Scheduled visits, interests, rumors...lots of holes in this roster.

CP87 said:
To me, Houston's comp has always been Syd Affolter. They are about the same height. Syd was probably a little faster, Houston a little stronger.

Syd began her Hawk career as a hustle player who couldn't shoot consistently from 3FG (17% and 21% her fresh and soph years), but she had the foundation of a good shooter (92% and 86% FT those first 2 years). She improved greatly, shooting 41% and 46% as a junior and senior.

Houston's freshman year compares favorably to Syd's:

View attachment 12163

View attachment 12164

More minutes (15.7 v 9.4), more points (5.4 v 1.6), more RB (5.1 v 2.5), more Asst (1.1 v 0.4), and more Stls (0.6 v 0.3). Note that Houston's minutes were 67% higher, but in most statistical categories she has more than doubled Syd.

She also shot better (50/36/72 vs. 24/17/92). Even though she didn't attempt a lot of 3FGs, it seems like she has the potential to grow that part of her game. Look how much Syd improved in that regard!

I see Houston developing into a versatile 3/4 that can provide toughness and rebounding as a 3 and a bit of stretchiness as a 4. I think she could start at the 4 right off the bat next year, but ideally Wolizcko takes the spot eventually. Depending on further backcourt additions, you might even slide Houston down to start at the 3. I like Stremlow more for that spot, but she might have to come off the bench to balance out the rotation.
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I struggle a bit to make that comparison. If I had to make a recent comparison, I would think a smaller, savvier and more "slippery" version of AJ Ediger, someone who's not afraid to mix it up in the paint and get a key rebound or make a needed 10 ft shot. Or, perhaps a McKenna Warnock sans the consistent perimeter threat.

Aftolter was more the high energy utility player that wasn't afraid to sacrifice her body and do whatever it takes to play lock-down defense on an opponent. She got under people's skin. I don't see Houston in that vein.
 
#1DieHardHawk said:
I struggle a bit to make that comparison. If I had to make a recent comparison, I would think a smaller, savvier and more "slippery" version of AJ Ediger, someone who's not afraid to mix it up in the paint and get a key rebound or make a needed 10 ft shot. Or, perhaps a McKenna Warnock sans the consistent perimeter threat.

Aftolter was more the high energy utility player that wasn't afraid to sacrifice her body and do whatever it takes to play lock-down defense on an opponent. She got under people's skin. I don't see Houston in that vein.
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High energy player who isn't afraid to sacrifice her body is exactly what Houston showed as a freshman!

She's also waaaaay ahead of Affolter in production at this point in their respective careers.

Houston's points and rebounds from her freshman year are pretty much double what Affolter had as a sophomore.
 
SwirlinLingerie said:
High energy player who isn't afraid to sacrifice her body is exactly what Houston showed as a freshman!

She's also waaaaay ahead of Affolter in production at this point in their respective careers.

Houston's points and rebounds from her freshman year are pretty much double what Affolter had as a sophomore.
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I'm not implying that she doesn't sacrifice her body per se. My point is that Aftolter was a bulldog out there, fighting through screens, diving on the floor, getting in faces, etc. Anyone can have their own opinion, but I personally don't see Houston as being that helter-skelter type on the floor.

That said, she is very savvy and smooth, and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. I like her game, I just don't see a Syd-type in her.
 
NorthKCHawk said:
I agree with a lot of this. Stremlow and Houston are similar players and I agree both of them are playmakers. That said, Stremlow has to improve her outside shooting and Houston has to carve out a role. Again, I just don't see her as effective perimeter player. She was effective as a 4, but if she is the starting 4 I think there is a clear weakness in that line-up. I like her off the bench. She brings energy and smart play.

The funny part to me is that Houston looks taller than 5'11 to me. She doesn't look all that undersized. Must be her bad ass hair.
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She does look taller

She fills a nice spot filling in when the starters need a rest

It is a bonus when she nails a shot

She seems like a tough lass and not necessarily a deficit when she is called on

GO HAWKS
 
Yeah, I am not getting why fans are downgrading Houston's potential. She was by far the best freshman on the team, bringing a high level of energy off the bench. And she can shoot too. In the game where Iowa was way behind Minnesota and was pretty much forced to shoot 3-pointers, Houston was shooting from 3 and making them. When asked to start when Stuelke was hurt, Iowa still won those games.

Only negative thing I could say is Journey did not shoot very well in games down the stretch, which seemed to be a problem she shared with many of her teammates.
 
