Lisa Bluder needs to be acknowledged for the Incredible Job she has done

[Franisdaman]

Lisa has gotten a ton of criticism over the years.

Iowa was no where to be found in the preseason Bracketologies and the preseason Top 25 polls.

Nevertheless, Iowa got better as the year progressed & climbed their way up to a #5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16.

What an incredible job by Lisa and the entire coaching staff.

Check this out & Watch:

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

She’s one hell of a coach. I wish the men’s team could bring in the results she has brought to the women’s team.

 

[Franisdaman]

She’s one hell of a coach. I wish the men’s team could bring in the results she has brought to the women’s team.

one thing that made me cringe yesterday? Iowa is DEAD LAST in the country in defense

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

one thing that made me cringe yesterday? Iowa is DEAD LAST in the country in defense

That’s what happens when you start unathletic guards. We were too slow, and it showed.

 

[AMAYS]

After her first 14 years at Iowa (and 10 years before that at Drake) with 0 Sweet 16s, Lisa's ability to elevate the team and program beginning in 2014-15 is a rare and amazing feat. I can't think of a similar career path in BIG MBB. Logic, Gustafson, Doyle and Clark have really taken Bluder to new heights (3 Sweet 16s and an Elite 8). Even with improved recruiting, the current team still has some glaring holes. Will be interesting to see if the Clark hype will help Lisa fill some of those holes. With the addition of Maryland and a recently (and belatedly) improved Big Ten, the program still has some distance to go to be able to win a Big Ten regular season championship.

 

[Legend12]

That’s what happens when you start unathletic guards. We were too slow, and it showed.

Clark is NOT unathletic.

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

Clark is NOT unathletic.

Not Clark. JBO and Connor.

 

[YouGotThatRight]

According to her hawkeyesports.com bio, Bluder was BigTen COY in 2001, '08, and '10 and Naismith National COY 2019, and at Iowa has a winning record every year except one. Her teams always play tough.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

one thing that made me cringe yesterday? Iowa is DEAD LAST in the country in defense

Defense would have been middle of the pack if we hadn't given up so many offensive rebounds.

Also the BIG had several of the best offenses in the country. IL WI and NW not super high powered but the rest of the league puts up points. Maryland dropped a 100+ on us twice. They dropped a 100 on Bama today. The defense over the last 10 or so games not including the loss to MD was good and it was great in the tourney. UK put up a lot of junk points when it was out of reach or it'd be even better

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[retrodent]

two freshman contributors, three sophomores, and two juniors took us to sweet sixteen!! They will be focused snd hungry, hoping enough improvement to move up that ladder. We need some slashers/ rebounders in the new incoming class. Gabby needs to figure out how to drive snd finish rather that stopping snd losing the ball

 

[HemiHawk]

Also, this is a very young team. No SR's that play. Starting 5 are JR, SO, SO, SO, FR. First three off the bench are JR, SO, and FR. Also have two Top 100 recruits coming in. (#39 and #92 on Hoopgurlz) The 2022 commit is also a Top 100 Hoopgurlz.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

two freshman contributors, three sophomores, and two juniors took us to sweet sixteen!! They will be focused snd hungry, hoping enough improvement to move up that ladder. We need some slashers/ rebounders in the new incoming class. Gabby needs to figure out how to drive snd finish rather that stopping snd losing the ball

As I've said throughout the season, Gabbie will be fine once she adds upper body strength. The team lost a summer of weight training due to Covid. They we forced to condition at home with no access to trainers, proper equipment or access to the training table.

I have confidence next season she will be finishing or earning trips to the stripe.

The loss of access hurt Gabbie and Megan as both are lean to begin with. When you have a small frame you need the training table and access to trainers to add muscle mass.

 

[SLarew]

Not Clark. JBO and Connor.

this thread is about women’s team and the defense ranking was about women’s team. Why the hell you re talking about JBo and Connor is beyond me!!!

 

[HemiHawk]

She’s one hell of a coach. I wish the men’s team could bring in the results she has brought to the women’s team.

Your first sentence is fine, go complain about the men in a thread about the men.

