Hawkeye Women's BBall Season 2022-2023

[BraydonRoberts5]

Good analysis of LSU’s weak schedule. Advanced metrics, which try to adjust for strength of schedule, also really like LSU. Their Her Hoop Stats (HHS) offensive rating, which is an estimate of the offensive efficiency (points scored per 100 possessions) they would have against the average D-I defense, places them 6th in the country (Iowa is 3rd). Their similar HHS defensive rating places them 4th in the country (Iowa is improved but considerably lower). Their net HHS rating places them 4th in the country (Iowa is 7th).

I think for most of the season LSU was passing the eye test and I could understand the high ranking. They have some very big wins over good (not great) teams. But the last two weeks their schedule has gotten harder and their results have been notably worse.

Schedule is something I've thought about more lately. Back to my Nebraska example, Iowa recently had a stretch at Ohio State, vs. Nebraska, and vs. Maryland. Nebraska was clearly the third best team in that stretch.

For most of LSU's schedule, they've faced a team like Nebraska, but the surrounding games have been against weak opponents. I think it's easier to win those games for LSU than it is for Iowa when Nebraska is the weakest opponent in a 3 game stretch. Now LSU is playing a few teams similar to Nebraska in a row and it isn't doing as well.

LSU could well be a 1 or 2 seed on talent. But I don't think we know that yet. And we do know that South Carolina and UConn are, and Stanford is most games. That's why I'd take my chances with LSU.

 

[huntermmm]

 

[flaiawis]

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Sorry Teri. This tends to happen when a generational talent is in the B1G. There will be a lot of eyeballs on this game and it isn't because of your Hoosiers. You would think that she would recognize how good Caitlin is for womens college basketball. She is more well known by the casual fan then you may think.

I had an aquaintence here in Florida ask me about her. He knew I was from I.C. and commented on how much fun she is to watch. He doesn't watch much sports at all but will tune in to watch Caitlin and Iowa. Incredible really, knowing him.

 

[AMAYS]

Moren should be content that she has the team that is more likely to make a deep run in the NCAA tourney.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

Sorry Teri. This tends to happen when a generational talent is in the B1G. There will be a lot of eyeballs on this game and it isn't because of your Hoosiers. You would think that she would recognize how good Caitlin is for womens college basketball. She is more well known by the casual fan then you may think.

I had an aquaintence here in Florida ask me about her. He knew I was from I.C. and commented on how much fun she is to watch. He doesn't watch much sports at all but will tune in to watch Caitlin and Iowa. Incredible really, knowing him.

Again we need to remember context. Coaches love to play the disrespect card. It fires their teams up. If she came out heaping praises on Clark, it would send the wrong message to her team.

I guess maybe it's questionable to give Clark bulletin-board material, but this is also a Top 5 matchup in front of a hostile crowd. Clark will be plenty up for the game anyway.

 

[undersized_post]

Maybe an unpopular opinion here, but I totally see what Moren was trying to say and don't feel disrespected by it as an Iowa fan. Never did she say Caitlin wasn't great or doesn't deserve the attention she gets. Rather, Moren was saying that her team deserves attention too, which is totally fair.

I think by "media" it would help Moren to be more specific. For example, Big Ten Network does a great job hyping up all the great players from the conference, which makes sense, because its in BTN's best interest to promote the whole conference. In fact they do this to a fault sometimes pretending the middle/bottom teams are way better than they actually are to make you feel like the B1G is the best in the nation, "every night's a dogfight," etc. Their sole goal is driving up viewership.

ESPN is a different story. I think they are guilty of choosing 1-2 (3 at most) players in the preseason and then shoving them down our throats, leaving little attention to the teams exceeding expectations in a less flashy way. It's like they can't focus on more than one narrative at a time. As a fan of WBB in general it's tiresome.
2022-23 Clark (and Boston still; and Bueckers stillllll being injured so they tried to do Azzi Fudd, and now they're *both* injured)
2021-22 Boston (and Bueckers being injured)
2020-21 Bueckers
2019-20 Ionescu again
2018-19 Ionescu and Arike (with Gustafson being so compelling by the season's end they couldn't ignore her anymore)
etc...
It's not that these specific players don't deserve the coverage. It's that the wealth could be expanded and shared.

 

[JEDN]

Yup just trying to fire up her team but still sounded whiney .

