Wasting all the CC momentum

[kceasthawk]

That’s why you have the portal. Iowa is a top 20 NIL school. Where is the money going Beth? It ain’t going to the recruiting that’s for sure. Jan had to have known these girls were not good without a Caitlin. No excuse for not bringing in more talent.

Not taking one side or the other on that, but I believe that would have required some roster management, (like not allowing Kylie to come back for her covid year, or sending AJE on her way, much like Goodman was apparently told she would not be playing if she returned). Then theres whatever is the deal with Jada. She was supposedly ranked as high or higher then Hannah coming out of high school. She had some injuries, and speculation here that she may not ever be able to contribute as its an ongoing issue. To clarify they have 14 girls on the roster, (after Ava Jones was moved onto a medical), so they could have brought in one player other then Olsen. Still you have three players on the roster now who either have no role at all, or are injured ongoing. AJE, Jada, and Kennise Johnson who was injured some early last year, and then tore her ACL in practice right before the B1G tourney last season.

 

[mphawk]

Not taking one side or the other on that, but I believe that would have required some roster management, (like not allowing Kylie to come back for her covid year, or sending AJE on her way, much like Goodman was apparently told she would not be playing if she returned). Then theres whatever is the deal with Jada. She was supposedly ranked as high or higher then Hannah coming out of high school. She had some injuries, and speculation here that she may not ever be able to contribute as its an ongoing issue.

Just to add some context to your helpful comments. This year's freshman class was ranked by ESPN as the #9 class in the country with four Top 100 players. Plus Lucy Olsen was one of the highest ranked players in the transfer portal. So I don't know what else could be expected. Also, this is Kylie's senior year. Next year would be her Covid year, and I wouldn't expect her back with all the talent coming in next year.

 

[joelbc1]

Clark was on her death bed and should not have even played in that game. Go back and watch the Full court Press documentary. Everyone involved confirmed she was sick as hell. That was the same @ or. 4th Q clear? bug that had Molly Davis MISS three entire games. Clark didn't practice much those two weeks but she took the floor every game, because she knew she had to.

Oh my… I guess you are right… Fire Jan! Platers are “feeling ill” or not 100% all the time. It happens during a long season.
Didn’t the Hawks blow a large 4th Q lead? Was Caitlin playing Nebby all by herself that night? Were there a couple of other seniors playing that night? Shit happens…. But damn, leave it to the “Doubting Thomases” here in Hawkeye fan land to make mountains out of mole hills and hit the “sky is falling” button.
Jeeeeebus, this place and SOME who react here are real pieces of work.

That’s why you have the portal. Iowa is a top 20 NIL school. Where is the money going Beth? It ain’t going to the recruiting that’s for sure. Jan had to have known these girls were not good without a Caitlin. No excuse for not bringing in more talent.

 

[kceasthawk]

Just to add some context to your comments. This year's freshman class was ranked by ESPN as the #9 class in the country with four Top 100 players. Plus Lucy Olsen was one of the highest ranked players in the transfer portal. So I don't know what else could be expected. Also, this is Kylie's senior year. Next year would be her Covid year, and I wouldn't expect her back with all the talent coming in next year.

I believe thats right with Kylie. She played one year at ISU and the transferred to Iowa. Tore her ACL and redshirted a year, so she is playing her 4th season in her 5th year. I agree they had a great class. The issue with the roster is we have a BIG hole at that 3/4 spot, and its three fold. 1) Hannah has to this point not been able to show the skills to play that spot. 2) Mellegni hasn't yet shown the consistency to grab that spot. (hopefully she will by next season. 3) the biggest one of all, the horrible outcome to Ava Jones. She would have been the perfect fit for that spot an athletic (state high jump champion and track athlete) 6'2-6'3" player with skills in her 2nd season. A crushing blow for her and her family, and made a real dent in the current roster...

 

[kceasthawk]

Oh my… I guess you are right… Fire Jan! Platers are “feeling ill” or not 100% all the time. It happens during a long season.
Didn’t the Hawks blow a large 4th Q lead? Was Caitlin playing Nebby all by herself that night? Were there a couple of other seniors playing that night? Shit happens…. But damn, leave it to the “Doubting Thomases” here in Hawkeye fan land to make mountains out of mole hills and hit the “sky is falling” button.
Jeeeeebus, this place and SOME who react here are real pieces of work.

