Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Iowa Hawkeyes NAVIGATE Alvaro Folgueiras Transfer, Can They RELOAD Fast Enough?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Alvaro Fulgaris, who helped Iowa to their first elite eight since 1987 is off to the transfer portal. The impact to the Hawkeyes and why this may not be as big of a deal as some make it out to be. You are Locked on Hawkeyes, your daily podcast on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. I'm Trent Condon, and this is the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast. Today's episode of Lockdown Hawkeyes is brought to you by Fanduel. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get $250 in bonus bets. If your first bet wins, head to fandual.com to get started.

Starting point is 00:00:45 Lots to get into. We will preview the weekend ahead. We got some official visits being set up on the basketball front and a look at baseball and softball coming up this weekend for the Iowa Hawkeyes. We're also going to talk football with you today as we'll break down the linebackers here in our spring preview. I'll look at some young talent coming. coming in, some young faces, new faces and old faces altogether at the linebacker spot.

Starting point is 00:01:07 Traditionally, a strength of Iowa and some big upside guys, certainly here today. But we begin with the transfer portal and the conversation continues with the news here on Friday morning. Alvaro Fulgiris has entered the transfer portal and will be departing Iowa City. Now, I know this is a blow for a lot of people. And after what he did in the NCAA tournament for the first three games, definitely hits in a way that at least some frustration in this new era of college athletics where you get to know a guy, you get to love a guy. And then just like that, they are out the door.

Starting point is 00:01:41 Very interesting, something that we've certainly bandied about here over the last week plus about Fulgaris, a guy that indications are he would have been happy to stay in Iowa City. And maybe if all things were equal, he would have preferred that. But the money that is out there in the transfer portal. and after what obviously people across the country saw that he did in the win against Clemson. Of course, the game winner against Florida knocking out the defending national champions. And then what he did in the Sweet 16 victory against Nebraska, it just raised his profile.

Starting point is 00:02:14 And when your profile bumps up like that, there's going to be suitors. There are going to be people that absolutely want to get your services. And that's definitely the case with Fool Garris. He had an opportunity to stay in Iowa City. But it was going to likely be at a reduced rate than what he was. He earned this season from the Hawkeyes and what he was paid this year. That opportunity was still on the table for him. But when you're in a situation like Elverill Fulgaris, and when you're a guy that the likelihood is he's not going to play in the NBA, still going to make money playing basketball afterwards, overseas, whatever it may be, regardless of that, this very well could be your final opportunity to get a big payday, to get that life-changing money and continue what he got in year number one.

Starting point is 00:02:59 after making his way in from Robert Morris and really bumping up and sending yourself up for life and not just yourself but your family. And hearing the story of his mom and after his dad passed away, I think that's a huge component to it as well. What he's going to be able to do and provide for his family is a huge component. That has to be a piece of this. And you might not like it, but it is our reality.

Starting point is 00:03:22 And it's the reality of this situation. He will depart being remembered fondly from Hawkeye fans. getting to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 99 on that triple from the corner on the beautiful bounce pass from Bennett Sturts. This is going to be his legacy. And he's going to be beloved. And he'll come back, I'm sure. He's going to be welcome back. People are going to want to have his autograph.

Starting point is 00:03:46 He's going to be one of those guys. But this is the way that we are living now in this environment of college athletics. And I don't think there needs to be any angst or hate of Alverro for making this. decision, the financial decision that goes along with it. But this is also a business on the Iowa side. And from the Iowa perspective, looking at it for a guy that was incredibly inconsistent throughout the course of the year, when you got good Al, you know, Iowa was going to have a great chance of winning.

Starting point is 00:04:15 15 and won this year when he scored in double figures. But when you got bad Al, you're behind the eight ball because you didn't have the same number of options. And when you look at the roster construction for the Iowa team next year, there's I don't want to say a log jam, but they have depth at the power forward position. And they don't play in a traditional way where it's just strictly about that. But we know that I was out there looking for a true center, a rim protector, a big guy, good rebounder, good defense, rim protector. That's what they're looking at.

