IOWA WOMEN ARE ON THE CUSP OF SOMETHING SPECIAL

Something special is happening in Iowa City these days.  If you'd guessed it was football related, you'd have to think again.  It's basketball.  Women's Basketball to be more exact.  You can feel the drama building as the National Signing Day approaches on November 12th. 

Fueled by a successful off-season in landing three new recruits and two transfer portal targets, Head Coach Jan Jensen has raised optimism in Hawkeye Country for the immediate and for the future.  

But now, what's next?  Many think 5-star 6-2 Forward, McKenna Woliczko out of California would set the foundation.  If she commits.  No doubt she'd be a crown jewel to a recruiting season. Woliczko made her official visit to Iowa the last week of August.  Fans have been holding their collective breath ever since for her to pick Iowa.  From all reports the visit went as well as you could expect.  She has listed the pros and cons of her top 4, USC, South Carolina, Ohio State and Iowa.  The No. 6 overall prospect would immediately step into the shoes of Senior Hannah Stuelke.  She's that good.  But...

If Woliczko chooses someone other than Iowa, there are other ways they can go.  # 9 rated Addison Bjorn from the Kansas City area is another possibility.  Bjorn has been a frequent visitor to Iowa City.  Bjorn is known for her ability to dunk. Imagine a 6-2 forward dunking on a fast break. That would certainly send Carver-Hawkeye into a frenzy. She and Lewis remain the biggest mysteries.  We'll soon find out.  Bjorn visits on September 27th.

Will Woliczko lead the charge?

There are two other front-line players the Hawkeyes are looking at.  No. 29 Emila Krstevski out of Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California.  The 6-4 post is a little bit of a surprise visitor who has set October 18th on her calendar to visit.  You can never have enough size.  She brings it.  And then there is No. 18 Amari Byles a 6-2 Forward from Texas.  She is rated No. 18 in the 2026 class.  Her visit date is October 25th.

Let's add in a couple more. Gigi Battle, a top combo guard recruit visited last weekend. There's been little information that has come out from her visit. UPDATE: (Battle did not come in last weekend.  There is someone in town right now.  It could be her.  We'll update when we know more).  She's a fast riser in the class from her summer league games.  The 6-0 guard from Daytona Beach, Florida would be a big-time addition.  Battle has a similar game to Johnston, Iowa guard Jennica Lewis.  No. 22 recruit Lewis has been on the Iowa want list for some time now. She has a visit scheduled for October 25th.  I see it coming down to one or the other rather than Iowa looking to take them both.  It might very well be the first player that says, "I'm in". Then again, there might be a surprise in the making with No. 50 rated Vienna Murray, a 6-1 guard out of East Ridge High School in Minnesota.  Options, options, options..... 

As of today, Iowa has no commits for 2026.  Should that be a concern?   Perhaps? That leaves 57 days as of today.  Fans are getting restless. Heck, players are no doubt restless too. Jan Jensen has faith in the direction her program is going.  And I for one am on board with that.      

 

LAUNCH OF "HAWKEYE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HOTWIRE"

For several months now, I have been extremely frustrated about the lack of coverage of Iowa Women's Basketball.  I know, most of the Hawkeye sites rely on football to carry their bags.  I get it.  If you were to break down coverage of University of Iowa fall sports, it would be Hawkeye Football coming in around 85%, then Iowa Men's Basketball, Iowa Women's Basketball and Women's Volleyball, Soccer and Field Hockey left with the remaining 15%.  Somebody gets a little of what's left over.  Frankly. the Iowa Women might be of more interest to fans than any of the Hawkeye programs right now.  Football is going through a love-hate relationship (or anger to apathy) and Men's Basketball, although on the upswing, is still in the question category.  

Thus, the reason for launching a site for Women's Basketball that can keep Iowa fans abreast of the team and prospects on the recruiting trail.  Additionally, there have been talks relating to the players lives off the court as well as on. Some other special features are also being planned.  

The full houses continue

Our features will originate from our blog site, "SportsRealms" and will be shared on our Facebook page, "Hawkeye Women's Basketball Hotwire".  

The remaining content on the Facebook site will consist of short blurbs or happenings to keep people updated.  In addition, the Facebook page will also serve as a FREE site for fans to share thoughts or information they want others to know about.  

We only ask that the Facebook chatter remains above board and language respectful. We will not be moderating the site as such, but if there is a clear abuse, one warning will be issued and if that behavior continues the poster will be blocked.

