AS HAWKEYE WOMEN ENTER THE SECOND WEEK OF PRACTICE WHAT WILL THE STARTING LINEUP LOOK LIKE?

 The University of Iowa Women are back on the hardwood.  Just entering their second week back there's already some rumbling concerning the new faces the Hawkeyes added this off season.  There will be some names to get acquainted with, but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare.  

Let's talk about the two portal gets.  PG Chit Chat Wright, a freshman transfer from Georgia Tech, will bring a dimension the Hawks haven't had in quite some time.  Wright is cat quick, and she will lead a pretty dynamic break.  Despite being 5-4 she also has a good outside game.  If she doesn't start a particular game, it's because Iowa is going bigger at the point guard position.  Next on the portal front is 6-1 Emely Rodriquez.  Rodriquez is a transfer from UCF that will have 3 seasons left.  Her ability to play both guard and forward will be a plus.  She was named to the Big 12 Freshman season last year.   

The three new freshmen all figure to be contributors this campaign.  The diamond of the recruiting class is 6-1 Addie Deal.  The 6-1 5-star from California will be counted on for her court savvy and leadership ability.  She no doubt will play some point guard and also the off-guard spot.  In some respects, she has a Caitlin Clark look to her game.  6-5 C Layla Hayes form Alaska has been a revelation in summer workouts and early practice.  Her ability to play a physical post will give Ava Heiden a sense of comfort and a tremendous workout partner.  Last is 5-11 Journey Houston, a slashing combo guard/forward from Davenport North.  Houston might be the surprise of the early going.  She appears completely healthy from the knee surgery she suffered in high school.     

The returnees are led by 6-2 F Hannah Stuelke.  Stuelke is poised to have a strong senior season. This past summer she helped the USA to Gold at the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup in Santiago, Chili.  Her ability to play the #4 position will go a long way in Iowa's success.  Another key player who was developing so fast at the end of last season was C Ava Heiden.  Heiden's game can complement Iowa's front line and give them some great rebounding presence. Her post moves are excellent.

The Hawkeye bench will be experienced in so many ways.  Grad Student 6-0 Kylie Feuerbach decided to return for her 5th season.  She is a superb defensive player and can play both the point guard and off-guard spots. Senior 6-0 Guard Taylor McCabe is the zone buster all teams like to have as a weapon.  McCabe shot 40% from 3-point range last season.  And then there is the energizer bunny 5-10 G Taylor Stremlow.  Stremlow does so much that doesn't necessarily show on the stat sheet, but she is a glue piece to the team.  She does very little wrong when she's on the court.  She has 3 seasons left.         

For certain, Hannah will be in the starting lineup

The remainder of the roster has several players that could be counted on if injuries should occur.  6-1 F Teagen Mallegni got some key minutes last season.  She often found herself in foul trouble due to her physical play.  Her sophomore year needs to be better.  PG Kennise Johnson has been injured a good share of her Iowa career.  It remains to be seen if she can find the court in 2025-26.  Another PG who has shown some flashes is 5-9 G Callie Levin.  The 2024 Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year could be a factor if she continues to develop.  And lastly, there is 6-1 F Jada Gyamfi.  Jada has been a vocal leader of the Hawks for quite a few years.  This season should be no different.    

So, who do I see as the starting lineup for this year.  I'll go with this:

PG  Chit Chat Wright

SG  Addie Deal

SF  Emely Rodriquez

PF  Hannah Stuelke

C    Ava Heiden    

The remaining part of the rotation looks like this in order of minutes played.

Kylie Fuerbach

Layla Hayes

Taylor McCabe

Taylor Stremlow

Journey Houston

Who you got?  Fire away if you think differently.

Go Hawks!!!

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.