Talk about making something out of nothing. First off Clark was't just "feeling ill". They had medical on standby to give her IV's during the game and the half because she'd been sick as hell for days and couldn't practice. Another senior, (Molly Davis was down also and didn't play for 2 weeks). Playing a good and very motivated team on the road with your best player (Hell THE best player) sick as a dog is not ideal. Clark scored 30 in the first 3Q ad then she totally collapsed with fatigue. She tried to play the 4Q and you could tell she had nothing left in her legs even though she tried to gut through it. All of her shots were coming up short on the front of the rim. I believe she was 0-8 in the 4Q, even though they kept going to her and she tried to will her way through.

 

[citizenHawk]

And still had a chance to win that Nebraska game on the last shot from Kate Martin.

There is a razor thin margin of error for the outcome of the last three games against Nebraska. Even with Caitlin Clark Iowa nearly lost 2 of 3 last year, somehow escaping with the magic win in the BT Championship game. Remarkable that they won that game. (CC's frustrated comments in that clip above would have aged poorly.)

 

[kceasthawk]

And still had a chance to win that Nebraska game on the last shot from Kate Martin.

There is a razor thin margin of error for the outcome of the last three games against Nebraska. Even with Caitlin Clark Iowa nearly lost 2 of 3 last year, somehow escaping with the magic win in the BT Championship game. Remarkable that they won that game. (CC's frustrated comments in that clip above would have aged poorly.)

In truth when Clark made that comment they were not "fing better then us". At this moment they probably are better, and consider they lost Potts, (last years great freshman) and another player to injuries for the year. I still find it "very Nebraska" that the whole sexual abuse case with the former player and male assistant coach just seems to have "vanished up in smoke" when several players said they all knew about it, (included the HC Williams).

 

[Grumpy Old Hawk]

It’s an example of doing everything wrong in trying to capitalize on CC and her impact

Now JJ has to scrap even to get this team into the tourney. Missing out would be a disaster..And hanging onto recruits suddenly becomes an issue:

Well, they failed to get Clark a decent player to help her take on the big gals in the Tournament. Could have won a Natty and blew it.

 

[MVPFAN]

Well, they failed to get Clark a decent player to help her take on the big gals in the Tournament. Could have won a Natty and blew it.

I thought they did a really poor job of bringing in talent along side and behind CC.

 

[joelbc1]

I thought they did a really poor job of bringing in talent along side and behind CC.

#22 had a quality post player all 4 of get tears at Iowa..a quality forward in Jate abs a great defensive player in Gabby all 4 of get years there two..it was hardly like it was Caitlin vs. the World for 4 years…Jeeeeebus Christmas you guys a nuckin’ futz! And your memories are horrible!

 

[MVPFAN]

#22 had a quality post player all 4 of get tears at Iowa..a quality forward in Jate abs a great defensive player in Gabby all 4 of get years there two..it was hardly like it was Caitlin vs. the World for 4 years…Jeeeeebus Christmas you guys a nuckin’ futz! And your memories are horrible!

More like your reading comprehension is horrible not to mention your typing. Stuelke is the only player you could possibly say is a quality player that played with CC that came in along side or after her and she doesn't look near as good without CC. Gabby, Monica, Kate were all here before her.

 

[joelbc1]

More like your reading comprehension is horrible not to mention your typing. Stuelke is the only player you could possibly say is a quality player that played with CC that came in along side or after her and she doesn't look near as good without CC. Gabby, Monica, Kate were all here before her.

Really?
Whew…
And I thought Gabby, Kate, Monica and #22 were starters together at one time or another…
You guys are nuts….

 

[chesapeake bay dog]

Really?
Whew…
And I thought Gabby, Kate, Monica and #22 were starters together at one time or another…
You guys are nuts….

And although the four are gone Iowa never recruited to have replacements for them. Along with not suggesting certain players move on instead of taking up space on the bench. Couple that with promoting an asst coach that lets her teams deficiencies overwhelm her. Recipe for disastrous results.

 

[joelbc1]

And although the four are gone Iowa never recruited to have replacements for them. Along with not suggesting certain players move on instead of taking up space on the bench. Couple that with promoting an asst coach that lets her teams deficiencies overwhelm her. Recipe for disastrous results.

