*****Alvaro Folgueiras enters the Portal*****

[iahawkeyes17]

He could have come back and maybe been more consistent and been a great player next year, but that’s not a guarantee.

Lot of wings on the team that do similar things. I think this frees up some NIL that could be utilized elsewhere. He also gets to go somewhere with a bigger role. Probably a win/win here.

Exactly what I was thinking. A position where we got guys like cam and Koch with young guys Thompson and Harris coming in next year. Plus frees up $ to get a PG and C what we really need. Alvaro brought in to be #2 guy behind stirtz and just wasn’t consistent enough to warrant the same type of $.

In the end seems like fans get it. No hard feelings and lot of us don’t see it as hurting the team with him leaving. Could be a win win for Iowa and Alvaro depending who we get and where he goes but he will be getting paid I’m sure of that.

 

[DukeSlater]

It sounds like Iowa made an offer where Alvaro would be taking a big pay cut.

Makes sense that it came down to that. Alvaro's wild inconsistency required that move by Iowa, despite his brilliance vs. Florida and Nebraska, because then came Illinois . . . Still sad and unfortunate. But as others have wisely surmised, it's likely to end up being good for Iowa and good for Alvaro.

 

[Franisdaman]

Makes sense that it came down to that. Alvaro's wild inconsistency required that move by Iowa, despite his brilliance vs. Florida and Nebraska, because then came Illinois . . . Still sad and unfortunate.

This is where Ben tore into Alvaro during a time out vs Illinois.

 

[Franisdaman]

A lot of blame could go around in the Illinois loss, imo.

Since 6'10" Alvaro was not on the court, he can't be blamed for IOWA being abused 40-12 in points in the paint.

IOWA got abused on 2nd chance points, too (13-7).

Ben, essentially, ended up only playing 7 guys in the 2nd half; I think their tired legs affected their shots.

In the 1st half we shot 57% (12-21) from the field.

In the 2nd half we only shot 23% (6-26) from the field.

The details:

1st Half Scoring:

........6-12 (50%) from three
.............6-9 (67%) from inside the arc
....................................................................
12-21 (57%) Overall Shooting

..........2-2 (100%) FTs
....................................................................
32 Points Scored
=====================

2nd Half Scoring:

........5-18 (28%) from three
.............1-8 (12%) from inside the arc
....................................................................
....6-26 (23%) Overall Shooting

..10-12 (83%) FTs
....................................................................
27 Points Scored
=====================

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game from March 28, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

 

[StormHawk42]

This is all ridiculously stupid. So now he will be on his third school in 3 years. Those players are the worst. God what a s h i t show.

It is stupid but I think everyone can read between the lines here that his tournament performance will get him huge offers - say $2M. But Ben (and most rational fans) know that he isn’t worth anywhere near that when we have bigger needs. Seems like it was mutual.

 

[HawkInDenver]

Bummer. I hope it works out for him!

I don't know how these portal negotiations work -do you give them a guaranteed payout for year 1 and just make it clear subsequent years are TBD based on performance? I would assume there is a guaranteed minimum each year with performance based bonus potential but who knows?

 

[Franisdaman]

Bummer. I hope it works out for him!

I don't know how these portal negotiations work -do you give them a guaranteed payout for year 1 and just make it clear subsequent years are TBD based on performance? I would assume there is a guaranteed minimum each year with performance based bonus potential but who knows?

unfortunately it's all confidential

 

[Iron Doc]

He done good.
Time to move on.

 

[NoPuntsNoPeace]

100 percent! Even in the FL post game presser Ben was still ribbing him about his shot and play. It's a wild card athlete that simply isn't sustainable from day to day and game to game.

I thought that was pretty clear in that presser too.

always be grateful for the performance to get us over the hump….but for the first time in forever I have 100% confidence in the head Hawk. It’s hard to deal with a player that could show up as a star or a bench warmer depending on the night.

 

[hawksfan2025]

Gone before I could get the spelling of his last name right.

Gary Dolphin is hoping he'll be replaced by someone with a name he doesn't have to learn how to pronounce!

 

[Franisdaman]

I thought that was pretty clear in that presser too.

always be grateful for the performance to get us over the hump….but for the first time in forever I have 100% confidence in the head Hawk. It’s hard to deal with a player that could show up as a star or a bench warmer depending on the night.

Money freed up will help land a PG and center

 

[Hawk48]

He drove Ben nuts because Ben never knew what version of Alvaro he was gonna get in a game.

drove me nuts too with his inconsistency and passing

 

[The Big Z]

That's a shame. I'm not shocked, but I am disappointed. I thought Alvaro might be one of those rare guys who would understand his situation, do the work in the off season, and fight for a starting job at a place where he knows his teammates, knows his coaches, and is treated like an adult. Not to mention a place where he made himself a legend with brilliant clutch performances against Florida and Nebraska to help send Iowa where it hadn't been for decades.

Did Ben challenge him to do the work and Alvaro decided it would be easier to go somewhere else? Did Ben tell him his NIL would be cut, and Alvaro wanted/needed to go for the money?

I have no idea. But again, even when Iowa has nice things, like an Elite Eight berth for the first time since 1987, it's overshadowed by things like this.

I wish the young man the best wherever he ends up. But again, it's a shame to see him go.

I also think he’s a 4 and Ben had him playing the 5. He’s not built to play the 5 defensively which I also think added to his inconsistency. I think Folgueras wants to play the 4 but we needed him as a 5 this past season. Now maybe a conversation was had about him playing the 4 next year and if Banks comes back plus Thompson we don’t really need a 4. And they chose to both move on.