Starting point is 00:04:49 Those guys cost money too. And I would just not have a finite money, an infinite amount of money, excuse me, in terms of what they can do and what they can spend. in the portal. They're in good shape, but it's not unlimited. And when you're building your roster and understanding that centers cost as much as anybody and good centers, that's at the top of the heap. And because of that, you have to make the decision and have to come to the realization that maybe this money is just spent elsewhere is better for your roster in doing that.

Starting point is 00:05:23 Because at the power forward position, obviously Cooper Koch comes back after a great Redshirt freshman campaign, the improvement we saw from him this season. After a shooting slump in the middle of the year, how he turned it on in the back third of the season, what he did defensively. I mean, you talk about improving by leaps and bounds. That was Cooper Katch on the defensive end of the floor. He's going to play a ton as he played a ton at the end of the season. You also welcome in Trey Thompson, who redshirted this year.

Starting point is 00:05:52 But a guy that Iowa beat out Kansas and Yukon and Purdue, what are you're beating? out those kind of programs that shows you, obviously the upside that he has. Redshirt of this year was sick, had Mono, maybe had a chance to come back. They just made the decision. We're going to redshirt and use that year of development. But from all reports, this guy is absolutely going to be a player and Trey Thompson's going to be a guy that's going to be able to help out this season. They also bring in freshman Ethan Harris.

Starting point is 00:06:20 Another guy, maybe not quite a traditional four, kind of that swing three, four type. of player, but another guy that's likely going to get minutes at that position this year. Also, if they do get that center, what they can do with Camanyahu, who can go back and play more of a traditional role for him at the Power 4 position, I think that makes a ton of sense. The minutes are tightening up, and this is a position that Iowa can afford this, and they can afford it because of the depth that they built coupled with what they're going to have to spend roster construction-wise. Alvaro, we will remember him fondly.

Starting point is 00:06:58 Elverro will have that shot that will live in our minds, certainly for the rest of my life, and I'm sure a lot of you out there also. And that moment, as a ball hangs in the air and splashes in, and the realization that they just took the lead against the defending national champion and how that was, the late game situation, the dunk against Nebraska, just all the different parts that go along with it,

Starting point is 00:07:20 owl be beloved, no doubt. But this is how we are. talk about a couple of the transfer candidates that are in the portal for the Iowa Hawkeyes. A new name emerged from Washington State, and it's a great name. We'll talk about that a little bit. Plus the Iowa women's basketball team, a big recruiting weekend in front of them, including coming to town. A first team all SEC player will make her way to Iowa City.

Starting point is 00:07:45 We dive into the portal with some names as we continue. Stay right there. This is Lockdown Hawkeyes. The NBA playoffs are here where every possession matters. every matchup is magnified and every game can swing a series. Right now, fan duels giving new customers a great way to get in on the action. You can bet just $5 and get $250 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. The app makes it easy to follow the action with player stats, trends, and matchups all in one place.

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Starting point is 00:09:00 your first listen every day. We are your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast as we break things down for you. And if you'd like, join our everyday club, an opportunity to get our show each and every day and get it ad free. Lockdownhawkeyes.supercast.com is where you can go for more information. Lockdownhawkeyes. Dot supercast.com. Well, a new name has emerged here over the last couple of days in the transfer portal for

Starting point is 00:09:25 Iowa basketball. We've talked about some of the different ones at this point in time. We've gone in, talked about a couple of things. of the big guys that potentially can be there for the Hawkeyes this season. Aaron McKeever from St. Mary's, Andrew McKeever, excuse me, at the top of that list. Seven foot three, tremendous rebounder, eight points, nine rebounds per game this past season. And talking about a rim protector at seven three, yeah, that would definitely work. Sounds like there's some pretty good traction happening there and a potential visit might be in the works with the St.

