Lots questioning coaching on here...

Hawkfan_08*

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Jul 2, 2025
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Yeah, there are some issues to address for sure. Playing time, rotations, lack of a "plan B", struggling with all sorts of pressure.

But today, I unfortunately think it is on the players. The missed bunnies, the missed 3s, the missed fts, the bad turnovers. Those just can't happen at this level. These girls are all highly recruited and capable of winning this game by over 20 had we just played semi competent. It was just a terrible time to play your worst basketball.

I am not sure what happened in that UCLA game but we were never the same since. Unfortunately, that will be it for a few key players and they will have that memory burned in of "what could have been."

As an aside, the Virginia team has more than earned my respect. They looked way more fresh and not afraid of the moment despite having to already play an OT game and a full extra game. #21 and #23 I would take on Iowa in a heartbeat.
 

Hawk_4shur

All-Conference
Jan 2, 2009
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As an aside, the Virginia team has more than earned my respect. They looked way more fresh and not afraid of the moment despite having to already play an OT game and a full extra game. #21 and #23 I would take on Iowa in a heartbeat.
Don't forget #1 (Clark),

Virginia played like they really wanted to win. Iowa played like they were afraid to lose - and they probably were. It was a big moment for a young team and it showed.
 

BringBackBradBanks

All-Conference
Jul 19, 2022
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Yeah, there are some issues to address for sure. Playing time, rotations, lack of a "plan B", struggling with all sorts of pressure.

But today, I unfortunately think it is on the players. The missed bunnies, the missed 3s, the missed fts, the bad turnovers. Those just can't happen at this level. These girls are all highly recruited and capable of winning this game by over 20 had we just played semi competent. It was just a terrible time to play your worst basketball.

I am not sure what happened in that UCLA game but we were never the same since. Unfortunately, that will be it for a few key players and they will have that memory burned in of "what could have been."

As an aside, the Virginia team has more than earned my respect. They looked way more fresh and not afraid of the moment despite having to already play an OT game and a full extra game. #21 and #23 I would take on Iowa in a heartbeat.
Virginia wasn’t very good. But they played hard and weren’t afraid of the moment. Iowa has wasn’t very good and they looked terrified of the moment. Big difference.
 

UIAlumFireFighter

All-Conference
Sep 26, 2018
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Don't forget #1 (Clark),

Virginia played like they really wanted to win. Iowa played like they were afraid to lose - and they probably were. It was a big moment for a young team and it showed.
What does this even mean and how does THIS show on the court??

And “young”? The starting five had a ton of game experience so I’m not buying that quasi-excuse for poor play or NOT being ready for the big moment..
 
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Anon1750875978

Heisman
Dec 26, 2018
6,480
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The Virginia HC coached an absolutely great game.

Iowa wasn't going to beat them from the outside, so they packed the lane after halftime.

Iowa had at least 12-15 wide open 3 opportunities and no one was confident enough to take the shot.
Thus, everything Ava got late was heavily contested and wore her down. At least 2-3 traveling calls when they doubled her.
Another factor, and this was a season long issue, Iowa seldom fast breaked after a rebound.

Tired legs from a lack of substitution.
 

The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
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Absolutely. Iowa choked that game away multiple times. Deer in the headlights looks from everyone playing except for Ava.
You have Ava Deer in the Headlights as well. Ava was as much responsible for it as everyone else. MIssed a ton of bunnies down the stretch. And also missed a fair amount of time because of dumb fouls which hampered our offense in the 1st half. She's a great player and will only continue to get better but she had 3-4 shots she normally makes that she didn't. That was 100% a team loss yesterday, herself included.
 

SCHawkFan

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Dec 16, 2022
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I think if Iowa had McCabe and a fully committed Emely playing the full year, the Elite Eight would have been easily attainable. I do not think they could beat one of the #1 seeds, but it would have been fun to watch them try.
 

Roncuba65

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Aug 15, 2022
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I for one am not sad to see this SR class graduate, they had a chance to carry on a great thing and choked when the lights got bright... None of the Seniors improved at all over their careers except maybe McCabe just a little bit. It just shows how great CC was and what a legend she is.
 

