*****Ashland vs Iowa Exh. Game Thread*****

[herkhatescy2]

I think Rodriguez was the steal of the portal.

 

[Conn53victor]

What was the bodies-in-seats attendance? The box score sez 14,998, but that’s just silly with the student section quite empty plus other fans missing in action. I estimate 10k but I could be way off.

NOTE: My beloved spouse (fervent fan, no photo available) said a ridiculously small number. In a rare display of self control, I will not reopen the discussion with her, in particular I won’t say, “On Hawkeye Report, people were estimating…”

 

[QChawks]

What was the bodies-in-seats attendance? The box score sez 14,998, but that’s just silly with the student section quite empty plus other fans missing in action. I estimate 10k but I could be way off.

NOTE: My beloved spouse (fervent fan, no photo available) said a ridiculously small number. In a rare display of self control, I will not reopen the discussion with her, in particular I won’t say, “On Hawkeye Report, people were estimating…”

If she’s anything like my wife, she’ll be able to estimate the number of people in an arena, but won’t be able to count the hundreds of items she left out on the bathroom counter

 

[Bunsen82]

Unfortunatley I did not get to see the game, but was wondering about comments. I saw the McDonalds game and was really impressed and thought she would contribute this year. From some comments I thought maybe she had gained a lot of weight and this "slowed her down" etc. Evidently that is not the case. Hey, this was just the start and practically a scrimmage. I would think she contributes quite a bit.

I really hate the discussion on weight- personally I didn't see it. In reality she looks pretty similar in build to a Stremlow. You can't change builds and if the staff wants her to tone up more that is a discussion for the staff. If you go look at her highlight videos - quickness was never her calling card - It was very good shooting, some decent passing and some quality drives.

She reminds me a lot of McCabe- she is more offensively skilled than McCabe was coming into college but the speed of college ball is going to be a similar adjustment. It took McCabe til her Junior year to really dial in on defense. Now I am not saying it is going to take that long. Personally to me it looks like she is playing on her heels a bit and needs to anticipate a bit more. All in all on a second viewing she looked better than my first impression. Now she did have some very nice passes to the post. Her 1 drive she got pass her defender and put up a funky shot, not sure what is going on but she got the rebound and the put back. That 3 was solid.

College is always an adjustment - to me especially defensively she is not a PG- she is a combo SG that could be a skilled 3 in smaller lineup.

 

[Hawkapottomos Rex]

I disagree that Deal was raw.. like Jan said in the presser, got over anxious on her drives in the first half.. makes the right play and Jan said she’d have 8 assists. Settled in during the second half offensively and lead the team in assists.

7 points 5 assists 3 rebounds and 0 second half turnovers is a decent line.

Keep in mind QC has stupid takes on everything.

 

[HIWILLE]

It is funny people saying that she won't make in impact playing this season after like three minutes on the floor in an ex game. I'll take that bet. She has the tools, the resume, and the toughness. How about we give her a few games. I rememeber in the first few minutes of the McDonlds AA game she looked out of place and then she settled in and totally looked like she belonged with the nations top players.

Agree!How about we give all the players a few games before we start evaluating them. Some of you really surprised me by your comments.

 

[QChawks]

Keep in mind QC has stupid takes on everything.

 

[CarterHall]

 

[Bulldogs1974]

The fans that expected her to finally develop an outside shot after she didn't for the first three years were "wishful thinking".

Against taller teams...Ava will be the inside threat.
Hannah is just offensively challenged away from the hoop.

She was getting the Connor mccaffery treatment

 

[squeezebox_1]

Man it's early to be making these claims, but this team is really well constructed. Rodriguez brings something the hawks haven't had since Warnock, that inside outside threat, and I think she has more physicality. It is early, but wow Chit-Chat brings speed and a distribution at the PG spot that is going to give the bigs a lot of easy opportunities at the rim.

 

[TheGreatDivider101]

Man it's early to be making these claims, but this team is really well constructed. Rodriguez brings something the hawks haven't had since Warnock, that inside outside threat, and I think she has more physicality. It is early, but wow Chit-Chat brings speed and a distribution at the PG spot that is going to give the bigs a lot of easy opportunities at the rim.

 

[Amahawk]

Yeah, there seemed to be a lot of getting beat off the dribble. And not just the bigs. And help was frequently too slow. I’m sure the coaches will address that.

A common theme that I see with teams is not moving their feet and spectating. This translates into standing around and watching other players do things.

 

[Bunsen82]

LOL - nothing personal just thought it was funny.

 

[Amahawk]

The fans that expected her to finally develop an outside shot after she didn't for the first three years were "wishful thinking".

Against taller teams...Ava will be the inside threat.
Hannah is just offensively challenged away from the hoop.

I think Hannah has 5 skills with a 4 frame. It would be fantastic if she can transition more of a 4 with an outside shot. Does Iowa have a 4 with good size on their recruiting list?

 

[Amahawk]

It is funny people saying that she won't make in impact playing this season after like three minutes on the floor in an ex game. I'll take that bet. She has the tools, the resume, and the toughness. How about we give her a few games. I rememeber in the first few minutes of the McDonlds AA game she looked out of place and then she settled in and totally looked like she belonged with the nations top players.

