Alford rumor grows but still does not mean anything

Do you ever hear something that is a rumor and know it isn’t true but kind of wish it were?

I have already said that I do not think Alford is leaving Iowa to go to New Mexico State.  But the rumor is still around.

Apparently the rumor has grown.  Since Alford is allegedly thinking about going to New Mexico State, Iowa would need somebody to replace him, right?   The theory is that Lon Kruger, the UNLV coach, could be a potential candidate.

It isn’t going to happen.  Alford isn’t going anywhere.

But, what would Kruger bring to the table.  His team had 30 wins this year.  Alford had 17.  UNLV was 4-2 against top 25 teams so it wasn’t entirely just easy opponents that led to the 30 wins.  UNLV beat Wisconsin this year and is in the Sweet 16.  Iowa didn’t and isn’t.

Kruger also has experience coaching in the Big 10…at Illinois.  He led Illinois to the second round of the NCAA tournament three times in his 4 years there.  Alford has not reached the second round once yet at Iowa.  Kruger also led Florida to the Final Four back in 1994.  He also took Kansas State to four straight NCAA appearances and on one of those years made it to the Elite Eight.

Now, as I said, none of this is going to happen and I really don’t want to pick on Alford, but sometimes you hear the rumors and start to kind of wish it would happen.

I don’t know anything about the kind of person Kruger is.  I was in the military for most of the time he was at Illinois and wasn’t watching any basketball during that time.  Does he have a reputation for being a scum bag?  If not, I may have to cross my fingers a little bit.