Rebounding

[Skyhawk]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

 

[Jonesy5960]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

In conference play Hannah averaged 9 rebounds over 31 minutes of play. Rebounding will be fine between Journey and McKenna and whomever else is filling that role.

 

[citizenHawk1]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

Yep. They haven't replaced her defense either. I anticipate a lot of undeserved criticism coming at Woliczko for "not" playing at a senior Stuelke level, or maybe (but I doubt it) people actually realizing what Hannah brought to a game.

 

[hawkbr]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

McKenna Woliczko with 17 reb for the USA Team, is the all-time record holder in the FIBA U17 World Cup, and with 13 reb, she is the all-time record holder in the Jordan Classic Game.

 

[Destin Hawk]

Whiting At SF and Carnegie at SG are much better rebounders that what we had at those positions on last years team. They will level out what we lost from Hannah

 

[Skyhawk]

McKenna Woliczko with 17 reb for the USA Team, is the all-time record holder in the FIBA U17 World Cup, and with 13 reb, she is the all-time record holder in the Jordan Classic Game.

McKenna is very talented, and yes, she is an elite rebounder, but this is the BIG. Does a freshman sometimes struggle against D1 talent? Do they ever get in early foul trouble? Those are legit concerns. I would love to add a senior PF transfer for insurance.

 

[IACub]

What about Heiden? Her jump from year 1 to year 2 was huge. She could dominate the boards next year.

 

[hawkbr]

McKenna is very talented, and yes, she is an elite rebounder, but this is the BIG. Does a freshman sometimes struggle against D1 talent? Do they ever get in early foul trouble? Those are legit concerns. I would love to add a senior PF transfer for insurance.

It might be difficult at begin, but the potential is there. Not just any PF is a starter on the USA Team and wins two gold medals, being named the best PF in both tournaments. I don't think we'll find anything better at clearance sale in the Portal, when Iowa was jump over the Portal to sign a PG in DIII.

 

[NORTHSTAR]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

Never fear, many here say Journey will be the 4 and she averaged 15 minutes per game and averaged 5.1 RBs while Hannah averaged 30 minutes per game and averaged 9 RBs. Problem solved.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

My take from Jan's I-Club interview is that getting a player to get back Hannah's talents/position was DOA for us after filling the DC and AW spots. All remaining portal players wanted $$$ and/or PT. We could't fulfill one of those items long enough both items. These players want PT so they can up their stats and get a bigger bag next season. That's the new reality.

That being said, I'm fairly confident in saying it will be by committee on both ends of the floor. Everyone of the incoming players are exceptional rebounders for their size. If I had to give a grade to rebounding of the new incoming players it would be A+. It's the #1 attribute linking all/most of them. It's surely was not 3% shooting as I give that grade a C/C-. DC and AW are not good against Top 50/25 teams in that area. They both are worse 3pt shooters than Kylie % wise against those Top teams this past year.

My thought is we did not get anyone to replace Kylie's and Hannah's level of defensive #s. AW rates closer to Strem than she does to Kylie. Also DC has better defensive #'s than AW but you don't want to wear down DC running all over the court chasing down their best shooter like Kylie did it. We need Dani more on the offensive side although she is a pretty good defender.

It's also obvious we're not getting a defensive replacement for Hannah. So my gut is telling Jan and crew said if we can't be more proactive in defending better (pre-shot), let's get their/our rebounds after a miss (post-shot). Meaning it's more by committee in accomplishing more one and dones for them and more shots for us.

Probably not ideal but given the NIL situation it's better than throwing up your hands and doing nothing about it. Overall I can't say it's a wash. However, it's a good plan to try to accomplish it in another way. We'll have to see how it plays out but effort is being done to minimize the defensive/reboudning losses.

 

[Titanhawk]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

she averaged one digit - 9

 

[Jonesy5960]

Never fear, many here say Journey will be the 4 and she averaged 15 minutes per game and averaged 5.1 RBs while Hannah averaged 30 minutes per game and averaged 9 RBs. Problem solved.

Yeah. It's crazy to think that if Jan plays Journey more minutes that she'll collect more rebounds. That never happens.

It's also crazy to think that one of the best rebounders in this freshman class could pick up 4 or 5 rebounds per game like Journey did this year. That's also highly unlikely.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Play good team defense, and someone on the team will end up with the board.

