Iowa won't lose by 20 in Bloomington. They don't play again this year ! We got hosed in Bloomington last year.
WBB 2019-20 Season in general
- Thread starter cyberhawk
- Start date
Iowa #22 this week. Indiana #15 & Maryland #20.
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/rankings
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/rankings
Iowa at #5 seed but inexplicably not trending up.
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/bracketology
I believe they have a good chance to host in the first round again.
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/bracketology
I believe they have a good chance to host in the first round again.
I think the up or down sign only appears if they move up or down a seed. Iowa was already a 5 seed in the Bracketology from a few days ago, so there's no up or down sign now.
They definitely have a shot at a top 4 seed.
Coach Whalen is having her press conference tomorrow so that is likely when it will be announced, or she will give some generic response & we will have to wait until tip time to see who is/isn't there.
Destiny Pitts (Minnesota) is suspended from the team & not playing Thursday against Iowa per coach Whalen. The Bello twins are practicing with the team but she isn't sure if they will play against Iowa.
Leading scorer Destiny Pitts still suspended as Gophers women prepare for Iowa
Gophers women's basketball coach Lindsay Whalen said Wednesday that leading scorer Destiny Pitts remains suspended — meaning she'll miss Thursday's game with Iowa at Williams Arena — while Kehinde and Taiye Bello are back with the team.
But Whalen is less certain about whether Pitts will eventually return or if the Bellos will play Thursday against the Hawkeyes.
Pitts, a junior, was suspended before Minnesota's 74-71 loss at Illinois on Sunday for what the school said was "conduct unbecoming a member of the team." Neither of the Bello sisters made the trip to Illinois.
Whalen said Wednesday the two situations were not related.
No players were made available to answer questions Wednesday.
Whalen wasn't willing to reveal any reason for the suspension, saying she would respect Pitts' privacy. But in a statement she read before taking questions, Whalen made clear her resolve:
"To be an athlete at the University of Minnesota comes with high standards and expectations," she said. "When those are not met, there are consequences. … I can tell you that Destiny Pitts' status has not changed. She remains suspended. Kehinde Bello and Taiye Bello will be back for Thursday's game with Iowa, though their status is still to be determined."
Pitts is the team's leading scorer at 16.3 points per game. Taiye Bello is the second leading scorer (13.0 ppg) and the team's top rebounder (9.9 per game). Kehinde Bello has been Whalen's top post player off the bench. Without the three the Gophers lost to an Illini team that entered the game winless in Big Ten play.
Whalen said the Bellos did not practice Tuesday but would Wednesday, indicating their issue was resolved either late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
As for Pitts? Whalen said she is still a part of the program but isn't practicing while suspended. She lauded what Pitts has done for the program. When asked if she thought there was a chance the problem could be resolved, she said yes. "But, as I said, I'm not going into details as to what that is. But yes," Whalen said.
Whalen did not say whether or not she felt the situation could be resolved quickly.
"[It's the] first time going through anything like this," Whalen, in her second year as Gophers coach, said. "But this is why Mark [Coyle, Gophers athletic director] hired me. To handle difficult situations. So yes, it's the first time I'm going through anything like this. My job is to make sure we're prepared for Iowa and getting ready for that game. So yeah, of course it's a new experience. But that's why they brought me here."
Whalen said she's trying to keep her team's routine the same to minimize any distractions.
"That's the challenge always, to make sure we're on the same page and working together," she said.
Gophers women's basketball coach Lindsay Whalen said Wednesday that leading scorer Destiny Pitts remains suspended — meaning she'll miss Thursday's game with Iowa at Williams Arena — while Kehinde and Taiye Bello are back with the team.
But Whalen is less certain about whether Pitts will eventually return or if the Bellos will play Thursday against the Hawkeyes.
Pitts, a junior, was suspended before Minnesota's 74-71 loss at Illinois on Sunday for what the school said was "conduct unbecoming a member of the team." Neither of the Bello sisters made the trip to Illinois.
Whalen said Wednesday the two situations were not related.
No players were made available to answer questions Wednesday.
Whalen wasn't willing to reveal any reason for the suspension, saying she would respect Pitts' privacy. But in a statement she read before taking questions, Whalen made clear her resolve:
"To be an athlete at the University of Minnesota comes with high standards and expectations," she said. "When those are not met, there are consequences. … I can tell you that Destiny Pitts' status has not changed. She remains suspended. Kehinde Bello and Taiye Bello will be back for Thursday's game with Iowa, though their status is still to be determined."
