*** 2025-26 ISU WBB Season Thread ***

[theshadow]

I acknowledge many shortcomings, though in this instance, I do know former team parents and former team members, plus I shared how I came to be told things. People don't like to hear anything negative about their cherished institutions.

And no player has ever lied about their situation to their parents, and no parents have ever lied about their kids' situation.

 

[acoustimac]

It is naive to think that Zingaro, Bristow, Diew, and Danae were happy with basketball at Iowa State.

You’re playing with semantics. Zingaro left because of playing time. Does that mean she hated the coaches? No. They helped her find a landing spot. Bristow publicly said she left because she was homesick. Zero to do with the staff or Iowa state. Diew publicly said she transferred because of the grad program she wanted and the ability to have it paid for by basketball. Denae was promised things by Baylor that never came to fruition and she said a family member gave her bad guidance. So, all four are a major stretch on your part.

 

[acoustimac]

You're accusing someone else of stepping overboard a bit? What a joke. You act like you know what happened with these transfers when you know NOTHING other than whatever sanitized note got printed on-line. Kids leaving programs don't throw coaches under buses.

When Zingaro left the team two games into a season but stayed at ISU for the rest of that school year, the ISU Daily cited "personal reasons and to work on her health". You say she left to find playing time at another school? Two games into a season? Try again. She couldn't take Bill's constant harassment and needed to regain her confidence, which began at Montana (unfortunate coaching change in middle of season) and culminated at Cleveland State.

I don't know what happened with Jalynn, but it wasn't homesickness as reported. Jalynn lived in a quad with Kelsey - she had a boyfriend on the football team, who gave her a pet snake - by all reports she was "happy" at ISU. As we all know, Jalynn's freshman season ended on a team high note, with the strong showing against Stanford - the future looked bright. Jalynn had a good game against Stanford - 27 minutes with 7 points and 8 rebounds. The night before Jalynn's end of season meeting with staff, she told Kelsey & Isnelle she planned to return to ISU. She entered the transfer portal the next afternoon. I suppose something else could have happened in that 18 hour period, but I'd wager it was something said in her end of season meeting.

You don't know Diew's leaving had nothing to do with staff. We all saw the decline in play between her Junior & Senior seasons, which led to decreased playing time. What happened?
You're suggesting Denae was tampered with by Baylor. Where in the world did you get that? What makes you think she regrets leaving?

The transfer which really made me sit up straight in my chair was Kylie Feuerbach. Her grandfather played basketball at ISU and is in our Hall of Fame. Her parents both attended ISU. She was my favorite player in that recruiting class, then left after her Freshman season to join our hated arch-rivals. We all saw how Bill treated her in games - make a mistake and go straight to the bench. Can you imagine those family discussions when she announced she wanted to leave ISU for Iowa? She is smart and made the move to a program on the rise and I don't think she regrets anything!

Not that any of this really matters. Regardless of which side of the aisle you occupy, Bill's not going anywhere - he's got a fat $850,000+ salary and an ill-conceived $700,000 retention bonus sitting out there. Good thing he has you as his public relations champion, since CBF Season #32 will begin with high expectations - with all your experience, you'll have a plethora of excuses ready to roll out!

Every word you say is 100% subjective on your part, but you’ve always been on a hate Bill tone. You assume I don’t know certain things without actually knowing anything…but that’s the way you roll. Ya have to do what you have to do…

 

[Challenger06]

So are there any Iowa media members, or anyone from CF, reporting on the team in Storrs?

 

[DGC]

So are there any Iowa media members, or anyone from CF, following the team in Storrs?

Nobody from CF. Not sure what other media outlets might be there.

 

[ISU40]

Tommy Birch went to CT.

 

[cmhawks99]

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...

