Iowa Hawkeye Basketball Recruiting: Summer 2008 Update

As with everything I write on this blog, I don't claim to have any hefty insider information. Pretty much everything I collect is from talking with people I know, some AAU coaches, articles, etc...


2008 class

For all intents and purposes, the 08 class is done. Unless the guys find someone on the AAU circuit who is playing after his senior year and is a late bloomer, our roster is pretty much set for next year. The staff is still looking at some JUCOs, but the options are pretty thin and they aren't going to waste a scholarship (see - Josh Crawford).


2009 class

Some people have stated Iowa has cooled on Jordan Prosser, I don't know the facts in that case. I haven't talked to anyone on this or read anything definitive in the matter. I don't know what's going on with him. I've even heard that Iowa has pulled their offer and he is likely to go to a MVC school.

It's also been stated that Iowa has cooled on Mike Broghammer. That is false. Iowa is still involved with him for the 09 class. I like his game. Kind of a mini-Brunner.

Matt Vogrich is the newest 09 offer. Typical Lick recruit. Play the 2 or 3. Heating up over the summer. I'd be shocked if he didn't stay in the Big Ten (Minn, Iowa, Wisc, NW).

Haven't heard much on Nick Russell as of late. He didn't make it to Iowa's camp because of the flooding and I haven't heard anything since. Wish I had more info on him because he is very talented. I'd be a huge get for Iowa. Hope Iowa can get him, but I don't know if he'd play the 1 or 2 in college because he does like to score.

Ray Cowles is probably going to end being a fall-back guy. He has the body for the Big Ten and is smart on and off the court. His position isn't a "need", but he is a solid player. Brog and Cowles are going to be TOUGH next year at Hopkins, alongside Marcus Williams and DJ Peterson (a 2010 recruit Iowa should keep their eyes on). It's a stacked roster.

Rodney Williams might head to the U with Royce White. I'd be surprised if he didn't... unless Bill Self gets involved. He is still listing Iowa as one of his final schools, though, as of just a few days ago.

Carl Jones is the first true PG recruit that the staff has been looking at. I think 5'11" might be generous for his height. I don't know a lot about him as a recruit, though. I haven't seen his game or talked to anyone who has watched him either. I've read some good things, though.

I've read where Sam Dower has been offered, but also that Iowa is just interested. I have yet to see an official statement where he lists Iowa as a school. He is out of Osseo and played well as a junior for them last year. I was surprised to hear that he was offered, as I thought he'd be more of a mid-major... then again, he's a big and has the always redeeming quality of "potential".

I couple more names that have been floating around... Raymond Penn and Aaron Bright. Ray was another guy that just tore up the Reebok tourney and has shot up the ladder. I've seen 5'9" and 6'0" for his height. Not sure, but he is a PG that can score. Aaron is a Top 100 talent by some sites. I don't know a lot about either of them, just dropping their names as I just heard about them last week.


2010 class

Harrison Barnes continues to just impress on the AAU circuit. I would be blown away if Iowa stays in the running. The big boys are knocking hard. Iowa and ISU were in early, very early, but I just don't know how he says in state.

Russell Byrd still has Iowa on his plate. Iowa was one of the, if not the first, bigger school to offer. The coaches are keeping in contact with him, but I fear that Iowa won't be able to run (once again) with the big dogs unfortunately. I'd love to be wrong, though. He could very well head to MSU in the end. Byrd had Iowa as his leader at the end of June, but a lot of schools are making a run on him.

I don't know of an offer, but Iowa is still very interest in in-state Zach McCabe (teammate of Barnes in AAU and Cougill at Heelan). Playing with Barnes is getting him a lot of exposure as those two are the best players on Attach team. Lot of big time programs are seeing him because of Barnes and he is doing well in the spotlight. I would expect Iowa to look hard at him. He's not getting a lot of praise for his play yet, but he is solid.

Chanse Creekmur has an offer. From what I read, he'd be a good get. I haven't watched him personally. I hear he is a lifelong Iowa fan and his dream was to play at Carver one day. I hope that's true. (That's all hearsay, I can't vouch for those statements).

AJ Derby. Will he play football or basketball? Iowa would be happy either way, as long as he is a Hawkeye.

Ben Brust out of Illinois is also a name I have been hearing.


2011 class

Alex Savage is getting a lot of buzz out of Ames. Lange and White, his AAU teammates are also playing well.