Pitts is the team's leading scorer at 16.3 points per game. Taiye Bello is the second leading scorer (13.0 ppg) and the team's top rebounder (9.9 per game). Kehinde Bello has been Whalen's top post player off the bench. Without the three the Gophers lost to an Illini team that entered the game winless in Big Ten play.
Whalen said the Bellos did not practice Tuesday but would Wednesday, indicating their issue was resolved either late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
As for Pitts? Whalen said she is still a part of the program but isn't practicing while suspended. She lauded what Pitts has done for the program. When asked if she thought there was a chance the problem could be resolved, she said yes. "But, as I said, I'm not going into details as to what that is. But yes," Whalen said.
Whalen did not say whether or not she felt the situation could be resolved quickly.
"[It's the] first time going through anything like this," Whalen, in her second year as Gophers coach, said. "But this is why Mark [Coyle, Gophers athletic director] hired me. To handle difficult situations. So yes, it's the first time I'm going through anything like this. My job is to make sure we're prepared for Iowa and getting ready for that game. So yeah, of course it's a new experience. But that's why they brought me here."
Whalen said she's trying to keep her team's routine the same to minimize any distractions.
"That's the challenge always, to make sure we're on the same page and working together," she said.
And here's my recap of Iowa's come from behind victory over Minnesota. That was the most stunning win in my three years of covering the team for GIA. Minnesota looked like the better team in clear control for 35 and a half minutes, then things just flipped in an instant.
https://www.goiowaawesome.com/iowa-...22-iowa-76-minnesota-75-the-stunning-comeback
https://www.goiowaawesome.com/iowa-...22-iowa-76-minnesota-75-the-stunning-comeback
Thanks for the recap. I'll say, this year's Iowa coming back from double digits down fairly quickly is not really news. It had already happened several times before this game. It's just that against Minnesota it took place at the end of the game.
Also, as assistant coach Abby (Emmert) Stamp acutely pointed out in the post-game interview, at half time Czinano missed the trash can when throwing away the water bottle, so she's actually 10 for 12 for the game
Thank you, Braydon. I watched the game on BTN+ and the only times during the game that I really noticed a difference was when Iowa had a couple of the starters on the bench.
I give Sevillian a lot of criticism from my couch at home, but she was truly clutch in the final minutes last night. Happy for Lex!
I think last year gave the seniors on down to the younger players a lot of confidence, and that confidence had passed down to the true freshmen. Warnock, as Braydon has pointed out, is clearly our top shooter from beyond the 3-pt. line. I hope teams keep ignoring her and leave her open to knock down more 3-pt, shots!
She is a great coach and develops talent especially at the post (thanks Jan) but have never been impressed with her defense. ... I do like the transition offense and her teams never quit!
They kind of are what they are to an extent. The great teams in women's college hoops simply have athletes that Iowa does not that allow them to be better on defense. Bluder does a tremendous job of building an identity and a culture that makes the sum greater than the parts. Enjoy this team for what it is, the fact they are at the top of the Big Ten right now is amazing given what they lost last year.
Bluder has set herself up for a great stretch run in her career. This year's freshmen show promise, and Clark coming in next year is the best high school player Bluder has ever signed at Iowa.
Last year Maryland came back from a double digit deficit in the 4th quarter to steal a win at Minnesota in the final seconds. It was Iowa's turn this year. An indicator of better things to come for Iowa, maybe the regular season champs like Maryland last year?
This one also takes away a little of the sting from that one up there a few years ago when the Minnesota player hit the 3 to beat us in the final seconds after Iowa took the lead. Iowa had a foul to give, and didn't.
Well said. Bluder finds a way to win in the Big Ten despite being "outathleted" much of the time, including by the last four opponents (NW, MD, IN, MN). But her players are generally skilled (can shoot), and know how to play together and play off their stars (Gustafson last year, Doyle this year). Consider Sevillian. She has the ability to guard, player-to-player, less than 20% of the guards in the Big Ten (perhaps much less). But she can hit a big shot, which is a big deal. Late in the Maryland game, with the score tied 54-54, she hits a couple of big shots to put Iowa up 59-54. And last night, she hit the game-winning 3-pointer. Those were winning plays.