 

[blhawk]

this thread is about women’s team and the defense ranking was about women’s team. Why the hell you re talking about JBo and Connor is beyond me!!!

Because the Iowa women are in the sweet 16 because of a sweet guard....the men fell short because they don't have them. And way more people care about the mens team....do you get it now?

 

[HemiHawk]

Because the Iowa women are in the sweet 16 because of a sweet guard....the men fell short because they don't have them. And way more people care about the mens team....do you get it now?

I get it. Go whine about the men in a thread about the men. This is a thread about the women, which apparently you don't get.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

Because the Iowa women are in the sweet 16 because of a sweet guard....the men fell short because they don't have them. And way more people care about the mens team....do you get it now?

By the time Clark graduates the women's stage could be just as big as the men's. She's already drawing national attention and girls want to emulate her like they wanted to emulate MG. Parity in women's BB is growing and Iowa women's BB is garnering national attention at an exponential rate.

It stinks the men lost but don't let that disappointment distract from spotlighting the women's success.

 

[SLarew]

Because the Iowa women are in the sweet 16 because of a sweet guard....the men fell short because they don't have them. And way more people care about the mens team....do you get it now?

No. I don’t get it. His reply way off topic and yours is flimsy at best. There are plenty of threads bashing men’s team and coach. Do it there!!!

 

[herkhatescy]

Lisa has gotten a ton of criticism over the years.

Iowa was no where to be found in the preseason Bracketologies and the preseason Top 25 polls.

Nevertheless, Iowa got better as the year progressed & climbed their way up to a #5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16.

What an incredible job by Lisa and the entire coaching staff.

Check this out & Watch:

Went all year without being ranked.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

After her first 14 years at Iowa (and 10 years before that at Drake) with 0 Sweet 16s, Lisa's ability to elevate the team and program beginning in 2014-15 is a rare and amazing feat. I can't think of a similar career path in BIG MBB. Logic, Gustafson, Doyle and Clark have really taken Bluder to new heights (3 Sweet 16s and an Elite 8). Even with improved recruiting, the current team still has some glaring holes. Will be interesting to see if the Clark hype will help Lisa fill some of those holes. With the addition of Maryland and a recently (and belatedly) improved Big Ten, the program still has some distance to go to be able to win a Big Ten regular season championship.

So it IS possible for a coach to continue to build a program even after 10+ years? Interesting

 

[bdg8]

Turns out the Big Ten women are the opposite of the men

little recognition during season
Performing well in tournament

 

[jockos]

Lisa is one of the better coaches in the BIG. She represents the university well and runs a clean program which has been successful. She's also shown the willingness to change based on her roster changing mid-year 2009 from the triangle offense to a 4-1 and then back to the triangle for MG's final years.

For me, her biggest most impactful change has been in the last 8 or so years in the recruitment of post players. Going away from recruiting only leaner quicker posts who were constantly abused to bigger stronger posts who could still play with pace while holding their own in the post. She may never win a national championship but I enjoy watching her teams play at a high level and how they all represent the university and state.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

Lisa is one of the better coaches in the BIG. She represents the university well and runs a clean program which has been successful. She's also shown the willingness to change based on her roster changing mid-year 2009 from the triangle offense to a 4-1 and then back to the triangle for MG's final years.

For me, her biggest most impactful change has been in the last 8 or so years in the recruitment of post players. Going away from recruiting only leaner quicker posts who were constantly abused to bigger stronger posts who could still play with pace while holding their own in the post. She may never win a national championship but I enjoy watching her teams play at a high level and how they all represent the university and state.

I actually think it's the guard play that's changed. We kept losing guards who defected or to injury. When Bre Cera left we brought in Doyle and have managed to avoid season ending injuries and player turnover. But it's staggering to think of the guards we lost to season ending injuries or to transfer

 

[jockos]

I actually think it's the guard play that's changed. We kept losing guards who defected or to injury. When Bre Cera left we brought in Doyle and have managed to avoid season ending injuries and player turnover. But it's staggering to think of the guards we lost to season ending injuries or to transfer

There were a lot of injuries, but Iowa's always been guard heavy with many years there being only one post. When Whitney Jennings left, which was no surprise to the staff, that opened up a spot for Kathleen Doyle at the point guard which was huge. Bre Cera left, I think mid-late May so there really was no time to replace her 3 spot in that incoming class.

