*****Iowa vs UCLA 🏆 Game Thread*****

[Kceasthawk@77]

Maybe learn to spell before calling others idiots. It’s a bad look.

Lolol.. Maybe if you want to play school marm, find someone who cares.....Just saying, no use wasting your time...

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Each of us are certainly entitled to our opinion about our Hawkeyes and their season. My humble opinion is listed below

#1–I believe many of us have unrealistic expectations of this years team. It sounds like many will be disappointed if this team doesn’t win the national tournament or at least make the final four considering the season a failure. When we think about preseason expectations of those who have a reputation of knowing much more about college basketball than us didn’t even have them in the top 5 of the big ten. It makes me believe we have over achieved and had a great season. I celebrate this team.

2–It is obvious to all that we played very poorly today. I’ve been around sports for a whole lot of years and know that happens to all teams to degrees. While I was disappointed in today’s game I’m ready to move on and think about our next game. I still believe. Let’s win the next thing!

3–I think we need to take a deep breath and relax when it comes to tearing apart our players and coaches. For example: one day Taylor S is the next Sid A and the next probably can’t make a South Carolina, LSU, etc roster. Some can hardly wait for Kylie F to be gone and out of the lineup but I’m pretty sure next season will be complaining that we need an all league defender like Kylie F. Supporting Jan as Big 10 COY when things are going great and then wanting her fired when we play poorly. Like she can be responsible for every poor decision our players make. I think players need to take responsibility for their own decisions

I can go on and on but few will be interested as they have made their own opinions. That’s ok.

I have two thoughts on teams I can support and pull for regardless how many games they win or how far they move on in playoffs.

#1–They exhibit toughness
#2–They are connected

That is Hawkeye basketball and I’m with them regardless

Each of us are certainly entitled to our opinion about our Hawkeyes and their season. My humble opinion is listed below

#1–I believe many of us have unrealistic expectations of this years team. It sounds like many will be disappointed if this team doesn’t win the national tournament or at least make the final four considering the season a failure. When we think about preseason expectations of those who have a reputation of knowing much more about college basketball than us didn’t even have them in the top 5 of the big ten. It makes me believe we have over achieved and had a great season. I celebrate this team.

2–It is obvious to all that we played very poorly today. I’ve been around sports for a whole lot of years and know that happens to all teams to degrees. While I was disappointed in today’s game I’m ready to move on and think about our next game. I still believe. Let’s win the next thing!

3–I think we need to take a deep breath and relax when it comes to tearing apart our players and coaches. For example: one day Taylor S is the next Sid A and the next probably can’t make a South Carolina, LSU, etc roster. Some can hardly wait for Kylie F to be gone and out of the lineup but I’m pretty sure next season will be complaining that we need an all league defender like Kylie F. Supporting Jan as Big 10 COY when things are going great and then wanting her fired when we play poorly. Like she can be responsible for every poor decision our players make. I think players need to take responsibility for their own decisions

I can go on and on but few will be interested as they have made their own opinions. That’s ok.

I have two thoughts on teams I can support and pull for regardless how many games they win or how far they move on in playoffs.

#1–They exhibit toughness
#2–They are connected

That is Hawkeye basketball and I’m with them regardless

Overall I agree with much of your post, but your over generalizing. Most people here know very well we overachieved this season. I also don't think that there's anyone here who supported Jan as COY who wants her fired. That doesn't mean that you can't question some decisions she made. It comes with the territory.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Well, USC gets JuJu back next season. They’ll be a Final Four contender again.

Well, USC gets JuJu back next season. They’ll be a Final Four contender again.

You know its going to interesting. She'll return to an entirely different team then the one she scored 60 out of 70 some points her freshman year, while the rest of the team just stood around and watched her basically. Since then they've added the top freshman in both classes, counting next season. It will be a very different dynamic with her next team. I'm not saying they won't have crazy talent, BUT there's only one ball for 3 or 4 alpha on one team.

 

[Hawk14]

Overall I agree with much of your post, but your over generalizing. Most people here know very well we overachieved this season. I also don't think that there's anyone here who supported Jan as COY who wants her fired. That doesn't mean that you can't question some decisions she made. It comes with the territory.

You are right on that it comes with the territory. You are also correct about those who either wanted her fired or wanted the job opened before given to Jan were not COY supporters. I’m old and need to be straightened out often. You could ask my wife about that . I agree with you on both points.

