Do Bill Fennelly teams underperform nationally?

He's kind of reached Kirk Ferentz status. Tenured, not going anywhere and unwilling to do anything real innovative. Does enough to keep people happy, and you'll never find yourself at the bottom of the barrel. But also probably isn't ever going to make you relevant on a national scale (i.e. Final Four).

Could be worse but also could be better. It just depends on what you consider success.
 
He's kind of reached Kirk Ferentz status. Tenured, not going anywhere and unwilling to do anything real innovative. Does enough to keep people happy, and you'll never find yourself at the bottom of the barrel. But also probably isn't ever going to make you relevant on a national scale (i.e. Final Four).

Could be worse but also could be better. It just depends on what you consider success.

Bill Fennelly is a success. I remember Nikki Moody. And her lawsuit. Denae and Lexi are not happy. They are leaving. Hope they find what they are looking for.

How can you definitely just write off an incoming Top 10 recruiting class saying they will likely never be nationally relevant? Prior to them ever playing a college game.
 
He's kind of reached Kirk Ferentz status. Tenured, not going anywhere and unwilling to do anything real innovative. Does enough to keep people happy, and you'll never find yourself at the bottom of the barrel. But also probably isn't ever going to make you relevant on a national scale (i.e. Final Four).

Could be worse but also could be better. It just depends on what you consider success.
This is spot on.
 
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Comparison
Bill Fennelly vs. Lisa Bluder

Fennelly
Overall - 756-353 - .682 (all wins D1)
ISU 589-300 - .663
NCAA invites (Toledo and ISU) - 24 (record of 23-23)
Sweet 16's - 4
Elite 8's - 2
Final Fours - 0

Bluder
Overall 851-387 - .687 (note 169-36 at NAIA St. Ambrose)
Overall D1 only - 682-351 -.660
UIowa 494-246 - .668
NCAA invites (Drake and UIowa) - 21 (record of 20-21)
Sweet 16's - 2
Elite 8's - 1
Final Fours - 1

Getting to the Final Four takes a little bit of luck, and being able to avoid injuries. Iowa did not have any major injuries this year, and being the number five overall seed, had the luxury of a weak number one in the NCAA tourney who was sputtering down the stretch.
 
Until this year Bluder hadn’t been in the final four.
 
Most years we pretty much hit our ceiling, the realistic ceiling and not the "we are better than we really are ceiling". Mostly talking league play. We generally finish about to our talent level as opposed to the other league teams talent.

NCAA's are always a crap shoot but I'd call it underachieved over the last ten years based on situation and players we've had the last decade. Had some one and dones and some losses at home that were upset losses. Not making the Sweet Sixteen while hosting with Carleton as a senior was a big underachieve and maybe the most disappointing season for me personally.

Last year was my 2nd rated underachieve of the last decade, blown chance to go to the Elite Eight versus a #10 seed with three first team All-Big 12 players starting for us. We make an Elite Eight about once every 15 years or so, who knows when the next chance that good will come again. Only ranks second to the Bridget team loss because at least they advanced out of Ames. Another case for 2nd might be we were overrated and actually overachieved some with a rotation at post. The league was weak and Ryan and Donarski played better as sophomores than they did as juniors.
 

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