Guy is 100% correct regarding Iona's current ability to tap into Isaiah Washington's social media footprint. Until he is cleared, the school is limited in what it can do. While I am unable to go into full detail, here is some info I can share:
The Athletic Department is fully aware of the opportunity that will present itself once/if IW obtains his waiver.
The program has a strategy to tap into the opportunity when that happens.
When dealing with athletes and social media, as this is a fairly new phenomenon, many issues could develop or have developed regarding NCAA policies and the Program will stay in compliance. This is a major concern and it will continue to evolve.
Ideas regarding improving marketing and social media reach have been presented to the Program's leadership and was very well received.
The emphasis on increasing the social media footprint of the Program will not just be based on the current footprint of a single player. I believe that internal and external assets will be used to help spread the word more efficiently than in the past.
If IW gets his waiver, you will see a full-court press put into effect to utilize his unique position in the world of social media... within NCAA regulations.
Remember, Hoops is king at Iona but the Athletic Department has to provide a similar experience to the other teams and athletes in the program. Some of the efforts can be cookie-cut and applied, but some balance is still a concern.
If people want to help with the effort, present some detailed ideas that you think can help and/or cut a check (whatever you can afford) to the hoops program. While social media can be organically driven... paying pros to help doest hurt
<li>The Athletic Department is fully aware of the opportunity that will present itself once/if IW obtains his waiver.
The program has a strategy to tap into the opportunity when that happens.
When dealing with athletes and social media, as this is a fairly new phenomenon, many issues could develop or have developed regarding NCAA policies and the Program will stay in compliance. This is a major concern and it will continue to evolve.
Ideas regarding improving marketing and social media reach have been presented to the Program's leadership and was very well received.
The emphasis on increasing the social media footprint of the Program will not just be based on the current footprint of a single player. I believe that internal and external assets will be used to help spread the word more efficiently than in the past.
If IW gets his waiver, you will see a full-court press put into effect to utilize his unique position in the world of social media... within NCAA regulations.
[/ul][/ul] So in synopsis... The powers that be understand the opportunity, are prepared to take advantage of it, have a plan and some assets in place to make it happen, the effort will evolve... some well thought out ideas and a little financial support could really help out.
If you want to go from
to this overnight...
this could really help:
[/quote]
Agree on all, and I've heard similar. This is again one of those instances where folks are making assumptions and forming opinions without asking more questions first.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
I hear you guys and I kind of agree about your position. But then I look at the other side and see how Iona really could've used this (and still can very much so) to their advantage regardless. Even if he never plays and even if it Iona looks "stupid," oh well... Who cares really? Also, most likely it would be more on Washington if he never plays, not Iona.
As it's been said before on this board, not many people outside of this forum care that much about Iona Basketball. Well here's a big chance to change that. And even if for some reason this relationship never pans out.. if Iona picks up some publicity and followers along the way.. it would be pretty beneficial no matter what.
Either way, we know in a matter of a few weeks or less. If he plays and Iona get's off to a good start, this relationship could be the best thing that ever happened to Iona since Cluess.
Couple disagreements. Iona cannot use this until it's happening. Hyping that he chose us only for the NCAA to then not grant the waiver and then the kid ends up elsewhere (or nowhere) would make us look bad. And I don't think it would be the kid's fault, nor Iona's. NCAA has no standard policy for this crap.
But yes, the minute that waiver comes through, yes, marketing must jump. The ONLY concern I'd have is that you have no choice but to play Jelly a ton, whether you want to or not. He could disrupt chemistry, coming into a team with an already established pecking order and then donning superman's cape because he's Jelly. That's why I wouldn't mind if he doesn't play for us this year, even with the risk that he may never play for us if that happens.
Very valid point as far as chemistry. The one positive is that the one needing to be replaced is the starting PG, so if he's eligible that should make things a little easier on the staff getting him into the mix. If McGill was returning then I would probably make the argument that there was a decent chance things might not work out.
I just did a search for "NCAA wavier" on Twitter. There are quite a few players nationally that are still waiting for word. NCAA really screwing with kids' lives here.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
I hear you guys and I kind of agree about your position. But then I look at the other side and see how Iona really could've used this (and still can very much so) to their advantage regardless. Even if he never plays and even if it Iona looks "stupid," oh well... Who cares really? Also, most likely it would be more on Washington if he never plays, not Iona.
