Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - PORTAL HIT? Is Ben McCollum & Iowa Hoops Close to Landing a Commitment from the Transfer Portal?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Iowa hoops is heating up in the transfer portal. Ben McCullum squad gets a visit from a former ACCGuard. The women landed new commitment, and ex-Hawkeye Addie Deal is headed to a Big Ten rival. You are Locked-on Hawkeyes, your daily podcast on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome in, I'm Trent Condon, and this is the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by Fanduel.

Starting point is 00:00:36 Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get $250 in bonus bets. If your first bet wins, head to fanduel.com to get started. A lot of transfer portal chatter here today. We will talk about Addie Deal finding a home in a big time 10 rival. And we'll see Iowa facing off against her starting next season as she makes her way into the Big Ten. We'll be joined by Elliott Cluff as he will join us breaking down everything happening in the portal. Also talk some spring football coming up here with Elliott Club and get his perspective on the latest in the quarterback battle between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski. We begin today, though, with the latest buzz from the transfer portal and a visit for Iowa after we talked about earlier in the week.

Starting point is 00:01:21 The visit that was happening was 7 foot three center. Andrew Bekeeter made his way to Iowa City and took a visit after that to Cincinnati. Also has now made his way on to his next stop in his tour as he is going. to Yukon for a visit. A couple of notes on that front. And though Iowa still feels very good about where they are in his recruitment, and I think things are definitely trending in a good direction. Some notes on those two other programs that are after him at this point in time, starting

Starting point is 00:01:49 with one front with Cincinnati. They've already gotten commitments from a couple of big guys out of the portal. So you do wonder if that is going to maybe change the equation a little bit for him and the potential that McKeever is a guy that obviously looking to play in time. licking to get those minutes up and battling for playing time with a couple of guys like that could be difficult. Yukon also today got a commitment themselves from a big man out of the portal as they were picked up a guy from Seton Hall. So a center prospect that is already committed to Yukon. We'll see one thing we also do know the asking price continues to go up.

Starting point is 00:02:22 This is going to be an incredibly expensive position. A guy a year ago with McKeever who averaged on the season eight points, nine rebounds per game. Those guys still cost plenty of money. but Iowa in good shape on that front. And it feels like probably at the top of their wish list at this point in time. We've talked just about the importance of getting that rim protector, that big guy in the middle, the traditional big to be able to combine with what they already have on the roster.

Starting point is 00:02:48 And we talk about the Illinois game a ton, but it wasn't just that game. There were plenty of other examples this season where just their lack of size inside definitely showed up. And having a guy like that definitely could go a long way of shoring some things up defensively. I like his ability at that kind of size to handle the ball a little bit, working that dribble handoff game and the pick and roll game and do some different things there. We'll see on that one.

Starting point is 00:03:11 Some decisions, though, we're going to be coming here pretty quickly as we make our way through the portal. So more news today on the men's side of things as Iowa had a guard on campus. And though it was not the guard that I think a lot of people had at the top of their wish list with Ace Glass the third. And reading a couple of the reports that are out there, sounds like that is not, a high likelihood that that's going to happen with Ace Glass the third. Not sure if it was Iowa moving on, if it was a decision from Ace Glass, looking at other options, whatever it was. But that one, don't want to cross it off completely because this is the portal and wild things happen, but not trending in a positive direction.

Starting point is 00:03:49 Very well could be positive, though, for Iowa and Cyan Evans. Out of North Carolina, spent the first couple of years of his career at Colorado State, already taken a visit to Minnesota. Iowa gets him in. for a visit after he took that one. So that's good news on its own right. We've seen so many times, guys, take that first visit and then commit shortly after Iowa was able to get him on campus as he currently is on campus at this point in time of the recording. And you know, you look at the numbers this year for Kaya and Evans, they're not good. They just weren't in North Carolina. And because of some injuries that they had wasn't able to play kind of exactly, I think,

Starting point is 00:04:25 how he wanted to this year. His shooting percentages dropped precipitously from where they were. two years at Colorado State. Now, obviously, you're going from the mountain west to the ACC. That is a step up in competition, but maybe not as significant as you think either. It just was a bad year. He averaged four points this year, two and a half assists per game, shot just 32.8% from the floor and 30.5% from the three point line this season. But you go back to his days at Colorado State, he was a shooter, a guy that filled it up from the outside at a high level, his sophomore year shot 44.6% from behind the three point arc average on that season as well, over three assists per game. This is not, I don't think, a traditional point guard in the realm of a Bennett starts.

Starting point is 00:05:13 Some of the past point guards that Ben McCollum has had going back to his days at Northwest Missouri State, this is going to be a different type. And I think if Kyan Evans proves to be the guy that they're able to nab out of the portal, this is going to be a different look in the back court than I think a lot of us envisioned. and anticipating that Kale Combs was going to be in the same kind of role he was a season ago. Yeah, he's going to play point guard. He's going to handle the point guard duties along with the other guard that they have. I think that's going to jump up in a big time way.

