Hope Gordon is OK. Seemed like an interesting person and obviously had potential as a player.
We’re rebuilding a program. One player, and one season for that matter, is not essential at this point. Develop the young kids and let’s just enjoy what Tobin builds.
One advantage to being around Iona BB since the early fifties is that you get to experience both highs and lows. Being knocked down is no fun, but it makes getting back up all the more enjoyable. I remember a story that JV told about Brother Driscoll. Brother visited the locker room after a really tough loss. And Jimmy described telling Brother how down, he and the team were. And Brother said, "Hey, nobody died".
I extend my best wishes to Greg. If he has a family situation I hope it works out for all involved. He truly stood out as my favorite player to watch on this team, but as we know, players transition in and out. We never know what is happening in a kids head or what is going on behind the scenes with their family situations.
With that said, with the advent of NIL and the prevalence of free agency in college basketball, player departures are bound to become even more commonplace. My advice is not to form overly strong attachments to any particular player. Instead, relish the entertainment they provide and recognize it as transient enjoyment. While advocating for this level of detachment may feel disheartening, it reflects the reality of the current era. The days of four-year players seem to be dwindling rapidly. In the past, we had the opportunity to truly know these athletes, witnessing their triumphs and tribulations, and elevating them as exemplars of our university's student-athlete ethos at Iona. However, today, the overwhelming majority of players seem to want to be treated as mere rented commodities, a consequence of the landscape shaped by power conferences, agents, and legal representatives.
Although I never lost sleep over players opting to depart from Iona if they were unhappy, the shifts in college basketball have left me somewhat desensitized. I no longer harbor the same level of frustration when players are pushed out of the nest by coaches, even if the player demonstrate dedication and effort. The modern collegiate basketball scene has desensitized me to the point where the "freedom" of player movement and NIL has transformed the sport into just another professional endeavor, with players viewed as assets to be utilized, exchanged, or discarded as needed. Players have to realize this "freedom" now swings both ways and that they must accept this fact as they desired to be treated as professionals.
While many players from bygone eras took immense pride in donning the Iona uniform, today, loyalty seems scarce. For many players, not all, it's become more about simply competing at the Division 1 level and securing financial compensation, irrespective of the team's identity. If they play well and can make more money elsewhere, they will choose to pursue those opportunities. In most cases, we must accept that the only true scholar athletes on our team (and any other college team) are the walk-ons and team managers.
Iona will persevere, and the dawn will break anew tomorrow. I have full confidence that Tobin will be diligently scouring the recruiting trail to secure talented additions for the next season. I'm particularly enthusiastic about the players who have already committed to our program for the next season.
I believe we just need to acknowledge that in many upcoming seasons, turnover within our roster will be significant, with more than half of the team likely to change from year to year. Therefore, we must all come to terms with the reality that player turnover is an inherent aspect of the collegiate sports landscape. While it would be ideal for more players to stay and complete their tenure at Iona, the infusion of fresh talent can also bring positive energy and new opportunities for the university. But like any other commodity, I will not allow myself to become too attached. All of the mid-major and low-major schools are in the same boat so we just need to have our program learn to navigate these waters as best as we can.
I extend my best wishes to Greg. If he has a family situation I hope it works out for all involved. He truly stood out as my favorite player to watch on this team, but as we know, players transition in and out. We never know what is happening in a kids head or what is going on behind the scenes with their family situations.
With that said, with the advent of NIL and the prevalence of free agency in college basketball, player departures are bound to become even more commonplace. My advice is not to form overly strong attachments to any particular player. Instead, relish the entertainment they provide and recognize it as transient enjoyment. While advocating for this level of detachment may feel disheartening, it reflects the reality of the current era. The days of four-year players seem to be dwindling rapidly. In the past, we had the opportunity to truly know these athletes, witnessing their triumphs and tribulations, and elevating them as exemplars of our university's student-athlete ethos at Iona. However, today, the overwhelming majority of players seem to want to be treated as mere rented commodities, a consequence of the landscape shaped by power conferences, agents, and legal representatives.
Although I never lost sleep over players opting to depart from Iona if they were unhappy, the shifts in college basketball have left me somewhat desensitized. I no longer harbor the same level of frustration when players are pushed out of the nest by coaches, even if the player demonstrate dedication and effort. The modern collegiate basketball scene has desensitized me to the point where the "freedom" of player movement and NIL has transformed the sport into just another professional endeavor, with players viewed as assets to be utilized, exchanged, or discarded as needed. Players have to realize this "freedom" now swings both ways and that they must accept this fact as they desired to be treated as professionals.
While many players from bygone eras took immense pride in donning the Iona uniform, today, loyalty seems scarce. For many players, not all, it's become more about simply competing at the Division 1 level and securing financial compensation, irrespective of the team's identity. If they play well and can make more money elsewhere, they will choose to pursue those opportunities. In most cases, we must accept that the only true scholar athletes on our team (and any other college team) are the walk-ons and team managers.
Iona will persevere, and the dawn will break anew tomorrow. I have full confidence that Tobin will be diligently scouring the recruiting trail to secure talented additions for the next season. I'm particularly enthusiastic about the players who have already committed to our program for the next season.