2012 class

Yes, he very. very young. But Iowa would love to land Marcus Paige if they could right now.

BHGP Takes a Stand on the Satterfield/Everson Case: Heads Need to Roll

http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2008/7/21/575697/into-the-light

BLOG WAR!!!!

One of the single, greatest stories ever posted on the Intranets.



http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2008/6/30/562094/michigan-where-plagiarism

NBA: Shaq Wants To Know How His Ass Tastes

He's talking to you, Kobe.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UziUhf1ukw

I bet it tastes like big, sweaty butt... just a hunch.

I'VE BEEN DRAFTED BY BLACKHEARTGOLDPANTS

The boys over at BHGP were fooled into thinking that I actually knew something about Iowa Hawkeye sports.

So with that announcement, you will be able to read my posts over on BHGP from now on. Don't worry, though, I will still be posting here, as well.

I am now in the minor leagues. For shizzle.

My first post just went up, it's on the upcoming 2008 season for the basketball team.

Read. Enjoy.

OT: If You Didn't Hear, Iowa is Flooded; Too Bad the DMR Isn't Under Water.

Iowa is in the middle of the single worst flood to hit the state since, well, ever... or somewhere around that time-period. Some waters are reaching beyond the 500 year flood plain. Just an all-out devastating flood last week. I am not going to put up all the links to the various sites that have photos or whatever, just for the fear of what happened to BHGP.

Hawkeye State put up a simple post showing some pictures of the flood, how you could donate to the cause, and put up an embedded video from the Des Moines Register's website. The video, mind you, had links to embed the video directly into your blog, message board, etc...

BHGP - Original Post

Well, apparently that set off a bitch alert down at the Rag, and BHGP was given a cease and desist order wherein they were ordered to remove the offending material. That material being the embedded video that the Rag provided links to allow to embed into your blog, message board, etc...

BHGP - DMR Sinks Disaster Relief

Deadspin caught wind of it, and all hell broke loose.

DEADSPIN - Odd Flood Relief Measures: The Des Moines Register Is Finally Understanding The Interweb

Well, whatever, a pretty shoddy-ass move by the Rag, even after the "apology" was sent. (Ir)regardless [sic], if you are reading this blog you are either an Iowa fan, an Iowa hater, or just bored out your mind (99% of the 2 readers of this blog... yes, that percentage is possible with 2 readers). However you got here, if you have a few bucks to spare, send it Iowa's way. The good people of Iowa need help.

University of Iowa - Flood Fund

Red Cross - Local

Red Cross - National

Ah, forget, I am going to live dangerously... here's a pic from last week in front of the Wig and Pen. Truly jaw-dropping.


PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PRESS-CITIZEN, Matthew Holst

Give Iowa a Helping Hand!

OT: Wii Fit - Hula Hoop Girl

Thanks to Opie and Anthony for this little nuggent.

Borderline NSFW.
You have been warned.

Backstory:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1272641.ece



Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v31qxrXsxv0

Basically, another dbag guy who somehow has landed a hottie filmed his GF doing the Wii Fit game. We are all better people now because of it, though.

MEN'S BB: Exclusive Interview with Iowa Hawkeye Coach Todd Lickliter

TRANSCRIPT OF MY INTERVIEW WITH IOWA HAWKEYE HEAD BASKETBALL COACH, TODD LICKLITER (6/11/2008)

STORMINSPANK: Coach Lickliter, thank you for agreeing to meet with me... even though I live in Minnesota and you are in Iowa and the fact that I actually didn't secure an interview of any form with you.

COACH LICKLITER: Thank you for conducting this fake interview.

SS: You're welcome.

CL: Thank you.

SS: Thank you. I mean, you're welcome. Er... thank you??

CL: (Pause)

SS: So last season went pretty well, huh?

CL: [long look, then puts head in his hands]

SS: Nah, I'm just messing with you. Last year really sucked. I mean, I tried to be optimistic throughout the season, but we were bad... like LA Clippers during the 80's and 90's bad. We even lost our own tournament we set up in order for us to win a preseason tournament. Shouldn't be a problem, though, because I saw you took it into your own hands that we'll never lose the Challenge again, as you got rid of it completely.

CL: Yeah, the Hawkeye Challenge had too much Hawkeye in it. However, I thought our team played through a lot of adversity. Tony's early injury, then Jarryd gets nicked for the season. All in all I thought our guys gave it their all. I'd still like to see them play a different style, a certain way if you will.