For years Iowa's posts were constantly abused by the BIG's better teams posts, regardless of how hard they fought it was no contest. When coach J discussed making the recruiting change with posts it took some time but that is when better results began occurring. Better production inside opened up outside opportunities for the guards who were higher rated recruits themselves. Combine the two, it is more balanced and results are there.

 

[iowa surfer]

She’s one hell of a coach. I wish the men’s team could bring in the results she has brought to the women’s team.

Maybe she 'should be a CONSULTANT to Men's Team huh? And keep a Mom's Eye on Cap' s son huh? Lisa and Staff Rock em. Lucky to have the Tough Ladies...

 

[Franisdaman]

check this out & watch:

 

[retrodent]

Lisa is one of the better coaches in the BIG. She represents the university well and runs a clean program which has been successful. She's also shown the willingness to change based on her roster changing mid-year 2009 from the triangle offense to a 4-1 and then back to the triangle for MG's final years.

For me, her biggest most impactful change has been in the last 8 or so years in the recruitment of post players. Going away from recruiting only leaner quicker posts who were constantly abused to bigger stronger posts who could still play with pace while holding their own in the post. She may never win a national championship but I enjoy watching her teams play at a high level and how they all represent the university and state.

Will have record attendance next three years after this exposure

 

[goodbyebobby]

By the time Clark graduates the women's stage could be just as big as the men's. She's already drawing national attention and girls want to emulate her like they wanted to emulate MG. Parity in women's BB is growing and Iowa women's BB is garnering national attention at an exponential rate.

It stinks the men lost but don't let that disappointment distract from spotlighting the women's success.

The women's game will never come close to the men's game in terms of attendance or popularity, ever.

Not sexist, just a fact, so don't take that route.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

The women's game will never come close to the men's game in terms of attendance or popularity, ever.

Not sexist, just a fact, so don't take that route.

As a whole maybe not. But the top teams are huge draws. Uconn averages about 15k per game attendance and Iowa could get there with a FF run. For the first time ever every women's game is televised in it's entirety. Iowa had more games televised this year than in any year I can remember.

It's not sexist to suggest women deserve recognition. It it however sexist to continuously feel the need to compare them to their male counterparts and suggesting that we shouldn't celebrate what they're achieving because the sport is less popular than the male version of it.

 

[goodbyebobby]

As a whole maybe not. But the top teams are huge draws. Uconn averages about 15k per game attendance and Iowa could get there with a FF run. For the first time ever every women's game is televised in it's entirety. Iowa had more games televised this year than in any year I can remember.

It's not sexist to suggest women deserve recognition. It it however sexist to continuously feel the need to compare them to their male counterparts and suggesting that we shouldn't celebrate what they're achieving because the sport is less popular than the male version of it.

It's not sexist at all.

You can't mandate something be celebrated nor can you think someone is wrong if they're ambivalent toward the game, which I'm not.

I know plenty of women who don't like women's hoops and none of them can be sexist here, correct?

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

It's not sexist at all.

You can't mandate something be celebrated nor can you think someone is wrong if they're ambivalent toward the game, which I'm not.

I know plenty of women who don't like women's hoops and none of them can be sexist here, correct?

not mandating anything. Just saying let's celebrate them for what they've done and not feel the need to constantly compare them to what their male counterpart has done.

Women's basketball might never be as popular as men's basketball, but it is rapidly growing in popularity and within women's basketball Iowa's popularity has grown exponentially and will continue to grow as the talent around Clark increases with the classes already signed the next two years.

I am certain Iowa will average more than 10k a game and maybe even more than 12k a game next year as long as fans can return. And Iowa will likely start preseason Top 25 and finish Top 10 next year.

What I am saying is it's okay to be happy for the women without constantly comparing them to the Iowa men which is a really bad habit that needs to be broken on this board.