It is a learning experience for most players new to the college game. Last year Ava seemed to struggle at first but by the end of the season, outstanding.

 

[Conn53victor]

Man it's early to be making these claims, but this team is really well constructed. Rodriguez brings something the hawks haven't had since Warnock, that inside outside threat, and I think she has more physicality. It is early, but wow Chit-Chat brings speed and a distribution at the PG spot that is going to give the bigs a lot of easy opportunities at the rim.

I agree that this team is well constructed. Although it is rash to draw conclusions based on an exhibition game against a good DII school, that’s never stopped me (or most of us here) before. I think that this team could play tougher against the physicality of the B1G10, particularly with the addition of Rodriguez. Plus we can tailor (Taylor?) our look for specific opponents, balancing finesse & strength.

Monday night’s game vs. DI Southern University could be more informative. Southern played five ranked teams in last years pre-conference, losing by ~30 to Oklahoma (10th), Iowa State (8), and Nebraska (21), and NC State (20) before getting blown out by 6th ranked Texas 97-39. In the NCAA tournament, they lost 84-46 to top ranked UCLA after winning their play in game. Southern is picked to win the SWAC conference this year.

 

[Anon1750875978]

I think Hannah has 5 skills with a 4 frame. It would be fantastic if she can transition more of a 4 with an outside shot. Does Iowa have a 4 with good size on their recruiting list?

I don't know.

In the women's game...an effective 4, I think, can be 6'2" with a 15' jumper.
To me, that should be the portal target next spring.

 

[pablow]

I thought having a senior core of Kylie, Taylor, amd Hannah would put us in great shape for this year. But we now have added an even a better sophmore group - Heiden, Rodriguez, and Chit-Chat. Then add in Deal, Stremlow, and Hays . . .

And, Journey Houston is raw, but she has quick, quick feet on defense. She can be a great lockdown defender this year.

 

[Scott559]

I thought having a senior core of Kylie, Taylor, amd Hannah would put us in great shape for this year. But we now have added an even a better sophmore group - Heiden, Rodriguez, and Chit-Chat. Then add in Deal, Stremlow, and Hays . . .

And, Journey Houston is raw, but she has quick, quick feet on defense. She can be a great lockdown defender this year.

While just one exhibition game I thought Journey showed the intangible “Nose for the ball” rebounding.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[o_AMAYS]

What was the bodies-in-seats attendance? The box score sez 14,998, but that’s just silly with the student section quite empty plus other fans missing in action. I estimate 10k but I could be way off. . . .

Guessing much lower than 10k. Last year’s exhibition had 5500 scanned tickets. Only 5 games last year with scanned tickets over 10,000.

I’m also skeptical that Iowa’s scanning process understates actual attendance, because the scanned ticket number for USC last year was only 13,446. But even adjusting for error, would be really surprising to draw more than 6,500-7,500 for an exhibition against a D2 team.

 

[Hawkangler]

Watched most of the game this morning. Our size advantage was obvious but Asland was very quick.

- Heiden's game has improved, sets up deep in the paint
- Rodriguez was impressive, ability to drive and finish plus a good looking perimeter shooter. Not sure why she only played 13 minutes
- Wright's quickness is obvious, solid distributor of the ball and good penetrator
- Hannah was solid, had several nice dribble drives, rebounding very good
- McCabe's release on her three is quicker, showed better range
- Feuerbach is great to the hoop, wish she finished stronger
- Deal's first game started slow but she looked nervous. Looks a bit slower with the added weight but that will come as she plays more.
- Hays is a fofce inside will only get better with more playinh time
- Surprised Stremlow didn't contribute more
- Houston surprised me with her quickness, solid player

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

I don't know.

In the women's game...an effective 4, I think, can be 6'2" with a 15' jumper.
To me, that should be the portal target next spring.

Ummm.... McKenna??

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

The only thing that held Ava back from absolutely dominating this game was fouls. Her post moves and quick shot with high accuracy looked comparable to to Monika as a senior, but with more height and athleticism, better rebounding

 

[oldxbbc]

I really hate the discussion on weight- personally I didn't see it. In reality she looks pretty similar in build to a Stremlow. You can't change builds and if the staff wants her to tone up more that is a discussion for the staff. If you go look at her highlight videos - quickness was never her calling card - It was very good shooting, some decent passing and some quality drives.

She reminds me a lot of McCabe- she is more offensively skilled than McCabe was coming into college but the speed of college ball is going to be a similar adjustment. It took McCabe til her Junior year to really dial in on defense. Now I am not saying it is going to take that long. Personally to me it looks like she is playing on her heels a bit and needs to anticipate a bit more. All in all on a second viewing she looked better than my first impression. Now she did have some very nice passes to the post. Her 1 drive she got pass her defender and put up a funky shot, not sure what is going on but she got the rebound and the put back. That 3 was solid.