SS: What way would that be?

CL: The Butler Way.

SS: The what way?

CL: The Butler Way.

SS: Oooo Kaaaay. So you want Iowa Hawkeye basketball players to play as if they were playing for a completely different team?

CL: Precisely. If I can get everyone to play just like Butler does, we are going to go places. I can see it already. Anthony Tucker will be Mike Green. In fact, I have already told Anthony that he will be wearing #10. Devan Bawinkle gets to play A.J. Graves. Um, let's see, oh, Matt Gatens will be known as Pete Campbell. I have everyone picked out. It's going to be great.

SS: Well, one player you won't have on your team this year is Tony Freeman. Sounds like he sort of threw a little tamper tantrum on the way out of your meeting. I'm sure with your past record, you'll be more than willing to comment on what transpired in your office during his year end interview.

CL: Pusth.

SS: Pardon me?

CL: Pusth.

SS: Sorry, what did you just call me and why did you suddenly acquire a lisp?

CL: Pusth. That's the Butler Way. Passion. Unity. Servanthood. Thankfulness. Humility. Pusth.

SS: Oh. Right. Back to the Butler Way thing again. Good on ya.

CL: You see Tony wasn't big on pusth. I can't have guys on my team who don't love pusth. You gotta want the pusth. If you don't buy into the pusth, then you need to leave right now.

SS: Couldn't agree more.

JOEL CORNETTE: Butler Way!

SS: Hi Joel. Glad to hear from you. Now get back to recruiting.

JC: Will do. I'm just heading back to the great state of Indiana to look at some future Bulldo- I mean, Hawkeyes. Can't wait to get back there. Good ol' Indiana. What a magnificent state. Better swing by ol' Hinkle Fieldhou...

SS: Have fun, Joel. Coach Lickliter, of the six new players you are bringing in, who are you really excited to see in Black and Gold?

CL: What? Who am I excited to see in BLACK and GOLD??? Why would I be excited to see a Boilermaker suit up? I mean, at Butler, both Purdue and Indiana always got the better recruits and got all the spotlight. I don't think I am excited to see anyone suit up for Matt Painter and those stinkin' Boilermakers in their stupid Black and Gold uniforms.

SS: I was referring to Iowa.

CL: [Looks Up]

SS: The team you coach right now.

CL: Right, right. I was just testing you. Oh man, I gotta keep my cool here. I can't disgrace the likes of the revered sir Tony Hinkle. Gotta stay focused, Butler Way. Butler Way.

CHAD WALTHALL: Loras Way!

CL: Quiet, Chad.

CW: Sorry, boss. Well, off to Minnesota to go offer a bunch of obscure talents that no one has ever heard of. Woot! Woot!

CL: Go get 'em! And remember there is no "I" in Butler!!

SS: But there is an "I" in Iowa.

CL: Crap.

SS: Yeah.

CL: Hmmmmmm.... (cricket chirping)

SS: So when will it ever be The Iowa Way?

CL: (Laughing) Oh, for a second there, I thought you were asking a serious question. Oh man, good times! (Continues to laugh)

SS: J.R. Angle. He's seriously not going to suit up next year, right? I mean, have you followed his latest escapades?

CL: DAWG POUND!

SS: Ok, that's all I can stand, I'm going to have to end this fake interview. Thanks for the swag you brought me. I would have preferred some Hawkeye gear, but blue does happen to be one of my favorite colors.

MEN'S BB: Tragedy Strikes Hawkeye BB Family, Jake's Mom Has Died

Jake Kelly's mother, Julia, died this past weekend when the Cessna 206 she was riding in crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. Julia was 47 years old.

Read more HERE

Tampa Bay Online article HERE

WTWO REPORTS (VIDEO)

Again, thoughts and prayers go out to the Kelly family.

OT: If I Ever Get Fired, This is How I am Going Down

Holy crap. (Thanks to MissouriHawk for the lead.)


http://view.break.com/513310 - Watch more free videos

Damn, dude.

And yet another angle... looks to be a Russian office? Well, with the CRT monitors, it can't be in the US, can it? Don't taze me, bro!


Office Worker Meltdown Second Angle - Watch more free videos

UPDATE: TURNS OUT IT'S FAKE. DAMMIT.