Starting point is 00:05:40 Combs is going to be probably, though not full time, playing more minutes as your traditional point guard, and then a guy like Evans played off the ball. They'll share duties as we saw this season. Obviously, that's going to be a part. But we'll see on the latest on that one. We cross off, at least for now in pencil, Ace Glass is the third, and Cyan Evans trending in a good direction. direction potentially to get a commitment from him. You got Kansas City connections,

Starting point is 00:06:03 Northwest Missouri State again. And on top of it, he played high school basketball with Camanyahu. So you got that connection also. Six foot two, 180 pounds for Kay and Evans put him in the back court, Kale Combs, the emergence of Tate Sage that we saw this year at the two guard position. Definitely he took a big step forward. He's excited about his future. So a lot of different different areas that this one can go, but definitely a good one there in the portal as we go through things. So from there, we jump over next to the women's side. And they get a commitment today from Oklahoma State Transfer, Amari Whiting, a really good pickup at this point. Not sure if she's going to be a starter, likely kind of in that small forward type of role that you're looking for. Not a great

Starting point is 00:06:50 three-point shooter, but she adds a lot of elements that this Iowa women's basketball team needs. toughness, grit, a really good defender, and I think that's a huge component to this as well. Started her career at BYU, Oklahoma State and NCAA tournament team this past season. But when you hear about whiting, that's one thing that you get, a gritty, good defender. And after you lose Kylie Fearbach, a player that obviously left it on the floor, their best on-ball defender that they had the last couple of years was definitely her. You need to help out on the defensive end of the floor. So a nice pickup out of the portal, they'll continue to.

Starting point is 00:07:24 to look around. We also talked about the importance for Jan Jensen, getting these top level prospects. Obviously, going out there and getting Danny Carnegie, that's an absolute game changer for what they were able to do on that front. Now you add whiting to the mix. And you're also looking to build the roster because still, you're not even at a spot where you have 10 players on the roster that you can scrimmage five on five when you're going up against each other. So that'll be the next step. There'll be a couple of other big names out there still Western Illinois transfer. Reagan McCowan has been talked about a little bit. But that is a, definitely an avenue of getting those spots 10, 11, 12, 13,

Starting point is 00:07:59 however deep they want to go out of the 15 player roster that they can build. That's going to be the next place that could be a little bit trickier than just putting it all together. And we will talk about that certainly in the days to come. So that is the latest that we have in the transfer portal for you. It is always changing. It is always evolving. And we got you covered here on your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast, Locked on Hawkeyes. One of the guys that covers it is Elliot Clough.

Starting point is 00:08:23 he's going to join us next. What other note in the news of the day, Davian Banks declaring for the NBA draft? And I know there was maybe a little bit of, I don't want to say misunderstanding, but he also put his name in the transfer portal. And he did that to make sure if he is granted another year of eligibility, that he has an ability. He says he wants to come back and be a Hawkeye, completely agree with him.

Starting point is 00:08:46 You saw the relationship with Ben McCullum and Tavion Banks this past season. And if you ever heard any of the interviews that they did, did after the Florida game, the big upset win in the round of 32 to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16, you could definitely see that kind of relationship that they have, how close that they are. If there is a ruling that goes Iowa's way and goes to all the college athletes way, that played junior college a few years back and they aren't granted an extra year of eligibility, I would be absolutely floored if Tavion Banks is playing college basketball anywhere other than Iowa City next season. But put his name in there, hope to get that eligibility, not likely

Starting point is 00:09:23 this point in time. We'll see on that front and keep our fingers crossed. Another year of Tavion would be an awesome thing for this Iowa basketball team. Let's talk to Elliot Clough. He joins us next as we continue. Stay right there. This is Locked on Hawkeyes. The NBA playoffs are here where every possession matters. Every matchup is magnified and every game can swing a series. Right now, Fanduels giving new customers a great way to get in on the action. This is what I like. You can bet just $25 and you're going to get $250 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. The app makes it easy to follow the action, player stats, trends, matchups, all in one place. And during the playoffs, that extra insight really matters when you're looking at stars,

Starting point is 00:10:08 role players, and key moments. How about seeing Steph get the foul on youth hits a little Ponce de Leon and that great performance that he had moving on and giving one more opportunity to potentially be a playoff team? This playing around has been absolutely excellent in the NBA. We got the Nuggets and the Timberwolves coming up this weekend. I'm fired up about that one. You can bet on series prices, advance.

Starting point is 00:10:29 Who's going to win the NBA finals and a whole lot more on the Fandual app? Head to fendual.com to get started. Fandul.com, the place to be Fandual, play your game. Trent, kind of back with you here on the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast. Thanks for being with us and making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day. We are your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast. And if you are an every dayer, well, It's time for you to join the Everydayer Club.

Starting point is 00:10:57 An opportunity for you to get locked on Hawkeyes each and every day and get it ad free. Go to Lockdownhawkeyes. That supercast.com. You can also join us on our Discord access for you to ask any questions, anything that pops up, topics for the podcast. You'd like me to tackle Lockdownhawkeyes. com. We're joined now by Elliott Clough from Hawkeye Insider.com. So let's get into the men and let's jump things off.