As it's been said before on this board, not many people outside of this forum care that much about Iona Basketball. Well here's a big chance to change that. And even if for some reason this relationship never pans out.. if Iona picks up some publicity and followers along the way.. it would be pretty beneficial no matter what.
Either way, we know in a matter of a few weeks or less. If he plays and Iona get's off to a good start, this relationship could be the best thing that ever happened to Iona since Cluess.
Iona basketball is already getting some hype because of IW signing with Iona. No reason for the program to spend resources before knowing if he's eligible. Don't know how many on the board attend many NYC summer league games, but during these games they actually have a guy doing play-by-play running up and down the court. Whenever IW made a play they would always mention Iona and how they can now watch him play college hoops at a local college. That is the market Iona has a chance to draw from. NYC hoops fans remember him from HS, not Minnesota. The guy has 647K followers on IG and close to 40K on Twitter.
I believe Iona 70 said the kids he coaches all have heard of IW. Hopefully, they talk their parents into bringing them to Iona games this season. To Washington's credit he posts stuff about Iona on his IG account, as well as hyping other Iona players. That's why getting his waiver approved is very important, both on and off the court.
I'm excited to see where this goes then. As Guy said there is possibly chemistry problems, but when you have Cluess, he typically figures that stuff out. So I am not worried about that. Iona does need a starting PG that will take pressure off of the newcomers and Gist. I'll end my speculation here as to stop beating the dead horse, until we hear about his status for the season.
Strange Fiba tournament, and can only take so much from these type highlight videos, but Van Eyck shows a pretty good handle and is more athletic than I thought he would be. He was the leading scorer in this event.
I think we'll see a mix of 3- and 4-guard lineups still. Tim will play his best 5 regardless of position, and that will vary.
Jelly, Gist and Crawford will lead the team in minutes. Agee and Thiam will be reduced by occasional foul trouble. I still don't see them both out there too often.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
I think we'll see a mix of 3- and 4-guard lineups still. Tim will play his best 5 regardless of position, and that will vary.
Jelly, Gist and Crawford will lead the team in minutes. Agee and Thiam will be reduced by occasional foul trouble. I still don't see them both out there too often.
Washington, Gist, Perez, Crawford, Agee. Whomever hits 3's the most/best out of Perez, Thiam, Van Eyck and McNeil will get the 5th most minutes. Keep in mind Cluess addicted to 4 guards and 3 point shooters. It will be interesting to see what happens with Washington if he isn't hitting 3's (will he lose minutes?), but my guess is eventually he will become a much better 3 point shooter under Cluess.
Washington, Gist, Perez, Crawford, Agee. Whomever hits 3's the most/best out of Perez, Thiam, Van Eyck and McNeil will get the 5th most minutes. Keep in mind Cluess addicted to 4 guards and 3 point shooters. It will be interesting to see what happens with Washington if he isn't hitting 3's (will he lose minutes?), but my guess is eventually he will become a much better 3 point shooter under Cluess.
I really think Van Eyck is the wildcard. His 3pt shot looked smooth in the scrimmage. If he can make threes at a decent 35% this team could be special and don't need IW to shoot threes.
Washington, Gist, Perez, Crawford, Agee. Whomever hits 3's the most/best out of Perez, Thiam, Van Eyck and McNeil will get the 5th most minutes. Keep in mind Cluess addicted to 4 guards and 3 point shooters. It will be interesting to see what happens with Washington if he isn't hitting 3's (will he lose minutes?), but my guess is eventually he will become a much better 3 point shooter under Cluess.
I really think Van Eyck is the wildcard. His 3pt shot looked smooth in the scrimmage. If he can make threes at a decent 35% this team could be special and don't need IW to shoot threes.
Van Eyck has enormous potential. If he turns out to be a stud the sky's the limit for this team.
I agree with 88 and 05's guess about who should start. But, I also, agree with Guy's opinion that who we start/play will come down to match ups. A nice problem for TC to have. Mo Thiam, based upon what I saw Saturday gives us an additional rim protector. And Dylan Van Eyck does also.