 

[The Big Z]

Michigan is better on the wing.

you can’t honestly think Wright and TS will be good enough to elevate Iowa. They will be juniors next year but have inherent limitations that experience won’t fix. There’s a reason JJ tried to recruit highly ranked guards. Just missed on them.,

If Michigan is better on the wing how did we hold them to 40 pts in 2 games? They’re not a better team than we are. And to say that both **** Chat and Stremlow are limited as Sophomores is ridiculous. Look at the growth of Kate Martin from Sophomore year to Sr year. Stremlow is better as a Sophomore than Katecwas as a Sophomore. Chit Chat was 3rd team all conference as a Soph. People get better with experience. They know the game better. Will it be enough to beat UConn? Probably not. Will we be the favorites for the conference title next year? Yes.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

If Michigan is better on the wing how did we hold them to 40 pts in 2 games? They’re not a better team than we are. And to say that both **** Chat and Stremlow are limited as Sophomores is ridiculous. Look at the growth of Kate Martin from Sophomore year to Sr year. Stremlow is better as a Sophomore than Katecwas as a Sophomore. Chit Chat was 3rd team all conference as a Soph. People get better with experience. They know the game better. Will it be enough to beat UConn? Probably not. Will we be the favorites for the conference title next year? Yes.

I was there with you for the most part until the "we'll be the favorites next year". Probably not....Not saying we won't have a shot, but I'll bet you'll see USC, OSU at the top of the pre season polls, and then some order of Iowa, Maryland and the two Michigan schools.

 

[The Big Z]

I was there with you for the most part until the "we'll be the favorites next year". Probably not....Not saying we won't have a shot, but I'll bet you'll see USC, OSU at the top of the pre season polls, and then some order of Iowa, Maryland and the two Michigan schools.

I keep forgetting about USC. They’ll probably be the favorites but why would OSU be favored over us? We finished ahead of them and we’re returning 4 of our 5 starters. Plus a top 10 or 20 recruit. Let’s see what happens in the offseason, but we will be top 2.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I keep forgetting about USC. They’ll probably be the favorites but why would OSU be favored over us? We finished ahead of them and we’re returning 4 of our 5 starters. Plus a top 10 or 20 recruit. Let’s see what happens in the offseason, but we will be top 2.

Just guessing, but they're pretty much always pre season ahead of us. The only year Iowa was the pre season favorite and pre season top 4 nationally was Clarks senior year after we were in the final

 

[Whtnhawk]

Maybe this was covered somewhere above but since we played UCLA in LA this year do they travel to IC next?

 

[IOWAED]

Trying to remember how Ohio State fared in their two games vs UCLA?

UCLA beat OSU by 7pts and ten points, OSU is to short to compete with the trees.

 

[NORTHSTAR]

Maybe this was covered somewhere above but since we played UCLA in LA this year do they travel to IC next?I

Maybe this was covered somewhere above but since we played UCLA in LA this year do they travel to IC next?

I assume so.

 

[MVPFAN]

UCLA beat OSU by 7pts and ten points, OSU is to short to compete with the trees.

Thus they didn't try to futility to compete with the trees and they have the athletic ability and scoring outside the post to score. Trying to beat UCLA strength to strength is a losing proposition for this team because UCLA is better there. Jan needs to learn how to implement an alternative approach. The CC teams could win from the outside or the inside. This team has not been able to consistently do that.

 

[FranklinHawk]

Of course. But you’re making a straw man argument. I’m not arguing about Iowas core as competing for a b10 title. USC will have more talent and athleticism (a lot more) but Iowa should look pretty good. Need to adjust for HS departure.

But they simply won’t be athletic or talented wnough in the backcourt.

Looking at recruiting and returning players, USC, UCONn, LsU, South Carolina, and Texas will be elite next year. And much longer and athletic.

Let me ask you a question. In '23 and '24 when Iowa made the title game, which players other than Caitlin do you think would have started for UConn, South Carolina, or LSU? Yes, you get spoiled when you have a generational talent...

 

[o_AMAYS]

Maybe this was covered somewhere above but since we played UCLA in LA this year do they travel to IC next?

Good question. We’ve had 2 years of the 18-team BIG, and this year’s schedule was just the reverse of last year in terms of home and away. If next year is the reverse of this year, could hurt Iowa a bit.

Iowa had the most favorable home-road splits in the league this year. Iowa played 4/5 of the pre-season bottom 5 on the road (the only team to do so), and got more home games against the teams between UCLA and the bottom tier. If the schedule is reversed next year, home games against Rutgers, Purdue, NW and Wisconsin would mean a tougher road schedule.

