2024-25 ISU WBB Season Thread
- Thread starter mred
- Start date
I view this post as a PR piece for recruiting purposes. Iowa State WBB- an elite offensive team. Something that can differentiate ISU in the portal recruiting season. And promote Audi & Addy.
But obviously the coaching staff has to realize having the top offense, but having a 10th ranked defense isn't going to result in a Big12 Champion team.
But obviously the coaching staff has to realize having the top offense, but having a 10th ranked defense isn't going to result in a Big12 Champion team.
I sort of get what you are saying but don't actually agree.
First, any offensive minded transfer will want to score some themselves and maybe won't be enthused at playing third fiddle to Crooks and Brown. And, while we score a bit we are not really a free flowing open offensive. Based on points score we "look" like an open free flowing offense but we are not that at all. I think that would be easy to recruit against unless it's an assist minded pass first PG. Even than it would have to be a PG that is satisfied with running a pass it to the post and don't run fast breaks offense.
Second, we really don't have the personal to play tough defense (nor is our coach even remotely so inclined) . Not like it cannot work, Iowa in Clarks junior years was all offense. Maryland has been that way more years than not. I think even status quo wins us the Big 12 next year since we will be pretty good and the Big 12 will probably be the weakest it has ever been. If ISU is not the favorite than who? The title in 2026 will be lowest hanging fruit in any major conference.
I have said this before - in this era this is no way you can judge who the favorite is until you see next year's rosters. You have to believe that teams like Baylor and TCU (and maybe TT) will go all in on the transfer portal and likely have a lot more resources to acquire them.
Will be interesting to see who's available and how much they are willing to pay as compared to the blue bloods.
As you pont out, to look at returning players in mid-March is a historical approach to looking forward to next season. The portal is a give & take recruiting tool. We can only hope that ISU doesn't lose players it values and we add pieces of greatest need.
We should be in good shape if our top players return, we return Hare, our HS recruits contribute and we fill our portal needs. Seems to me our main portal needs are a PG and rebounding/defense oriented PF.
But the other reality is, this team struggled to beat NCAA Tournament level competition- losing to Iowa, So. Carolina, & U-Conn in the non-conference. AND going 1-7 against Big12 teams that finished above Iowa State in the Big 12 standings. So development/recruiting is going to be key in the off-season. Plus the staff is going to need to address our struggle against physical opponents.
One thing I think the staff learned this year that had a big impact on the team was settling on a starting lineup and key reserves earlier. The staff was still trying to figure that out in late January and the lack of cohesion really hurt.
I'd bet against us winning the conference title.
Baylor, okie state, Wvu, maybe TCU I'd pick ahead of us. Not dissecting rosters just going off a gut feeling.
The piece none of us know is how the transfer portal will impact teams. Those teams you mention, except Baylor, are losing massive amounts of talent. TCU's cupboard is bare. WVU loses Quinerly. Until we see what the portal brings or takes it’s hard to bet against ISU with all that should return. But the portal can be a harsh mistress….
