How do you see the starting lineup?

[Whtnhawk]

Season tips off 11/3.

 

[o_jedn]

How do you see it?

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Season tips off 11/3.

PG Chit Chat/Deal, Stremlow, 2 Deal/Kylie/Stremlow, 3 Kylie/ER/Houston, 4 Hannah/Mallegni/Houston, 5 Heiden/Hays/Hannah. The only question I see is does Kylie start? If so at the 2 or 3. I think she starts the year as the 3 with ER backing her up. Where things go from there will depend on the players. I'll be surprised if Chit Chat and Deal aren't the starting backcourt with Hannah and Ava in the frontcourt. That leaves the 3 spot as the initial question.

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

PG Chit Chat/Deal, Stremlow, 2 Deal/Kylie/Stremlow, 3 Kylie/ER/Houston, 4 Hannah/Mallegni/Houston, 5 Heiden/Hays/Hannah. The only question I see is does Kylie start? If so at the 2 or 3. I think she starts the year as the 3 with ER backing her up. Where things go from there will depend on the players. I'll be surprised if Chit Chat and Deal aren't the starting backcourt with Hannah and Ava in the frontcourt. That leaves the 3 spot as the initial question.

You're missing McCabe somewhere in those 3 deeps

 

[oldxbbc]

PG Chit Chat/Deal, Stremlow, 2 Deal/Kylie/Stremlow, 3 Kylie/ER/Houston, 4 Hannah/Mallegni/Houston, 5 Heiden/Hays/Hannah. The only question I see is does Kylie start? If so at the 2 or 3. I think she starts the year as the 3 with ER backing her up. Where things go from there will depend on the players. I'll be surprised if Chit Chat and Deal aren't the starting backcourt with Hannah and Ava in the frontcourt. That leaves the 3 spot as the initial question.

Need a consistent outside shooter somewhere in the top 8.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

You're missing McCabe somewhere in those 3 deeps

Yep, good catch. I think you put her in there behind Deal, and that leaves Kylie more at the 3 with ER.

 

[Bunsen82]

I think this year the starting lineups will be very fluid based on match ups.

You have 6 players looking for 3 starting spots - Chit Chat, Deal, Fuerbach, McCabe, Rodriguez, Stremlow

There is a lot of variability out of those players.

 

[Conn53victor]

I like playing the starter/minutes game. I took last year’s stats from the Iowa WBB site, which isn’t a perfect reflection of minutes, but it us gives an idea. Like Bluder, Jensen will probably settle on an 8-9 player rotation by the start of the new year.

We need to replace Olsen, O’Grady, Affolter, & Guyton’s minutes. I believe that the bulk of the total minutes will go to Stuelke, Feuerbach, McCabe, Stremlow, Heiden, Mallegni, Deal, Wright, Rodriguez, Deal, Wright, and Rodriguez with Hayes possibly seeing meaningful time.

Starters first game: Wright, Deal, Feuerbach, Stuelke, and Heiden. Rotations will be interesting to watch early in the season to see who steps up.

Returning players 2024-25 min/game
Stuelke 27
Feuerbach 25
McCabe 23
Stremlow 14
Heiden 9
Mallegni 8
Gyamfi 4
Levin 3
Johnson 3 (2023-24)

New Players
Deal
Wright
Rodriguez
Hayes
Houston

DISCLAIMER: I started going to Iowa WBB games in 1974-75 during Lark Birdsong’s inaugural season in the Fieldhouse’s north gym. Other than being a long-time fan, I have no particular expertise. I reserve the right to be spectacularly wrong.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I just want to be perfectly clear. I have nothing against McCabe or Kiley. They've been good team mates and bring something to the team. You have to remember this "issue" is exactly what a coach should work for. Constantly upgrading the roster. Bringing in better and better players and basically recruiting over the current players if possible. Deal was a top 15-20 player ( or higher) has skills well beyond most of our current players. ER may have as well given her offers originally. Next year when Mckenna gets here would you not expect she'll be starting over Mallegni and Houston most likely? This is the hairy part of constantly improving your roster. If you watched Jans presser she spoke specifically about this. Maintaining the "Iowa culture" where everyone matters equally, while knowing full that 5 or 6 of these girls will not play much, if at all.

 

[citizenHawk1]

I just want to be perfectly clear. I have nothing against McCabe or Kiley. They've been good team mates and bring something to the team. You have to remember this "issue" is exactly what a coach should work for. Constantly upgrading the roster. Bringing in better and better players and basically recruiting over the current players if possible. Deal was a top 15-20 player ( or higher) has skills well beyond most of our current players. ER may have as well given her offers originally. Next year when Mckenna gets here would you not expect she'll be starting over Mallegni and Houston most likely? This is the hairy part of constantly improving your roster. If you watched Jans presser she spoke specifically about this. Maintaining the "Iowa culture" where everyone matters equally, while knowing full that 5 or 6 of these girls will not play much, if at all.

