It would probably go much the same as last years' UConn game: just getting blitzed right from the opening tip.
*** 2025-26 ISU WBB Season Thread ***
- Thread starter BoxsterCy
- Start date
Think it’ll take Bill til it’s 33-3 to call his first timeout again
All of this UConn talk is supposing we beat Syracuse. I think we should, but we've been pretty disappointing after the 5-game win streak.
One thing I have hope about is the ladies have faced UConn and I don’t think they will be shocked by what they face. That is a small bonus. Another year more mature. If the shots are falling from our guards we could be competitive. If UConn shuts them down it will be a long 40 minutes. One thing I remember from last year is the third quarter where the ladies came out and punched back.
??? UConn stretched their lead from 20 at half to 32 by the middle of the 3rd…
I’m upset by this bracket for the girls. I know Addy got hurt but you have Audi, Addy, Ariana, and Jada- four very good players. Is the “problem” Bill? I hate how he coaches in game but I don’t know how he coaches in practice so idk if it’s fair of me to say anything. It seems like had had better teams earlier in his career. I’m frustrated by this year with talent we have and hope everyone stays for the Carlisle girl coming in.
Man…now you made me go back and look at the play by play. The little run was in the second and the third was painful to revisit. I should have kept my thoughts to myself!
For context, here are Audi's peers on the AP 2nd team:
The AP second team was headlined by Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, a member of the first team in her first two seasons. She was joined by South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, TCU’s Olivia Miles, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge. - AP
The AP second team was headlined by Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, a member of the first team in her first two seasons. She was joined by South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, TCU’s Olivia Miles, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge. - AP
The third team is no slouch either.
Olivia Olsen - Michigan
Kiki Rice - UCLA
Flau’jae Johnson - LSU
Toby Fournier, Duke
Raven Johnson, South Carolina
Bit more context. Hard to find the actual announcement article with all of the schools posting their own players selection without much on the list itself.
Link to list from AP and votes each second team player got below. Hidalgo just missed first team, got edged by Fudd even though she had more 1st team votes. Crooks had 2 votes for first.
(1st team votes/total vote points)
Joyce Edwards, South Carolina, Sophomore; Camden, South Carolina: 19.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 58.7 field goal% (7, 103)
Olivia Miles, TCU, Senior; Phillipsburg, New Jersey: 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists (7, 99)
Audi Crooks, Iowa State, Junior; Algona, Iowa: 25.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 64.7 field goal% (2, 63)
Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State, Sophomore; Nashville, Tennessee: 22.8 points, 4.6 assists, 49 field goal% (2, 61)
apnews.com
Link to list from AP and votes each second team player got below. Hidalgo just missed first team, got edged by Fudd even though she had more 1st team votes. Crooks had 2 votes for first.
(1st team votes/total vote points)
Second Team
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame, Junior; Merchantville, New Jersey: 25.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists 48.1 field goal% (15, 116)Joyce Edwards, South Carolina, Sophomore; Camden, South Carolina: 19.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 58.7 field goal% (7, 103)
Olivia Miles, TCU, Senior; Phillipsburg, New Jersey: 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists (7, 99)
Audi Crooks, Iowa State, Junior; Algona, Iowa: 25.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 64.7 field goal% (2, 63)
Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State, Sophomore; Nashville, Tennessee: 22.8 points, 4.6 assists, 49 field goal% (2, 61)
The Associated Press 2025-26 women's college basketball All-America teams
The AP’s 2025-26 All-America women’s basketball teams feature UConn stars Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd on the First Team, joined by Vanderbilt sophomore Mikayla Blakes after her huge scoring season, plus UCLA senior Lauren Betts and Texas junior Madison Booker.
apnews.com
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The only part of this season that disappoints me, we beat a 2 seed on our home court and should be hosting instead of traveling. I want to see the ladies win and move to the round of 32, but after the ups and downs of the year; this team may be a 1 and done. Without knowing the future, I still have hope.
If it's Uconn it doesn't matter, any of the top 4 teams we aren't competitive with. And it would take a good day to beat 5 thru 10.
I personally think Iowa would clean our clock right now.
That’s the weird Jeckyl Hyde thing…if our team is on…take the TTech game as an example…they can play with darn near anyone. Not saying they would beat 1-4, but they would be competitive. Then there is the team we saw v ASU round 2 and a few other games…if the guards aren’t hitting and/or Crooks is having a bad day…anyone 1-16 can beat the Sisters.
Beat the 2 early in the season, then played poorly when injured and getting shellacked in the B12 tourney, they didn't deserve to host.
The coaching staff and players have 1 more yr to make something out of what was one of the most exciting recruiting classes in a long time.
I'm way more interested in the girls who enter our program than I am by Bill's coaching record, which explains why I follow them at their new schools after leaving ISU. In my opinion, Bill wrings the enjoyment from the game for many of these young women - they go elsewhere and reestablish their love of the game. Maggie McGraw left Ames and was named Big West Newcomer of the Year and Second-Team All Big West. Izzy Zingaro was sent packing and led the Horizon League in scoring and rebounding, being named Newcomer of the Year and First Team All Conference.
Audi desires to play professionally and didn't answer the question in the recent ESPN interview when asked if she'd be playing her Senior season at ISU. During last offseason, Audi was named to the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup squad coached by Cara Lawson of Duke. There were no UCONN players on the squad, yet Audi barely got off the bench, averaging less than 7 MPG. That must have been eye-opening for her. Does she wonder if playing for a better coach, one who pushed her, might be beneficial in her desire to play professionally?
In short, this off-season might prove interesting in terms of player retention. Assuming they make a first-weekend exit (which is almost certain), I really wouldn't be surprised to see a mass exodus similar to the Donarski offseason. G Kneepkens was a great player for Utah, then left for UCLA in hopes of showcasing her talent and playing for a title. Do you think Addy Brown couldn't do the same thing?
Most people think the team core will stay intact in hopes of taking Bill out in a blaze of glory. Some of us don't think Bill has what it takes to lead a team to glory - if one or two of the girls have doubts, the ISU rebuild could start early. After two disappointing seasons in a weakened Big XII, I wouldn't blame them...