It rarely goes beyond that. Especially in women's basketball

 

[Hawkangler]

McKenna is being way under rated by the experts on this board. I remember everyone being over-the-moon when she committed, including myself. I think Addie's less than stellar performance as a freshman, has a lot of posters gun shy about 5 star players. History has shown that top 10 players are a notch above the next level. Addie was #22. McKenna is extremely athletic and positions herself well for rebounds. She has an excellent midrange jump shot and three point range. She is also a willing passer. Great gentics between Dad and Mom.

Fingers crossed that she stays healthy.

Trust me, there are many BIG coaches that hate seeing her in the league.

I am bullish on McKenna Woliczko.

Go Hawks!

 

[oldxbbc]

McKenna is being way under rated by the experts on this board. I remember everyone being over-the-moon when she committed, including myself. I think Addie's less than stellar performance as a freshman, has a lot of posters gun shy about 5 star players. History has shown that top 10 players are a notch above the next level. Addie was #22. McKenna is extremely athletic and positions herself well for rebounds. She has an excellent midrange jump shot and three point range. She is also a willing passer. Great gentics between Dad and Mom.

Fingers crossed that she stays healthy.

Trust me, there are many BIG coaches that hate seeing her in the league.

I am bullish on McKenna Woliczko.

Go Hawks!

Great to hear and totally agree!

 

[KyleHuesmann]

Whiting At SF and Carnegie at SG are much better rebounders that what we had at those positions on last years team. They will level out what we lost from Hannah

This is something I don't think many have looked at.

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

Here's a question: how does Woliczko compare to Ava Jones? Is Jones closer to Stuelke in playing style? Jones would still be playing, but a moot point now, very unfortunately.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan2]

Whiting At SF and Carnegie at SG are much better rebounders that what we had at those positions on last years team. They will level out what we lost from Hannah

Hannah was a darn good player, even accepting that she also had weaker areas to her game, so it follows that things will be different next year. Whomever takes her minutes may not get as many rebounds and play as strongly defensively, let's say, but they also may have a mid range jumper and make more FT's, etc, etc.

Time will tell, but the roster assembled at this point looks to be a good one, IMO, better than the totality of this past year. Go Hawks.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Here's a question: how does Woliczko compare to Ava Jones? Is Jones closer to Stuelke in playing style? Jones would still be playing, but a moot point now, very unfortunately.

Not sure how you could do that other then there's a pretty big gap between where Ava Jones was as an incoming recruit and where MW was. MW ranked #6 and the top PF, and Ava was around #83. That's a heck of a gap. From what we've seen of MW she's way more versatile on offense then Hannah was.

 

[herkhatescy2]

How are we going to replace Hannah's double-digit rebounding? I don't see anybody on the current roster or among the transfers that can fill that role. It's asking a lot to count on a true freshman, even an exceptional one like McKenna to do it and, although Journey is a good rebounder, she is undersized. To me, that's the big question and potential weakness in next year's team.

Oh, the sky is falling the sky is falling. Jesus.

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

Not sure how you could do that other then there's a pretty big gap between where Ava Jones was as an incoming recruit and where MW was. MW ranked #6 and the top PF, and Ava was around #83. That's a heck of a gap. From what we've seen of MW she's way more versatile on offense then Hannah was.

I was asking about the playing style. Ava Jones was recruited as a 4, right?

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I was asking about the playing style. Ava Jones was recruited as a 4, right?

I think more of a three, but 3/4 certainly could see that.

 

[citizenHawk1]

Oh, the sky is falling the sky is falling. Jesus.

That's a little reactionary. It started a legit good discussion.

 

[hawkbr]

I was asking about the playing style. Ava Jones was recruited as a 4, right?

McKenna Woliczko is a 5-star recruit, #7 in the 2026 class. The most logical comparison would be with other 6-2 PF with similar rankings, such as Toby Fournier (#10 in the 2024 class) and Grace Knox (#7 in the 2025 class).

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

McKenna Woliczko is a 5-star recruit, #7 in the 2026 class. The most logical comparison would be with other 6-2 PF with similar rankings, such as Toby Fournier (#10 in the 2024 class) and Grace Knox (#7 in the 2025 class).