 

[undersized_post]

Yup just trying to fire up her team but still sounded whiney .

I actually thought the more whiney part was when Moren was *still* complaining about last year when the conference had them play us twice in 3 days. Sorry coach but your team had a COVID pause, and once you have enough players to play again, the way it works is the conference reschedules as many games as possible. It's not the conference's fault that your best player was *also* still working back to 100% at the same time! She acted like they were subjected to unfair treatment for having to make up games lmao. As if Iowa didn't *also* suffer of majority of our conference losses last year with starters (Warnock and Marshall) missing from our lineup! (also maybe, develop your post depth?)

 

[fish1hawk]

The national attention CC gets has certainly got our team and brand more attention. Good for the program. Much better than a equal resume and record without her. Its good to be us.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

I'm cross-posting here because I know some only view forums/articles based on alerts. I spent the last week or two doing a writeup of the key pieces of the last 6 years that have turned this into a golden era of women's basketball for the program.

https://iowa.rivals.com/news/appreciating-a-golden-era-of-iowa-wbb

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

I read somewhere that South Carolina's Brea Beal is considered one of the best defensive players in college. Did Iowa miss on her! Of course Iowa missed on Candace Parker too, whose parents both attended UI and I saw her in Kinnick Stadium during one visit.

 

[BGHAWK]

I read somewhere that South Carolina's Brea Beal is considered one of the best defensive players in college. Did Iowa miss on her! Of course Iowa missed on Candace Parker too, whose parents both attended UI and I saw her in Kinnick Stadium during one visit.

And Kia Stokes, and I'm sure there are others.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

I read somewhere that South Carolina's Brea Beal is considered one of the best defensive players in college. Did Iowa miss on her! Of course Iowa missed on Candace Parker too, whose parents both attended UI and I saw her in Kinnick Stadium during one visit.

Beal committed to South Carolina in November of 2018. That was during our Elite Eight season, but before anyone knew that season would be special. At the time, South Carolina was on a run of: Sweet Sixteen, Final Four, Sweet Sixteen, National Champs, and Elite Eight. Staley is also a women's basketball legend.

So yes, Iowa missed on Beal. But if a program like South Carolina and a Coach like Staley want you, it's really tough to say no. Clark is the exception, not the rule in terms of big players staying home.

 

[fish1hawk]

Unfortunately the elite players, whatever the sport. There are national brands you listen to. We certainly benefit in wrestling. But in basketball and football, if not a state player we are at a disadvantage. But with Meghan and now with CC and our runs, we are more in the mix. Recent classes and targets we hope to recruit are listening.

 

[UptownHawk]

Marquette just knocked off UConn 59-52.

 

[anon_salmfilsntd0b]

Marquette just knocked off UConn 59-52.

First time UConn has lost back-to-back games since 1993.

Martquette is (was) a projected 12 seed in Creme's latest bracketology.

Lots of UConns saying this is on Geno -- running his starters into the ground (small rotation due to lack of depth) and poor game decisions. The first claim seems harsh, people tend to offer more grace when teams are injury prone—and these are his own fans…

 

[AMAYS]

Michigan a 3 seed?

 

[undersized_post]

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Michigan a 3 seed?

Piggy-backing off this:

1. South Carolina
2. Indiana
3. Stanford
4. UConn
5. LSU
6. Utah
7. Iowa
8. Duke
9. Maryland
10. Notre Dame
11. Michigan
12. Texas
13. Virginia Tech
14. North Carolina
15. Villanova
16. Ohio State

 

[AMAYS]

Piggy-backing off this:

1. South Carolina
2. Indiana
3. Stanford
4. UConn
5. LSU
6. Utah
7. Iowa
8. Duke
9. Maryland
10. Notre Dame
11. Michigan
12. Texas
13. Virginia Tech
14. North Carolina
15. Villanova
16. Ohio State

Ranked before or after Iowa’s loss tonight?

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

5 Big Ten teams in the top 16, 4 from ACC.

 

[undersized_post]

Ranked before or after Iowa’s loss tonight?

Doesn't account for any of tonight's games, including Iowa's loss. (Though I doubt a competitive road loss to a projected 1-seed will hurt our resume much.)