We look forward to a fun time and an opportunity to showcase Iowa Women's Basketball further.  

GO HAWKS

IOWA-IOWA STATE FOOTBALL BATTLE WILL MOST LIKELY BE ANOTHER "EL ASSICO"

 For some Iowa and Iowa State fans, this week is the absolute creme de la creme.  I wish I could share in that delight, but I never have.  It's always a struggle week for me.  Call me a spoil sport, but the Hawk-Cyclone rivalry is one I'd rather not see.  I'm sure Iowa's dominance in the early years has something to do with it.  Do I think Iowa has more to lose than win in playing the game...probably.   Heck, it might be our family trash talking that takes place that has something to do with it as well.      

This Saturday, Iowa State is favored by 2.5 to 3.5 points.  That's probably about right considering the game is being played at Jack Trice Field in Ames.  But if past years is any indication that won't mean a thing.  Last year, Iowa was a 3.5 favorite to win.  As we all know, that didn't happen as the Hawkeyes squandered a 13-point lead and lost 20-19.  It took a 54-yard field goal by freshman Kyle Konrardy to provide the upset.  

Will Konrardy come through again? 

Iowa enters the contest with a 47-24 edge in the series.  The Hawkeyes have not lost in Ames since 2011.  I'm sure those numbers will have much to do with the #16 Cyclones mindset entering the game.  But once the whistle is blown and play begins....all things are possible.  And some of them totally strange.  The Cy-Hawk Series is famous for producing bizarre and unpredictable results, regardless of the teams' records.  This phenomenon is so consistent that some fans refer to the game as "El Assico" to describe the strange, often ugly, but compelling games that frequently occur.       

Here are a number of other strange happenings according to AI:

1.  The 1897 Cy-Hawk game involved a controversial Cyclone touchdown in the second half that was allowed despite claims of an illegal by the player who committed the foul.  Iowa State won 12-0.

2.  In 2007, an Iowa State team that had already lost o Northern Iowa and Kent State predictably beat Iowa 15-13, adding another layer of weirdness to the series. 

3.  In what was dubbed, "El Assico", Iowa State led Iowa 9-3 at halftime.  The second half saw zero points from Iowa State and one field goal from Iowa.  The final score of 9-6 was a testament to the game's offensive ineptitude. 

4.  In 2014, ISU kicker Cole Netten missed a game-winning field goal attempt.  But an Iowa timeout negated the play, giving him a second chance, which he made to secure a 20-17 Cyclone win. 

5.  Iowa has been noted for questionable clock management decisions in the Cy-Hawk Series, such as calling timeouts when it seemed to benefit the opponent.   

Today is Tuesday.  Four days away from another Hawkeye-Cyclone skirmish.  There most likely won't be anyone any happier that this game will be over other than me.  Then,,,,two days later I get to do it all over again when my Bears tangle with the Vikings on Monday Night Football.  Geesh.  

TIME FOR SOME ANSWERS TO SOME QUERKY SPORTS THOUGHTS

With all the sports seasons colliding at the same time, now might be a good time to sort through some of the myths about sports and teams and see who they really are.

For instance, the Dallas Cowboys have been called "America's Team" for quite a while now.  Actually, it couldn't be further from the truth.  While the Cowboys are the only NFL team to record 20 straight winning seasons (from 1966 to 1985) during which they missed the playoffs only twice (1974 and 1984), they have not been a superior team.  The last time Dallas made it to the Super Bowl was in 1996, when they played in Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys won 27-17 for their 5th Super Bowl Championship.  So, it's been 29 years since Dallas was on top.  Altogether now, let's say it.....they are not America's Team anymore.  And we can thank owner Jerry Jones for that.     

No Jerry, you are not #1 

It used to be if the New York Yankees weren't in the World Series it wasn't an official championship.  That notion came from the Bronx Bombers dominance.  Last year the Yanks made it back to the Fall Classic losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one.  Prior to that though, it had been 15 years since the Yankees were in the Series.  The Philadelphia Phillies were their foe in 2009 when they won world title number 27.    

A number of pro football fans have become fed up with the constant dribble of mega-star Taylor Swift and all-pro TE Travis Kelce.  Many have suggested Swift is a distraction to her newly engaged partner.  In truth, it's more likely we football crazies are the more distracted.  I'm part of that group.  Swift has attended 16 Kansas City Chief games between September 2023 and the 2025 Super Bowl, during which Kansas City won 13 games and lost 3, securing a remarkable 81%-win rate in her presence.  It seems this duo is going to entertain us for at least one more season.  That is, if Kelce retires after this season.    