Roncuba65

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I think if Iowa had McCabe and a fully committed Emely playing the full year, the Elite Eight would have been easily attainable. I do not think they could beat one of the #1 seeds, but it would have been fun to watch them try.
Yeah at least now we don't have to endure a 40-50 point beat down to South Carolina...
 
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I for one am not sad to see this SR class graduate, they had a chance to carry on a great thing and choked when the lights got bright... None of the Seniors improved at all over their careers except maybe McCabe just a little bit. It just shows how great CC was and what a legend she is.
CC made them all look like all-stars too. All of those girls lived the rock-star life for 2+ years and i'm not sure they all know they are forever indebted to the great CC22
 

Hawk_4shur

All-Conference
Jan 2, 2009
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What does this even mean and how does THIS show on the court??

And “young”? The starting five had a ton of game experience so I’m not buying that quasi-excuse for poor play or NOT being ready for the big moment..
Well, consistently missing open shots and FT's is a sign they were tight.

And, they start 3 sophs - the first 3 off the bench are freshmen.

Just my opinions.
 
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UIAlumFireFighter

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Sep 26, 2018
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Well, consistently missing open shots and FT's is a sign they were tight.

And, they start 3 sophs - the first 3 off the bench are freshmen.

Just my opinions.
At some point you’ve got to expect your players to be ready to step up to the plate, so-to-speak.

And I don’t think that “point” is older than being a sophomore.

Now… Freshman mistakes / inconsistencies I certainly understand (Not if you’re a 5-star recruit though. You should be ready to consistently produce as a 5-star, especially when the team you’re on isn’t full of superstars keeping you down the depth chart i.e. Deal)
 

Anon1750875978

Heisman
Dec 26, 2018
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At some point you’ve got to expect your players to be ready to step up to the plate, so-to-speak.

And I don’t think that “point” is older than being a sophomore.

Now… Freshman mistakes / inconsistencies I certainly understand (Not if you’re a 5-star recruit though. You should be ready to consistently produce as a 5-star, especially when the team you’re on isn’t full of superstars keeping you down the depth chart i.e. Deal)
Good points.
With the quality of youth club basketball and the competition levels, today's incoming, highly rated freshmen have to contribute immediately.
It's going to be interesting if Deal sticks?
She certainly was given plenty of opportunities to succeed.
 

Hawk_4shur

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At some point you’ve got to expect your players to be ready to step up to the plate, so-to-speak.

And I don’t think that “point” is older than being a sophomore.

Now… Freshman mistakes / inconsistencies I certainly understand (Not if you’re a 5-star recruit though. You should be ready to consistently produce as a 5-star, especially when the team you’re on isn’t full of superstars keeping you down the depth chart i.e. Deal)
I agree with all that. IMO, they weren't ready.

Not an excuse.
 
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Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
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I for one am not sad to see this SR class graduate, they had a chance to carry on a great thing and choked when the lights got bright... None of the Seniors improved at all over their careers except maybe McCabe just a little bit. It just shows how great CC was and what a legend she is.
They just didn't have a lot of talent. This class and the one before it were very weak. With the exception of Hannah, they were a collection of role players and backups, tiny planets that revolved around a star. Ava, Stremlow, Chit chat, and Journey are all superior players to that group at this point in their careers.
 
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Roncuba65

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They just didn't have a lot of talent. This class and the one before it were very weak. With the exception of Hannah, they were a collection of role players and backups, tiny planets that revolved around a star. Ava, Stremlow, Chit chat, and Journey are all superior players to that group at this point in their careers.
I think Hannah is the disappointment of the class. She was good but she never really improved over her career...
 

BroncHawk

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Jan 21, 2026
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And that is a coaching problem. Man hands (JJ) just might have been the wrong hire, it happens to all universities. Sometimes your the windshield sometimes your the big. At least Bluder seemed to know how to scheme the current coach doesn’t have a clue.
Your opinion means nothing when you’re making comments like this.
 

Hawk48

All-Conference
Jun 10, 2005
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They just didn't have a lot of talent. This class and the one before it were very weak. With the exception of Hannah, they were a collection of role players and backups, tiny planets that revolved around a star. Ava, Stremlow, Chit chat, and Journey are all superior players to that group at this point in their careers.
imo - Essentially would have to agree with the above comment.
 