Raegan McCowan had an elbow injury this last year in her junior year and only played 10 games. She will have 2 years of elligibilty remaining.

A 5' 11" G, for her last full season as a sophomore, she averaged 22 points a game on 47% FG shooting.

Not sure how much her game would translate to the Big Ten level after playing in the OVC. That's a nice jump in level, but its still div 1.
 
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guffus said:
Yeah, I am not getting why fans are downgrading Houston's potential. She was by far the best freshman on the team, bringing a high level of energy off the bench. And she can shoot too. In the game where Iowa was way behind Minnesota and was pretty much forced to shoot 3-pointers, Houston was shooting from 3 and making them. When asked to start when Stuelke was hurt, Iowa still won those games.

Only negative thing I could say is Journey did not shoot very well in games down the stretch, which seemed to be a problem she shared with many of her teammates.
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I certainly am not in that camp. She was a highly rated recruit and had a very solid freshman campaign. She provided valuable minutes down the stretch when either Hannah or Ava were in foul trouble. She was very efficient on offense in both shooting and passing and she seems like a solid defender. I am excited to see what sort of improvements she makes from year 1 to 2.

Right now, she is penciled in as the starting 4. I am hoping our 5-star beats her out just because I feel like that is a stretch position for her. She is a tweener, but she is also a high level and efficient performer. She can play a little perimeter or the post. That screams 6th man.
 
guffus said:
Raegan McCowan had an elbow injury this last year in her junior year and only played 10 games. She will have 2 years of elligibilty remaining.

A 5' 11" G, for her last full season as a sophomore, she averaged 22 points a game on 47% FG shooting.

Not sure how much her game would translate to the Big Ten level after playing in the OVC. That's a nice jump in level, but its still div 1.
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Exactly the type of depth piece we need in the backcourt.
 
guffus said:
Yeah, I am not getting why fans are downgrading Houston's potential. She was by far the best freshman on the team, bringing a high level of energy off the bench. And she can shoot too. In the game where Iowa was way behind Minnesota and was pretty much forced to shoot 3-pointers, Houston was shooting from 3 and making them. When asked to start when Stuelke was hurt, Iowa still won those games.

Only negative thing I could say is Journey did not shoot very well in games down the stretch, which seemed to be a problem she shared with many of her teammates.
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Yeah I'm not sure how high her ceiling is as a tweener. But I think she can be something similar to what Sydney Affolter was. And that's a hell of a good player. She's a 4 trapped in a 3s body. It'll be interesting between her and Wolizko who gets the nod at the 4 spot next yr early on.
 
redrock40 said:
A rumored Iowa target, Jordan Speiser is off the board, taking her talents to Oklahoma.
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I wonder how long Jan wants to coach, and I wonder if we could lure Jennie Baranczyk (nee Lillis) back to IC at some point? What she has built as Oklahoma is very impressive.

Skim Milkey tweeted yesterday about a new Hawkeye addition...hopefully we find out who, soon.
 
Iowa WBB so far has the following changes since last season.

Graduation(4)- Hannah Stuelke, Kylie Feurerbach, Taylor McCabe, Jada Gyamfi

Portal Departures (5) - Emely Rodriguez, Teagan Mallegni, Callie Levin, Addie Deal and Kennisee Johnson,

Portal Additions(2) - G Daniel Carnegie, G Amari Whiting

Incoming freshmem(1) - F McKenna Woliczko

Iowa WBB is currently has eight players on its projected 2026-27 roster:

Seniors (1) — G Amari Whiting

Juniors (4) — C Ava Heiden, G Chit-Chat Wright, G Taylor Stremlow, G Dani Carnegie

Sophomores (2) — F Journey Houston, C Layla Hays.

Freshmen (1) — .F McKenna Woliczko
 
CP87 said:
I wonder how long Jan wants to coach, and I wonder if we could lure Jennie Baranczyk (nee Lillis) back to IC at some point? What she has built as Oklahoma is very impressive.

Skim Milkey tweeted yesterday about a new Hawkeye addition...hopefully we find out who, soon.
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She's 57 and waited a long time for the opportunity, could easily be around for 10 more years.
 
CP87 said:
She sounds like a Feuerbach replacement, including the spotty 3pt shooting prowess.
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My thoughts exactly. Feuerbach was a special player in her own right, and this woman seems like the perfect replacement: a Sr vocal leader who takes great pride in her defense first -- anything beyond that is a bonus. Iowa is used to having a lock-down defender like Feuerbach, and hopefully they found another one for at least one year. A valuable addition.
 
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