More Johnny Orr

As stated in my previous blog on former Iowa State basketball coach Johnny Orr, I enjoyed asking him questions on various topics.

I wanted Orr's take on new Cyclone basketball coach Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg was an outstanding player under Orr and seemed like a coach on the floor. Johnny believes Hoiberg will do well but this initial year could be rocky. Orr said that Hoiberg needs players. He says assistant coach Jeff Grayer will help Hoiberg get players.

Grayer was Orr's best player at Iowa State where he garnered an All-American selection.

Grayer, a native of Flint, Michigan, will convince players from Flint and Saginaw to play for the Cyclones, Orr said. Orr also told me that Grayer was the No. 1 high school player his senior season in Michigan. So look for Iowa State to restore the Michigan connection.

Orr believes Hoiberg will return the uptempo style to Iowa State basketball. Former Iowa State coach Greg McDermott played more of a controlled style. Orr's teams played uptempo at Iowa State. He said he enjoys watching uptempo basketball so Orr coached that way.

Orr said that he talks to Hoiberg on the telephone once a week. Look for Orr to engage himself more in the program now that he has two of his former players in charge.

Orr would no doubt become proud if Hoiberg has great success at Iowa State. A fan in Garner, Iowa said that Johnny put Iowa State on the map. Hoiberg would like the basketball world to discover that map once again.