Iowa, Indiana, Ohio State, Maryland, and Michigan all lost at least one or two key players. the reigning National POY however still remains, which may be how folks chose to think Iowa stays on top.
I can see them not finishing first, but I don't think they lose as much as people think considering the expected replacements (or maybe that's just my pessimistic view as a Gopher fan!).
Assuming they stick with a four guard lineup, Clark, Marshall and Martin all return. Stuelke looked pretty good as a freshman to slide into Czinano's role. Feuerbach returns from injury to take Warnock's spot, unless they are going to try Affolter or Davis there? I'm not familiar with their freshman besides Ava Jones who had that horrific traffic accident and is likely done playing.
They have an exhibition against DePaul on Sunday at Kinnick Stadium on BTN. Of course, the same time as the WNBA Finals game, but will be interesting to see how they are flowing without Czinano specifically.
There's some belief that if Iowa isn't as good, and doesn't look to be better in 2024-25, Clark will opt for the draft. But if Iowa has a good season with a good future, she would stay one more year.
The money is probably not an issue, and it's likely her training facilities, travel, etc., would be better at Iowa than in the W or overseas.
i’d like the opinion of @undersized on Iowa’s post situation this year. remember, Czinano went from being a total bench-warmer her freshman year (Gustafson’s senior year) to being a consistent producer the next. that particular turnaround was more drastic and probably not likely to be fully emulated, but sometimes it’s all about getting the opportunity and being around another year at the collegiate level for these newer players.
i’d like the opinion of @undersized on Iowa’s post situation this year. remember, Czinano went from being a total bench-warmer her freshman year (Gustafson’s senior year) to being a consistent producer the next. that particular turnaround was more drastic and probably not likely to be fully emulated, but sometimes it’s all about getting the opportunity and being around another year at the collegiate level for these newer players.
@undersized has been MIA since June unfortunately.
Caitlin Clark at Iowa has scored 45 points twice, and 46 points once, but never 47 points 😜 apparently it was a points record for their home arena. though neither apparently hold the real points-in-a-single-game record. Megan Gustafson scored 48 points once in a Big Ten Tourney game vs. Minnesota, but idk if that's the record either.
if you include Clark, all of Iowa's starting guard corps will graduate out. Stuelke if she were to be the default first option for Iowa next season could become a high-level player if she can indeed 'meet the moment', per se. this one game only reaffirms that possibility...
...but that's '24-'25 material, which 👀 lotta changes coming to the conference next season...
Post by bluedevilsdsufan5 on Feb 10, 2024 2:39:32 GMT -5
^I love that Stuelke has a higher career high than Clark (not in any way saying she’s better haha, or to take away from Caitlin being so close to breaking Plums scoring record). I actually hope CC drops a 50 piece.
Re next year, lots of unknowns for sure…..I hope Iowa can get a good playmaker to help Stuelke out a lil.
Be kind to yourself, the way you expect others to be kind to you.