I’m hoping they look at the schedules, and adjust somewhat, not just run it back with reversing home-road locations.

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

Let me ask you a question. In '23 and '24 when Iowa made the title game, which players other than Caitlin do you think would have started for UConn, South Carolina, or LSU? Yes, you get spoiled when you have a generational talent...

Czinano killed South Carolina with her pick and roll with Clark in 2023, though I don't think she'd start for them. Martin killed UConn with her turnaround fade away jumpers in 2024, and I think she might actually get the nod at UConn.

 

[Wobmam Rulez!]

Let me ask you a question. In '23 and '24 when Iowa made the title game, which players other than Caitlin do you think would have started for UConn, South Carolina, or LSU? Yes, you get spoiled when you have a generational talent...

Monika in 23 was very underrated. In fact, Staley said that she was the reason they lost. Staley said they underestimated her.

 

[anon1791660717]

Just guessing, but they're pretty much always pre season ahead of us. The only year Iowa was the pre season favorite and pre season top 4 nationally was Clarks senior year after we were in the final

And Iowa didn't even win the regular season title Clark's senior year. And the PAC-12 teams have since been added.
There is no way Iowa is the pre-season favorite, but it's never too early for unrealistic expectations.

 

[FranklinHawk]

Monika in 23 was very underrated. In fact, Staley said that she was the reason they lost. Staley said they underestimated her.

I agree, but I'm sure Staley wouldn't have started her over Boston. My question was about starters, not dumping on the great players we had.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Monika in 23 was very underrated. In fact, Staley said that she was the reason they lost. Staley said they underestimated her.

Because she had CC22 feeding her. Without the other half of that pick and roll combo she'd have struggled big time to score on Boston and Cardosa

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Czinano killed South Carolina with her pick and roll with Clark in 2023, though I don't think she'd start for them. Martin killed UConn with her turnaround fade away jumpers in 2024, and I think she might actually get the nod at UConn.

Highly doubtful Kate would have started for Uconn with a roster full of AA high schoolers. Backcourt of Fudd, and Buekers. Ducharme was a McDonald's AA and the number 5 player in the 2020/21 class. Add in Ice Brady and Muhl who was second in the nation in assists with almost 7 per/GM.

 

[Wobmam Rulez!]

Because she had CC22 feeding her. Without the other half of that pick and roll combo she'd have struggled big time to score on Boston and Cardosa

Thanks captain obvious.

 

[NORTHSTAR]

Because she had CC22 feeding her. Without the other half of that pick and roll combo she'd have struggled big time to score on Boston and Cardosa

Many struggle against those two, but I believe Monica would have fared pretty well, as she did against others.

 

[The Big Z]

Many struggle against those two, but I believe Monica would have fared pretty well, as she did against others.

Well she would clearly not have started for S Carolina. Boston is a helluva player. Monica was a great player in her own right but she’s nowhere a W roster.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Thanks captain obvious.

No need to be snarky, unless that's your thing I guess. Monica was really good post player, but she had her limitations on both ends of the court. In the same way that Stuelke was a different player when she had Clark feeding her, (47 points in one game, Clark had 18 assists) Monica would never have been near a 2000 point scorer without the insane pick and roll chemistry she had with Clark. Were seeing the same thing now with Boston with the Fever. Her offensive game has really blown up with a facilitator like Clark. The reason Staley made the quote you posted was because they knew there was nothing they could with Clark. She was going to get hers. They thought if they could limit the others they'd win easily. But Clark not only got her 40 points but she assisted on most of the other baskets. Her points responsible for in that game was 70+ % of all the points scored by Iowa. Don't think anyone has ever done that in a final 4 matchup before.

 

[NORTHSTAR]

Well she would clearly not have started for S Carolina. Boston is a helluva player. Monica was a great player in her own right but she’s nowhere a W roster.

Never said she would have, only I believe she would have done ok against them like she did many others. Yep, we all know Monica never made a W roster.

 

[PauleyPartisan]

Bruins need a test.
Fly Hawkeyes Fly!

Iowa 69 UCLA 68

Bruins didn’t have a test did they?

 

[PauleyPartisan]

You guys didn’t play like it

 

[HawkFan10]

Bruins didn’t have a test did they?

Are you stupid or just a troll?

 

[PauleyPartisan]

Are you stupid or just a troll?

If I was stupid, I probably could still get into Iowa with your guys’ 80%+ acceptance rate.