No thats was just some of the clowns on here suggesting that Fran should pay for both his sons so we could have 15-17 guys n the team. Sure, lets do that......
**NEW** Iowa Women's Basketball Recruiting Thread
- Thread starter KyleHuesmann
- Start date
These days in wbb they all recruit early and lick up classes early. Our classes were locked in two years in advance it seems. Portal will change things and all will leave a couple openings for portal players
Iowa is receiving national attention as an increasingly repressive and regressive state; esp. in ways that might cause concern for an 18-21 y/o college student, especially a female or minority student. Can't deny that this is a potential factor for a lot of recruits and transfers. Add the weather issue, the perception of Iowa being rural, and very white are definitely challenges for Bluder and staff to overcome.
So LA, AL,GA and FL are liberal hotbeds? Please. I WILL deny that this is a factor for a 'LOT' of recruits and more representative of your political leanings than reality. Repressive and regressive? You're trying waaaay too hard. How about safe and secure compared to most places with a friendly, supportive culture? Do you think anybody thinks about that these days? You better believe they do.
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
OMG you are so annoying lol I'm not talking about adults living in red states or blue states. Taxes??? These kids aren't thinking about that. I'm sorry Joe Biden is your president lmaooo but this thread is about basketball and recruiting kids.
Most kids who grew up on the coast (or in the south) -- i.e., densely populated, more diverse, talent-rich places -- probably think Iowa is a really boring, empty state. Most of them don't want to live in the middle of nowhere. That's not saying they can't be convinced. But it's gonna be much harder if it means they have to worry about getting a ticket for smoking a joint on a summer night, getting harassed for going to the only gay bar in town, or having to drive an hour away to get an abortion in the next state. If you dont think young girls (many of whom are queer, black, or both) and their parents are thinking about this on some level, you're clueless.
No but the cities that LSU, UGA, and most Florida schools (not to mention their student bodies) are located are in are much more diverse and/or closer to major metropolitan areas. Black and brown kids can walk down the street and not feel like they stick out like a sore thumb. Their teams are also a lot more likely to look like them -- no one wants to be the token black kid on the bench when everyone else on your team is white.
This is not a hot take. Iowa and Iowa City have neither any major cities nor diversity and it's only in the news for things that are, well, not really appealing or welcoming (book bans, drag show protests, abortion restrictions). Even our appearance in the NC was really actually not overwhelmingly positive. A lot of people came away from the whole Angel Reese / CC thing thinking that our fanbase / state is full of MAGA racists...these things stick.
And they're also not new developments -- this stuff has been said about Iowa for a few seasons now, going back to our Elite 8 run in 2019.
Last edited by a moderator:
It must be downright terrifying for recruits to consider jumping into the hornet’s nest of crime and chaos that is Iowa. I know that when I was shopping in Coralville last December I kept freaking out about a white supremacist terror attack. Right in the Coralville Mall ice rink in fact, where white supremacy grows unchecked by hockey nationalists.
In all seriousness, it’s telling how “very white” is used pejoratively, but like Maine, is likely the reason why it is so safe and welcoming.
Loser post, Kurt.
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
No offense but I've lived in Iowa and New England and Maine is far friendlier than Iowa.
Culture (arts, festivals, live events), scenery (mountains, oceans), outdoor activities (again, mountains and oceans), and nearby locations (Boston, Portland, Canada, rest of New England versus a 4 hour drive to Chicago) are far superior as well.
Overall food is much better too. However, nowhere in the northeast beats Iowa at Mexican food and that's worth a lot. Not sure how much 17 year old kids care about that tho. I didn't realize how much I'd miss good mexican food til it was gone...
Last edited by a moderator:
No...he's right.
Are you aware that the next move by the Iowa Republicans is to further restrict abortion availability? It's not the only determining issue, but it's a pattern to limit women's right to choose.
Red States are moving this country back to the 1800s.
College age females notice stuff like that.
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
Their PARENTS notice it too! They don't like it.
There is no way the NCAA would ever allow Clark to become a "walk on" -- in order to be a walk on, your recruiting must conform to certain requirements. You cannot have official visits or meet a coach off campus. I'm sure Clark experienced both of those things.
Also, this thread is potentially interesting:
Last edited by a moderator:
There were comments about why anyone would want to leave a elite team like the Lady Hawks when they can enjoy the ride...
But any player on scholly wants to play and they didn't land in IC by being happy riding the bench.
I, too, believe there will more departures.
But any player on scholly wants to play and they didn't land in IC by being happy riding the bench.
I, too, believe there will more departures.