That was some insightful stuff… I didn’t realize that’s all the more Minutes Audi played on that FIBA team. And honestly, at this point in time coming into a senior year, she can’t just play anywhere. She has to fit the system. Conversely Addie Brown could play on any team in the Big Ten right now. She would likely be a starter or the first person off the bench. She’s extremely versatile, she’s long, she can shoot, she can rebound, she can get up and down the court and I’m assuming if Coached properly she can play some defense….

Audi honestly hasn’t been asked to be able to do any of that…

I’ve never been particularly impressed with Fennels as a coach and I didn’t realize that about the other two girls you mentioned. Although to be fair excelling at those schools isn’t necessarily like excelling in the big 12.

 

[cmhawks99]

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.

Texas Tech is very average… however early in the season you guys were playing very good. So I agree with the sentiment that you could play with most teams, but the defense got worse and worse and worse in my opinion.

 

[cmhawks99]

You’re playing with semantics. Zingaro left because of playing time. Does that mean she hated the coaches? No. They helped her find a landing spot. Bristow publicly said she left because she was homesick. Zero to do with the staff or Iowa state. Diew publicly said she transferred because of the grad program she wanted and the ability to have it paid for by basketball. Denae was promised things by Baylor that never came to fruition and she said a family member gave her bad guidance. So, all four are a major stretch on your part.

No real dog in this fight outside of wanting the state schools to look good & I don’t think you need to go much further than recent results and absolutely atrocious defense, do you?!

That doesn’t necessarily mean he needs to be fired, but clearly he isn’t coaching top shelf defense. Neither did Fran McCafery, so he had to go. Clearly he (Fran/Bill) know how to coach winning basketball, just not top tier basketball….

 

[WartburgClone]

Denae was promised things by Baylor that never came to fruition

I remember wondering if this is what happened and people here telling me "no, that's stupid".

 

[WartburgClone]

You’re playing with semantics. Zingaro left because of playing time. Does that mean she hated the coaches? No. They helped her find a landing spot. Bristow publicly said she left because she was homesick. Zero to do with the staff or Iowa state. Diew publicly said she transferred because of the grad program she wanted and the ability to have it paid for by basketball. Denae was promised things by Baylor that never came to fruition and she said a family member gave her bad guidance. So, all four are a major stretch on your part.

I'm not weighing in on one side or the other but how many players who transfer from any school are going to publicly say "yeah, I left because the coach was a ****."

 

[geewago]

Last year 1530 girls entered the transfer portal. It's a rat race. Divide that by how many schools participate and you'll see that a lot of girls are leaving a lot of schools every year.

Sometimes they leave for more money. Sometimes because the coach is mean. Sometimes because they've set the bench all year and they want to find playing time even if it means going to a lower ranked team. Others leave because they've done so well at a cupcake school they feel they can upgrade to a greener pasture. Some leave because they hate the school. Others because they don't like purple, or orange or blue. Or maybe because there is no Chick-fil-A on campus. But to imply that every transfer leaves because they hate the coach is absurd !!!

Why did Williams leave Arizona and come to ISU ?? Why did Miles leave ND and go to TCU ?? Why did Fulwiley leave SC and go to LSU ?? Why did Rosario leave LSU and go to Vandy ?? Why did Iriafen leave Stanford and go to USC ?? Why did Bristow leave ISU and go to TT ?? ..........SEE... we could play this game for hours and hours and hours and............

 

[cmhawks99]

I'm not weighing in on one side or the other but how many players who transfer from any school are going to publicly say "yeah, I left because the coach was a ****."

Historically, not very many. It’s a bad look and most any parent or advisor, would encourage them not to go that route

 

[cmhawks99]

Last year 1530 girls entered the transfer portal. It's a rat race. Divide that by how many schools participate and you'll see that a lot of girls are leaving a lot of schools every year.

Sometimes they leave for more money. Sometimes because the coach is mean. Sometimes because they've set the bench all year and they want to find playing time even if it means going to a lower ranked team. Others leave because they've done so well at a cupcake school they feel they can upgrade to a greener pasture. Some leave because they hate the school. Others because they don't like purple, or orange or blue. Or maybe because there is no Chick-fil-A on campus. But to imply that every transfer leaves because they hate the coach is absurd !!!