Starting point is 00:09:54 Mary's transfer in Andrew McKeever. We've also talked about some guards, but the newest name to come up is, Ace Glass the third. Now, talk about a great name. Ace, absolutely tremendous. Ace Glass the third. Love it even more. This is another scoring guard,

Starting point is 00:10:10 a guy that can definitely do it off the bounce. Good getting into the paint, good in pick and roll situations, looking at Synergy. There are some numbers that definitely jump out and a shout out to Ryan with Lockdown Badgers that's helped me out with a couple of these names as he's helped me out with the synergy look that he has.

Starting point is 00:10:25 But I look at this, and I find it interesting because we talk about him. him. Brett Decker, who we talked about a bit yesterday from Liberty, another more of a two guard kind of looked to him, not the combo guard or point guard that maybe Iowa is looking at deeper. These guys are all really skilled offensively, but another thing that jumped out. And going back to Finley, Bizjack, the transfer from Butler that we talked about earlier this week, all these guys, it's kind of wild to me because none of these guys at this point, when you look at the defensive numbers that are out there and the defensive metrics,

Starting point is 00:10:59 none of these guys are tremendous on the defensive end of the floor. Now, when you're talking about on the defensive end of the floor, one thing that I think is interesting at the very least is just the thought that Coach Ben McCollum is going to be able to figure it out, that he has a belief in his system and what they do in the way that they teach it, that even guys that defensive metrics weren't real strong, that they can build them into good defenders. And that is certainly the hope that you're going to be able to get out of these guys.

Starting point is 00:11:30 And of course, you return, Kale Combs also in the back court. We know a very good on-ball defender, one of their better perimeter defenders, certainly that they had this season, the improvements we saw on a Tate Sage. Another guy, two, three position, that swing position that definitely improved immensely on the defensive end of the floor. So you got a couple of pretty good defenders out there. You throw a new guy into the mix, and it could be asking him to do different things. And I think Glass is a guy that makes a whole lot of sense. It was Sean Bach from 24-7 Sports Hawkeye Insider that reported that Iowa was the first Zoom visit for Ace Glass.

Starting point is 00:12:06 So this is something that happened very quickly and does not sound like a guy that wants to drag things out also. So we'll see if they can potentially get a visit set up with him. And maybe this is something that happens pretty quickly. You know, we talked about Isaiah Johnson. I just wonder if the price tag is going to be too much for him, the Colorado transfer that we talked about a lot. I know there's been communication, but that could be one. he's an L.A. guy. And the L.A. schools are also involved with him. Maybe to return home for his services would make a little bit more sense. Look, I was going to get guys. I was got ability to go out there. This run to the elite eight definitely is going to also help in the recruiting pitch. Obviously, you have that kind of success in year number one. And it's going to get the attention. And you think of the number of eyeballs, obviously, that were on the Hawkeyes and watching this team and seeing just how good they were. And being able to pull off those upsets and beating Nebraska and Florida, what they were able to do. obviously for the first 32 minutes against Illinois in that Elite 8 game,

Starting point is 00:13:02 just a lot of good about this program and a lot to be excited about, certainly, on that front. Speaking of visits and hopefully an Ace Glass visit coming up here very quickly, the Iowa women have three visits set up this weekend, and a visit set have already happened and have more on the book. So we talked a little bit about Kenzie Hare, the Iowa State Transfer earlier this week, has already completed her visit to Iowa City.

Starting point is 00:13:26 and you do wonder if she just may be wondering about her role a little bit on what potentially could be there. But definitely the outside shooting, that is a huge component. As we definitely saw in the NCAA tournament, the hard earned win against Fairley Dickinson in the first round and then the loss against Virginia, I was just struggled. And after the, from the outside and with Taylor McCabe, her injury when she went down, it was great when Chit Chat was hitting shots. And obviously we saw Stremlow take a step forward from the three point line in the back half of

Starting point is 00:13:56 the year. But those things dried up in that final game specifically and need more shooters to spread the floor. You know what you have in A behind. You know, obviously, that is going to be a huge part of it. But one thing that you see, and we saw this season when they ramped up the competition, when they were taken on UCLA, when they're facing off against Yukon this year, is that last tier, right? The last boss in the video game. When you got to that level, it was different. And I was struggled at terms because of lack of athleticism. Turnovers were a huge component in that game, and at times just got manhandled.