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
Lmao this is what people are hearing about Iowa. Newsflash, if you're a kid who chose San Francisco or Chicago (like the two biggest transfer prospects we're targeting) because they were a good fit for you culturally, this probably isn't appealing news.
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
Lauren Betts is transferring from Stanford...
And she grew up in metro Denver, which is culturally a far cry from rural Iowa. But I'm not giving up hope just yet! One thing that Iowa has in their favor is the obvious love and support of the Hawkeye fanbase. Hopefully a black/mixed recruit might notice how popular Hannah is among us. I'm sure we're all curious as to how the Hawkeye staff is marketing that roster spot to these players. I would be willing to offer to bake delicious pies..
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
I look forward to having 3 girls who obviously have melanin on our roster next year. The work is not finished but Im tired of seeing people joke about having to turn their brightness down when they play us
Actually not. Iowa is in the news for trying to outdo DeSantis and Florida. Articles in more than one paper. Unfortunate.
The "guns in schools" are for staff and security personnel to have, in order to have a defense to PROTECT CHILDREN from school shooters. But - you knew that, idiot. You're just trying to stir the pot. 😄
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
Really doesn’t matter what I think or know. I don’t live in Iowa and I’m not recruiting anyone to. But those are the kinds of headlines people see, and it informs their perception of the state.
I agree. I will take Des Moines and the lefties can have Portland And San Francisco.
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
You can have Des Moines. I’m not trying to change it. You just can’t expect a typical black girl from Chicago or Stanford transfer who grew up in Denver to want it as well.
Let’s keep away from politics in this thread. I get that it might play a role in recruiting but calling policies you don’t like “regressive” or acting like all young women believe/act the same way is a little much
My wife grew up out east and lived in New England for many years. She couldn't believe how nice the people were in Iowa when she moved there. The midwest is a much friendlier area than the East Coast!
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
New England as in Boston? Yes definitely. New England as in Maine? Nope lol
I don't think the average recruit for most sports are political activists. I coach high school girls...they are more interested in the education offered, how they interact with the coaches and players when they visit, and how they like the campus. That is possibly their home and friends for the next 4 years and that is very important to them. Some may like the friendly, small-town environment of Iowa City, whether they come from a big city or a little town. Every individual is different and the only person that can decide their comfort level at a school is themselves!
Good friends of ours moved to Portland Maine for 24 months. They said the people were nice....but not any nicer then Iowa folks. And they just moved back...and are glad to be back.
New England as in Boston? Yes definitely. New England as in Maine? Nope lol
Maine is like a world of its own...
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
Maine is one of my favorite states to visit. Up there with California for sure. 6 hour drive instead of a 6 hour flight tho lol
Maybe the average kid isn’t concerned, for sure. But some are and some are quite opinionated about it. If a kid follows some of the biggest, most influential names and fans in WBB, they are generally seeing sentiments that don’t rly gel with what Iowa offers or represents (rightfully or not) to the average person who has no connection to the state.
Like I said, there are a lot of factors at play when considering where to move and which community/school to join and represent. The odds are just against us for a lot of them. That’s my point and it’s why I think we should all lower our expectations about the most in-demand prospects in the portal.
Last edited by a moderator:
Need to inform the kids that Johnson County is not like Iowa
Because of the nature of my work, I've talked to many inner-city black Chicagoans who were dying to move to Iowa. When some of those projects were razed, many of them did. I can say with near certainty they aren't thinking about those scary Republicans.
Does culture matter? Does having people who look like you matter? 100% But the reality for many urban families is that Iowa represents family and safety that their kid can enjoy for 4-5 years.
Well abortion should be outlawed everywhere. In this day and age there are about 30 forms of birth control. Take the pill, insert an iud, have him wear 3 condoms, duct tape your knees together. Killing a baby is not the answerNeed to inform the kids that Johnson County is not like Iowa
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
This is the most pathetic white savior take I’ve seen on this board and it’s a great example of why SEC and ACC fans think we’re a joke. It’s why I saw someone QT the Chantel J post (about Iowa offering Morrow) and say “Iowa? Just no.” Clicked on her profile, sure enough she was a SC fan. SC fans have been talking about Iowa (and only Iowa) in this way for YEARS now and aren’t stopping anytime soon.
This dismissive opinion of Iowa that has taken root — that we don’t stand for anything, that we’re just momentarily fulfilling the Great White Hope, that we’re not a place black kids should go, that all of our fans are MAGA — is due in no small part to attitudes like this.
