Expectations for 2020-2021 season

I think most of us can agree that this season was a massive disappointment. Barring a miracle run in Kansas City, there likely will be no post-season play for us.

Reasons for optimism:
Solomon Young has taken a step forward. Hopefully he can continue to improve his game in the offseason and go out with a good senior season.

Bolton has shown he can be a good guard. He needs to work on turning it over less, and become a more efficient scorer.

With some experience now, hopefully Grill and Jackson can make some big improvements and become threats from the outside. Conditt has the physical tools to be one of the better big men in the Big 12; hopefully he can play to his potential.

Adding Javan Johnson should help. Has good size at 6'6; did shoot 43% from 3 his freshman year, but it dropped to 35% his sophomore year. Hines recently said on a podcast that he looked good on the offense during a coupe of practices he watched. Hopefully he can get his 3 point shot to over 40% again next year and use his length to help defensively.

Bringing in 4 freshman that have good upside, and good size (three at 6'5, one at 7'0).

Reasons for pessimism:
Tyrese will most likely be playing in the NBA a year from now; not easy to replace a talent like that.

A lot of guys are going to have to make major improvements, and we will need our freshman to make big impacts right away if we want to get back to the NCAA tournament.

Who will play PG? Jaden Walker is a PG, but he'll be a true freshman and an unknown at this point. Not sure I feel great about Bolton or Jackson running the point.



My expectation is always to make the tournament, and I'm not changing that expectation. A lot of things are going to have to go right for this to happen; lets hope they can do it.

Recruiting

While watching a lot of high school and college wrestling the last few months (the coverage on B1G is fantastic BTW) it has become clear we need take it up a notch or two recruiting. I expected a better recruiting bump from from Metcalf. Iowa, Penn State, Ohio State, even UNI are getting better recruits in more numbers than we are. It would be nice to start with Ayala and then live in PA.

Iowa off the beaten path

So today my wife and I took our kids (8 and 3) on a day trip from Des Moines to Clear Lake for a kite festival. We ended up having a really good day, and it got us to thinking about other things to do in Iowa that are basically a day or short weekend trip. I'm reaching out to you, CF. Hit me with your best short trip destinations in Iowa for a family with little kids. We came up with Maquoketa Caves and Decorah and kind of ran out of steam after that. Southern Minnesota and anywhere else within around two hours of Des Moines are also fine if you know of any good places or events.
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Rewatched Texas game and...

That first quarter was brutal. Turnover city and Maggie was again a turnover waiting to happen. She just seems to be a moment behind. She sees things but her execution comes a second later and it’s too late.

we gave up a three at the end of two straight quarters as time ran out.

Scott is a thoroughbred in her prime. She is just a step better than those around her

Thurmon is a great substitute for change of pace compared to Maggie. Both have their strengths and weaknesses but getting it done.

I almost felt bad for Texas. We’ve had bad shooting days like that and theirs was ugly, ugly, ugly.

who does Joens remind me of? Pop. Only better. Pure grit and so skilled.

So impressed with Fennelly's substitution patterns. Everything is jelling.

Turnovers. This game goes in the dictionary next to that word. Ugh.

defense. A few letdowns, but they played tough and quick against Texas

rebounding. Total team effort. This is what separated them from Texas when the offense was ugly early.

last point and my favorite. See the attachment,
1472CCD2-0B1F-4C90-BAEE-F863E9C4AA46.jpeg

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