Why did Williams leave Arizona and come to ISU ?? Why did Miles leave ND and go to TCU ?? Why did Fulwiley leave SC and go to LSU ?? Why did Rosario leave LSU and go to Vandy ?? Why did Iriafen leave Stanford and go to USC ?? Why did Bristow leave ISU and go to TT ?? ..........SEE... we could play this game for hours and hours and hours and............

Although those things are all mutually exclusive, it doesn’t mean that some of them can’t be mutually true. I think Miles probably got tired of living in Hildago’s shadow but that doesn’t mean Ivey (a great coach incidentally) couldn’t have done more to prevent it.

And Fulwiley most likely didn’t feel she was appreciated enough.

The point is lots of people, especially Iowa Iowa State fans thought Fran McCaffrey was a douche canoe. Generally, I agree and I also generally don’t enjoy fans constantly ******** about their coaches. I’ve seen it over here and I’ve seen it on Iowa site….

I’ve watched Lisa Bluder, Kirk F, Tom Brands, even Jan Jensen already, Matt Campbell even TJ a couple times catch strays from “that group of fans…”

But once again using Fran McCaffrey as my example… This guy just now took his 5th team to the NCAA tournament. He clearly knows how to coach basketball….. but it was time for him to leave Iowa, he had plenty of talent, the last four or five years of his career and his inability to field a team with an effective defense made it time…

To me, and undoubtably some of you will bristle at this, but to me lots of parallels there between Bill Fennely and Fran McCaffrey. The least of which being they’re both Irish…

 

[Westside clone]

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.

Love the girls, watched every game I could. Our problem is threefold- 1) 4 playing defense on 5. 2) Even though improved, lack of overall quickness 3)And offense with movement that uses our shooting to open up passing lanes to Audi. Still think they will beat Syracuse.

 

[acoustimac]

Love the girls, watched every game I could. Our problem is threefold- 1) 4 playing defense on 5. 2) Even though improved, lack of overall sickness 3)And offense with movement that uses our shootera to open up passing lanes to Audi. Still think they will beat Syracuse.

I assume #2 means overall health? If so I think you pretty much nailed it on the head.

 

[cmhawks99]

Love the girls, watched every game I could. Our problem is threefold- 1) 4 playing defense on 5. 2) Even though improved, lack of overall sickness 3)And offense with movement that uses our shootera to open up passing lanes to Audi. Still think they will beat Syracuse.

Agreed but it’s more than four playing on five. The guards don’t play particularly good defense and haven’t over the last few years in my opinion.

 

[acoustimac]

Agreed but it’s more than four playing on five. The guards don’t play particularly good defense and haven’t over the last few years in my opinion.

The guards this year are better for one reason. Quickness. That’s a generalization, but the change to having JW to go along with AJ is a big improvement. Paulk is also fun to watch on D and just needs to become consistent on offense to cement a spot in the starting lineup. Doesn’t make the team a West Virginia, but they are “better.”

 

[Cyrealist]

To me, and undoubtably some of you will bristle at this, but to me lots of parallels there between Bill Fennely and Fran McCaffrey.

Could also be a comparison between Fennely and Tom Davis

 

[cmhawks99]

Could also be a comparison between Fennely and Tom Davis

Agreed!!! 100%….I’ve said on this very site. Tom Davis did not coach very good half court defense & if memory serves although that’s been 100 years ago I don’t even think they played very much man to man defense in half court sets.

He did an excellent job with rebounding, but the Iowa men historically have not played near the same kind of defense that Iowa State has under Floyd Eustachy Prohm and now of course TJ.

I’m actually a little surprised there aren’t even more fans consistently pissed off with how poor the women’s defense is.

Even the women under Bluder got consistent flack for their wishy-washy defense. It got a little bit better near the end, but nothing like the kind of defense Jan Jensen expects.