NIL and the Portal

[kcdc4isu]

I guess my 2nd point regarding the offense is we need to be able to spread the ball around better and not rely entirely on Audi and Addy having to carry us every game. Felt like our offense was way too predictable this year, defenses basically expected us to pass it into Audi as soon as we crossed half court so they would have a 2nd player front her and try to jump the pass. Next option was let Addy handle the ball and try to create a mismatch which is a not a bad thing when she is hitting shots. Option 3 was let Emily Ryan dribble around until someone got open or she was able to get around her defender and drive. The ball did not move enough IMO and our offense was very predictable and limited as a result.

We definitely need to work on defense as that will solve a lot of things if we are more stingy on that end. But we really need to find or develop a reliable 3rd or 4th scoring option which is only going to open up things for Audi and Addy when defenses have other threats to worry about. Maybe a healthy Hare might have made a difference this year in that aspect but pretty sure defenses were not worried about anyone else on our team beating them and the final stats show it as no one else averaged more than 10 ppg for us other than Audi and Addy and even have Ryan who was just shy at 9.7 there was a big drop off and really nothing for bench production either other than the games where Harris would come off the bench vs start and even she would have stretches after having a big game of coming nowhere near that for multiple games.

Probable unfair to compare this group to one of the best teams in program history but go look at that 99-00 team and we had 3 players averaging 13ppg or more (Welle, Frese, Francis, Taylor) and 2 other reliable scorers in Wilson and Gahan. The ball moved around with that team and wasn't so reliant on 1 or 2 players to have big nights every game to win. Same thing the next season with 4 double digit scorers and 2 other reliable players that could score too. You referenced the 18-19 team, they had 4 double digit scorers which included Carleton who was an All-American that year. I think we have a few players on this roster that could step up the scoring and help with this but I don't know if that is an issue with how they are used or players needing to get more aggressive with finding their shot to get some confidence or probably a combination of both?

I think most on here who have followed the teams are in full agreement that this was an issue. The problem is that ALL (look at other teams we played) teams try to go to their best scoring option first. For me we did not, till late in the season get better at going inside out to open other players to score. My hope is next year we have seen how much better that was and use that style from the start of the season.

 

[CycloneT]

Last I heard yesterday, they hadn’t started player meetings yet. Not shocked they haven’t had anyone enter yet.

 

[Jnecker4cy]

Last I heard yesterday, they hadn’t started player meetings yet. Not shocked they haven’t had anyone enter yet.

I would guess if any big names were moving on we would already know. Role players may still be on the move.

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

I just respond to the haters and comments that have little merit. I get tired of the baseless claims people continue to make about the players and coaches. What those claims typically really amount to are just attacks on CBF because they don’t like him.

Where's the roll-eyes icon when I need one?

Judge Dredd is a "street judge", empowered to summarily arrest, convict, sentence, and execute wrong-doers in the dystopian future city of Mega-City One.

 

[CyberJJJ]

I am not sure how you can objectively look at last year and this year and say that this year was not a disappointment or that we underachieved. Let's look at actual stats and data and I'll show you why I can confidently say that our players are not getting significantly better year over year.

Addy Brown:
2024: 13 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.8 apg, 0.8 spg, 47% FG, 74% FT
2025: 15.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 0.6 spg, 48% FG, 75% FT

Outside of a 2ppg increase and slight assists per game increase, she stayed the same or decreased in all other categories. I would say, generally, she was the same player as she was in 2024.

Audi Crooks:
2024: 19.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.5 spg, 57% FG, 65% FT
2025: 23.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.3 spg, 60% FG, 68% FT

Audi had a nice scoring increase but was generally the same player in all other categories as she was in 2024.

Arianna Jackson:
2024: 4.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 0.5 spg, 38% FG, 75% FT
2025: 5.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.7 spg, 34% FG, 72% FT

Arianna was essentially the same player as she was in 2024.

Kesley Joens:
2024: 5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.8 spg, 38% FG, 85% FT
2025: 5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.6 spg, 43% FG, 78% FT

Kelsey was statistically worse in every category except a slight increase in FG %.

I won't include Emily Ryan because of her health issues but she got statistically worse in almost every major category too.

Where is this "players were way better" coming from because the data does not back that up. And the jump a player typically makes from their freshman year to sophomore year should be one of the biggest improvements they make in their college careers. But not our core players...

How do you factor in strength of schedule? Not arguing your point, just asking. As I watched games this year, it also didn't seem like we got that much from supporting players, thus putting more of the other team's focus on defending our stars.

 

[swclone11]

Last I heard yesterday, they hadn’t started player meetings yet. Not shocked they haven’t had anyone enter yet.

Could be true and can't claim otherwise, but I'd just be surprised if that's the case. Usually players would want to get in the portal ASAP and they've had plenty of time for meetings.

 

[cycloneworld]

How do you factor in strength of schedule? Not arguing your point, just asking. As I watched games this year, it also didn't seem like we got that much from supporting players, thus putting more of the other team's focus on defending our stars.

Just looked it up and Iowa State had the 21st ranked SOS in 2024 and 37th in 2025. Makes sense since the Big 12 was down without Texas and OU. So we had an overall easier schedule in 2025 compared to last year

 

[CycloneT]

Could be true and can't claim otherwise, but I'd just be surprised if that's the case. Usually players would want to get in the portal ASAP and they've had plenty of time for meetings.

On the woman’s side though, the transfer candidates would be either in state kids or already transfers who would be on their 3rd school in 4 years. I don’t see any obvious 100% transfers and if any do transfer they will be nudged in.

