IN A WIDE-OPEN FIELD, WHO'S YOUR MEN'S NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPION? WOMEN'S?

March Madness is here again.  And for the first time in quite some time there isn't a clear-cut favorite.  There could be any number of teams that grab the trophy in San Antonio in early April. The four #1 seeds are set:  Houston, Duke, Florida and Auburn.  For a good share of the season, I was leaning Auburn.  That was until Florida has played so well in recent weeks.  I'm picking the Gators.  Here's wishing myself good luck.  Oh, and you too.

The remainder of the 68-team field is cluttered with hopefuls.  The Big Ten is on the outside looking in.  Their best offering might be Wisconsin.  Maybe Michigan.  Really don't understand how Michigan State got a #2 seed.  Sure, they won the regular season crown.  Coach Tom Izzo factor no doubt.  Purdue without big man Zach Edey this year has a real tough road.  It goes without saying, the Big Ten is very so-so.  Speaking of hopefuls.  The SEC has a record 14 teams in the tournament, an NCAA record.  It might very well be that the conference is becoming the leader not only in football, but basketball.  Money, money, money.  The Big 12 has a couple of interesting teams to watch with Arizona and BYU.  The Cougars have a nice-looking squad and open with VCU, a very winnable game.  Arizona has been trending upward in recent weeks.  And let's not forget St. John's.  Head coach Rick Pitino is leading the Redmen into the tourney.  It's the sixth team he's put a team into the field.  A record.  Amazing.  Who has the toughest road to Tampa?  Looks like Auburn.  

There are some teams that we've come to know that are always in the top seed area, that aren't this season.  #7 Kansas is the biggest notion.  2025 marks the first time the Jayhawks haven't been at least a number 4 seed since 2000.  Their opening round game against #10 Arkansas and John Calipari could prove interesting.  One and done?  Wouldn't that be a shocker?  Two-time defending champion #8 UCONN will have their hands full against #9 Oklahoma.  The Huskies are a team that is hard to gauge.  On experience alone they might have a run in them.       

How about a couple of sleepers?  Liberty is an interesting ballclub.  As the #12 seed they open with #5 Oregon.  With 28 wins they could provide some fun.  Nobody else really jumps out at me except maybe St. Mary's and Creighton.  There are a couple of other teams (not sleepers) to watch like #2 Alabama.  They led the nation in scoring with a 91.4 average.  They've been on the cusp in recent years, this might be their time to sneak into the Final Four.  And don't forget #2 Tenneessee.  Just another SEC team on the prowl.  Clearly, the 8-9 games are going to be barn burners (UCONN-Arkansas; Mississippi State-Baylor; Louisville-Creighton and Gonzaga-Georgia.  

Will Cooper Flagg's ankle injury keep Duke from a deep run?  Many have suggested they are a good team, but not a great team without Flagg.  And then there's Houston.  Always like how the Cougars play so physical, but they seem snake bit.  I think this will be another year like that.  

The trophy awaits its new home

So, who were some of the overlooked in 2025?  The snubs as we like to call them.  Perhaps the biggest was West Virginia.  The words from head coach Darian DeVries sums it all up.  "Obviously, we are extremely shocked, saddened and disappointed with not being selected for the NCAA Tournament.  We strongly believe that we have a resume that is worthy of an NCAA Tournament Team".  Indiana, Ohio State and SMU probably feel the same way.  What is noteworthy is DeVries is a candidate for the Iowa head coaching position that became vacant when the Hawkeyes dismissed Fran McCaffrey on Friday.  The Mountaineers weren't selected to play in the NIT or turned it down and now word is they won't play in the new College Basketball Crown tourney either. West Virginia will be sitting the post-season out completely to see if they still have DeVries as their head man.  Just another matter where sports and business collide.               

Brackets?  Brackets?  Let's not forget them.  We have a Family Traveling Trophy tourney every season.  I'd like to think I could win that sucker every year.  Not the case.  All it takes is a couple of upsets to screw up your bracket.  BTW, nobody has ever filled out a perfect bracket.  As far as the NCAA can tell, only one person has ever even picked perfectly through the Sweet Sixteen

Best to you with your picks.   

The Women's field is set now too.  The #1's are UCLA, USC, South Carolina and Texas.  Two Big Ten teams and two SEC teams.  Of the four, only South Carolina was in their conference last season.  All the others are in their first season with their new setting.  If, I was a betting man, which I'm not, I'd probably go with South Carolina.  They have one of the easier brackets and they seem like they're ready to bust the doors open since they didn't grab the #1 overall seed.  UCLA did.  