It’s all part of “the plot” to keep Iowa in its place!
This plot has been in place all my life…75 years…I’m glad there are folks like you who know what is going on!

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Really?
Whew…
And I thought Gabby, Kate, Monica and #22 were starters together at one time or another…
You guys are nuts….

I thought they did a really poor job of bringing in talent along side and behind CC.

I think you're misunderstanding what "bringing in talent along side AND behind CC" means in this case.

That means recruiting classes that came in CC's 1st year and after that played with her which would be the classes of '20 - '23 only, not prior and not after.

Monica was already recruited prior to CC in the class of 2018. She was NOT recruited alongside AND behind CC.

Kate and Gabby was already recruited prior to CC in the class of 2019. They were NOT recruited alongside AND behind CC.

Again, he is specifically talking about the recruiting classes of '20 - '23 only.

Class of 2020: Lauren Jensen, Sharon Goodman and Shateah Wetering
Class of 2021: Sydney Affolter, AOG, and AJ Ediger. However, Kylie Feuerbach transferred in and class of 2020.
Class of 2022: Hannah Stuelke, Jada Gyamfi and Taylor McCabe. However, Molly Davis transferred in and class of 2019.
Class of 2023: Kennise Johnson. However, Ava Jones committed after a de-commit from AZ St and class of 2023.

Here are the highest rankings of those prior to CC in question here.
Kate Martin's highest ranking was 94.
Gabby's highest ranking was 158.
Monika's highest ranking was 180.

Now where some nitpicking can go on here is with the recruiting ranking of these players below. Did Lisa and Jan try to bring in higher ranked players with CC? I think they did. Now whether they panned out as these rankings suggest is another question.

The highest rankings for the classes of '20-'23 that are higher than Kate Martin's 94th ranking are:
Ediger 39
Stuelke 44
AOG 46
Affolter 48
Feuerbach 53
Gyamfi 70
Jones 84
McCabe 89
The rest of the signed recruit's highest ranking was higher than Kate Martin.

Reference:

Recruiting Players: 8 Years of Rankings (2 Years Prior to Clark, The 4 Clark Years & 2 Years After Clark)

The purpose of this exercise is 3 fold: 1) Had a problem properly evaluating player rankings from one site to another. It was frustrating trying to get a good handle on some players. Ex: Teagan Mallegni was rated 29 on one site and not rated on another site of 150 players. Makes you scratch your...

iowa.forums.rivals.com

EDIT:
I originally said Gabby was not ranked on any list, which was true at one time. However, I forgot to update my grids exercise Reference in the link above with the updated rankings. In the backdoor link, BSBB has a list the Top 400 and Gabby is listed as #158.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

this team without cc22 and bluder is lame. I kind of wonder if it's more like bluder- that is the reason

 

[joelbc1]

this team without cc22 and bluder is lame. I kind of wonder if it's more like bluder- that is the reason

Interesting because before #22 arrived there were many here who were demanding that Bluder be replaced and that she wasn’t good for UIowa.
Again, fans are a fickle bunch.

 

[kceasthawk]

I think you're misunderstanding what "bringing in talent along side AND behind CC" means in this case.

That means recruiting classes that came in CC's 1st year and after that played with her which would be the classes of '20 - '23 only, not prior and not after.

Monica was already recruited prior to CC in the class of 2018. She was NOT recruited alongside AND behind CC.

Kate and Gabby was already recruited prior to CC in the class of 2019. They were NOT recruited alongside AND behind CC.

Again, he is specifically talking about the recruiting classes of '20 - '23 only.

Class of 2020: Lauren Jensen, Sharon Goodman and Shateah Wetering
Class of 2021: Sydney Affolter, AOG, and AJ Ediger. However, Kylie Feuerbach transferred in and class of 2020.
Class of 2022: Hannah Stuelke, Jada Gyamfi and Taylor McCabe. However, Molly Davis transferred in and class of 2019.
Class of 2023: Kennise Johnson. However, Ava Jones transferred in and class of 2023.

Here are the highest rankings of those prior to CC in question here.
Prior to CC:
Kate Martin's highest ranking was 94.
Monika's highest ranking was 180.
Gabby did not make the top 214 on one list or on any ranking list.

Now where some nitpicking can go on here is with the recruiting ranking of these players below. Did Lisa and Jan try to bring in higher ranked players with CC? I think they did. Now whether they panned out as these rankings suggest is another question.