Re: Your previous point about Michigan. Wins over North Carolina, South Florida, and Baylor is a decent resume. The NET likes them as well.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

I just finished a draft analysis of the Top 16 reveal. Now sure if that will be posted tonight or tomorrow morning. It's interesting because with so many Big Ten and ACC teams in the Top 16, we should have a decent chance of guessing potential Sweet 16 and Elite 8 matchups before Selection Sunday.

 

[AMAYS]

Would it make sense to give Taylor McCabe some meaningful minutes in the upcoming home games against Rutgers and Wisconsin to see if we can find some perimeter scoring help for the stretch run and tourney? We need more than the current bench perimeter players are providing, especially when facing teams that can check Czinano (like IU, NC State, UCONN), or facing teams with really athletic perimeter players (like Illinois).

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

Would it make sense to give Taylor McCabe some meaningful minutes in the upcoming home games against Rutgers and Wisconsin to see if we can find some perimeter scoring help for the stretch run and tourney? We need more than the current bench perimeter players are providing, especially when facing teams that can check Czinano (like IU, NC State, UCONN), or facing teams with really athletic perimeter players (like Illinois).

I think it makes sense to give Stuelke, O'Grady, McCabe, and Affolter all an extended run in those games. They will all be important pieces for next year unless Martin and Warnock both return or we hit the portal hard.

The problem with getting McCabe on the floor is losing Marshall's defense. She did a very good job on Garzon for a lot of last night's game, and I don't think anyone else on the team would've managed that. We can't have both on the floor without being severely undersized.

 

[AMAYS]

I think it makes sense to give Stuelke, O'Grady, McCabe, and Affolter all an extended run in those games. They will all be important pieces for next year unless Martin and Warnock both return or we hit the portal hard.

The problem with getting McCabe on the floor is losing Marshall's defense. She did a very good job on Garzon for a lot of last night's game, and I don't think anyone else on the team would've managed that. We can't have both on the floor without being severely undersized.

Spot on, but I am more interested at present in finding help for this year, even short-stint help while Gabbie or others get a blow. At this point, and while it’s a little bit unfair to single her out, it’s pretty clear that our last piece added via the portal does nothing to elevate the team vis-a-vis superior athletic teams that are committed to playing half-court defense. In Iowa’s last four losses, she has scored 0, and can only play very limited minutes given how overmatched she is.

I realize that Iowa is a tough place to recruit to, and that Iowa had 5 returning starters. So Iowa faced some challenges dipping into the portal. But one of the frustrations in watching all of Iowa’s losses this year is watching teams that are all receiving significant portal-player contributions. The same cannot be said for Iowa.

In short, Iowa needs more help than it is currently getting from the bench to come anywhere close to reaching this season’s NCAA tourney goals (however improbable). I’m for looking first at McCabe as a potential source of help, but open to others mostly buried on the bench.

 

[DewHawk]

Spot on, but I am more interested at present in finding help for this year, even short-stint help while Gabbie or others get a blow. At this point, and while it’s a little bit unfair to single her out, it’s pretty clear that our last piece added via the portal does nothing to elevate the team vis-a-vis superior athletic teams that are committed to playing half-court defense. In Iowa’s last four losses, she has scored 0, and can only play very limited minutes given how overmatched she is.

I realize that Iowa is a tough place to recruit to, and that Iowa had 5 returning starters. So Iowa faced some challenges dipping into the portal. But one of the frustrations in watching all of Iowa’s losses this year is watching teams that are all receiving significant portal-player contributions. The same cannot be said for Iowa.

In short, Iowa needs more help than it is currently getting from the bench to come anywhere close to reaching this season’s NCAA tourney goals (however improbable). I’m for looking first at McCabe as a potential source of help, but open to others mostly buried on the bench.

Bluder better hit the portal hard (and not for Davis level players) for next season or Iowa will be an average team with a star IMO.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

In conference play, Hannah Stuelke has averaged 9.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and shot 67.1% from the field in 15.4 minutes per game. If you double her minutes she would be averaging 19 and 10 while shooting a similar percentage to Czinano. And that's before whatever growth she has in the off-season.

She needs to get much better at the line and manage her fouls better, but we're going to see a ton of "how will Iowa replace Czinano" takes this off-season, and I think the answer is Stuelke will do just fine.

The bigger question to me is will Stuelke be starting at the 4 or 5 next year and who is playing the 4/5 next to her?