This is a truly fun time in the sports world.  There will be a ton of games and a whole lot of agony and ecstasy.  But if you have a hard time and you're left high and dry again, remember there's always next year.  

FRAN McCAFFERY ERA IS OVER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

It's the aftermath of the 15-season career of Fran McCaffrey at the Hawkeye basketball helm.  17-16 in 2025 pretty much says it all.  Slightly above average.  That number no doubt led to the reason Iowa has decided to move on.  It will now be in the hands of Athletic Director Beth Goetz to put her stamp on the Hawkeye program with her first hire involving a search for a new head coach. 

After 15 seasons the run is over 

In the time McCaffrey was at Iowa he became the school's all-time winningest coach with 297 wins.  However, to further argue the average state of the program, many would look at his all-time record in the Big Ten during that time period (143-141 a .504 mark) as unacceptable.  He was known as a developer of talent i.e. Luca Garza and Keegan and Kris Murray.  Their superior play made Iowa relevant during the 2018 to 2022 seasons.  But the next three years saw records of 11-9, 10-10 and 7-13 in Big Ten Play.  Iowa won the Big Tourney just once in 2022, made the NCAA Tournament seven times and never made it to the Sweet Sixteen.  The writing was on the wall.  It was time for change.

Some felt the two technicals he received in his team's Big 10 tourney game versus Illinois this past week led to his dismissal.  That wasn't the case.  It was in some respects a final nail in the coffin, but it was not the determining factor. 

Others have suggested Fran's relationship with the press and his lack of public relations skills made the decision easier for Goetz.  He was not the friendliest coach to deal with and he often displayed an indifferent attitude to reporters in answering questions.  Despite some of those assumptions, it came down to winning.  And that is something that is now going to fall to another individual.

What was the most disappointing aspect of this news was the way it went down.  For several days McCaffrey had been telling everyone he'd be back.  Not sure if this was hopes on his part or not.  Friday morning, several national reporters made public Fran's dismissal.  How awkward that must have been considering he was enroute back to Iowa City as these rumors were being reported.  I think he deserved those words coming from Beth Goetz herself.  She didn't make the official announcement until the 5 p.m. hour.  The both of them should have had the time to meet and discuss the situation.  Jump the gun reporting.  Kinda sucks....     

I wish Fran well and hope he can now enjoy the next few years by watching his youngest son, Jack, when he begins his freshman season at Butler.  McCaffrey and his wife, Margaret are familiar with this Indianapolis area.  Both have roots at Notre Dame.  Margaret as a women's basketball player and Fran as an assistant coach with Men's team.   In addition, he has a son, Conor, coaching at Butler and another, Patrick, who completed his career there this season.   

So, we move on.  Who will be entrusted with the program?  Some suggested Darian DeVries who is from Iowa and is currently coaching at West Virginia.  Others like Ben McCollum, the head man at Drake, who also has spent time during his childhood years at Storm Lake and Iowa City.  As the Bulldog Head Coach, he has taken them to a 29-3 record, one of the best in Drake history.  Both men are first year coaches in their programs.  Might there be someone else to consider?  Time will tell.  DeVries and McCollum both have their programs headed to tourney play.  That might make naming the new coach a delayed process.  Someone else could sneak in the door as a result or their current team might step up and renegotiate contracts.  

No matter who the next coach is, this is Goetz's call.  She will have a chance to put her stamp on the Hawkeye program.  She had the strength to make the tough call to replace McCaffrey.  Now comes her next big decision.  And hopefully that will put fannies back in the stands at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  That would be a win and perhaps more victories on the floor can follow.         

   

  

 

NFL REVISIT: HOW HAS YOUR TEAM DONE IN EARLY SEASON TRADING AND FREE AGENCY?

This past Monday came with the unofficial opening to Free Agency in the National Football League.  Not sure why they play this game with the public and for that fact, the teams.  Wednesday at 3 p.m. was the official opening of the 2025 season.  Not Monday.  But if you look at the internet, you'd seen that nearly anyone of value had pretty much found a home and agreed to terms but not signed until it became Official.  Wink.  Wink.  There are a few retreads left out there but not many.

So how did you team fair?  Did they improve themselves with some smart pickups.   Have they strengthened themselves before the Draft coming up at the end of April?  And will those additions make it more obvious where their draft strategy might lie?  The coming weeks will prove an interesting run to Thursday night, April 24th in Green Bay.  Answers to those questions above might be answered.

