Welcome NJ-hawkDog! Also, congratulations on your first post and instant popularity. The WBB threads are virtually my only vise on the Iowa rivals forums, but I can relate with you about the MBB threads. I also appreciate the maturity and civility of the members that comment here. I originally started by posting links to internet content about HS recruits who had verbally committed to Iowa. My hopes then and now was/is to acquaint the readers to the new players joining the team and thereby raise interest and spur increased home attendance. I also enjoy reading other's links, inside information, thoughtful analysis, and opinions. More recently, I've started sharing some of my own thoughts.
I agree with you about the 2017 class and I believe others have echoed the same idea. This year's team has only one returning starting senior and one returning starting junior. That is only two current returning starters that graduate in the next two years. There are nine players on the roster that have at least three years remaining to play. I believe there is a lot of potential talent among those freshmen and sophomores. Recruiting behind them is no doubt a challenge and very possibility not a crucial necessity. I think Iowa should be just fine next year. I believe the priority for 2018 would be a replacement for Megan.
Speaking of the current impending season and the 'leap' you mentioned, my preseason vote is for
Hannah [Stewart]. Not only is she starting from a low base (she played very sparingly last year), my opinion is that the greatest need is for a more physical backup to Megan and Chase. Carly and Christina are also in that discussion. However, their base is a bit higher and their opportunities will probably be more limited competing behind Ally. (I suppose Carly could very possibly backup Chase as well.) As for the freshman, I wouldn't say they could leap so much as they could make an immediate impact. With regard to that (immediate impact) I am uncertain. I know that there are those here that think
Kathleen [Doyle] is the most likely successor to replace Whitney and I can't argue with that. On the other hand,
Bre [Cera] has her supporters here as well. The comments on her have mentioned her defensive tenacity and that she is unselfish (team oriented). From the limited video that I've seen, I can see it. The other thing about her that I will say is that she seems to be selective and efficient shooting the ball. As for the other two freshman guards,
Makenzie [Meyer] and
Alexis [Sevillian], they may be just as good for all I know. How these four develop this season (and in the future) is one of the most exciting aspects to anticipate. Finally,
Amanda [Ollinger] is an enigma. I think she resembles Carly. I have read that she will be a small forward but I believe she could also play stretch (or wing) forward. Regardless, I can't see her starting this year.
I have remarked in the past that Iowa's roster was loaded with forwards last year (there were no players listed between Whitney at 5'5" and Alexas at 5'10") and that that might have contributed to the increased turnovers. This year that gap is filled by the four freshmen guards so now I think the roster is much better balanced in that regard.
I am very excited and hopeful for the season so let the discussion here continue!
PS Yes NJ-HawkDog your post is like an addiction 'fix' and also I suppose that I do disagree with you to a small extent about the leap comment. Also, I'm in northern Virginia and have seen only one game, two years ago at Maryland. The Hawkeyes won that game from the floor but the fouls were lopsided in favor of the Terrapins and they escaped with the win from the FT line. If you can make it here for the 1/29 game, I will look for you.