 

[anon_salmfilsntd0b]

.
The bigger question to me is will Stuelke be starting at the 4 or 5 next year and who is playing the 4/5 next to her?

With Martin apparently all but sure to be returning and Warnock all but sure to be graduating, I think Stuelke will take over at the 5 and Bluder will go to the portal to look for a (hopefully athletic) 4 to replace Warnock.

Like last year, when Bluder let Tomi graduate even tho we had a roster spot available, I knew she was going to be portaling. Letting both Warnock and Marshall graduate signals the same intent to me. As with Feuerbach and Davis, I think she would like to find someone she can get more than one year out of.

I still worry about our 2 spot tho. Feuerbach is quick and scrappy so I like her on the floor but as far as I know has never been a major 3 pt threat (am I wrong? I hope so) and is likely to be slowed due to recovery next year. McCabe has the shooting skills but clearly isn’t strong or big enough to start (yet). Davis has not proven she has earned a starting spot yet. I highly doubt KJE will immediately be a starter or major role player.

Unfortunately we only have one spot to fill from the portal, so I’m hopeful one of those players is able to break thru and shine. Or maybe Bluder will opt to let our existing Forwards prove themselves (maybe Jada? I kind of forget she is even there sometimes lol) and look for an impact SG like Sydney Parrish instead.

I would absolutely love to be wrong, but based on this year alone, I find it hard to believe O’Grady will break thru at either the 4 (not quick enough) or 5 (doesn’t want it). I’m not sure how Edigar would fit in either. I think Goodman will fit in as Hannah’s backup, and likely get some quality minutes in that role.

I also see Affolter continuing to get minutes as the primary backup for Martin.

 

[BGHAWK]

Just reading the few posts above and I agree with a lot of it.

I always think Lisa could sub McCabe for Gabby at dead ball times when Iowa is getting the ball and then sub out when the opponent is getting the ball. At least get her a couple of minutes here and there.

I see O'Grady got 2 minutes last night and that's a head scratcher to me why she isn't playing well enough. I really hope she and AJ stay so they can play the 5 and Stuelke at the 4.

Monica really needs to start using her head with dumb fouls, but I don't see that happening at this stage.

Kylie last years shot 42% overall and 31% from three which is acceptable in limited playing time and 86% FTs.

Other than that, I have nothing.

 

[FrankBurns00]

I've been wondering about getting McCabe more of the Marshall/Davis minutes. Both Marshall and Davis are struggling to knock down shots which makes taking away Monica much easier.

Marshall contributes with her excellent off-ball defense, but she doesn't rebound and gets beat off the dribble. fairly easily. McCabe offers a threat on offense and seems to have the quickness that she could offer defense that could possibly rise to the level near what Marshall offers.

Bottom line, Iowa needs a 3rd scorer.

 

[anon_salmfilsntd0b]

Bottom line, Iowa needs a 3rd scorer.

I think Warnock is a solid 3rd scorer. After that there’s quite a cliff tho.

 

[brfhilltop]

I believe if Goodman stays healthy we will see her starting at the 5 spot next year unless O'Grady really comes on.

 

[anon_salmfilsntd0b]

I believe if Goodman stays healthy we will see her starting at the 5 spot next year unless O'Grady really comes on.

Maybe that makes most sense. HS @ 4, SG @ 5, get a sniper 2 from the portal.

SG is still such an unknown to me tbh. I missed her big games her freshman year. Does anyone know what her other offers were? I’ve always assumed she would just be a role player but would love to stand corrected and have more faith in her for next year, maybe it’s bc I don’t know what those are (I’ve looked but found nothing) and just don’t know what she achieved in HS.

I have a hard time believing she’d beat HS for either the 4 or 5, but maybe we don’t need her to. Maybe we just need a reliable C who can handle the ball and protect the rim while 1-4 handle scoring.

Do you think SG is someone we could expect to become a double digit scorer (8-12 ppg, lets say)? I have read on here about her blocking / rebounding abilities but like I said, I’ve never seen it. Is she maybe the next great developmental success story under Jensen?

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

Maybe that makes most sense. HS @ 4, SG @ 5, get a sniper 2 from the portal.

SG is still such an unknown to me tbh. I missed her big games her freshman year. Does anyone know what her other offers were? I’ve always assumed she would just be a role player but would love to stand corrected and have more faith in her for next year, maybe it’s bc I don’t know what those are (I’ve looked but found nothing) and just don’t know what she achieved in HS.