Looking at it right now, I think there are number of teams that have improved themselves immensely not only through this free agency but some wise trading that took place before Monday.   

  

Sudden Sam headed to the Northwest

The Washington Redskins, ohhh, sorry, the Commodores, sorry again, the Commanders, might be the leader in the clubhouse.  They've added WR Deebo Samuel, LT Laremy Tunsil, DT Javon Kinlaw and SS Will Harris.  And they still have some money to throw around if need be.  With these adds to the roster I think they've put themselves in a prime spot to challenge the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles this coming year.  Philly lost a number of players in free agency, but they always have a tendency to trade, trade and trade to add to their draft haul.    

The Chicago Bears are another team that hit it big.  And they had too.  They provided a complete upgrade to the interior of the offensive line with LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman and RG Jonah Jackson.  And on the defensive side they inked DE Dayo Odeyingbo and DT Grady Jarrett.  New Head Coach Ben Johnson can now look to go with Best Player available with the 10th pick in the draft.  Perhaps RB Ashon Jeanty or TE Tyler Warren.  It might finally, might, get interesting in the NFC North.

The Packers did very little.  Detroit the same.  And what is going on in Minnesota?  The Vikings let QB's Sam Darnold (Seattle) Daniel Jones (Indianapolis) and Nick Mullens (Jacksonville) walk.  As I post this, they might have Marcus Mariota coming to the Twin Cities, but he would only be a backup for J.J. McCarthy.  They did add heavily to their defense with (DT Brian Allen, DT Jason Hargrave, CB Isaiah Rogers and offensive lineman, C Ryan Kelly and LG Will Fries but yikes....coming off two knee injuries, that's placing tremendous pressure on their No.1 draft choice in 2024 to produce. Today they only have four draft picks.  Four.  Not hardly enough in this day and age.  

The Buffalo Bills brought on Joshua Palmer, former speedster with the LA Chargers in addition to DT Larry Ogunjobi and DE Joey Bosa.  Those pickups are adding to their favorite status in the AFC East.  The New England bought heavily too. They added T Morgan Moses and the No. 2 free agent DE Milton Williams to the Northland.  In addition, they now have LB Harold Landry III and CB Carlton Davis on the defensive side of the ball.  Their main weakness continues to be wide receiver.  If they add someone of note there, that coupled with new coach Mike Yrabel, the New Englanders could finally become relevant again.   

You could probably drop the names of other franchises that spent wisely.  The LA Rams, Tampa Bay Bucs, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals are improved.  Not certain what the Kansas City Chiefs are doing.  Not sure they've really addressed their offensive line issues, running back is still a concern and wide receiver has two people with legal issues. Okay maybe only one.  It seems Xavier Worthy talked his way out of his domestic situation.  Rashee Rice's is still up in the air.  TE Travis Kelce is a year older, and their defensive backfield now has some holes.   

Everyone else is in a wait and see mode.  There has been a buttload of money thrown around.  The Patriots have spent $214 Million thus far.  The Cleveland Browns $12.  Who will be this year's Commanders team to rise from the depths to challenge for a title?  It's anybody's guess.  But we have a long way to go yet.  For the next 6 weeks you can look at mock draft after mock draft to see who the experts think where players will land.  Good luck with that.  You might have a better idea then them of who is going where.  

If you don't have anything on your schedule for April 24-26, get online and book your free credentials to go to the NFL Fan Experience in Green Bay.  

https://www.nfl.com/draft/event-info/registration

I went several years ago to Kansas City and had a super time.  It was a great draft party and a chance to rub shoulders with friends and foes alike.  Got mine for this year too!!!  

Happy Mocking....     

      

   

  

ARE YOU READY FOR THE MADNESS OF SPORTS HEADED OUR WAY?

 

It's that time of year when the sports world is busting at the seams.  Much of it has to do with March Madness.  But there are a whole lot of other things going on too.

The Women are completing the run to the championship games in their conference tournaments in college basketball.  NCAA Tourney pairings are nearly here.  And then the portal window opens.  Heck, girls are heavy into in their high school state championships, too. Then once completed, many will begin making decisions on their college and life choices.    

The Men.  They are just about to blast our airwaves with their run to the Final Four.  And much of that is because there is no clear-cut favorite this year.  It could be Houston or Auburn.  Maybe Tennessee, Duke or Florida.  Who's your pick in the bracket?  Good fortune whoever you choose.  Boys Basketball is nearly upon us as well.  