What I heard in the presser, was that the younger players and transfers are still younger and learning, and that experience and leadership counts for quite a bit.

Don't be confused or surprised when the seniors are playing.

 

[nu2u]

Feuerbach is an outstanding defender with 133 games of major college experience - she needs to start and lockdown the main G/W threat. Her value here is underrated IMO. She’s likely good for 50+ steals this year and countless forced turnovers.

On offense, KF won’t be the first or second option but she can dribble drive and score or knock down a long jumper. Jan will rely on Feuerbach and Stuelke to be the team leaders this year. She starts Game1, no question. Absent injury or illness, she will stay there.

 

[pablow]

I think Heiden, Stuelke, Feuerbach, McCabe, and Deal start the first game. Then Rodriguez or Chit-Chat work into the starting lineup replacing McCabe depending on how well Deal can handle the point.

 

[Skydog0784a!]

Feuerbach is an outstanding defender with 133 games of major college experience - she needs to start and lockdown the main G/W threat. Her value here is underrated IMO. She’s likely good for 50+ steals this year and countless forced turnovers.

On offense, KF won’t be the first or second option but she can dribble drive and score or knock down a long jumper. Jan will rely on Feuerbach and Stuelke to be the team leaders this year. She starts Game1, no question. Absent injury or illness, she will stay there.

Good post, totally agree. Kylie is extremely valuable and will be in starting lineup I suspect.

Nice profile pic by the way. I’m a big fan of the great Tommy Bolin.

 

[Skydog0784a!]

I’m going with…

PG - Chit Chat, Stremlow, Deal
OG - Deal, McCabe
SF - Kylie, Rodriguez
PF - Hannah, Rodriguez. Teagan
C - Heiden, Hays

Top 8 with most minutes = starters (listed first above) + McCabe, Rodriguez, Hays.

 

[Tom Paris]

I think Heiden, Stuelke, Feuerbach, McCabe, and Deal start the first game. Then Rodriguez or Chit-Chat work into the starting lineup replacing McCabe depending on how well Deal can handle the point.

I think you very well may be spot on here. This wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

[QChawks]

I’m going with…

PG - Chit Chat, Stremlow, Deal
OG - Deal, McCabe
SF - Kylie, Rodriguez
PF - Hannah, Rodriguez. Teagan
C - Heiden, Hays

Top 8 with most minutes = starters (listed first above) + McCabe, Rodriguez, Hays.

This is a perfect summary

Although I think McCabe would start over Deal. Jan always leans on her vets.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

What I heard in the presser, was that the younger players and transfers are still younger and learning, and that experience and leadership counts for quite a bit.

Don't be confused or surprised when the seniors are playing.

I'll be neither confused or surprised, but we MUST have a player at that 2 spot who can be a three level scorer. Jan spoke on how different it would be this year without our point guard being the leading or top 2 scorer. Her words, not mine. From Sam Logic to Doyle to Clark (all #22's by the way), and last year Lucy, they were either the main scorer or the next option. She sure sounded like she wants Chit Chat to be the main point guard, and she is a great facilitator, but doesn't look to score. I believe Deal who is a three level scorer, good three point shooter, very good midrange, and a big guard, (6' and 10lbs more muscle then CC22 as a young player) can take it to the rack, a good rebounder, and she's a plus defender. I don't see that combination of skills from Kylie and certainly not McCabe. Deal may be a freshman, but she's not young, (almost 20 years old), and she's played her entire career against the top teams and players in the country. I do think Kylie starts at the 3 and how well ER shows will determine whose in there at crunch time.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I’m going with…

PG - Chit Chat, Stremlow, Deal
OG - Deal, McCabe
SF - Kylie, Rodriguez
PF - Hannah, Rodriguez. Teagan
C - Heiden, Hays

Top 8 with most minutes = starters (listed first above) + McCabe, Rodriguez, Hays.

This looks spot on to me.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

This is a perfect summary

Although I think McCabe would start over Deal. Jan always leans in her vets.

This is a perfect summary

Although I think McCabe would start over Deal. Jan always leans in her vets.

