***WBB: 2026 Recruiting Thread***

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

22 ... Doesn't matter who the team is if BF is the coach it will be 21-23 wins.

I was originally in this camp when we lost 75% of our returners, assuming our reputation would carry us to success in the portal. IMO, they've shopped from the close-out aisle and I no longer believe we'll win 20 games even if CBF schedules his typical weak pre-conference slate. We know we open versus Memphis (10-21 last season) in South Dakota, then we play Michigan in NYC in early December. We should prevail in our annual games versus the likes of Chicago State and Eastern IL but could struggle with St. Thomas and Northern Illinois. If we don't get front court reinforcements, Drake & UNI will likely be favored when we meet them.

CBF has never been a GREAT coach, and one could argue he's been underachieving for the last decade. Winning 20 games in a Power 5 program isn't some special accomplishment - it's kind of a minimum to keep a job, and Bill's only been getting there with a weak schedule (pre-conference & historically weak conference). A mediocre coach hanging on to collect a bonus with an unproven roster of portal mercenaries is not the recipe for success.

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

I do believe we are still actively going after Mata. There might be other players as well, but that's the only one I'm pretty sure about.

Anything new on this front from your social media sleuthing? She'd be a welcome addition to the squad...

 

[ZorkClone]

I was originally in this camp when we lost 75% of our returners, assuming our reputation would carry us to success in the portal. IMO, they've shopped from the close-out aisle and I no longer believe we'll win 20 games even if CBF schedules his typical weak pre-conference slate. We know we open versus Memphis (10-21 last season) in South Dakota, then we play Michigan in NYC in early December. We should prevail in our annual games versus the likes of Chicago State and Eastern IL but could struggle with St. Thomas and Northern Illinois. If we don't get front court reinforcements, Drake & UNI will likely be favored when we meet them.

CBF has never been a GREAT coach, and one could argue he's been underachieving for the last decade. Winning 20 games in a Power 5 program isn't some special accomplishment - it's kind of a minimum to keep a job, and Bill's only been getting there with a weak schedule (pre-conference & historically weak conference). A mediocre coach hanging on to collect a bonus with an unproven roster of portal mercenaries is not the recipe for success.

I’m pretty sure the playing Memphis is only the men’s team. We do play Michigan and Iowa and will probably get slaughtered.

 

[JimDogRock]

I was originally in this camp when we lost 75% of our returners, assuming our reputation would carry us to success in the portal. IMO, they've shopped from the close-out aisle and I no longer believe we'll win 20 games even if CBF schedules his typical weak pre-conference slate. We know we open versus Memphis (10-21 last season) in South Dakota, then we play Michigan in NYC in early December. We should prevail in our annual games versus the likes of Chicago State and Eastern IL but could struggle with St. Thomas and Northern Illinois. If we don't get front court reinforcements, Drake & UNI will likely be favored when we meet them.

CBF has never been a GREAT coach, and one could argue he's been underachieving for the last decade. Winning 20 games in a Power 5 program isn't some special accomplishment - it's kind of a minimum to keep a job, and Bill's only been getting there with a weak schedule (pre-conference & historically weak conference). A mediocre coach hanging on to collect a bonus with an unproven roster of portal mercenaries is not the recipe for success.

This is where I’m at as well.
We’ve been getting about 22 wins with All-American performances from Audi (and Ashley before) and McDonalds AA pedigree level players in Addy & Jada.
The talent level coming in doesn’t have a big “wow” factor, but maybe things can come together and the season can be salvaged.

Of the 9 new players we need 3 to rise up to be Big 12 starter level players, 3 more to emerge as the bench role players, and at least 1 to be able to play spot minutes.
The problem is that we can’t have missed on any of the forwards/posts. Especially Ezekiel and Turnsek since they seem to be the only ones capable of playing actual minutes at the 5. Maybe Bessette or Paulk could buy a couple minutes at the 5 here and there in a small-ball situation, but neither of them can shoot the 3 well so that’s asking for trouble.

I’m hoping for 19 or 20 wins.
Win almost all the games you should in the non-conference, maybe get to .500 in conference, and win a game or 2 in the conference tournament.

 

[bozclone]

I’m excited to see which transfers surprise, but I’m preparing for a season of many struggles. I have a feeling the players will play hard and we will have some new fan favorites, but I think talent and coaching will be our undoing.

 

[FLYINGCYCLONE]

We should surprise a few teams who are looking for an easy win.