This next month is going to be crazy.  The TV will be chalk full of game after game after game.  I almost feel sorry for someone who hates sports.  Almost.  Afterall, can't they tune into Fox News, CNN, C-Span or any of the movie sites there are?  I will say their options will be severely limited.  

Topsy Turvy Times

Let's take a look at what else will be going on in the sports world:

The NHL Trade Deadline is Friday, March 7th.  Hockey GM's love to make trades.  There will be some interesting players moving to new addresses.  Then the run for the Stanley Cup begins.  A long, long run.  

Major League Baseball is in full stride with Spring Training.  The season will open the end of March.  And it goes without saying, "there is nothing quite like Opening Day".   Hopefully, someone can challenge the Dodgers this year.  If there's one consolation, you don't win the title based on "paper".  

Let's not forget the NBA.  There are roughly 20 games left in the year.  Many fans wait until the playoffs to get really involved.  It's such a difference between the regular season and playoffs.  Will there be someone new on the mountain top in 2025?   Ya just never know. 

Football?  Football?  We're not going to forget Football, are we?  The window opens on Monday for NFL free agency.  Even though teams can't sign players until Wednesday, the 12th, player signings often become public before then.  Once the fur is done flying with player acquisitions, comes the NFL Draft.  Get ready for that the end of April.   

MLS Soccer is underway and runs into the early fall.  I'm not a big follower but kudos to anyone that's a fan.  

College Wrestling is in the Championship mode too.  Team and individual champions will be decided March 20-22.  Penn State looks like the favorite again.  Their dominance speaks for itself.

Lastly, the UFL begins play at the end of March.  If you haven't gotten your fill of sports by then, check it out.

I'm sure I'm leaving some sport out but will mention College Baseball and Softball.  Gymnastics, MMA, Boxing, Golf and Tennis.   And the only reason is, it's hard to keep up with it all the Madness headed our way.  I ask again.  Are you ready?   

P.S.  How does one forget the WNBA?  Caitlin.  Are you ready for an encore?  We can't wait.

Have fun all and enjoy your teams in the upcoming months!!!  

       

    

IN SPORTS-ADULTS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

 

Every day sports reporters flock to practices, press conferences and locker rooms looking for a story.  It might be a lot simpler if they could do a wrap on the event without talking to anybody so called expert.  But for some reason the bosses think it's necessary to attach words to explain what took place.  We call these expressions...quotes.      

It should make sense to have athletes, coaches or former athletes try and put some spin to a story.  You'd think they could help make sense of what took place or what might happen in upcoming games or seasons.  Often though, what we find out is, that the answers we hear are some of the dumbest things imaginable.  Maybe you recall an Art Linkletter show of many years ago called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things".  Art would ask four kids on stage their responses to a question.  Some of the kids were shy but others were off the chart hilarious.  There were often some doozies.  It meant for a wild time because you'd have no idea what would come out of the mouths of babes.  We've graduated though.  The adults are now saying some of the dumbest things ever.  Maybe they're feeling forced to come up with an answer or they haven't pondered the right answer long enough.  I gathered up some of the responses that you might remember.  Take a look at the videos followed by some texts of ones that head the list.    

Let's start with common sense...

Do you remember Arizona Cardinals Head Coach, Denny Green, blowing up at the podium after a loss to the Chicago Bears in 2006?   I don't think the Cardinal fan base thought much of his rant.   

How about Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni's first press conference in January of 2021. Talk about rambling.  First impressions on Nick weren't so good but he sure made up for it winning the Super Bowl this past February.

  . 

Playoffs?  Playoffs?  Let's hear Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Jim Mora talk about his team's chances of making the playoffs after a regular season loss to the 49ers in 2001.  He was fired when the season ended.

One of the strangest responses to a reporter's question came from Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson in 2002 after missing a team practice.  His nickname was "The Answer".  Not sure if it came from this press conference.  

Let's do some rapid-fire quotes. These have to jog a memory or two:

Oklahoma Basketball Coach Billy Tubbs.  "This year we plan to run and shoot.  Next year we plan to run and score"

Boston Celtic Forward Antoine Walker.  "Why do you shoot so many three pointers?  Because there are no fours".

Coach Weldon Drew, New Mexico State Head Basketball Coach when asked to explain his team's shooting issues.  "We have a great bunch of outside shooters.  Unfortunately, all our games are played inside".  

Orlando Magic GM Pat Williams.  "We can't win at home, and we can't win on the road.  As a general manager I can't think of anywhere else to play". 