Thats the one spot that I would be shocked if that happens. At least if that means Deal starts on the bench. You don't bring in a player of her rep, and one that has literally EVERY tool you need, Three level scorer, rebounder, passer, High basketball IQ, and some one who has played their whole career against top teams and played for championships, as a key player and not start her. McCabe is probably a better three point shooter by %, but lets say she shoots her career average of 42%, and Deal shoots mid 30's. Do you play her big minutes over someone who is better in every other metric? Going to the rim, midrange, on the glass and as a defender? As to who Jan leans in on, what evidence are we gleaning that from? She's only been the HC one year. The new players last year weren't ready game one. She actually talked about starting Ava game one and then she got sick. We had no one coming in last year like Addie DeaL. No one. Both CC Wright and ER have played and excelled as freshman in college last year. Again no one like them in last years class.

 

[The Big Z]

Thats the one spot that I would be shocked if that happens. At least if that means Deal starts on the bench. You don't bring in a player of her rep, and one that has literally EVERY tool you need, Three level scorer, rebounder, passer, High basketball IQ, and some one who has played their whole career against top teams and played for championships, as a key player and not start her. McCabe is probably a better three point shooter by %, but lets say she shoots her career average of 42%, and Deal shoots mid 30's. Do you play her big minutes over someone who is better in every other metric? Going to the rim, midrange, on the glass and as a defender? As to who Jan leans in on, what evidence are we gleaning that from? She's only been the HC one year. The new players last year weren't ready game one. She actually talked about starting Ava game one and then she got sick. We had no one coming in last year like Addie DeaL. No one. Both CC Wright and ER have played and excelled as freshman in college last year. Again no one like them in last years class.

1000% agree. Deal is a top 25 player in the country, and is a do everything guard. And if she can't beat out McCabe then there is something wrong here. McCabe is a 2 guard that can't really handle the ball and never drives it. She's a 3 point shooter, which is valuable to your team but she's way to 1 dimensional when compared to someone like Deal. Deal will be in the starting lineup.

 

[kdhawk_rivals345464]

1000% agree. Deal is a top 25 player in the country, and is a do everything guard. And if she can't beat out McCabe then there is something wrong here. McCabe is a 2 guard that can't really handle the ball and never drives it. She's a 3 point shooter, which is valuable to your team but she's way to 1 dimensional when compared to someone like Deal. Deal will be in the starting lineup.

I don’t think she can do anything really besides shooting threes

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

This is a perfect summary

Although I think McCabe would start over Deal. Jan always leans on her vets.

I'm not sure 1 season as head coach is enough of a sample size to make "always" statements

 

[QChawks]

I'm not sure 1 season as head coach is enough of a sample size to make "always" statements

that fair

Although it was frustrating for a lot of fans last season watching Hannah struggle and Ava not getting minutes while be much more effective inside.

Or McCade going 0-10 and Stremlow sitting on the pine.

I'll just say that I would be surprised if McCabe is not starting.

 

[NORTHSTAR]

I think Stremlow will be early off the bench at the 1 or 2 and will play meaningful minutes. I also think she will be in a lot down the stretch in close games.

 

[citizenHawk1]

I'll be neither confused or surprised, but we MUST have a player at that 2 spot who can be a three level scorer. Jan spoke on how different it would be this year without our point guard being the leading or top 2 scorer. Her words, not mine. From Sam Logic to Doyle to Clark (all #22's by the way), and last year Lucy, they were either the main scorer or the next option. She sure sounded like she wants Chit Chat to be the main point guard, and she is a great facilitator, but doesn't look to score. I believe Deal who is a three level scorer, good three point shooter, very good midrange, and a big guard, (6' and 10lbs more muscle then CC22 as a young player) can take it to the rack, a good rebounder, and she's a plus defender. I don't see that combination of skills from Kylie and certainly not McCabe. Deal may be a freshman, but she's not young, (almost 20 years old), and she's played her entire career against the top teams and players in the country. I do think Kylie starts at the 3 and how well ER shows will determine whose in there at crunch time.

I agree that Deal will start and play majority minutes. I think she is tempering expectations for the five new players, however. Patience seemed to be a key message yesterday. Whatever looks "right" at this point, might not actually be the way it looks until January. We'll see. Obviously, we all want them playing great from the jump, but I can see how it might take some time. Experience is probably going to be something important to help get everyone up to speed.

 

[Conn53victor]

Instead of asking who starts/plays, I asked myself how minutes might be distributed in meaningful, competitive games. Last year’s minutes (from stats) in parentheses.

The Min #1 column was my first try, ignoring total minutes. Then I revised it to get down to 200 minutes, and I hate the result. I don’t want to try to justify my numbers.

I provide a link to my Google Sheet that you can copy to make it easier to add up to 200 minutes. Link to Spreadsheet.