 

[Bro D]

 

[TailgateTom]

Blake Bartley ETSU...c'mon down...

No thank you

 

[Rambler Hawk]

He done good.
Time to move on.

 

[Randon]

Sad! This is what is turning people off from college sports and basketball in particular.

 

[oldxbbc]

unfortunately it's all confidential

Without NIL and Portal this thread would not exist. I liked the guy and it’s a little crazy what he did in the tournament and now leaves. Left a lot of free beer Lin Iowa City!

 

[nu2u]

More power to him. When Organizations are competing to substantially increase your compensation you are in a very very good place. You absolutely jump on that unique opportunity. Anyone saying they would not if in the same situation is a liar.

 

[Franisdaman]

Without NIL and Portal this thread would not exist. I liked the guy and it’s a little crazy what he did in the tournament and now leaves. Left a lot of free beer Lin Iowa City!

I wish something would be done w/ unlimited transfers but if something was done, the players would probably sue & win

 

[Franisdaman]

drove me nuts too with his inconsistency and passing

will be interesting to see who ends up with him

 

[AndreTheHawk]

More power to him. When Organizations are competing to substantially increase your compensation you are in a very very good place. You absolutely jump on that unique opportunity. Anyone saying they would not if in the same situation is a liar.

And if we're really fortunate as "just fans", maybe the Big Ten and Sports in general will create a couple more streaming services for us to pony up for to watch our favorite teams, to help pay for all of these great "opportunities" for these children. Can't wait!

 

[Max Rebo]

I also think he’s a 4 and Ben had him playing the 5. He’s not built to play the 5 defensively which I also think added to his inconsistency. I think Folgueras wants to play the 4 but we needed him as a 5 this past season. Now maybe a conversation was had about him playing the 4 next year and if Banks comes back plus Thompson we don’t really need a 4. And they chose to both move on.

Yep. I think there's a reality that, with a new 5 likely coming in via the portal and Thompson and Harris coming online as options at the 4, Alvaro's minutes would have declined, right along with his NIL income.

 

[Franisdaman]

Iowa (24-13) was 15-1 this season when Alvaro showed up and scored in double figures.

Iowa was 9-12 when he didn't.

Iowa is 15-1 this season when Alvaro Folgueras scores in double figures

March 26, 2026 Update (after beating Nebraska) Alvaro had 16 pts in IOWA's 77-71 win over Nebraska in the 3rd Round of the NCAA Tournament. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401856567 ___________________________________________________________ March 22, 2026...

www.on3.com

Iowa didn't need 15 pts a game from Alvaro; they just needed 10.

 

[CarterHall]

Adios...... El Pulpo.

 

[Bierhalter]

even when Iowa has nice things, like an Elite Eight berth for the first time since 1987, it's overshadowed by things like this.

Not true at all

 

[Gus is dead]

will be interesting to see who ends up with him

Prob Illinois. He seems to get them wins.

 

[Roncuba65]

I was pretty hard on both Alvaro and Cooper this past season about being way too inconsistent. Cooper will get better and I see an NBA player on the horizon. Best of luck to Alvaro, The Florida and Nebraska games alone, are games I will never forget and he was a huge reason why we won!

 

[JerseyCityHawk]

JHC … always a legend in IC but man all the best to him… going to be a big loss … I hope it doesn’t backfire on him but again all the best will miss him in what could of been

 

[Hawkeye1984]

You just hope you start hearing about some additions soon. You can’t let them hang out there in portal land too long…

 

[Nvhwk]

Thank you Alvaro. I think most of us concluded this last night with reports of Ben recruiting the Etsy guy. With no guarantee of Alvaro making the guarantee and speculation that another team would pay more I cant blame him.

 

[bottlecaps]

too bad he can't be traded. we could get a nice piece for him

 

[CRHAWK]

Thank you Alvaro. I think most of us concluded this last night with reports of Ben recruiting the Etsy guy. With no guarantee of Alvaro making the guarantee and speculation that another team would pay more I cant blame him.

esty?

 

[BunchofAholes]

It is stupid but I think everyone can read between the lines here that his tournament performance will get him huge offers - say $2M. But Ben (and most rational fans) know that he isn’t worth anywhere near that when we have bigger needs. Seems like it was mutual.

Most coaches know too. He had a couple of high-visibility plays but a smart coach will look at the larger body of work (to paraphrase Fran). Alvaro may find out his market value isn't what he thinks. Then again, if he was looking at a pay cut to stay he may get better money elsewhere.
One has to wonder if his agent has already done some fishing.

 

[CarterHall]

esty?

ETSU....... Blake Barkley.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Ok, everyone needs to promise to NOT get into a back & forth with Eyes in this thread!

0-0

 

[Hootie LaRue]

JHC … always a legend in IC but man all the best to him… going to be a big loss … I hope it doesn’t backfire on him but again all the best will miss him in what could of been

It’s not really a loss if you get a legitimate center. Iowa should be able to replace his production with the guys who will be at the SF/PF positions next season.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

This is all ridiculously stupid. So now he will be on his third school in 3 years. Those players are the worst. God what a s h i t show.

To be fair, we don’t know what conversations were held behind closed doors. Rumors are BMC was only offering a fraction of what Alvaro got for last season. For all we know, Ben might have suggested to him it would be in his best interest to move on.

Not to belabor the point, but Iowa needs backcourt scoring and a rim protector.

 

[Moral]

HES A TRADER

 

[IaHawks03]

3 teams in 3 years lol.