Former NBA All-Star Latrell Sprewell on his contract dispute.  "I told you I needed to feed my family, they offered me 3 years at 21 million.  That's not going to cut it...If (owner Glen) Taylor wants to see my family fed, he better cough up some money.  Otherwise, you're going to see these kids in one of those Sally Struthers commercials soon". 

Former NFL QB Joe Theismann.  Nobody in football should be called a genius.   A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein". 

Ex-Chicago Bears William Perry on his size.  "I've been Big since I was little".

Former PGA Tour Golfer Greg Norman.  "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father".

Former Phillie Randy Ready to Pirates Andy Van Slyke regarding Phillies switch-pitcher Greg Harris.  "He's amphibious", Van Slyke responds.  "What does that mean, he can pitch underwater?"

Yes, adults can and do say the darndest things.  And they'll continue too.  I'm sure of it.  Hopefully the teams you follow have people with some smarts that can explain things properly.   Because if you don't expect a whole lot of crap from your buddies along with some LOL's.  

I'm gonna end this post with a little ditty I came across recently.  It's not at all what I expected.  

Did you even notice Shimizu sitting in the background?  I didn't. 

Have a great day and keep smiling......

YOU MAKE THE CALL

 

Over the years there have been a number of sports sites with the title, "You Make The Call".  The express purpose was to offer sports fans an opportunity to express their disappointments with referee calls that determined the outcome of games.  Sometimes, very crucial games.

While their existence created a platform, I'm not sure they offered anything regarding the improvement in the officiating profession.  And it should have.  Each sport has their own issues.  The better the athletes become, the harder it is to officiate a game properly.  But that shouldn't be the fans job to correct.  It's each individual sport. Those leaders need to do a much better job of reviewing each referee's game tape, offer critiques and insight to help eliminate some of the poor calls we're seeing.  Let's take a look at the game of Women's basketball.

 A 2024 Women's NCAA battle featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes and the UCONN Huskies. Iowa was leading 70-69 with 10 seconds left and UCONN inbounding the ball.  

As UConn's Aaliyah Edwards screened Gabbie Marshall to give Paige Bueckers a chance for the winning shot, the Iowa guard flailed to her right and immediately knew the screen was indeed illegal, yelling into crowd in celebration after an offensive foul was called.  "I think we knew going in that we needed to get a stop and obviously, at least the ball was going to go to Paige and I'm pretty sure that was the game plan.  I figured they were going to try to set a couple of screens, and I was staying on her hip the whole game.  And if I'm on her hip, the person can't move into you, and they have to give you room to go around it if you're sticking with them on their hip."   

As crucial as that call was, it provided the rule and the reason for the official's whistle. 

This past Sunday Iowa was involved in another screen "mess" as they battled with #4 ranked UCLA.  This time, UCLA had the ball with under seven seconds left in a 65-65 game.  Iowa's Lucy Olsen was the defender as she tried to fight through a screen when she fell down and was called for "falling".  In looking further,

it appears a UCLA player put out her leg was caused the infraction.  A quote from 247 Sports offers this scenario.  "There's a real argument that an illegal screen took place.  Per the NCAA rulebook, the screener must maintain a normal stance with the inside of the feet not wider than should width apart.  It also states that a foul will be called if the screener extends the legs beyond legal width and trips a defender who is attempting to move around the screen."

UCLA hit two free throws and won the game 67-65.  

You've seen two calls involving the screen game.  You make the call.  It seems obvious that games are being decided with no consistency in mind.  

With the Women's game continuing to grow, there needs to be improvement in how the games are being called.  It's time to head to school, refs. That part of the game needs attention, like right now. There needs universal agreement in making things better so we can all see the sport flourish.

LAYUPS, LAYUPS AND LAYUPS.

Good grief.  I'm shocked by the number of bunnies (layups for the common fan) that are missed each and every game.  I get it that the women play below the rim.  So very little if any dunking takes place in their game.  But, what the heck.  If your team has a tendency to miss free throws, a coach puts his team at the line during practice to try and right the problem.  Do they not see this?   I.e.  Iowa unofficially missed 10 layups against Ohio State last Monday.  They ultimately, lost in overtime.  I have to think the coaching staff charts missed layups.  And that should show the problem.  Games are being decided by deficiencies there perhaps more than missed free throws.  Just an observation.  Just sayin....     

TIME TO BE PATIENT HAWKEYE WOMEN BASKETBALL FANS

It's been a roller coaster season for the 2024-25 Hawkeye Women's Basketball team.  It started with eight straight wins before losing to Tennessee 88-78 at the Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic in Brooklyn, New York. Then a came a home victory over Iowa State 75-69, before losing to Michigan State on the road 68-66. 

