ARTICLE: Iowa Women's Basketball Fearless Forecast

A general question, @KyleHuesmann, I think Iowa often starts slow and finishes the season strong, nonwithstanding last year's tournament results. And that is amplified by the transfer portal's complications. Do you see that general pattern again this year, or will the pieces come together more quickly based on the strength of the roster?

KyleHuesmann said:

Yeah, that's certainly a big question with six newcomers and just five returners. The fact that they are allowed to play two secret scrimmages and one exhibition rather than one and one has helped this year. They fared well in both of those scrimmages. Also, I think it helps they have a star at center (Heiden) and at guard (Carnegie) to carry them if there are periods of struggle early in the year.

The good news is that even if Iowa needs some time to get going, the non-conference schedule is not very hard outside of UConn and Vandy. Montana State is good, but Utah and Iowa State aren't what they were last year.

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Most of my observations make me Captain Obvious, but certainly Heiden's abilty to stay out of foul trouble will be critical. Even without fouling out, playing in the fourth quarter with four fouls hampers her. And can someone provide close to Feuerbach's defensive prowess, while consistently adding more offense.

Conn53victor said:

Most of my observations make me Captain Obvious, but certainly Heiden's abilty to stay out of foul trouble will be critical. Even without fouling out, playing in the fourth quarter with four fouls hampers her. And can someone provide close to Feuerbach's defensive prowess, while consistently adding more offense.

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From what we've heard so far that may be Whiting who puts out great effort on D and yet averaged around 10 points per game. One reason she may get the start over Strem at the three, but I guess we'll see.....

Very sparse crowd. Havent seen one this small since pre CC

Carnegie and Woliczko are great additions to this team. Strem it shooting very well and Hoston is good around the board. Perimeter still needs work. Whiting is a hardnose defender. Of coirse Ava and Chat are solid.

oldhawk56 said:

Very sparse crowd. Havent seen one this small since pre CC

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Last year's exhibition was about the same.

Hawkangler said:

Carnegie and Woliczko are great additions to this team. Strem it shooting very well and Hoston is good around the board. Perimeter still needs work. Whiting is a hardnose defender. Of coirse Ava and Chat are solid.

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So, you determined Journey's perimeter needs work after one game? Maybe give her a few games before.....................

NORTHSTAR said:

So, you determined Journey's perimeter needs work after one game? Maybe give her a few games before.....................

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Has she ever made a 3? Yeah it needs work. You're either a good outside shooter or you're not. Can you improve some? Of course. But you'll more than likely never be really good. Love Houston around the basket though. She has a nack of getting to the ball

KurtWarner said:

Has she ever made a 3? Yeah it needs work. You're either a good outside shooter or you're not. Can you improve some? Of course. But you'll more than likely never be really good. Love Houston around the basket though. She has a nack of getting to the ball

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Can she develop a good 3 PT shot? Time will tell, and whether Jan and staff wish to accomplish that or not. She only had 11 attempts last year. Pretty simple. Play to you strengths first, and then work toward expanding your game.

KurtWarner said:

Has she ever made a 3? Yeah it needs work. You're either a good outside shooter or you're not. Can you improve some? Of course. But you'll more than likely never be really good. Love Houston around the basket though. She has a nack of getting to the ball

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I tracked Journey in HS. She had very acceptable 3%. Can't get the exact HS stats now coz gobound shuts them down for prior years (login needed) and the old forum shut down my prior posts to find her HS 3-pt attempt number.

However, I found what I could from other sources.
36.7% from beyond the arc her senior year of HS
36.4% from beyond the arc her 1st year at Iowa

That's pretty consistent in my book.

'24-'25 Davenport North (36.7% from beyond the arc)
5-for-7 (71.4%) against North Scott
2-for-2 (100%) against Bettendorf

'25-'26 Iowa 36.4% from beyond the arc (connecting on 4 of 11 attempts over 34 games)
She was playing in the Triangle and backing up Hannah so not much to show last year.

Think with more attempts she gets back to that ~36-37% mark she has had over the past 2 seasons.

A reminder that Journey played center at times for her HS team and she also played point guard while Divine Bourrage (LSU, now IL) was injured. Journey is pretty versatile. Although, PG and center in college is asking too much of her. 2-4 is perfect for her.

Have notes that @davenporter and @HIWILLE went to some of her games. Maybe they can chime in with any recollections they have.

Ahhh finally found some HS stats I did save before posting them.

Her last season she was #1 on the team in 3% amongst the regular starters with 48 or more season attempts (avg 2+ attempts/game).
Journey Houston 2024-25 - 3Pt - 29/79 - 36.7%

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Prior season she was almost last on the team in 3% amongst the regular starters with 34 or more season attempts (avg 2+ attempts/game). Injured and missed last 8 games.
Journey Houston 2023-24 - 3Pt - 12/41 - 29.3%