Starting point is 00:14:31 I mean, you go back to the Yukon game and the number of turnovers in that one, and at times careless ones, but when they face pressure, so getting somebody athletic, getting somebody else that could go off the bounce, and also make three pointers, as we mentioned with hair.

Starting point is 00:14:45 And the name that's coming in this weekend, I think, is incredibly interesting, and that is Danny Carnegie from Georgia. Played her freshman year at Georgia Tech. Alassana Brayrera, the new assistant coach who came in this past season was on that coaching staff where Chit Chatt Wright was also. She's going to be visiting this weekend.

Starting point is 00:15:03 And this is not just a filler player. This past season in the SEC, not a mid-major player, in the SEC, we know what a great women's basketball conference that is. Average nearly 18 points per game, five rebounds, over three assists per contest, and was first team all SEC. Don't know the relationship between her and Chit-chat.

Starting point is 00:15:25 At minimum, you have to anticipate, though. If she's taking a visit here to Iowa City, yes, she is. There's a relationship that they played well together. I'm not sure about friendship, anything like that, but really have to feel good about this one. A lot of three-pointers, her three-point shooting improved. Still can get better. But the biggest thing about Carnegie is her ability off the bounce.

Starting point is 00:15:47 Her ability to go out there and break things down, taking a look at some of the numbers from her. That is her strength. getting into the paint, getting all the way to the rim, speed, quickness, that's exciting. And thinking about potentially pairing her up in the back court with Chit Chat, right. Stremlow moves over maybe to the small forward position. I think that would something to play to her strengths a little bit better. Obviously, Ava Hayden, and then if it's Wollichgo, if they go out into the portal and find

Starting point is 00:16:16 somebody else, whatever it is, suddenly this thing gets exciting. And that's not all because I was also involved with a couple other high, and talents in the portal, including one of the best shooters in the country from this past season. Another visitor coming in this weekend, Ellie Bruggeman. And Brugman comes in from Lindenwood playing in the Ohio Valley, a program that is transitioning up from the D2 level up to the D1 level, and put together great season. 17 points per game, tremendous shooter, top five in the country and three-pointers made this year.

Starting point is 00:16:49 Definitely when we're talking about three-point shooting, Brugamon is definitely that kind of player. can fill it up from the outside. I was played a carver earlier this year also. But one thing for her, I don't know if this is an ether or situation. Because when you're talking about Carnegie from Georgia, she's one of the top 10 players in the portal at this point. And Bruggeman, known as maybe one of the best shooters in the portal,

Starting point is 00:17:11 but different terms. And it's going to be a step-up in competition. On top of it, Brugamint has one year of eligibility remaining and two for Carnegie. So I think you'd point in that direction. I mentioned off the bounce. And I think that's just something that I will really, really needs. And though chit-chat, quick enough, certainly off the bounce, she's 5'4. And getting somebody that can do it off the dribble, but also has a little bit more size to her.

Starting point is 00:17:32 You know, 5'10, I think could go a long way also with Carnegie. So we'll see on that front. Also another visitor coming in this weekend from Oklahoma State is Amari Whiting. And whiting 10 points per game. You wonder more of a depth piece if that's what I was looking at at that front, that it's not an either-or situation. And again, this is speculative. I don't know if it is in either or situation between Carnegie and Bruggeman for that guard spot.

