Kelsey Joens in Portal

[Heathrow06]

In regard to your second point. Based on ESPN article a month ago, Dawn Staley was concerned her program would be funded to the level needed from an NIL perspective. Schools are generally allocating 90% of $20M to FB & MBB. With WBB getting roughly 5%.

So just being in SEC or Big10 doesn't mean a blank check for WBB. Especially if a school wants to be a national power in sports like baseball, softball, wrestling, etc.

Feels like even the Big10 & SEC will have tiers, schools like Ohio State & Texas vs. schools like Iowa & So. Carolina.

Sure, no "blank check" for a WBB program, but SEC and Big 10 schools have a lot more money from revenue to fund that sport than a school from the Big 12, like ISU.
WBB is - by far - Iowa State's biggest money loser, so no doubt its budget and expenses will be scrutinized a lot closer from here on.. A lot tighter purse strings than at OU...

 

[VeloClone]

Kelsey was also in the restaurant on Saturday - the family was gathered to watch the Dream versus the Fever. Things are moving fast - her last ISU final is the 15th and she moves in at Villanova on the 26th. She confirms what I said earlier (that's first person for the doubters in the crowd) - CBF (with Carper in attendance) spoke extensively about her father in the season-ender and made it clear she wasn't in his plans going forward (ten minutes tops). When she didn't declare her intentions to leave, three days later he called her into an "unscheduled" meeting (with all the coaches in the room) and repeated she simply wasn't in next year's plans. Several additional days passed while arrangements were made for early payment of her final NIL installment, then she entered the portal. The other young women have been supportive, several commenting she was the "team scapegoat" when CBF wasn't happy with practice and wanted to make a point. Kelsey thinks he's clearing the decks for Freya Jansen - he does love to play those Freshman shooters! Lastly, Kelsey shared the entire coaching staff, excepting only CBF, texted her "congratulations" on signing with Villanova.

She had no intention of leaving ISU when she walked into her season-ending review, will miss her friends and the young women on the team - she thinks ISU has a great shot at winning the Big XII and wanted to be part of that. Even so, she's very excited about joining the Villanova team. They need a three-point shooter, there's much to do and see in Philadelphia, Villanova has an excellent academic reputation, the university PR person assigned to WBB (has interviewed MJ) will be a great mentor for her interest in sports journalism and she's got a fine NIL deal. She's happy to get a clean start and is looking forward, not back.

I'm out, moving to "lurker" status until after both CBF and I retire from our respective jobs - I waste too much time here and have had my fill of the "group think" majority who regularly twist context and don't hesitate to fabricate untruths. There are some knowledgeable WBB board contributors who are interesting and informative free-thinkers - my kudos to Mred, Boxster, bozclone, NWIA, the sarcastic Shadow, Wartburg and unnamed others. See you in the funny papers...

I hope you got permission from Kelsey before very publicly sharing this. If you did great - if not, not cool. I'm sure you did...

There are those who support Fennelly no matter what and those who blast him no matter what. And then there are those who are skeptical of most reports that are extreme to either end of the spectrum.

 

[ISU40]

I hope you got permission from Kelsey before very publicly sharing this. If you did great - if not, not cool. I'm sure you did...

There are those who support Fennelly no matter what and those who blast him no matter what. And then there are those who are skeptical of most reports that are extreme to either end of the spectrum.

That was my first thought, that Kelsey should have the say but once the toothpaste is out.

Very informative, sorry to hear this. I don't know if this is cruel or is it an honest talk with a player. In any job, tough choices are made. The silver lining is Kelsey is landing on her feet and probably even better. We will really miss her.

 

[acoustimac]

I hope you got permission from Kelsey before very publicly sharing this. If you did great - if not, not cool. I'm sure you did...

There are those who support Fennelly no matter what and those who blast him no matter what. And then there are those who are skeptical of most reports that are extreme to either end of the spectrum.

