Come play, Drake. You're off this weekend!
Tom and I were wondering if they will try to fit it in and if a team playing back-to-back so be it. I do not see an open spot in the schedule to just put it in.Can Iowa stuff more games into its already crowded schedule? I say tell Big Ten there's no more room for another game and call it an Indiana loss.
I mean playing back-to-back games is what the Big Ten tournament is all about so doesn't hurt to get some prep in nowTom and I were wondering if they will try to fit it in and if a team playing back-to-back so be it. I do not see an open spot in the schedule to just put it in.
I've heard this too & Kate Martin will be back too. One thing I heard hoping someone can confirm or share otherwise, is that Sharon Goodman has yet to have her ACL repaired? I know Shateah Wetering has & is rehabbing now.I have heard that Monica C. Is seriously considering returning.
I'm sure Indiana will be happy to play Iowa back to back in Bloomington once Holmes returns from injury.I mean playing back-to-back games is what the Big Ten tournament is all about so doesn't hurt to get some prep in now
I tend to think you are spot on, and also wonder what your current expectations are for this year’s squad in terms of Big Ten record and post-season success.. . . The team now is still improving, but probably won't ever have more than an outside chance at a Final 4 run as currently constructed.
I also don't think there's anyone in next year's freshman class that is going to step in right away and make a huge impact. . . .
The only way I think the team could add a starter to make a run with Clark is through the transfer portal. . .
For Big Ten record, I'll go 13-5 or 12-6 assuming a full schedule. We're currently 4-1. I would be very surprised if we lose at Penn State, at Wisconsin, vs. Illinois, at Rutgers, or vs. Minnesota. That's 9 wins, assuming I'm right.I tend to think you are spot on, and also wonder what your current expectations are for this year’s squad in terms of Big Ten record and post-season success.
I agree for the most part. I would predict Iowa goes 2-3 in the swing games, unless the team starts shooting better from 3 as a whole.For Big Ten record, I'll go 13-5 or 12-6 assuming a full schedule. We're currently 4-1. I would be very surprised if we lose at Penn State, at Wisconsin, vs. Illinois, at Rutgers, or vs. Minnesota. That's 9 wins, assuming I'm right.
I don't feel great about winning at Michigan, at Indiana, or vs. Maryland. Could we win any of those games? Sure. But I think we matchup terribly vs. Maryland, and it's tough to win on the road against the other two. If we lose all those, we're at 4 loses.
That leaves at Minnesota, vs. Indiana, at Northwestern, vs. Ohio State, and vs. Michigan as swing games. I don't think we go 5-0 in those 5 games, but I think 4-1 or 3-2 is realistic.
For the NCAA Tournament, it depends on seeding. If we're a 5 seed or better, I think a Sweet 16 run again is absolutely possible. If we're lower than that, I'm not optimistic we get out of the round of 32. Right now we're projected as a 7 seed with our current resume. Not sure if 13-5 or 12-6 is enough to get to a 5 seed or higher. Hopefully it is.
One caveat: if Clark finds her shot again, I think the team's ceiling rises a bit. I love that she's attacking the basket more, but if she does find her shot again, she's going to be unguardable. The whole offense would benefit from that happening.
Jeff beat me to it. I plan on having an article about Monika today as well if she is in media availability.It’s Iowa vs. Minnesota, Czinano vs. Czinano on Thursday
The Czinanos’ sisterly love will take a back seat Thursday at Williams Arena when Monika’s Iowa Hawkeyes tangle with Maggie’s Minnesota Golden Gophers.www.thegazette.com
Looking forward to it! Love reading both your and Jeff's work!Jeff beat me to it. I plan on having an article about Monika today as well if she is in media availability.
If someone could find me a sportsbook that has a bet for Monica coming back, I'd throw some good money down that she is.I've heard this too & Kate Martin will be back too. One thing I heard hoping someone can confirm or share otherwise, is that Sharon Goodman has yet to have her ACL repaired? I know Shateah Wetering has & is rehabbing now.
Yeah, the Gazette column reads like she doesn't want to make it official yet, but that she's almost certainly coming back. If she had mentioned some reason (like a job or playing opportunities abroad) that she was considering not coming back for, I'd think it was more 50/50.If someone could find me a sportsbook that has a bet for Monica coming back, I'd throw some good money down that she is.
Haven't read the column so I can't comment there, just basing what I said on what I've been told.Yeah, the Gazette column reads like she doesn't want to make it official yet, but that she's almost certainly coming back. If she had mentioned some reason (like a job or playing opportunities abroad) that she was considering not coming back for, I'd think it was more 50/50.
Haven't read the column so I can't comment there, just basing what I said on what I've been told.
Minny is very bad defensively so if there ever was a time for the team to get their shooting confidence back tonight is the night.Mackenzie Holmes had knee surgery and might miss the rest of the regular season. Indiana was probably the favorite to win the conference, so that definitely makes the race more wide-open.
I still believe if this team's shooting (mostly Clark) comes back, it can compete and beat anyone in the conference. That's a fairly big "if
Caitlin has been hitting more consistently in practice/warm ups apparently, just not showing up in games. I think with reliable practices her shot comes around again. One thing that is different this year from last is that last year with lock down and virtual classes she could spend more time in the gym. This year she has to go to class, probably more social obligations/distractions, and is spending more time on defense.Minny is very bad defensively so if there ever was a time for the team to get their shooting confidence back tonight is the night.
I really think a lot of it is mental.
I think Clark is over/under-compensating for distance more. She just needs to pause a split second and do her sidestep or jump back as she always has had more success with those types of shots.
Gabbie and McKenna just need to shoot more. Seem to be passing up good shoots looking for better shots and get stuck shooting worse shots. Gabbie especially needs to just let it fly if she has any sort of daylight. The team is rebounding better but need to shoot and make the defense respect it to upon up the interior.
Kate's been right around her average but could also shoot more also. She's doing a good job getting to the rim though.
One thing to remember is that Clark is unstoppable driving to the bucket and drawing fouls. Her free throw numbers the last few games are unreal.Caitlin has been hitting more consistently in practice/warm ups apparently, just not showing up in games. I think with reliable practices her shot comes around again. One thing that is different this year from last is that last year with lock down and virtual classes she could spend more time in the gym. This year she has to go to class, probably more social obligations/distractions, and is spending more time on defense.
Caitlin with 21 pts and Kate with 9 rebounds at the HALF is wildHawkeyes lead 47-34 at halftime.
Caitlin Clark has 21 points and 5 assists to lead the way. 3/4 from 3pt range, which is great news.
Czinano has 8 points and 4 rebounds. Kate Martin has 9 rebounds.