a great color commentator for TV.

But if you interviewed him after a loss, especially a tough one, it often times got ugly with him getting overly defensive. Especially if a reporter dared ask a question about a player that he took offense to.

 

[Palmerhawk]

I will add that I liked Ben's reaction in post game interview
He was pissed about our play.
I hope that means that Ben expects this team to execute at a much higher clip in the season.

We have a fairly daunting non- conference slate with possible 4-5 losses.
Xavier is crushing teams
ISU beat NW by 35
Bama is hot already
Creighton is loaded
Va.Tech- must win.
Then IU and Pu in early dec.

Ready or not; here they come.

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

I like Ben but when Alford" threw players under the bus" fans absolutely hammered him

And when fran came ,fans liked that he was " a players coach,"...and did not criticize players.

Ben basically openly critical of Cam for lack of leadership and implied, like kf, that trey thompson and Ethan harris are not practicing as well as he wants.

I have zero problem with any of these coaches approach..I just find it interesting how they get critiqued by some fans.

Two different things, in my opinion.

Alford was RARELY the problem in his mind. He was very negative when throwing players under the bus and seemed to "blamestorm" for everything.

Ben has been hard on players in the media but look at the tone in which Ben spoke. Called Cam his favorite player and spoke in a way that said he isn't where he wants him to be... but he is fully capable. I thought his was honest and fair.

 

[RuggieC]

Ben is straight up.
Hard to follow up an elite 8 after year one. But I believe Ben is consistent. No favorites. Work your *** off, play defense, understand your role and you will do well. This is HIS culture and the younger guys need to understand it.
These guys will be pretty good. Give them a few weeks to gel.

 

[Hawkinne]

I will add that I liked Ben's reaction in post game interview
He was pissed about our play.
I hope that means that Ben expects this team to execute at a much higher clip in the season.

We have a fairly daunting non- conference slate with possible 4-5 losses.
Xavier is crushing teams
ISU beat NW by 35
Bama is hot already
Creighton is loaded
Va.Tech- must win.
Then IU and Pu in early dec.

Ready or not; here they come.

Creighton is not loaded.

 

[Rusty’s Dad]

I love BM. He knows what he wants from each player and he will push them to get the best from each person. It’s a breath of fresh air to hear him break down a game and what he identifies as weaknesses - and strengths. BM has a great delivery - identifying who needs t step up - and he does it in a way to not bring a kid down but to instill confidence that BM knows the kid can reach.

He expects the best and he won’t toss a kid onto the court “just because.” He makes them earn it… by how they practice. He’s just a good dude who happens to be one of the best minds in the game and we are in for a continued fun ride with him leading the program.