 

[qwerty]

I heard he demanded and got Fresh Pet food going forward.

 

[carvers4math]

Not true. His early years the offense was more spread, we ran the floor. His offense has changes over the last decade or so.

My boys loved going to games in the Angie Welle era. I think women’s games were easier to watch for little boys who were a long ways from slam dunking. Easier to watch designed sets and ball movement without a ton of giant bodies out there.

 

[carvers4math]

I am not sure how you can objectively look at last year and this year and say that this year was not a disappointment or that we underachieved. Let's look at actual stats and data and I'll show you why I can confidently say that our players are not getting significantly better year over year.

Addy Brown:
2024: 13 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.8 apg, 0.8 spg, 47% FG, 74% FT
2025: 15.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 0.6 spg, 48% FG, 75% FT

Outside of a 2ppg increase and slight assists per game increase, she stayed the same or decreased in all other categories. I would say, generally, she was the same player as she was in 2024.

Audi Crooks:
2024: 19.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.5 spg, 57% FG, 65% FT
2025: 23.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.3 spg, 60% FG, 68% FT

Audi had a nice scoring increase but was generally the same player in all other categories as she was in 2024.

Arianna Jackson:
2024: 4.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 0.5 spg, 38% FG, 75% FT
2025: 5.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.7 spg, 34% FG, 72% FT

Arianna was essentially the same player as she was in 2024.

Kesley Joens:
2024: 5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.8 spg, 38% FG, 85% FT
2025: 5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.6 spg, 43% FG, 78% FT

Kelsey was statistically worse in every category except a slight increase in FG %.

I won't include Emily Ryan because of her health issues but she got statistically worse in almost every major category too.

Where is this "players were way better" coming from because the data does not back that up. And the jump a player typically makes from their freshman year to sophomore year should be one of the biggest improvements they make in their college careers. But not our core players...

Kelsey was much improved defensively

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

Last I heard yesterday, they hadn’t started player meetings yet. Not shocked they haven’t had anyone enter yet.

That's incorrect. I love a good pork tenderloin and thru that and my love of ISU, have become friends with the family who operates Joensy's. As of Monday evening, 3/21, Kelsey had already had her season ending meeting with CBF and Josh Carper. Kelsey really loves ISU and her teammates!

 

[LurkingClone]

That's incorrect. I love a good pork tenderloin and thru that and my love of ISU, have become friends with the family who operates Joensy's. As of Monday evening, 3/21, Kelsey had already had her season ending meeting with CBF and Josh Carper. Kelsey really loves ISU and her teammates!

And we really love Kelsey and her teammates!

 

[Jnecker4cy]

That's incorrect. I love a good pork tenderloin and thru that and my love of ISU, have become friends with the family who operates Joensy's. As of Monday evening, 3/21, Kelsey had already had her season ending meeting with CBF and Josh Carper. Kelsey really loves ISU and her teammates!

Great to hear. Hope the others follow suit and we fill in where needed.

 

[ZorkClone]

That's incorrect. I love a good pork tenderloin and thru that and my love of ISU, have become friends with the family who operates Joensy's. As of Monday evening, 3/21, Kelsey had already had her season ending meeting with CBF and Josh Carper. Kelsey really loves ISU and her teammates!

Now time to spill the real tea, just how good is their Pork Tenderloin?

 

[acoustimac]

I have a procedural question that I hadn't though of until now.

Let's say a team brings in a transfer, but over the course of a season, that transfer doesn't work out. They don't produce as expected, don't fit with the team, whatever the reason. It's obvious they should transfer to another school.

What happens if they don't transfer and just stay? I'm assuming the coach/school can revoke their scholarship? Does there have to be grounds to do that?

What happens if you have someone transfer in who is a detriment to the program but doesn't do anything that would justify dismissal?

Scholarships are given annually. So a player could be told the scholarship isn’t going to be renewed…which would be akin to being removed from the team.

 

[DGC]

I have a procedural question that I hadn't though of until now.

Let's say a team brings in a transfer, but over the course of a season, that transfer doesn't work out. They don't produce as expected, don't fit with the team, whatever the reason. It's obvious they should transfer to another school.

What happens if they don't transfer and just stay? I'm assuming the coach/school can revoke their scholarship? Does there have to be grounds to do that?

What happens if you have someone transfer in who is a detriment to the program but doesn't do anything that would justify dismissal?

If they don’t produce as expected they get shuffled to the end of the bench and don’t play. Most athletes want to play. As far as your second question you would have to be an extra kind of special to be detriment to the team and not violate any team rules.

 

[dafarmer]

Any word on Kenzie and her rehab, she was a drive and shoot. Need more quickness on defense and better ball movement and security.

 

[acoustimac]

Any word on Kenzie and her rehab, she was a drive and shoot. Need more quickness on defense and better ball movement and security.

Last week..
Check out this article from Des Moines Register:

Iowa State women's basketball: Kenzie Hare working her way back from season-ending surgery

Iowa State women's basketball: Kenzie Hare working her way back from season-ending surgery

Kenzie Hare appeared in just 10 games with Iowa State Cyclones women's basketball before undergoing season ending surgery.

www.desmoinesregister.com

 

[Westside clone]

Adding a starting point guard and a power forward from the portal is a must. Jackson, Joens and Harris should be the sixth, seventh and eighth players in the rotation. Just too inconsistent offensively.

It is amazing with such an incompetent group made it to the tournament at all!!
I would expect the players to improve and adding support will help them improve.
If new players are are better that's great but the 3 mentioned are all quality players.