It was Game 1 of the 1936 Stanley Cup playoffs and a game featuring the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons.  The game began at 8:30 p.m. at the Forum in Montreal and ended at 2:25 a.m.  176 MINUTES!!  Mud Bruneteau, a rookie who had been called up two weeks earlier, scored at 16:30 of the sixth overtime, beating Maroon goaltender Lorne Chabot to win the game, 1-0.  Red Wing goalie, Normie Smith earned the shutout win with more than 90 saves.  The date-March 24th 1936.  Info courtesy of the Detroit Free Press.  

How about some strangeness in the basketball world?  The first dunk in a game came from George Mikan in 1944.  This past regular season saw that part of the game explode with some unusual numbers.  Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers was at the head of the class with 173 dunks. He shot 55.1% from the field.  No wonder.    

You want greatness?  The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program was darn near unbeatable in the 1960's and 70's.  John Wooden led the Bruins to 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975.  They won seven straight from 1967-1973 and went undefeated a record four times during that run.  

Now for some quick facts:  

Golf was the first sport played on the moon by Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard in 1971.

There are over 8,000 plus sports played around the world!  Despite this, there were only 33 sports played at the Olympics in 2021.

The world record for the most number of non-stop push-ups is 10,507 by Minoru Yoshida of Japan. He accomplished that feat in 1980.  

Hmmmm.  Wonder how many I could do?  Don't laugh, how about you?  

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

I've taken a couple of weeks off to digest college and pro football training camps.  I've read at nauseam the analysts take on who's going to win the National Championship and the Super Bowl.   More often than not, I wonder what they're smoking.  Maybe that's why fans are so off kilter with realistic expectations for their teams.  Because it sure seems like they've gotten their share of secondhand smoke.    

Singing to the high heavens (courtesy of Gameday Gallery}

It's common place to be thrilled about the coming football season. In college, if your team returns a number of great players and hit on some new recruits, you're no doubt excited.   Professionally, if your team made some trades, added a couple of nice draft picks or grabbed a free agent or two you should be pumped.  But tap the brakes of reality.  Training camp is essentially that.  Some rise to the surface, but more often than not, camp excitables are just that.  Many are never heard from again. 

How many of the 136 eligible Division 1 teams and how many of the 32 professional ballclubs are realistically all in on a run for the title?  That's where your thinking should start before you go head over heels about your team.  Of the 136 only 12 make it to the college playoffs.  That's a 0.088 chance you have in seeing the promised land.  In professional football your odds a quite a bit better.  Of the 32, 14 make the playoffs, a 43 percent chance.  

Let's tackle the pro's first.  Yes, there might be a 43 percent possibility of reaching post-season play...but those numbers are very, very misleading.  I had an NFL scout tell me a number of years ago, " you'd be surprised of the NFL teams that are truthfully in it for the prize.  If you watch how their front office works, you can easily see if they're in it to win.  The teams that show risk, creativity and spend wisely are usually going to make post-season.  "The others, clearly have no chance".   Why is that?  Is it more important for ownership to keep moving up the potential sale price of their team or truly play for the fan base?  

Let's take the New York Jets for example.  They haven't made the playoffs in 14 years.  That's the longest current drought in the NFL.  The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons are next with 7.  It would be easy to say that many teams are making the playoffs.  But making and having a serious shot

are two different things.  

   

So, with that being said, here are my projections for the coming NFL season.  In the AFC, I think it's truly time for the Buffalo Bills to make their way to the Super Bowl.  And this time to win it!  Baltimore will be a tough out and so of course will the Kansas City Chiefs.  They always are.  And then maybe Denver or Houston.  Home field advantage might have more of a play into the AFC entrant into the Super Bowl than it ever has.  Then there's the injury bug.  If anyone of those teams loses their star quarterback, they're toast.  None of them has a capable backup. 

In the NFC, things become a little more interesting.  Yes, Philly could repeat, or Washington makes a real run.  If the Commanders don't solve their WR Terry McLaurin contract issue, then they're out.  The North could offer any of the four teams in the division.  Yes, any of the four.  Without question, this is the toughest four team division.  Other than that, Tampa Bay may have an outside chance and the LA Rams, if they get Matthew Stafford healthy, they could be considered a threat.  In the end, I think the Eagles are back in the Super Bowl.  My dark horse is Washington.  But how can you root for a team with a head coach that has his hat on backwards?  That of course would be the Commanders Dan Quinn. I could be mistaken but I believe he is the only head coach in a major sport that wears his hat backwards. Something to me just doesn't look right with that from the leader of your team.  That's just me.  