The highest rankings for the classes of '20-'23 that are higher than Kate Martin's 94th ranking are:
Ediger 39
Stuelke 44
AOG 46
Affolter 48
Feuerbach 53
Gyamfi 70
Jones 84
McCabe 89
The rest of the signed recruit's highest ranking was higher than Kate Martin.

Reference:

Recruiting Players: 8 Years of Rankings (2 Years Prior to Clark, The 4 Clark Years & 2 Years After Clark)

The purpose of this exercise is 3 fold: 1) Had a problem properly evaluating player rankings from one site to another. It was frustrating trying to get a good handle on some players. Ex: Teagan Mallegni was rated 29 on one site and not rated on another site of 150 players. Makes you scratch your...

iowa.forums.rivals.com

Ava Jones did not "transfer in". She was a recruit, and still in high school when she was run down on the sidewalk in Louisville.

 

[hawkfan2024]

No kidding I'm having Lickliter nightmares.

As Lickliter would say, "Hey, slow down...."

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Ava Jones did not "transfer in". She was a recruit, and still in high school when she was run down on the sidewalk in Louisville.

Ah yes, that is true. However, I thought I recall a site with AZ St on one side and an arrow pointing to Iowa that made me think it was a transfer. Instead it was a de-commit from AZ St and not the portal. I need to change the verbiage. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

"For Ava, the recruiting process was busy throughout. She initially committed to Arizona State, but after coach Charli Turner Thorne announced her retirement in early March, Ava opted to re-open her recruitment.

After hearing of Ava’s de-commitment, Bluder was all in to pursue Ava’s talents. In April, the 23-year Iowa coach sent assistant coach Abby Stamp down to Texas, where Ava was playing in an AAU tournament, and Stamp was impressed."

Through trial and tragedy, Iowa’s Ava Jones intent on playing again - Just Women's Sports

Iowa signee Ava Jones is determined to overcome the injuries she sustained in a devastating crash and return to the court for the Hawkeyes.

justwomenssports.com

 

[kceasthawk]

Ah yes, that is true. However, I thought I recall a site with AZ St on one side and an arrow pointing to Iowa that made me think it was a transfer. Instead it was a de-commit from AZ St and not the portal. I need to change the verbiage. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

"For Ava, the recruiting process was busy throughout. She initially committed to Arizona State, but after coach Charli Turner Thorne announced her retirement in early March, Ava opted to re-open her recruitment.

After hearing of Ava’s de-commitment, Bluder was all in to pursue Ava’s talents. In April, the 23-year Iowa coach sent assistant coach Abby Stamp down to Texas, where Ava was playing in an AAU tournament, and Stamp was impressed."

Through trial and tragedy, Iowa’s Ava Jones intent on playing again - Just Women's Sports

Iowa signee Ava Jones is determined to overcome the injuries she sustained in a devastating crash and return to the court for the Hawkeyes.

justwomenssports.com

What could have been. I just hope she can h ave some level of normalcy in her life without basketball.

 

[citizenHawk]

Ava tried so hard to get back. Will always be heartbroken for her. Hope she is doing well this year.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

What could have been. I just hope she can h ave some level of normalcy in her life without basketball.

Absolutely! She could made a huge impact on this year's team. She was an elite high jumper as well. It may have helped Jan to start Hannah at the 5 again and Ava at the 4 and this season might look totally different than it is now. I think people forget that they did try to bring in players that were ranked better than prior years. It's that they haven't panned out as projected or Jan hasn't put them in a system that plays to their strengths yet. It may also be that this year's puzzle pieces are so disjointed coupled with lax leadership that it's not meant to be with this group. Jan's running out of time to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Too bad her recovery didn't go as she had planned to make it back. Yep, hope nothing but the best for her and her family.

 

[HawkGem11]

As Lickliter would say, "Hey, slow down...."

not sure on that scoring 49pts is exactly what a Lick team would have done

 

[wneff]

The highest rankings for the classes of '20-'23 that are higher than Kate Martin's 94th ranking are:
Ediger 39
Stuelke 44
AOG 46
Affolter 48
Feuerbach 53
Gyamfi 70
Jones 84
McCabe 89
The rest of the signed recruit's highest ranking was higher than Kate Martin.

