I am nearing the end of the first half, but I see the final score. Wonder if the early outs in the NCAA tournaments could be curving fan enthusiasm
I think the U of I programs in general are at a cross roads. Football team let fans down again (could have been playing for the Big Ten Title even with the worse offense in modern football...or feels like it), basketball team can't get out of the first weekend in the NCAAs, the Women.....although Bluder does a hell of a job and actually has progressed the program.....even with her best team still can't beat UConn.....was displaced way to early in the NCAA tournament last year.
Wrestling team is a Blue Blood and wrestling royalty....but has been displaced by Penn St as the top dog.........
All the lawsuits and off the field stuff that has happened and under Gary Barta.
Good, but not great.....and there has not been enough great moments to end the seasons of all respective sports.....you get the Groundhog Day effect.
I agree with opinions above that if the team were to beat Duke/Iowa St.....it will peak interest....unless they crater in conference games in stretches (Fran Fade, etc).
Quite Simply
Kirk needs:
A Top Notch OC
A Top Notch QB
Top Notch Receivers
A real offensive line
Fran Needs:
More Size
A True Center
A True Power Forward
Guard play be improving....TBD
Bluder Needs:
More Size and more athleticism to dethrone the UConn's of the world and not get beat by the Helga's like Creighton.
Wrestling:
I don't watch enough of it to give an opinion other than it is still kick ass program and it is likely forever an entrenched blue blood in the sport thanks to Gable, Brands, etc.
Iowa's leadership is old and stale....nearing the end of it's run.....or one would think. The new leadership needs to evolve and progress things or the program is at risk of falling further behind the pack.