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

Sadly, the days of picking my own seat close to the court will be gone...

 

[goodbyebobby]

not mandating anything. Just saying let's celebrate them for what they've done and not feel the need to constantly compare them to what their male counterpart has done.

Women's basketball might never be as popular as men's basketball, but it is rapidly growing in popularity and within women's basketball Iowa's popularity has grown exponentially and will continue to grow as the talent around Clark increases with the classes already signed the next two years.

I am certain Iowa will average more than 10k a game and maybe even more than 12k a game next year as long as fans can return. And Iowa will likely start preseason Top 25 and finish Top 10 next year.

What I am saying is it's okay to be happy for the women without constantly comparing them to the Iowa men which is a really bad habit that needs to be broken on this board.

The all woke ESPN celebrates the men's tournament by charging you for inside info thru ESPN+ but they charge nothing for women's insights.

Doesn't seem like much of a celebration of the advancement of the women's game, does it?

 

[Herky T Hawk]

The women's game will never come close to the men's game in terms of attendance or popularity, ever.

Not sexist, just a fact, so don't take that route.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, but i would bet if COVID isn’t a thing the next three years, they’ll be close to averaging more butts in seats than the men did under Lick.

Also, take a look at who has the record for highest attended sporting event at CHA. It isn’t the men’s basketball team or even the wrestling team. 22,000+ in an arena that was built for 15,500 at the time. Needless to say the fire marshall put an end to overselling like that after that incident.

 

[Legend12]

As a whole maybe not. But the top teams are huge draws. Uconn averages about 15k per game attendance and Iowa could get there with a FF run. For the first time ever every women's game is televised in it's entirety. Iowa had more games televised this year than in any year I can remember.

UCONN doesn't average anywhere near 15,000 per game.

UCONN Attendance Averages
19-20 9,527
18-19 8,870
17-18 10,026
16-17 8,888

 

[jockos]

UCONN doesn't average anywhere near 15,000 per game.

UCONN Attendance Averages
19-20 9,527
18-19 8,870
17-18 10,026
16-17 8,888

UCONN plays their on-campus home games at Gampel Pavillion with a capacity of nearly 10,200. They also play several home games each season at the XL Center in Hartford with a capacity of 15,600.

Iowa is capable of drawing big crowds (10,000+) especially on weekends or NCAAT games where they hold the hosting attendance record for the first two rounds. Megan's jersey retirement was over 13,000. Will be interesting to see what they can draw with Caitlin leading the way the next several years, I'd expect a bump from where they were assuming we get/keep covid-19 under control.

 

[goodbyebobby]

I’m not saying you’re wrong, but i would bet if COVID isn’t a thing the next three years, they’ll be close to averaging more butts in seats than the men did under Lick.

Also, take a look at who has the record for highest attended sporting event at CHA. It isn’t the men’s basketball team or even the wrestling team. 22,000+ in an arena that was built for 15,500 at the time. Needless to say the fire marshall put an end to overselling like that after that incident.

You use the worst coach at Iowa in decades as an example and the women's OSU game which are two perfect examples, for me.

They could maybe outdraw Lick? And the women had 22k, once, with CVS as coach.
Why couldn't she regularly match Dr. Tom attendance wise? She had a FF, he didn't...
The reason is because men, nor women, want to watch women as much as men as they can't do the same things on a court.

It's not sexist, it's fact .

 

[Raptorpeeps]

So it IS possible for a coach to continue to build a program even after 10+ years? Interesting

Yes. I suppose an extreme outlier example from the world of women’s basketball is enough to convince most that Fran’s best coaching years lie ahead of him.

I’m pumped.

Don’t touch that dial, sports fans! You won’t want to miss it!!!

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Yes. I suppose an extreme outlier example from the world of women’s basketball is enough to convince most that Fran’s best coaching years lie ahead of him.

I’m pumped.

Don’t touch that dial, sports fans! You won’t want to miss it!!!

How about Leonard Hamilton at FSU? We are on the same page, Raptor. Fran is an average coach. That’s the type of coach Iowa has hired since Lute left the building.