Expectations?

[Ohio Herky]

2025-2026 Season: Inconsistent Performance​

The team was extremely young and lacked offensive consistency throughout the season.

• We had only one to two players who could consistently create offense.
• When key players got into foul trouble or missed time due to injury, we didn't have enough depth to overcome it.
• We generated a lot of open three-point opportunities, but as a team we were unable to knock them down consistently.
• The loss of McCabe for the season had a significant impact on our depth and scoring.
• When Ava was on the bench, there was a noticeable drop-off in both offensive and defensive play.
• Those limitations were exposed against elite teams like Connecticut and UCLA, resulting in some lopsided losses.
• Defensively, we were a solid team, but when you struggle to score consistently, every game becomes harder to win.

2026-2027 Season: Much Higher Ceiling​

This team is no longer a young team. It has more experience, greater depth, and appears to be more balanced on both ends of the floor.

• I believe Iowa is improved at nearly every position offensively and defensively, with Kylie being the one exception that remains difficult to replace.
• How much Jocelyn and Amari contribute remains to be seen, but both have the potential to make an impact.
• Overall, this roster is far more balanced offensively than last year's team.

Key reasons for optimism:

1. If opponents focus on stopping the perimeter and Iowa consistently hits open threes, Ava should dominate in the post.
2. If Dani has another season like she did last year, Iowa will have a tremendous year.
3. If players such as Layla, Chit, McKenna, Strem, Journey, Amari, Jocelyn, and Bria take the next step, this team could be very difficult to defend.
4. Defensively, Iowa should be strong. Offensively, there are far more scoring options than a year ago.
5. The biggest factor is consistency. If this team can play consistently night after night, they have the potential to be exceptional.

Bottom Line: Last year's team relied heavily on a small number of players and struggled with offensive consistency. This year's roster appears deeper, more experienced, and significantly more balanced. If the key pieces develop as expected and the team shoots the ball consistently, Iowa could be a legitimate contender.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Have to go to the Crisler Center.

Where we handled them pretty well just relying on the defense. Our offense should have more options this season....

 

[Matt1nb7]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

Yes and maybe a later no ...

"While the preliminary injunction grants immediate eligibility to Class of 2022 athletes, that could change on appeal before the games start being played in the 2026-27 school year. And with preseason practice about to start in football, and rosters and budgets fairly well set, it seems unlikely that a large wave of newly eligible players will be flooding FBS teams.

“I expect this to get appealed by the NCAA incredibly quickly,” said Sam Ehrlich, a former lawyer and a professor at Boise State who has been tracking litigation against the NCAA."

Class of 2022 athletes set to receive fifth year of NCAA eligibility after judge grants injunction

The injunction stems from a lawsuit over the NCAA’s refusal to grandfather Class of 2022 athletes into its new 5-in-5 rule.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Matt1nb7]

I definitely hope it doesn’t go through.. just creates a cluster..f

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

Taylor isn't rehabbing with the intent of playing again, so she probably wouldn't be ready to go for most of next season anyway.

Hannah is a tricky one. She's extremely good at what she's good at: athleticism, rebounding, solid defense. But she also has notable deficiencies that impact how the team can play with her on the floor. She's undersized as a 5, and Ava is clearly ahead of her at that position. If she comes back as a 4, her outside game doesn't work with the 4-out offense the team has been working on all summer. If her goal is to eventually work her way to the W, I think she'd be better suited to go to Italy and really focus on expanding her range and improving her ball-handling.

 

[Clarkedallas]

Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke now eligible??

Is Hannah a portal candidate?

 

[Jonesy5960]

Taylor isn't rehabbing with the intent of playing again, so she probably wouldn't be ready to go for most of next season anyway.

Hannah is a tricky one. She's extremely good at what she's good at: athleticism, rebounding, solid defense. But she also has notable deficiencies that impact how the team can play with her on the floor. She's undersized as a 5, and Ava is clearly ahead of her at that position. If she comes back as a 4, her outside game doesn't work with the 4-out offense the team has been working on all summer. If her goal is to eventually work her way to the W, I think she'd be better suited to go to Italy and really focus on expanding her range and improving her ball-handling.

Agree. Neither one is going to come back to Iowa and garner a lot of minutes this year with the portal additions and change in offensive schemes.

 

[Anon1750875978]

Since you're a JJ hater how about we have a bet? Right now I'll take Iowa to make it through the round of 64 to get into the final 32?

Given that the Sweet 32 is what we've seen the last two years, why in the f.ck would I bet they won't win the first game???

Don't take this personal, but you're an idiot.
JFC

 

[mphawk]

Is Hannah a portal candidate?

I thought she already signed a contract as a pro so couldn’t.