It’s an easy trap to fall into when you know something that seemingly allows you to make your point, look more informed on a bbs, or whatever plethora of other reasons people post so you spill the beans. I’ve always tried to tread carefully when I talk to people and specifically ask about what I can or can’t share. ICCYFAN may very well have her permission and just didn’t say so.

 

[acoustimac]

Not sure of the whole history with the Hawks but I'd guess the family might have bad blood with both schools now. The Hawks boards (for what it's worth) seemed to talk bad blood between dad Joens and the Hawk program and I assume that meant Bluder. Maybe a coaching change at ISU will amended that for ISU but I am not so sure Fennelly will retire since this is the family business and his son is half running the show (or so it appears). If they won't hire his son as coach then he can just retire in place and pay his son top dollar as an assistant to spite ISU.

Post Crooks/Brown/Williams there will be better offers for the youngest Joens if she continues to be ranked as high as projected. Lot of stuff in play that was not in play when we recruited Ashley (NIL, player stipends, weakening of the Big 12 etc). My WAG is we have little shot at landing her if she projects to rally high profile recruit. Even without her last two sisters experiences she would be in the shadow of Ashley's five years of stats, just don't get why anyone would want to do that.

With what Fennelly has stated, I’d be VERY surprised if he doesn’t retire in two years. He has lots of good reasons to retire. We all do when we hit the age he and I are at. Billy is definitely having a huge impact on the program recruiting, but like many I’d be surprised if he was handed the keys.

 

[DesertClone1]

 

[NWICY]

Kelsey was also in the restaurant on Saturday - the family was gathered to watch the Dream versus the Fever. Things are moving fast - her last ISU final is the 15th and she moves in at Villanova on the 26th. She confirms what I said earlier (that's first person for the doubters in the crowd) - CBF (with Carper in attendance) spoke extensively about her father in the season-ender and made it clear she wasn't in his plans going forward (ten minutes tops). When she didn't declare her intentions to leave, three days later he called her into an "unscheduled" meeting (with all the coaches in the room) and repeated she simply wasn't in next year's plans. Several additional days passed while arrangements were made for early payment of her final NIL installment, then she entered the portal. The other young women have been supportive, several commenting she was the "team scapegoat" when CBF wasn't happy with practice and wanted to make a point. Kelsey thinks he's clearing the decks for Freya Jansen - he does love to play those Freshman shooters! Lastly, Kelsey shared the entire coaching staff, excepting only CBF, texted her "congratulations" on signing with Villanova.

She had no intention of leaving ISU when she walked into her season-ending review, will miss her friends and the young women on the team - she thinks ISU has a great shot at winning the Big XII and wanted to be part of that. Even so, she's very excited about joining the Villanova team. They need a three-point shooter, there's much to do and see in Philadelphia, Villanova has an excellent academic reputation, the university PR person assigned to WBB (has interviewed MJ) will be a great mentor for her interest in sports journalism and she's got a fine NIL deal. She's happy to get a clean start and is looking forward, not back.

I'm out, moving to "lurker" status until after both CBF and I retire from our respective jobs - I waste too much time here and have had my fill of the "group think" majority who regularly twist context and don't hesitate to fabricate untruths. There are some knowledgeable WBB board contributors who are interesting and informative free-thinkers - my kudos to Mred, Boxster, bozclone, NWIA, the sarcastic Shadow, Wartburg and unnamed others. See you in the funny papers...

Hopefully by October or so you'll comeback appreciate the insight.

 

[acoustimac]

Kelsey is headed to a school where youth is expected to get much of the playing time with three touted freshmen and freshman of the year guard returning. Their coach is hoping Joens can provide some steadying leadership as these youngsters hit the ground running.

Villanova’s Denise Dillon is full of optimism as her 2025-26 roster begins to take shape

Last spring, the program's future was uncertain when six players entered the transfer portal. However, with a core expected to return, the future for the Wildcats looks bright.

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