I have a hard time believing she’d beat HS for either the 4 or 5, but maybe we don’t need her to. Maybe we just need a reliable C who can handle the ball and protect the rim while 1-4 handle scoring.

Do you think SG is someone we could expect to become a double digit scorer (8-12 ppg, lets say)? I have read on here about her blocking / rebounding abilities but like I said, I’ve never seen it. Is she maybe the next great developmental success story under Jensen?

I thought O'Grady's freshman year was more impressive than Goodman's, though I liked both. O'Grady hasn't been as good this season, but we've barely seen Goodman. We don't even know if she's the same player she was after the injury, frankly.

If Stuelke starts at the 4 I assume we'll either see O'Grady or a transfer at the 5 until I see otherwise.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

I've been wondering about getting McCabe more of the Marshall/Davis minutes. Both Marshall and Davis are struggling to knock down shots which makes taking away Monica much easier.

Marshall contributes with her excellent off-ball defense, but she doesn't rebound and gets beat off the dribble. fairly easily. McCabe offers a threat on offense and seems to have the quickness that she could offer defense that could possibly rise to the level near what Marshall offers.

Bottom line, Iowa needs a 3rd scorer.

McCabe's weakness is her slight build. She was only 160 when she arrived on campus. Needs to add a solid 10-15 pounds of muscle to absorb the physical nature of the BIG.

She's an excellent spot up shooter but she doesn't have the control when she gets bumped. Go back and watch the @ PSU game. Taylor gets bumped and loses the ball resulting in a TO.

She'll see a major uptick in minutes next season after a year in the weight room.

 

[huntermmm]

McCabe's weakness is her slight build. She was only 160 when she arrived on campus. Needs to add a solid 10-15 pounds of muscle to absorb the physical nature of the BIG.

She's an excellent spot up shooter but she doesn't have the control when she gets bumped. Go back and watch the @ PSU game. Taylor gets bumped and loses the ball resulting in a TO.

She'll see a major uptick in minutes next season after a year in the weight room.

This is also something Bluder mentioned during her recent HawkTalk radio show. That is the main reason why she isn't getting more minutes right now is that she doesn't have the strength yet to be physical in the B1G. More specifically on the defensive end. She'll get overpowered so easily.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

I thought O'Grady's freshman year was more impressive than Goodman's, though I liked both. O'Grady hasn't been as good this season, but we've barely seen Goodman. We don't even know if she's the same player she was after the injury, frankly.

If Stuelke starts at the 4 I assume we'll either see O'Grady or a transfer at the 5 until I see otherwise.

I would say they were fairly comparable. O'Grady got more minutes and was more of an offensive player. Goodman was an exceptional rebounder and excelled at defensive positioning in the post. We really only got to see Goodman show her stuff during the Michigan game.

O'Grady has played somewhat out of control this year compared to last. Goodan seems to be in good position but has struggled with her shot. It's been off. Both need to work on extending the range of their jumpshot.

O'Grady also wants to be a 4 so who knows where she plays next year. I think Stuelke will see her minutes increase at both the 4 and 5.

I really don't think we need a transfer at the 4 or 5 and unless theres an AA out there we shouldn't take one. We may have more pressing needs at the 3 depending on who comes back next year and whether or not Kylie is 100%.

 

[undersized_post]

Do we know O'Grady wants to be a 4? Anyone got a source for that or is that just fan rumors?

 

[Hawkhoops3]

This is also something Bluder mentioned during her recent HawkTalk radio show. That is the main reason why she isn't getting more minutes right now is that she doesn't have the strength yet to be physical in the B1G. More specifically on the defensive end. She'll get overpowered so easily.

I heard that too, and I get that. But multiple times this year she has come in and hit at least 2 threes within the first minute of being in the game. If you watched her in AAU summer ball, she's not just a set shooter, she is best coming off screens. Get her 2 or 3 looks in 3 minutes, take your 6-9 points and then get her out if you want. Or, wait until next year if you like, but don't be surprised if she put on the weight and is a scorer at a Purdue or something...

 

[anon_salmfilsntd0b]

Do we know O'Grady wants to be a 4? Anyone got a source for that or is that just fan rumors?

Bluder said this actually, in an interview in the pre-season.