The current team still has the ability to get run out of the building on the right night. But, because of coaching and culture, is having a good season.
Maybe the highest scoring. Her stats for this year confirm what some folks indicated when she signed—she does like to shoot.
Warnock is really playing well, and consistent on her 3-point shooting. Marshall shot well during pre-season, but it hasn't carried over to the Big Ten games. Maybe it's because she is defended by other guards while Warnock is defended by forwards, who don't cover the 3-point line as well.
@mphawk I saw you posted on Purdue's Rivals WBB forum asking for some help. Actually several other Big Ten teams have WBB forums, and most are more active than Purdue's. Here's a list I have:
Rutgers: https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/forums/womens-basketball.26/
Nebraska 1: http://board.huskerhoopscentral.com/forum/5-hhcs-nebraska-womens-basketball/
Nebraska 2: https://forum.huskermax.com/forums/womens-basketball.150/
Minnesota: http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?15-Women-s-Basketball-Forum
Indiana: http://btownbanners.com/forum/45-indiana-womens-basketball/
Penn State: https://forum.pennstatehoops.com/c/womens-basketball
Purdue: https://purdue.forums.rivals.com/forums/free-board-boilermaker-womens-basketball.20/
And Iowa State if you really want to go there: http://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17
Rutgers' forum is also on Rivals so you can just go there and post.
Rutgers: https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/forums/womens-basketball.26/
Nebraska 1: http://board.huskerhoopscentral.com/forum/5-hhcs-nebraska-womens-basketball/
Nebraska 2: https://forum.huskermax.com/forums/womens-basketball.150/
Minnesota: http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?15-Women-s-Basketball-Forum
Indiana: http://btownbanners.com/forum/45-indiana-womens-basketball/
Penn State: https://forum.pennstatehoops.com/c/womens-basketball
Purdue: https://purdue.forums.rivals.com/forums/free-board-boilermaker-womens-basketball.20/
And Iowa State if you really want to go there
: http://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17Rutgers' forum is also on Rivals so you can just go there and post.
Yes, she plays point guard for Dowling. At Iowa, I'd guess she will start at the point guard but will play off the ball too due to her scoring ability. Gabby Marshall will have a year of experience (likely to start next to Caitlin) and will handle the point at times too.
Iowa's system, at least for the past couple years, hasn't really used a traditional point guard. Doyle has the ball out top more than the other two guards, especially late game, but all three guards initiate the offense throughout a game.
Starting next year, I think Clark will be closer to a traditional point guard. She's most effective with the ball in her hands because she can score at all levels, has a great step-back jumper, and is a great passer. Defenders have to decide whether to guard her close and risk getting blown by, or guard off a bit and risk her hitting a jumper in their face.
I don't think her game is as effective off ball.
Starting next year, I think Clark will be closer to a traditional point guard. She's most effective with the ball in her hands because she can score at all levels, has a great step-back jumper, and is a great passer. Defenders have to decide whether to guard her close and risk getting blown by, or guard off a bit and risk her hitting a jumper in their face.
I don't think her game is as effective off ball.
@mphawk I saw you posted on Purdue's Rivals WBB forum asking for some help. Actually several other Big Ten teams have WBB forums, and most are more active than Purdue's. Here's a list I have:
Rutgers: https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/forums/womens-basketball.26/
Nebraska 1: http://board.huskerhoopscentral.com/forum/5-hhcs-nebraska-womens-basketball/
Nebraska 2: https://forum.huskermax.com/forums/womens-basketball.150/
Minnesota: http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?15-Women-s-Basketball-Forum
Indiana: http://btownbanners.com/forum/45-indiana-womens-basketball/
Penn State: https://forum.pennstatehoops.com/c/womens-basketball
Purdue: https://purdue.forums.rivals.com/forums/free-board-boilermaker-womens-basketball.20/
And Iowa State if you really want to go there
Rutgers' forum is also on Rivals so you can just go there and post.
I've asked a mod about havings a WBB board a couple times, but to no avail.
Down 15 at the half...seems rebounding is optional today. Wisky shooting 62% and dominating the boards 23-11.
When Bluder's teams are bad at defense, they are really bad. Hopefully they figure it out in the second half.
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