The Big Z

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Jan 5, 2023
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I think Hannah is the disappointment of the class. She was good but she never really improved over her career...
So it is this absolute ******** and factually incorrect comments that kill me on this board. 2nd team all conference 3 times. 14th all time in Iowa scoring and 5th all time rebounds. 1 of 4 Hawkeyes in the ENTIRE history of the program to score 1500 pts and grab 900 rebounds. Yep, total disappointment as a player and never improved. Go take a time out man.
 

Roncuba65

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I said she was good. She was as good as a Freshman as she was as a Senior... In My Objective Opinion.
 

Hawk_4shur

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And that is a coaching problem. Man hands (JJ) just might have been the wrong hire, it happens to all universities. Sometimes your the windshield sometimes your the big. At least Bluder seemed to know how to scheme the current coach doesn’t have a clue.
Well, I certainly don't agree that JJ "doesn't have a clue". And even the best coaches aren't always able to get their players to play their best every time out.

Lisa Bluder made it to the S16 twice pre-CC. Twice in 20 years without Clark. She lost in the first round 7 times. 5 times in the second round. Didn't even make the tourney 5 times. And JJ is the wrong coach because she is 0-2 getting to the S16?

Yes, she was an exceptional offensive coach. Defense? Not so much.
 
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The Big Z

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Hannah was an outstanding defensive player.

And a perfect compliment to Clark's game.
Likely a fantastic teammate.
Some players are just limited offensively.

Europe will be her ultimate destination, imo.
Top 15 all time scoring. All time. Not bad for being limited. I know, it was all because of CC. Otherwise she’d be playing at Kirkwood.
 

Anon1750875978

Heisman
Dec 26, 2018
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Top 15 all time scoring. All time. Not bad for being limited. I know, it was all because of CC. Otherwise she’d be playing at Kirkwood.
My god, take a look at a couple of her career offensive stats...she shot a lower fg percentage as a senior than she did as a sophomore.(layups on CC passes).
She shot a lower FT percentage as a senior than she did as a sophomore.
Continuously passed up wide open 10'-15' shots facing the basket.
Facts are facts, she had a nice career.
And playing at Kirkwood, she's not playing with Clark.
 
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Hawk48

All-Conference
Jun 10, 2005
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Well, I certainly don't agree that JJ "doesn't have a clue". And even the best coaches aren't always able to get their players to play their best every time out.

Lisa Bluder made it to the S16 twice pre-CC. Twice in 20 years without Clark. She lost in the first round 7 times. 5 times in the second round. Didn't even make the tourney 5 times. And JJ is the wrong coach because she is 0-2 getting to the S16?

Yes, she was an exceptional offensive coach. Defense? Not so much.
Still early and hoping JJ will be Iowa's coach for a long time, but like all of us in our jobs we have to continue to improve.
 
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The Big Z

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My god, take a look at a couple of her career offensive stats...she shot a lower fg percentage as a senior than she did as a sophomore.(layups on CC passes).
She shot a lower FT percentage as a senior than she did as a sophomore.
Continuously passed up wide open 10'-15' shots facing the basket.
Facts are facts, she had a nice career.
And playing at Kirkwood, she's not playing with Clark.
Jesus you are an absolute dumb ***. One of 4 players in the HISTORY of the program to put up 1500 and 900 and you still attempt to spin it.
 

Hawkangler

All-Conference
Mar 16, 2014
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Jan a finalist for coach of the year. Awesome jpb in year two. Ava vastly improved YOY. Taylor much improved YOY. Made good adjustments after losing McCabe. Encouraged Chit Chat to shoot more, huge surprise from the portal. Who said guards can't thrive in her system. Houston improved over the year. Hays will get their. Signed a top six WF/PF in McKenna.

Fastest new Iowa coach to 50 wins.

Keep up the great work Jan. You'll find the right pieces in the portal.

Edit: Wanted to add a bit more. She lost most of the players from our championship team. Had to replace several assistants. One of the best improvements is our defense. That wins you games on the road. Anyone questioning her as a coach doesn't know much about the game.
 
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