I believe we just need to acknowledge that in many upcoming seasons, turnover within our roster will be significant, with more than half of the team likely to change from year to year. Therefore, we must all come to terms with the reality that player turnover is an inherent aspect of the collegiate sports landscape. While it would be ideal for more players to stay and complete their tenure at Iona, the infusion of fresh talent can also bring positive energy and new opportunities for the university. But like any other commodity, I will not allow myself to become too attached. All of the mid-major and low-major schools are in the same boat so we just need to have our program learn to navigate these waters as best as we can.
This makes for a great off-season discussion. Is this model sustainable, not just for Iona, or mid/low majors but really anywhere?
Last Edit: Feb 23, 2024 6:17:47 GMT -5 by hawaii bill
I extend my best wishes to Greg. If he has a family situation I hope it works out for all involved. He truly stood out as my favorite player to watch on this team, but as we know, players transition in and out. We never know what is happening in a kids head or what is going on behind the scenes with their family situations.
With that said, with the advent of NIL and the prevalence of free agency in college basketball, player departures are bound to become even more commonplace. My advice is not to form overly strong attachments to any particular player. Instead, relish the entertainment they provide and recognize it as transient enjoyment. While advocating for this level of detachment may feel disheartening, it reflects the reality of the current era. The days of four-year players seem to be dwindling rapidly. In the past, we had the opportunity to truly know these athletes, witnessing their triumphs and tribulations, and elevating them as exemplars of our university's student-athlete ethos at Iona. However, today, the overwhelming majority of players seem to want to be treated as mere rented commodities, a consequence of the landscape shaped by power conferences, agents, and legal representatives.
Although I never lost sleep over players opting to depart from Iona if they were unhappy, the shifts in college basketball have left me somewhat desensitized. I no longer harbor the same level of frustration when players are pushed out of the nest by coaches, even if the player demonstrate dedication and effort. The modern collegiate basketball scene has desensitized me to the point where the "freedom" of player movement and NIL has transformed the sport into just another professional endeavor, with players viewed as assets to be utilized, exchanged, or discarded as needed. Players have to realize this "freedom" now swings both ways and that they must accept this fact as they desired to be treated as professionals.
While many players from bygone eras took immense pride in donning the Iona uniform, today, loyalty seems scarce. For many players, not all, it's become more about simply competing at the Division 1 level and securing financial compensation, irrespective of the team's identity. If they play well and can make more money elsewhere, they will choose to pursue those opportunities. In most cases, we must accept that the only true scholar athletes on our team (and any other college team) are the walk-ons and team managers.
Iona will persevere, and the dawn will break anew tomorrow. I have full confidence that Tobin will be diligently scouring the recruiting trail to secure talented additions for the next season. I'm particularly enthusiastic about the players who have already committed to our program for the next season.
I believe we just need to acknowledge that in many upcoming seasons, turnover within our roster will be significant, with more than half of the team likely to change from year to year. Therefore, we must all come to terms with the reality that player turnover is an inherent aspect of the collegiate sports landscape. While it would be ideal for more players to stay and complete their tenure at Iona, the infusion of fresh talent can also bring positive energy and new opportunities for the university. But like any other commodity, I will not allow myself to become too attached. All of the mid-major and low-major schools are in the same boat so we just need to have our program learn to navigate these waters as best as we can.
This makes for a great off-season discussion. Is this model sustainable, not just for Iona, or mid/low majors but really anywhere?
Excellent question. It has crossed my mind many times.
NIL has quickly turned college hoops into a big dick contest between billionaires and millionaires.
Right now, the players are professionals and for the most part will go to whoever offers the most $$$ (who could blame them? - we'd all do the same).
I don't begrudge the players earning a share of the pie, but the NCAA needs to institute some equitable guidelines that prevent the elimination of low and mid-major basketball conferences.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure what those might be. Maybe some type of cap (and floor) for each D1 sport?
I'm not a lawyer and wouldn't even pretend to know all the potential ramifications involved in setting guidelines, but a serious strategy needs to be developed for preserving low and mid-major college basketball.
I extend my best wishes to Greg. If he has a family situation I hope it works out for all involved. He truly stood out as my favorite player to watch on this team, but as we know, players transition in and out. We never know what is happening in a kids head or what is going on behind the scenes with their family situations.
With that said, with the advent of NIL and the prevalence of free agency in college basketball, player departures are bound to become even more commonplace. My advice is not to form overly strong attachments to any particular player. Instead, relish the entertainment they provide and recognize it as transient enjoyment. While advocating for this level of detachment may feel disheartening, it reflects the reality of the current era. The days of four-year players seem to be dwindling rapidly. In the past, we had the opportunity to truly know these athletes, witnessing their triumphs and tribulations, and elevating them as exemplars of our university's student-athlete ethos at Iona. However, today, the overwhelming majority of players seem to want to be treated as mere rented commodities, a consequence of the landscape shaped by power conferences, agents, and legal representatives.