“For many urban families, Iowa represents family and safety” — GIRL PLEASE. CRINGE. As opposed to black excellence, Iowa for many represents white mediocrity. This basic take is white mediocrity at best.
Please delete your comment before Black Twitter screenshots it and comes for us. Barf.
Oh god it’s getting worse lmao. Again, I don’t care how you feel. I don’t live in Iowa and I’m not going to argue politics or policy.
But you MUST understand this is NOT how most young GIRLS feel — especially if they’re black or queer (which I’d say accounts for at least half of elite recruits). And it’s not how most urban/suburban parents feel either. If we were talking recruiting small town Midwest kids, maybe it’s a different story. But we’re not.
So stop wondering why we can’t recruit better. A not insignificant part of it is this dynamic right here. Agree or disagree with the politics, these are the headlines and the stereotypes, and now, it’s also the reality. A lot working against us on the PR side of things.
Can we overcome it? I do hope so. With Clark, all things are possible. But again…temper your expectations people. It’ll take a miracle to get Betts or Morrow. Signing either would be a bigger deal than signing Clark, potentially a watershed moment for us even. All we can do is wait and see…
Last edited by a moderator:
Take these non-sports polarizing issues off the basketball forum please. There are plenty of other places to debate these topics.
But these subjects affect recruiting in a negative way. Most young people have views of tolerance and acceptance, the opposite of fascism. I don’t live in IOWA anymore but you couldn’t pay me to go back. For the safety of my wife and children, Iowa is being listed among many states who have put the car in reverse. Any trips through these states, we do it swiftly. States that were once a destination for us. Is now completely off the table. We are in our mid 30s. We don’t want to take our chances. If I was a parent of a potential d1 athlete woman, I would recommend avoiding Iowa and other states who are in a race to a fascist state. It hurts me saying it and thinking it, because it was great growing up in Iowa where things made sense. But the last 10 years have taken a deep dive into darkness.
Playing basketball at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, a college town, where you're mostly going to be tucked away in your own basketball bubble anyway, is not synonymous with living amidst some racist, fascist dystopia, or whatever you think rural Iowa is.
Would also contend our being in the "middle of nowhere" hurts more than any perceived culture issues. Or a lot of SEC schools would never be able to field a good team.
I like my state and I'm proud to be an Iowan. If a recruit doesn't want to come here wholly on account of some over-politicized notion of what we're supposed do be, that's no loss to me.
Would also contend our being in the "middle of nowhere" hurts more than any perceived culture issues. Or a lot of SEC schools would never be able to field a good team.
I like my state and I'm proud to be an Iowan. If a recruit doesn't want to come here wholly on account of some over-politicized notion of what we're supposed do be, that's no loss to me.
When I, (and several others) brought up the national perception of Iowa politics and related recruiting challenges, it wasn't to express my own opinion around those issues, or to foster political arguments on this site. Rather, those concerns were listed among the many real-world challenges that the U is faced with when recruiting WBB players. Which is why we're here, right? Ultimately, our political opinions mean absolutely nothing, and it's a fool's errand to explore those things here. The perception of possible recruits and transfers is the issue. Not what WE think, but what THEY might think. I am not going to argue politics with anyone on this thread. Let's go do that on Kim Reynold's site, I'll be happy to engage with you. I'm not in charge of anything here, but I will try to encourage everyone to keep this thread around Iowa recruiting, and not let it devolve into extraneous political and culture war battles. I hope we can remember what we all have in common, which is love for this program, and our collective aspiration for making the most of the unique opportunity that the team/program/Caitlin Clark have provided.
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
The truth is that being in the middle of nowhere, the…um…bad reputation as of late, and the lack of melanin in our roster/city have combined to create a much bigger problem that is self-reinforcing. They all go hand in hand.
Few elite programs have to deal with all 3 problems and in a nutshell, it’s why we have such an (outsized) bad rap.
It is not insurmountable tho. I think hiring a black woman as Bluder’s successor could go a long way in addressing this. Lots of people say sell the farm for Jennie B but I’m just not so sure.
Last edited by a moderator:
Maybe the athletes are thinking Iowa would be a great place cuz unlike three southern states, we didn't fight right keep black people slaves. Maybe they like the idea of playing in red states cuz they are the oness that freed them? Hmmm
A
anon_salmfilsntd0b
Guest
Mods, it’s time. Please lock this thread before we embarrass ourselves further. The cringe has reached its zenith.
Agree it needs locked, but it was you who started this whole thing. You and some of the stupidest statements I have ever read on here.
I think you need to stay in your East coast or communist CA and get off this board. We get it, you hate Iowa. Go away!