In college, the new expanded playoffs were to offer some changes as to who could make a run to the National Championship.  I'm thinking not.  There might be an outsider or two that makes the final 12 but only because it's designed that way.  The field will no doubt come down to Texas, Ohio State, Penn State (as much as I hate to say it), LSU, Clemson, Notre Dame or Oregon. Three of those teams spent crazy money in the NIL world.  Texas was first, followed by Texas Tech, Ohio State and Oregon.  

As I said earlier, the teams with the best likelihood to win are those being led by front offices or administration's that aren't looking to compete, they're looking to win.  That's their bottom line and in the end, it will no doubt boost their bottom line, financially.  That's how the game is being played today.  Texas and Oregon in the National Championship.  And the Longhorns reel in the top prize.

ADDED NOTE:

For a year and a half now, I've heard nothing but criticism of the Bears QB Caleb Williams.  Considering the pathetic team around him last year, I believe he showed some nice signs of being a top-rated NFL signal caller.  Now, with new head Coach Ben Johnson at the helm, you're going to see some further growth in his abilities.   And that's why Ben is called, "the QB Whisperer".  Go Bears....

        

FRESHMAN MIGHT BE THE KEY TO HAWKEYE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM 2025-26 SEASON

Last week I traveled to Iowa City to see the Hawkeye Women showcase their last summer practice session and media opportunity for the summer.  It was Coach Jan Jensen's last of four such looks at what the upcoming season might offer.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect with five new faces on the roster.  I will say, it was eye-opening.  

After an hour-long work on fundamentals, the doors were opened to the media to see the team run through different sets, i.e. passing to the post and half-court defense.  Coach Jensen spent a good deal of time fine-tuning what she was going to demand from her second-year squad.  I expected to spend much of my time watching Hannah Stuelke (just back from her Team USA Gold Medal win at the AmeriCup Tournament in Santiago, Chile) and highly touted freshman, Addie Deal.  Boy, was I wrong.   

What I was most intrigued by was the amount of work done with post players Ava Heiden and Layla Hays.  Heiden was a huge factor in Iowa's late season success.  She showed she'd arrived and was ready to play some big-time basketball.  The early season looks like she is ready to explode to another level.  The real bonus, though, might be freshman, Layla Hays.  Hays, a highly touted 6-5 post player from Alaska could be the biggest surprise of all.  Let me tell you, she will be a hard move off the block for any Hawkeye foe.  She is big, smooth, tough and has some of the biggest legs I've seen on a player not named Audi Crooks of Iowa State.  Hays can hold her own, for sure, and the practice time with her and Heiden going at each other will be a plus for both.      

Another freshman, Journey Houston, a solid wing player from Davenport, was also impactful.  In taking an early look at this season's roster, Houston might have been the 11th player off the bench.  I'm not so sure about that now.  She is completely recovered from a devastating knee injury she suffered late in her junior year.  She is not a slight built player.  She is a solid, 6-0 wing that has a great three-point shot and is known for her slashing ability.  She might make it tough on Coach Jensen to not find her playing time.   

So, by watching Heiden, Hays and Houston, I almost completely forgot the other freshman phenom, Deal.  The 5-Star recruit from California is going to be special.  She might not wow you every minute she's on the court, but she has in her arsenal, a unique ability to hit the court length pass or long distance three-pointer.  That will make her extremely dangerous.  She's going to lull people to sleep....then take over.  Where Iowa was once heavy on Caitlin's efforts, the depth of this year's team and big-time skill at every position on the court, will make the Hawkeyes dangerous.   

Heck, I haven't even mentioned the two transfers into Iowa's program.  Point Guard Chit Chat Wright from Georgia Tech and wing Emely Rodriquez from UCF.  Wright is super quick, is a great passer and has the ability to go outside and hit the 3.  Rodriquez was making the transition at practice of learning a completely new offense.  She seemed a little robotic, but that will all but be eliminated by Big Ten season. Rodriquez has a skill set that hasn't been seen in Iowa City for some time.  That's not to say she's the next coming of Caitlin Clark, she isn't.  But she is only in her 4th year of playing big-time basketball.  Her abilities are endless.