Starting point is 00:17:57 But regardless, wedding, I think definitely a player. We're looking about also adding depth. It's not just about the stars. It's also adding some depth to this roster, getting the roster up to 12, 13 players, something like that, with six currently on the roster, it's constructed right now. So a big weekend, though, for Ivo women and Jan Jensen doing the work in the portal, of course, had to do it a year ago and bringing in chit-chat, Emily Rodriguez that didn't work out, finding that right fit and just finding a way to make this thing continue to grow,

Starting point is 00:18:24 but have to feel good about where the Iowa women are at this point in time. And certainly getting three candidates on campus this weekend is definitely going to be big. We got a little football to talk about as well. Yes, spring football is here. We're going to talk a little bit today about the linebacker position. Some new names, some names that you need to know going into the season. And, of course, the veterans come back. How strong are the Hawkeyes linebackers going to be this year?

Starting point is 00:18:49 We'll talk about that next. This is Lockdown Hawkeyes. I'm Kleea Butler, host of Lockdown Women's Basketball, and this is Mazda's Women's Basketball Snapshot, celebrating the work no highlight reel can ever capture. UCLA made history by winning its first NCAA women's basketball national championship dominating South Carolina 79 to 51. The Bruins controlled the game from start to finish with elite defense and balanced scoring, finishing the season 37 and 1. Star Center Lauren Betts was named most outstanding player leading a team effort that caps a 31 game winning streak. Under head coach,

Starting point is 00:19:32 Corey Close, UCLA secured a landmark title that has been decades in the making. These moments are earned off the clock, those long before the lights ever come on. The sweat, the fakes, the doubt, the scrapes, and coming back for more every time. Mazda puts that same into every detail. Wins define the moment, putting in the work, that defines you. There's more to a Mazda because there's more to you. Trent, kind of back with you one final time on the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast, your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast. Let's talk some football and set the scene for this weekend. Mentioned the transfer portal and some of the visits on the women's side coming up this weekend. Let's jump right now, though, over to the linebacker spot. Yesterday, we talked about the

Starting point is 00:20:16 defensive line and specifically the defensive tackle position. which I believe is Iowa's biggest concern at the whole roster going into the year. So what they definitely jumped out and reading some reports from some different people that were at practice the other day, one thing that was mentioned is continually from everybody. Cam Buffington is a dude. This is going to be a guy that we're definitely going to be seeing a lot of linebacker, the anticipation. This is going to be your middle linebacker, maybe going forward.

Starting point is 00:20:46 What does that mean for Jane Montgomery, who we saw last year, come in because of injury and did a pretty good job. He was solid at minimum out there at the middle spot, but not a real tall guy, not a big guy by any means. And that's not a precursor to vein that it's not going to work. But we saw him be adequate. He was fine. Not fine like what my wife says, I'm fine.

Starting point is 00:21:10 No, he was really fine. But the upside, certainly a Buffington gets you excited. 6-3, 240 pounds flying around, making the plays. Now, is he ready to be able to make all the calls defensively and get everybody in the right position? I mean, you go back to some of the great middle linebackers for Iowa, and that was a big component. Yes, they were stars.

Starting point is 00:21:32 And you think about Jack Campbell and just the sideline to sideline speed and quickness that he had and now doing it at the NFL level, which comes as no surprise to the Hawkeye fans out there. You think of a guy like Pat Angerer, Just those guys in the middle, it's not just what you're doing in the middle, Abdul-Hodge, but also getting everybody situated, getting everybody set. And at this point, if he's ready for that, but you're talking about upside, he definitely has it. Preston Reese, also part of that now, sophomore group of linebackers that came in.

Starting point is 00:22:02 He was dealing with a little bit of an injury. We've seen him already on special teams, and he is just a freak athletically speed at that linebacker spot, get him back healthy and definitely a guy that's going to help out again on special teams. see what kind of spot there is for him. And the other guy, Derek Weiskopf, who came in from Williamsburg, he is another guy that out of that young group, you're certainly excited about his potential in this future. Ben Kekricks, who's played a ton on special teams. He's back. We talked about Montgomery, also at that spot. And now they're adding young talent, too. And from Burk Goucher, who redshirted this past season, he'll be a red shirt freshman this year. Carson

Starting point is 00:22:39 Cooney, both of those guys heard a lot of good things about them and practice going back to last year. You know, the depth that they're building at this spot, they bring in Billy Wavoda from, that guy to late offer from, was it Michigan, I think late in the process. Julian Manson, obviously Jason Manson's son, what he's been able to do. Linebacker just feels like this spot where it's a position that Iowa can get a lot of guys. It's just the prototype that works out for them. The linebacker play has been so good throughout the years that this needs to maybe grow into his strength, though. And with those questions up front, I wonder if that leads to Buffington getting the job just because you need playmakers, right?