Since then, it's been three straight wins, then fives losses in a row followed by six more wins in succession.  That brings them to a 18-7 mark in mid-February.  Is that what Hawks fans envisioned after two consecutive runs to the National Championship game?  Maybe, maybe not.  

There's no question this season was going to be one for growth. You knew that would be apparent with five new freshmen, one portal transfer and a new head coach, Jan Jensen.  Then came the February 2nd win over #4 ranked USC on the day Caitilin Clark had her jersey retired.  That win refueled the fan base.  For a team that looked like it might miss the NCAA Tournament altogether, hope returned.  Now, it's going to be interesting to see what transpires with upcoming games against #9 Ohio State on the road (Feb.17) and back home to face previous #1 UCLA (Feb. 23).  The Bruins were beaten by USC Thursday night 71-60.  It would have been Carver Crazy had UCLA came in undefeated.  Now, more than ever it is coming down to this.  One game at a time.  And then when the season is over, we can make an assessment.  It's the future that has Iowa bordering on hysteria.

Next year, Iowa has three top recruits coming to Iowa City.  Leading that group is guard Addie Deal, a top 10 recruit from California, followed by a top 40 forward Journey Houston from Davenport and the second rated center in the 2025 class in Layla Hayes from Alaska.  Iowa has at least two more open scholarships for next year.  Maybe more if someone else transfers.  Will Jensen opt to sign more high school players or hit the portal to add at positions of need (i.e. backup point guard or power forward)?  That's the dilemma.  With every move that Iowa makes in the 2025 class, it's going to impact any commitments for 2026.  Case in point.  Let's say the Hawks add a power forward in 2025.  If it's a person with one year left it might not have a negative effect.  However, let's say it's someone with more than a season of eligibility left.  Does Addison Bjorn or McKenna Woliczko then decide to look at some other program where they can play immediately?  It remains to be seen.  Players are much more ready to play right away then they were in previous years. They won't sit for very long.  That's a certainty.

So, we're at this juncture now.  If you scan the message boards of the various Hawkeye websites you can see Recruiting Threads of years 2025, 2026 and now 2027.  Potential recruits are scrutinized or praised for whatever they could bring to the Hawks nest.  Every recruit that has visited Iowa City has their own little fan base.  "Come to Iowa.  You look great in Black and Gold.  You'll love our fans", are just some of the comments they receive.  

The day Clark had her number retired was one where a who's who of basketball recruits were on hand.  The number one ranked player in 2026, point guard Kate Harpring from Georgia was there as was the top player in Iowa for next year, the multi-dimensional Jenica Lewis. Throw in 2026 forward Addison Bjorn out of Kansas City, 2027 guard Finley Chastain of Dallas and 2028 guard Jhaliana Guy from Bettendorf and it's easy to see why fans are excited.  But hold on. 

This past week I was traveling back from Colorado.  I figured since Iowa was playing in Nebraska in Lincoln, I'd take in a game where it was a little easier to come by an Iowa ticket.  I got there early and had several conversations with people around the program.  "Why hasn't anyone committed from the big weekend?", I asked.  The general consensus was there was a some surprise from the Iowa staff as well that no one had pulled trigger. What else could Iowa have done to show recruits what playing at Iowa would be like?  No program nationwide could match the experience a recruit would have had from Clark's Day.  No one.  

So, this is the conclusion I've come to.  I'd be surprised if anyone commits before their high season is over.  Then the floodgates might open.  If a recruit sees one person recruited to her position at a program, she will most likely move on.  Likewise, if....a player makes as decision and commits the remaining Iowa scholarships might go quickly.  Because of that, I see Jenica Lewis as a key component for Iowa's future. Her commitment would be a huge beginning for the 2026 class. 

Will Jenica open the floodgates?

There is ramped up enthusiasm for the remainder of this year.  If Iowa plays well next week against Ohio State and UCLA, who knows how far this team can go.     

 But in the end, there will be one word needed to be stressed for now and the future.  

PATIENCE.      

P.S.  After publishing this post, I got to thinking about the UCLA game coming up on February 23rd.     McKenna Woliczko from California suffered an ACL injury this winter.  Her high school season is over with.  I wondered if Woliczko might take an official visit that day or if some other young guns might show up.  All sorts of thoughts started running through my mind in the what if's.  Then I hit the brakes.  Woah, Nellie.  Heck, I'm no different than everyone else.  Patience.  Patience.  We're talking about Patience, man.