Hayes will be a tough move off the block for Hawk Women

I haven't yet made mention of four contributors from last season.  Taylor McCabe, Kylie Feuerbach, Taylor Stremlow and Teagen Mallegni.  Do McCabe and Feuerbach factor into the starting lineup this year.  I'm not sure.  I think the safest thing to say, it might very well depend on the opponent. If it calls for outside shooting, it's McCabe, if it's defense, it's Kylie.  McCabe is a dangerous three-point weapon and Feuerbach is as tough a defender as there is.   Stremlow will get minutes because she is a dynamo when she plays.  She does so many things so well.  Mallegni has shown a few glimpses but might very well give up some playing time to Houston.  All that will sort itself out in the pre-season games.  By Big Ten season, a shorter rotation will appear.  Injuries though, always present opportunities.  

And then there's Hannah.  She could be primed to return to her early years when she and Clark ran the fast break to perfection.  If she adds a mid-range to her game, she could be destined for a great senior season.     

The remaining players on the roster PG Callie Levin, PG Kennise Johnson and F Jada Gyamfi will be the bench frenzies.  Their job will be to keep the group on task and offer great team chemistry.  And if duty calls, be ready.  

Now that I've had a couple of days to reflect on what I saw last Tuesday, I've come to these thoughts.  Iowa's non-conference season will be tough.  They play UCONN, Baylor, Miami (FL) and Iowa State.  These will be learning opportunities.  It will make them tough and seasoned and I believe, a team that will be hard to defend.  They will be able to play up-tempo, slow down and anything in-between.  Get ready Hawk fans.  Could be an interesting ride in 2025-26.

And don't forget the new faces.  You're gonna like them.

 

   

FINALLY SOME SMARTS WHEN IT COMES TO NATIVE AMERICAN TEAM NICKNAMES

I've watched this nonsense for some time now when it came to renaming teams with a reference to the Native American.  As a Chicago Blackhawks fan, I had dog in the fight.  Sunday, President Donald Trump weighed in with his big stick.  Perhaps he can cause those who felt they were being pushed to making a name change, to wise up.  

"President Trump implored owners of the NFL's Washington Commanders and MLB's Cleveland Guardians to revert to the organizations' old nicknames in a social media post.

Daniel Snyder changed Washington's team name from the Redskins to the Washington Football Team before the start of the 2020 season amid a summer of racial tensions.  The team eventually became the Washington Commanders, and Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris. 

In July 2021, team owner Paul Dolan announced the Cleveland Indians would become the Cleveland Guardians.  Cleveland had been known as the Indians since 1915.  Dolan previously said the decision to explore the name change came from "an awakening or epiphany" after the death of George Floyd".

All of these excuses are bunk.  How can you take a proud nickname of a professional sports team and treat it otherwise?  Both the Redskins and Indians were such. They represented the Redskins and Indians with class.  Their city deserved better.  Their fans deserved better.  And so did their sport. 

    

The Redskin logo designed by a Native American

As a Blackhawks supporter I had some real uneasy moments when this nonsense hit fever pitch.  Despite the uproar, Chicago management remained staunch. They didn't cave to change their nickname and the support they got from the Blackhawks nation was overwhelming.    

"Regardless, the push to keep the Native American team names has been strong, particularly with the Commanders' organization.  Trump already expressed his belief that the Commanders made a mistake when they changed the name from the Redskins. The Washington 'Whatevers' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team.  There is a big clamoring for this, wrote Ttump on Truth Social on Sunday.   Likewise, so are the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a stored past".  The Redskins logo was inspired by Blackfeet Chief John Two Guns White Calf.

I would only hope with Trump jumping into the fray that some strong consideration to change comes.  It's time to take back the names of a couple of proud sports franchises. Actually, it's way past time because it never should have happened.  Trump might have an upper hand in this matter.  He has said he might not support a new stadium being built if a name change doesn't occur.  The new stadium deal involves federal land, though Congress transferred control to the city in January.  However, Congress retains control over the District of Columbia's budget.  

It doesn't make any difference if you're a fan of Donald Trump to agree with what he's suggesting.  It's simply Common Sense.  

"Our great Indian people, in massive numbers want to this to happen.  Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them.  Times are different now than they were three or four years ago.  We are a Country of passion and common sense.  OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!"       

Washington officials remain a hard sell on changing the nickname back.  Cleveland remains mum. 

We'll see who blinks.