Player	Min #1	Min Revised
Stuelke (27)	32	31
Feuerbach (25)	25	21
McCabe (23)	20	18
Stremlow (14)	15	14
Heiden (9)	27	26
Mallegni (8)	10	10
Gyamfi (4)	4	4
Levin (3)	3	3
Johnson (3: 23-24)	3	3
Deal	30	28
Wright	25	20
Rodriguez	12	10
Hayes	10	9
Houston	5	3
TOTAL	221	200

 

[Manfredi]

Instead of asking who starts/plays, I asked myself how minutes might be distributed in meaningful, competitive games. Last year’s minutes (from stats) in parentheses.

The Min #1 column was my first try, ignoring total minutes. Then I revised it to get down to 200 minutes, and I hate the result. I don’t want to try to justify my numbers.

I provide a link to my Google Sheet that you can copy to make it easier to add up to 200 minutes. Link to Spreadsheet.

Player	Min #1	Min Revised
Stuelke (27)	32	31
Feuerbach (25)	25	21
McCabe (23)	20	18
Stremlow (14)	15	14
Heiden (9)	27	26
Mallegni (8)	10	10
Gyamfi (4)	4	4
Levin (3)	3	3
Johnson (3: 23-24)	3	3
Deal	30	28
Wright	25	20
Rodriguez	12	10
Hayes	10	9
Houston	5	3
TOTAL	221	200

Very tough to figure out minutes with so many options. I think you did a great job here...the only one I question is Rodriguez only getting 10 minutes. I think she will get more somehow.

 

[QChawks]

Gyamfi and Houston won’t play unless it’s a blowout

Levin and Johnson won’t get more than a few minutes

Strewlow will likely get the most non starter minutes

 

[The Big Z]

Instead of asking who starts/plays, I asked myself how minutes might be distributed in meaningful, competitive games. Last year’s minutes (from stats) in parentheses.

The Min #1 column was my first try, ignoring total minutes. Then I revised it to get down to 200 minutes, and I hate the result. I don’t want to try to justify my numbers.

I provide a link to my Google Sheet that you can copy to make it easier to add up to 200 minutes. Link to Spreadsheet.

Player	Min #1	Min Revised
Stuelke (27)	32	31
Feuerbach (25)	25	21
McCabe (23)	20	18
Stremlow (14)	15	14
Heiden (9)	27	26
Mallegni (8)	10	10
Gyamfi (4)	4	4
Levin (3)	3	3
Johnson (3: 23-24)	3	3
Deal	30	28
Wright	25	20
Rodriguez	12	10
Hayes	10	9
Houston	5	3
TOTAL	221	200

So who do you have playing the pt?

 

[Conn53victor]

So who do you have playing the pt?

Disclaimer: I’m not very good at this. Deal starts at point and plays the 2 with ChitChat and Stremlow at point. Or not.

 

[Hawkangler]

Stremlow and Feuerbach are team captains. I suspect both will start along with Heiden, Stuelke and Wright.

Deal, Rodriguez, McCabe, Hays, Mallegni next five. At least starting the season.

 

[pablow]

Stremlow and Feuerbach are team captains. I suspect both will start along with Heiden, Stuelke and Wright.

Deal, Rodriguez, McCabe, Hays, Mallegni next five. At least starting the season.

I just read Hannah was named team captain.

 

[Hawkangler]

I just read Hannah was named team captain.

I don't know, Affolter said Feuerbach and Stremlow at media day.

 

[Conn53victor]

How do you see the starting lineup?​

Back to the original question, I always see the starting lineup by looking at mid-court moments before tipoff.

 

[HIWILLE]

Stremlow and Feuerbach are team captains. I suspect both will start along with Heiden, Stuelke and Wright.

Deal, Rodriguez, McCabe, Hays, Mallegni next five. At least starting the season.

I would be shocked to see Stremlow start ahead of Deal.

 

[Clarkedallas]

I would be shocked to see Stremlow start ahead of Deal.

Deal will be a four year starter.

 

[Hawk14]

If Deal is not a starter it sends a bad signal to any future 5 star recruits.

 

[hawkbr]

Stremlow and Feuerbach are team captains. I suspect both will start along with Heiden, Stuelke and Wright.

Deal, Rodriguez, McCabe, Hays, Mallegni next five. At least starting the season.

It would be shocking if Jan put to bench Iowa's first 5-star and MCDAA recruit since CC (2020). Everyone on the team has a role and is important, but we need someone like Lucy, who can score 18 PPG creating her own shot. No one other than Deal and Rodriguez has that skill.

 

[TheGreatDivider101]

Whoever Jan starts game 1 will probably be different throughout the non-conference schedule. Big 10 season is what matters the most.

 

[pablow]

Deal is likely our best option to quarterback our half-court offense. I can't imagine she won't be a 30-minutes-a-game starter.