Although I never lost sleep over players opting to depart from Iona if they were unhappy, the shifts in college basketball have left me somewhat desensitized. I no longer harbor the same level of frustration when players are pushed out of the nest by coaches, even if the player demonstrate dedication and effort. The modern collegiate basketball scene has desensitized me to the point where the "freedom" of player movement and NIL has transformed the sport into just another professional endeavor, with players viewed as assets to be utilized, exchanged, or discarded as needed. Players have to realize this "freedom" now swings both ways and that they must accept this fact as they desired to be treated as professionals.
While many players from bygone eras took immense pride in donning the Iona uniform, today, loyalty seems scarce. For many players, not all, it's become more about simply competing at the Division 1 level and securing financial compensation, irrespective of the team's identity. If they play well and can make more money elsewhere, they will choose to pursue those opportunities. In most cases, we must accept that the only true scholar athletes on our team (and any other college team) are the walk-ons and team managers.
Iona will persevere, and the dawn will break anew tomorrow. I have full confidence that Tobin will be diligently scouring the recruiting trail to secure talented additions for the next season. I'm particularly enthusiastic about the players who have already committed to our program for the next season.
I believe we just need to acknowledge that in many upcoming seasons, turnover within our roster will be significant, with more than half of the team likely to change from year to year. Therefore, we must all come to terms with the reality that player turnover is an inherent aspect of the collegiate sports landscape. While it would be ideal for more players to stay and complete their tenure at Iona, the infusion of fresh talent can also bring positive energy and new opportunities for the university. But like any other commodity, I will not allow myself to become too attached. All of the mid-major and low-major schools are in the same boat so we just need to have our program learn to navigate these waters as best as we can.
This makes for a great off-season discussion. Is this model sustainable, not just for Iona, or mid/low majors but really anywhere?
As it is right now, no.
The more I think about it, it probably is true that if RP didn't leave his top guys may have been leaving anyways as they couldn't pay them as much as they are getting elsewhere.
NIL is in its infancy now. It will keep changing. Who knows what it will turn into.
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. In Iona BB news they play Rider tonight and will have to do it w/o the services of their leading scorer and rebounder. So, how will they cope? It looks to me that depends upon The Gang of Four. And I don't mean the Agatha Christie novel. I'm talking about Sultan Adewale and Jean Aranguren who will be called to improve their rebounding (SA) and scoring (JA). The talent is there and now there is also the opportunity.
And that leaves us with two question marks. One is Wheza Panzo, who lives by the 3pt shot, and is much better when he gets an open look. Will the threat of GG driving to the basket reduce the number of open looks for WP, and in effect decrease his effectiveness? And will a reduction in his offensive game reduce the number of minutes played, which is now team leading? I think that depends upon the last "Gang" member, Tobin Anderson. What, if any changes will he make? On both offense and defense (more zone), stay with players longer even if they make a bad play or two?
Hope Gordon is OK. Seemed like an interesting person and obviously had potential as a player.
We’re rebuilding a program. One player, and one season for that matter, is not essential at this point. Develop the young kids and let’s just enjoy what Tobin builds.
Enjoyed watching him play and wishing him the best, but gone in a flash. Greg (Flash) Gordon
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. In Iona BB news they play Rider tonight and will have to do it w/o the services of their leading scorer and rebounder. So, how will they cope? It looks to me that depends upon The Gang of Four. And I don't mean the Agatha Christie novel. I'm talking about Sultan Adewale and Jean Aranguren who will be called to improve their rebounding (SA) and scoring (JA). The talent is there and now there is also the opportunity.
And that leaves us with two question marks. One is Wheza Panzo, who lives by the 3pt shot, and is much better when he gets an open look. Will the threat of GG driving to the basket reduce the number of open looks for WP, and in effect decrease his effectiveness? And will a reduction in his offensive game reduce the number of minutes played, which is now team leading? I think that depends upon the last "Gang" member, Tobin Anderson. What, if any changes will he make? On both offense and defense (more zone), stay with players longer even if they make a bad play or two?
Stay tuned!
The team as a whole will need to improve their defense because I'm not certain we will be able to score 60 points a game consistently. Not sure where the points will come from.
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. In Iona BB news they play Rider tonight and will have to do it w/o the services of their leading scorer and rebounder. So, how will they cope? It looks to me that depends upon The Gang of Four. And I don't mean the Agatha Christie novel. I'm talking about Sultan Adewale and Jean Aranguren who will be called to improve their rebounding (SA) and scoring (JA). The talent is there and now there is also the opportunity.
And that leaves us with two question marks. One is Wheza Panzo, who lives by the 3pt shot, and is much better when he gets an open look. Will the threat of GG driving to the basket reduce the number of open looks for WP, and in effect decrease his effectiveness? And will a reduction in his offensive game reduce the number of minutes played, which is now team leading? I think that depends upon the last "Gang" member, Tobin Anderson. What, if any changes will he make? On both offense and defense (more zone), stay with players longer even if they make a bad play or two?
Stay tuned!
The team as a whole will need to improve their defense because I'm not certain we will be able to score 60 points a game consistently. Not sure where the points will come from.--especially with Panzo likely being covered more closely.