Reference:

Recruiting Players: 8 Years of Rankings (2 Years Prior to Clark, The 4 Clark Years & 2 Years After Clark)

The purpose of this exercise is 3 fold: 1) Had a problem properly evaluating player rankings from one site to another. It was frustrating trying to get a good handle on some players. Ex: Teagan Mallegni was rated 29 on one site and not rated on another site of 150 players. Makes you scratch your...

iowa.forums.rivals.com

The attached link is a great site for players that we offered as well as when recruits committed. What is interesting is that three (AJ, Hannah, and Syd) of the four highest recruits on your list actually committed to Iowa before Clark did.

Iowa Women's Basketball Recruiting - Page 4 of 4 - WBB Blog

Recruiting summary for Iowa women's basketball, including a scholarship chart (projecting open spots for upcoming classes), commitments, and targets

wbbblog.com

 

[kceasthawk]

The attached link is a great site for players that we offered as well as when recruits committed. What is interesting is that three (AJ, Hannah, and Syd) of the four highest recruits on your list actually committed to Iowa before Clark did.

Iowa Women's Basketball Recruiting - Page 4 of 4 - WBB Blog

Recruiting summary for Iowa women's basketball, including a scholarship chart (projecting open spots for upcoming classes), commitments, and targets

wbbblog.com

Clark had a LOT more options........

 

[Grumpy Old Hawk]

#22 had a quality post player all 4 of get tears at Iowa..a quality forward in Jate abs a great defensive player in Gabby all 4 of get years there two..it was hardly like it was Caitlin vs. the World for 4 years…Jeeeeebus Christmas you guys a nuckin’ futz! And your memories are horrible!

They were very average Big 10 players outside of Clark. She elevated their games. You can see the drop off in Hannah this year. While I loved and supported all of our girls it truly was Clarke alone.

 

[hawkfan2024]

not sure on that scoring 49pts is exactly what a Lick team would have done

It was a joke

 

[acuhawk]

They were very average Big 10 players outside of Clark. She elevated their games. You can see the drop off in Hannah this year. While I loved and supported all of our girls it truly was Clarke alone.

Just watch when CC would sit for a couple of minutes. Our half court offense looked about the same as this year.

 

[intrepodor]

People mustn't forget that Jenni Fitzgerald also retired. Bluder, Jensen and Fitzgerald were a 3-headed coaching team for 25? years. Perhaps Fitzgerald had much more to do with the success than anyone realized.

JJ had said Fitz was really good at scouting

 

[Rustys Dad]

I just hope recruits like Addie Deal don't start rethinking their decision to commit to Iowa.

^ 💯

 

[LinusPF]

Stop with the "Wasting all the CC momentum" baloney. There is no such thing as CC 'momentum'. Why would there be?

Has a program in the history of college sports received 'momentum' from a star player, or even a breakout season? Washington went back to being an average program after Plum. Oregon went back to being just a good program after Ionescu. Arizona women had a breakout season. They're back where they were. Florida Atlantic and Loyola, Chic men's teams also-ran mid-majors again.

CC single-handedly made Iowa a Final Four team for a few seasons. Now we're back where we were.

 

[pablow]

Stop with the "Wasting all the CC momentum" baloney. There is no such thing as CC 'momentum'. Why would there be?

Has a program in the history of college sports received 'momentum' from a star player, or even a breakout season? Washington went back to being an average program after Plum. Oregon went back to being just a good program after Ionescu. Arizona women had a breakout season. They're back where they were. Florida Atlantic and Loyola, Chic men's teams also-ran mid-majors again.

CC single-handedly made Iowa a Final Four team for a few seasons. Now we're back where we were.

Nonsense.

 

[kceasthawk]

Stop with the "Wasting all the CC momentum" baloney. There is no such thing as CC 'momentum'. Why would there be?

Has a program in the history of college sports received 'momentum' from a star player, or even a breakout season? Washington went back to being an average program after Plum. Oregon went back to being just a good program after Ionescu. Arizona women had a breakout season. They're back where they were. Florida Atlantic and Loyola, Chic men's teams also-ran mid-majors again.

CC single-handedly made Iowa a Final Four team for a few seasons. Now we're back where we were.

Elite 8 a couple of years before Clark. I'd take that again. Most years at least a tourney team, which this current team is not even that at this point.....