I was just asking about playing style. Right now we are not very clear about either of them's projected playing style in college. We'll never know about Ava Jones. Is either of them more of a perimeter type of player, a slasher, or a Stuelke type banger inside, or like Warnock, with pretty strong build but made a lot of threes and didn't really stay around the basket. I see Jones is also 6-2, and averaged 15 rebounds a game in high school.

Your reasoning sounds like one shouldn't ask how Caitlin Clark compared to Kathleen Doyle in playing style.

 

[iThinkiWill]

McKenna is very talented, and yes, she is an elite rebounder, but this is the BIG. Does a freshman sometimes struggle against D1 talent? Do they ever get in early foul trouble? Those are legit concerns. I would love to add a senior PF transfer for insurance.

It’s all relative though, don’t you think? She has shown high impact on the highest level of international competition (This has been demonstrated by her since her recovery from knee surgery). So the competition in the B1G is a step above, but she is also no where near her ceiling, which leads me to believe that she is just going to keep getting better. I think she has the potential to make B1G all-freshman team if not FoY. But regardless, I have no doubt that she will positively impact the team next season.

I would also like to see Iowa [as you suggest] “add a senior PF transfer for insurance”. According to media sources though, Iowa has no more budget for an impact senior PF. Still there is one that I know of still left uncommitted and she would potentially impact Woliczko’s PT opportunities. Regardless, since we cannot do anything about it, there is no reason for concern. Just hope for the best.

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

I would also like to see Iowa [as you suggest] “add a senior PF transfer for insurance”. According to media sources though, Iowa has no more budget for an impact senior PF. Still there is one that I know of still left uncommitted and she would potentially impact Woliczko’s PT opportunities. Regardless, since we cannot do anything about it, there is no reason for concern. Just hope for the best.

I'm curious who that is but don't tell us here! I don't want to see Wisconsin or Minnesota or Nebraska or Illinois throw her loads of money once they got the words

 

[hawkbr]

I was just asking about playing style. Right now we are not very clear about either of them's projected playing style in college. We'll never know about Ava Jones. Is either of them more of a perimeter type of player, a slasher, or a Stuelke type banger inside, or like Warnock, with pretty strong build but made a lot of threes and didn't really stay around the basket. I see Jones is also 6-2, and averaged 15 rebounds a game in high school.

Your reasoning sounds like one shouldn't ask how Caitlin Clark compared to Kathleen Doyle in playing style.

It really seems difficult and even unfair to compare two players of such different levels as Caitlin Clark and Kathleen Doyle. And comparing a player we've never seen play seems even more pointless. My mistake for trying to turn a confuse comparison into something more logical. I apologize.

 

[NORTHSTAR]

Yeah. It's crazy to think that if Jan plays Journey more minutes that she'll collect more rebounds. That never happens.

It's also crazy to think that one of the best rebounders in this freshman class could pick up 4 or 5 rebounds per game like Journey did this year. That's also highly unlikely.

All I was comparing was Journey's rebounds in 15 minutes and Hannah's in 30 minutes, virtually the same with the edge to Journey, so you can save your sarcastic response or do whatever you wish with it.

 

[Jonesy5960]

All I was comparing was Journey's rebounds in 15 minutes and Hannah's in 30 minutes, virtually the same with the edge to Journey, so you can save your sarcastic response or do whatever you wish with it.

I'm still trying to figure out how I demoted Journey to the 4.

 

[iThinkiWill]

All I was comparing was Journey's rebounds in 15 minutes and Hannah's in 30 minutes, virtually the same with the edge to Journey, so you can save your sarcastic response or do whatever you wish with it.

I think it’s probably just a misunderstanding

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

I was just asking about playing style. Right now we are not very clear about either of them's projected playing style in college. We'll never know about Ava Jones. Is either of them more of a perimeter type of player, a slasher, or a Stuelke type banger inside, or like Warnock, with pretty strong build but made a lot of threes and didn't really stay around the basket. I see Jones is also 6-2, and averaged 15 rebounds a game in high school.

Your reasoning sounds like one shouldn't ask how Caitlin Clark compared to Kathleen Doyle in playing style.

Jan gives a little hint on McW and her playing style here.
Jan Jensen's expectations for McKenna Woliczko, Iowa scheme changes