Sometimes we need to remind ourselves why Todd Lickliter is the Iowa men’s basketball coach and not Johnny Know-it-all from Martelle, Iowa. I have to admit that I’m skeptical as to whether Lickliter will improve the Hawkeye program in any significant manner. But the guy knows something about coaching basketball. Here are 10 facts about Lickliter that can hopefully instill a bit of optimism in Iowa hoops.10. He led Butler to four postseason tournaments in six seasons as its head coach.
9. He’s twice coached in the Sweet 16: 2003 and 2007. Only three other coaches for Horizon League teams have ever been to one Sweet 16.
8. He set the school record for victories in a season in his first year as Butler’s head coach. He then broke his own record twice.
7. His six Butler teams won 6 of 11 games against top 25 opponents.
6. He signed Matt Howard, the No. 91-ranked recruit in the class of 2007, even though Howard had offers from Indiana and Purdue.
5. He finished with a .682 (131-61) win percentage at Butler.
4. After a 16-14 season in 2003-04 and a 13-15 season in 2004-05, Lickliter rebuilt the Butler program, winning 49 games in his last two seasons there.
3. He went 29-7 in his final season at Butler with a roster comprised of lightly-recruited players like A.J. Graves and Mike Green.
2. 19 out of 20 seniors got their college degree during Lickliter’s tenure at Butler.
1. He was named the 2006-07 coach of the year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Nice insight...let's see what he does here in the next few years. There's clearly potential for something good to happen with Iowa basketball.
ReplyDeleteI was really just trying to make a point that Lickliter isn't a terrible coach. There's a reason Gary Barta hired him. So yes, you're right. There is some potential. I'm skeptical, but I won't give up on Lick that fast.
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