 

[Clones2023]

Are we really done recruiting? Is Bill really relying on that Florida center to start? This is actually very concerning. Maybe PBS can pick us up for free tv because I will not be getting a + subscription to watch this.

 

[CycloneT]

Are we really done recruiting? Is Bill really relying on that Florida center to start? This is actually very concerning. Maybe PBS can pick us up for free tv because I will not be getting a + subscription to watch this.

Bill said he's still working the portal on Travis and Ross's show. Turnsek will start. She's young but international scouts say she is a top 3 forward in 2026 international class.

 

[Clones2023]

Bill said he's still working the portal on Travis and Ross's show. Turnsek will start. She's young but international scouts say she is a top 3 forward in 2026 international class.

I really hope so. International ball is completely different than the states. Pleta is a perfect example. He’s going to be a monster but it took a year to adjust.

 

[kcdc4isu]

What is so sad for me is we have a group on here who want the upcoming team to fail so they can say "see I was right and you other fans were wrong". I will be in my regular seats cheering on our ISU Cyclone team, Go State.

 

[kcdc4isu]

Checking this morning per on3 there are still 9 players 6'5" or taller still in the portal

 

[JimDogRock]

What is so sad for me is we have a group on here who want the upcoming team to fail so they can say "see I was right and you other fans were wrong". I will be in my regular seats cheering on our ISU Cyclone team, Go State.

I don’t think almost anyone that comments on this forum wants the team to fail. We’re 6 months away from the season starting, and there are multiple active threads in the women’s basketball forum totaling thousands of posts.
Maybe a small fraction of those folks that are first and foremost anti-Fennelly want to see failure because they want to expedite his exit, but I think those that are displeased with the outlook of next season are trying to air some dread that they foresee with the upcoming season.
It’s a psychological coping mechanism to both express that dread as well as find others that are feeling the same.

 

[ZorkClone]

Checking this morning per on3 there are still 9 players 6'5" or taller still in the portal

Are any of those good? I get having height can be its own skill, but there are plenty of tall posts that really aren’t really any good.

 

[CycloneT]

Are any of those good? I get having height can be its own skill, but there are plenty of tall posts that really aren’t really any good.

All of them average less then 2 ppg and the only one who doesn’t is like 7ppg but is without any Eligibility I’m pretty sure

 

[kcdc4isu]

All of them average less then 2 ppg and the only one who doesn’t is like 7ppg but is without any Eligibility I’m pretty sure

Agree they are not shown to be scores not sure how many minutes they were getting or playing style of the team. As to eligibility a couple are shown as seniors (currently) so not sure if they have any left. Not sure why they would be listed if they don't.

 

[CycloneT]

Agree they are not shown to be scores not sure how many minutes they were getting or playing style of the team. As to eligibility a couple are shown as seniors (currently) so not sure if they have any left. Not sure why they would be listed if they don't.

Lot of players entered the portal hoping they could get a fifth

 

[acoustimac]

What is so sad for me is we have a group on here who want the upcoming team to fail so they can say "see I was right and you other fans were wrong". I will be in my regular seats cheering on our ISU Cyclone team, Go State.

Yep…the hate is strong in those vocal few. Fortunately they are very much in the minority and with the exception of one or two, only show up when there’s something they can throw at CBF.

Personally, I’m excited to see what next year brings. Lots of new faces and we get to see who successfully emerges and watch a team grow. I’m thinking anything over 16-17 wins is icing.

 

[bozclone]

I would expect that most everyone posting here has a deep love for Iowa State. I expect everyone wants all programs including the WBB program to be successful. Some posters are very loyal to BF and will defend him in every situation. Others believe his best coaching is in the past. I would be disappointed if anyone on here would want the women who chose to wear the Iowa State uniform to suffer through a failed season. I am looking forward to seeing which new players shine at this level. I personally think BF must be much better than he has been in recent years and I hope the coaching changes will help. But I am concerned they won’t. It is possible Bill may benefit from having a team with no expectations. He had some success when Addy and Audi were freshman. But I am also concerned about our talent level. And I’m concerned about our lack of size. If you are not concerned about the direction of the program right now you are ignoring tons of warning signs. I know there are challenges at Iowa State but I also think Iowa State is special and we need to expect better than what we have seen the past two seasons.

 

[mred]

Doyinsola to DePaul.

 

[mred]

It appears Mata is remaining in Spain.