Starting point is 00:23:20 You got guys that can do a little bit extra. And if your defensive tackles aren't quite as good or certainly up to par from what we're used to throughout the years, if that makes a lot of sense. But definitely a position group to be excited about is linebacker, both young and old, good shape there. We'll continue going through the roster here in the different position groups as we continue in spring football. As we are a couple of weeks away from open practice and the kids day happening at Kinnick Stadium. I'm going to get another glimpse at the Hawkeyes and maybe our only glimpse until we get to August and Kids Day. Then, oh boy, yeah, it's a long, long offseason.

Starting point is 00:23:53 Weekend ahead also on the diamond for the Iowa baseball and softball teams. So Rick Hiller's baseball team, they are out in L.A. They'll get ready for the three game series against USC. Top 10 ranked USC squad. Now USC got swept by UCLA, who's the number one team in the country. And are we talking about maybe a baseball championship? still his team's really good. An excellent pitching staff.

Starting point is 00:24:17 At minimum, you're hoping can he steal a game and keep your head above water. We're talking about qualifying for the Big Ten tournament. I think that is the hope in this one. Go out there. If you can get a game, keep your head above water. You got Maryland coming in after that. You go to Indiana and then Illinois.

Starting point is 00:24:33 So three very winnable series after this one, if you can get a game, definitely going to help out before the final two, which are going to be tough on the road against Nebraska, who's currently second in the Big Ten, and then Purdue, who's off to a nice start as well. That's what's happening for the baseball team. Over to the softball team. They'll be hosting the Dr. Christine Grant Classic coming up this weekend.

Starting point is 00:24:54 Two games against Georgia Tech, two games against South Dakota State. Maybe we should say two games scheduled against both of those teams with obviously the weather coming in and the rain that we've had. We'll see exactly how that's going to play out, hopefully able to get those games in there. But Georgia Tech coming in and then South Dakota State. So interesting. No conference play. next week then it'll be Indiana.

Starting point is 00:25:15 We'll be coming in the Hoosiers will be the next opponent in the Big Ten slate for the Iowa softball team that again, another rebuild kind of transitioning into this new era. See some good things though. Keep that talent home. It's going to be hopefully some good news going forward for Iowa softball and what they've been in the past.

Starting point is 00:25:32 But get out there. You have an opportunity. If the weather holds, maybe you get another window, I've mentioned my daughter who is a youth softball player. I promised her that we get over to a game this year and haven't been able to make it happen yet. And now her softball schedule is underway. Oh, boy, we've got to find that time to get over there,

Starting point is 00:25:48 get over to Iowa City and support the Hawkeye's softball team. That'll do it for today. Thanks for being with us, as always, and making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day. If you are an everyday listener, check us out free, ad-free episodes each and every day for you, Lockdownhawkeyes. Dot supercast.com and join our everydayer club.

Starting point is 00:26:08 Lockdownhawkeyes. Dot supercast.com is where you can go each and every day. We still got more coming your way this week. Tom Cakert from hawkireport.com. He will join us one more show for you here this week. He was at that open practice, so a lot of football conversation coming up with Tom and, of course, the latest in the transfer portal.

Starting point is 00:26:27 Sad to see Elverill go, but, boy, we will never forget that shot. We'll talk to you again later. Until then, go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Iowa Hawkeyes NAVIGATE Alvaro Folgueiras Transfer, Can They RELOAD Fast Enough?

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