College is always an adjustment - to me especially defensively she is not a PG- she is a combo SG that could be a skilled 3 in smaller lineup.

Thank you!

 

[Anon1750875978]

Ummm.... McKenna??

Perhaps, but I think it will take time to adjust to the physicality of the B1G.

JJ will have a plan.

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

Perhaps, but I think it will take time to adjust to the physicality of the B1G.

JJ will have a plan.

We'll see. IF (big IF) they get commits from both Lewis and Bjorn, and nobody transfers out, 13 scholarships will be filled for the next 2 years. Jan will need be very selective in how she uses the portal next spring. If I were her, I'd only take a player going into her senior season, so she can still have 2 spots open for the 2027 recruiting class.

I'm not sure Iowa would be the scenario a rising senior would want to come to, with how talented we will be at every position with younger players. I don't see a guaranteed start at any position for an incoming transfer.

 

[BunchofAholes]

I don't know.

In the women's game...an effective 4, I think, can be 6'2" with a 15' jumper.
To me, that should be the portal target next spring.

Jumper...

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Anon1750875978]

We'll see. IF (big IF) they get commits from both Lewis and Bjorn, and nobody transfers out, 13 scholarships will be filled for the next 2 years. Jan will need be very selective in how she uses the portal next spring. If I were her, I'd only take a player going into her senior season, so she can still have 2 spots open for the 2027 recruiting class.

I'm not sure Iowa would be the scenario a rising senior would want to come to, with how talented we will be at every position with younger players. I don't see a guaranteed start at any position for an incoming transfer.

My opinion, and mine only, is a couple girls transfer out after this season. I won't name my two guesses, but based on who JJ is recruiting, I think fans know who I refer to.
Not all players are like JG, just happy to be on a roster.
Time will tell and the season hasn't even started.
Potential injuries also can play a factor.

 

[QChawks]

ERod could very well fill Lucy's role as the go to 1:1 player

Jan looks like she got a steal in the portal

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Hawk48]

I thought having a senior core of Kylie, Taylor, amd Hannah would put us in great shape for this year. But we now have added an even a better sophmore group - Heiden, Rodriguez, and Chit-Chat. Then add in Deal, Stremlow, and Hays . . .

And, Journey Houston is raw, but she has quick, quick feet on defense. She can be a great lockdown defender this year.

I won't give my opinion on all the players, but I did want to mention Houston. She seemed to be in the right place several times and played well IMO.

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

My opinion, and mine only, is a couple girls transfer out after this season. I won't name my two guesses, but based on who JJ is recruiting, I think fans know who I refer to.
Not all players are like JG, just happy to be on a roster.
Time will tell and the season hasn't even started.
Potential injuries also can play a factor.

KJ and TM are the two I assume you're referring to?

Kennise - comes out with the heavy knee brace at the end of the game last night. Would a transfer result in playing time elsewhere if she has ongoing injury issues? Maybe, but it could be a high risk proposition for her to give up a scholarship and potentially not find a landing spot somewhere else.

Teagan - I could see it, but it'll depend on how the season goes. Top 100 in her class but could be getting passed up by others on the team. It's only an exhibition, but I was more impressed with Journey this game than I was with Teagan for the entirety of her freshman year. But if Teagan finds her 3 point shot this season and becomes a key contributor off the bench, she may want to stay. I do know that she's very good friends with Ava, so we'll see if that's strong enough to keep her in Iowa City.

I think Callie is like JG. Her ties to the U of Iowa are deeper than just basketball. I'd be surprised if she leaves.

 

[Anon1750875978]

Jumper...

OK, set shot.

 

[Clarkedallas]

ERod could very well fill Lucy's role as the go to 1:1 player

Jan looks like she got a steal in the portal

She is able to do al lot of things well. She has the potential to be excellent. Not hard to see why South C. and Uconn offered.

 

[herkhatescy2]

What was the bodies-in-seats attendance? The box score sez 14,998, but that’s just silly with the student section quite empty plus other fans missing in action. I estimate 10k but I could be way off.

NOTE: My beloved spouse (fervent fan, no photo available) said a ridiculously small number. In a rare display of self control, I will not reopen the discussion with her, in particular I won’t say, “On Hawkeye Report, people were estimating…”

I'd say half full.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Unfortunatley I did not get to see the game, but was wondering about comments. I saw the McDonalds game and was really impressed and thought she would contribute this year. From some comments I thought maybe she had gained a lot of weight and this "slowed her down" etc. Evidently that is not the case. Hey, this was just the start and practically a scrimmage. I would think she contributes quite a bit.

I do as well. Unfortunately I think some are trying to base her 5 star rating off CC22. Clark was an "apex predator" is how some decsribed her. Basically MJ and Kobe type who wanted to destroy you. Deal is not that, but she has all the tools to be a very good player, and I think it will happen fairly quickly. She certainly make an impact this year.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I think Rodriguez was the steal of the portal.

I totally agree. Jan said shes only been in the US for three years and had never played in a system anything like the structure Iowa has. The biggest issue Jan will have involving her is who's minutes is she taking, Hannahs or Kylies. Still a good problem.