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Stop with the "Wasting all the CC momentum" baloney. There is no such thing as CC 'momentum'. Why would there be?

Has a program in the history of college sports received 'momentum' from a star player, or even a breakout season? Washington went back to being an average program after Plum. Oregon went back to being just a good program after Ionescu. Arizona women had a breakout season. They're back where they were. Florida Atlantic and Loyola, Chic men's teams also-ran mid-majors again.

CC single-handedly made Iowa a Final Four team for a few seasons. Now we're back where we were.

I think South Carolina and A’ja Wilson would like to stake a claim to that.

That actually just happened recently. It also brought in Aliyah Boston after that and they're still at the top.

‘She’s ours’: What A’ja Wilson means to women’s basketball, South Carolina is undeniable

https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-womens-basketball/article288390870.html

This is what Iowans were and are still hoping to replicate with CC. This year is a rebuilding year. However, Addie Deal coming in next year may become our Aliyah Boston to keep it going. Time will tell.

 

[citizenHawk]

Stop with the "Wasting all the CC momentum" baloney. There is no such thing as CC 'momentum'. Why would there be?

Has a program in the history of college sports received 'momentum' from a star player, or even a breakout season? Washington went back to being an average program after Plum. Oregon went back to being just a good program after Ionescu. Arizona women had a breakout season. They're back where they were. Florida Atlantic and Loyola, Chic men's teams also-ran mid-majors again.

CC single-handedly made Iowa a Final Four team for a few seasons. Now we're back where we were.

You aren't considering the value of the enlarged and energized fanbase, brand, and where women's basketball is right now. Iowa was put into high profile time slots for television this year as part of that momentum. Recruits notice.

If you follow recruiting, you've probably noticed how this has translated to Iowa looking at much higher prospects and competing with blue bloods for players. That is hugely significant. Opportunity to get an Addie Deal and someone like Woliczko on the same team. That's momentum.

It's a different game these days, largely because of Caitlin Clark, and Iowa stands as the one program that could benefit from that the most.

 

[joelbc1]

Elite 8 a couple of years before Clark. I'd take that again. Most years at least a tourney team, which this current team is not even that at this point.....

And still before #22, tge were many here who wee demanding UIowa could do so much better than Bluder and that Bluder was the problem with women’s BB at Iowa. Some shit never changes.

 

[hawkfan2024]

Stop with the "Wasting all the CC momentum" baloney. There is no such thing as CC 'momentum'. Why would there be?

Has a program in the history of college sports received 'momentum' from a star player, or even a breakout season? Washington went back to being an average program after Plum. Oregon went back to being just a good program after Ionescu. Arizona women had a breakout season. They're back where they were. Florida Atlantic and Loyola, Chic men's teams also-ran mid-majors again.

CC single-handedly made Iowa a Final Four team for a few seasons. Now we're back where we were.

"Momentum" is a crutch used by lazy sportswriters and talk show hosts.

 

[kceasthawk]

And still before #22, tge were many here who wee demanding UIowa could do so much better than Bluder and that Bluder was the problem with women’s BB at Iowa. Some shit never changes.

If you say so. MOST of the people here rarely followed the womens program if at all before CC22. There's a few in every crowd but I don't think there was some ground swell to oust her. Not that many people cared that much. Even with the elite 8 team or Gus and Doyle being AA players there just wasn't alot being posted until about two yeas ago. And now it dominates the discussion about basketball at Iowa. Its just like what happened with Clark. With all the fame and attention, comes scrutiny and higher expectations.

 

[joelbc1]

If you say so. MOST of the people here rarely followed the womens program if at all before CC22. There's a few in every crowd but I don't think there was some ground swell to oust her. Not that many people cared that much. Even with the elite 8 team or Gus and Doyle being AA players there just wasn't alot being posted until about two yeas ago. And now it dominates the discussion about basketball at Iowa. Its just like what happened with Clark. With all the fame and attention, comes scrutiny and higher expectations.

Understand. However, please understand that these “higher expectations” are often based on convenient memories of the past. Fans owe it to themselves be honest and reasonable with themselves first and foremost.
This very same team with Caitlin playing for them could well have 1or2 losses…she was that good. Folks here just forget how good #22 was. They need to remember, they will never see another as good as her in an Iowa uniform again.