Starting point is 00:11:23 A visit happening currently with Kian Ness. that is in Iowa City currently going through his visit. Let's start right there. It came together. Minnesota connection, Nico Medved is coached Colorado State, obviously up there. Now with the gophers, that's where his first visit went. And it sounds like it comes down to money. Iowa's probably in a better shape, certainly than the gophers are in terms of NIL.

Starting point is 00:11:43 But what are you hearing on his recruitment? And what kind of fit is he when you think about potentially him in the back court with Kail Combs? Yeah. So basically everything you said right there, friend. I mean, it's going to come down to Iowa and Minnesota. Obviously, that Nico Medved connection is big. I mean, that's kind of the way we've been viewing it to this point,

Starting point is 00:12:04 just because Minnesota, I mean, when he was at Colorado State, that was the best year of his career so far. Obviously, we had a dip down at UNC this last season. But in terms of a fit at Iowa, like he said, money is probably going to be better at Iowa. It might even be better at Iowa as an offball guard. that can sort of complement some of the things that K.L. Combs does in the back cord, probably more of a consistent shooter, a guy who has played some really tough opponents in the ACC. So we come in and bring in that experience.

Starting point is 00:12:37 Don't forget, it's actually the same high school as Cam Maniow. So previously teammates there in Kansas City. So there's some connections at Iowa for him, too. So not quite that lead guard that you'd like to get, i.e. like a Bennett third, but a guy that can help out, provide some extra shooting, plus an experienced player that can help in his one year with Iowa. Ace Glass would fit that role as that point guard that perhaps Iowa needs. The latest on the Washington State transfer, he's going to make his way eventually,

Starting point is 00:13:13 apparently, to Iowa City. What do you know about Ace Glass Jr.? and the likelihood that he becomes a hawk? Right. So he hasn't, like you said, he hasn't made his visit to Iowa City yet. As far as we know, there's no official day that he's planning on making the trip. And by the sounds of it, that, you know, that partnership, is not probably not going to happen.

Starting point is 00:13:38 It doesn't sound like the Hawkeyes are having a sit at the top of their priority board at this point in time. So would probably, honestly, guys, be pretty surprised if it comes together. but I mean it you know don't count out Ben McCollum if he wants to go after Glass then it wouldn't surprise me if that's that's what happens but yeah it doesn't sound like he's going to end up a hawk guy if they give him to campus and they actively want him then then things could come together but at the moment from what we've been told it doesn't sound like he's he's a huge priority for the hawk so is it Iowa moving on or maybe not a reciprocating from East Glass to Iowa City. What could you fill in kind of the details on that front? I'd probably say a little bit of a combination of both. Ben is very, very picky when it comes to how he adds in the portal. There's a reason they haven't signed anybody yet, right? But they take their time, they're doing the background, they're seeing how they fit in terms of culture, because he is very protective of that culture

Starting point is 00:14:45 in Iowa City. So I would lean more towards Iowa just not, not. not necessarily not wanting to move forward, but not prioritizing Glass as much as some people may have thought. Glass, not a great defender. That's one thing that jumped out of his numbers. I know we don't like to look at the offensive things, but that's some of the defensive metrics, not exactly strong for Ace Glass. Big guy that was on campus already. Really? Okay. Oh, yes. Andrew McKeeter, 7 foot three. It's not just Iowa, though. There are a lot of programs that are after him. Vanderbilt also involved in the mix on that one.

Starting point is 00:15:20 Yukon, Michigan starting to sniff around. What can you tell us about 7 foot 3 out of St. Mary's Andrew McKeever? Yeah, you know, there was a point in time where it felt like Iowa was not necessarily a lock, but that they were in a really good spot. And I still do think they're in a good spot in terms of how he feels about the program and what he sees in the hot guys. But man, that price tag just keeps going up and up and up and up like you'd expect. And of course, we expected it to be high because he's a big that's that 7 foot 3

Starting point is 00:15:50 an average near double double, has the single season record in terms of rebounding percentage in the West Coast Conference. So everybody could use that. Everybody could use that size, that rim deterrent. But the way, you know, you mentioned other programs involved,

Starting point is 00:16:07 man, it's just going to be hard to be able to pony up that type of cash to bring in a guy like that at a program like Iowa. Now they could if they wanted to, but it also depends on who they also want to go get at that point guard spot and as well as that off ball guard position. So it depends on how Iowa wants to allocate that money.

Starting point is 00:16:28 But McKeever is not going to be cheap, guys. Like we're talking three, four million dollars for one big man. And that, you know, like I said, Iowa has the funds, but to spend it all on a big guy when you've got other needs is not exactly how Ben McCollum is probably going to go about it. Yeah, four for three years. would be one thing, but that's not the case. Nope, nope.

Starting point is 00:16:54 Yeah, McKeever is going to be expensive. Yeah. So I want to go back to Ace Glass for a second, because if they don't, if there's not anything that comes together there, he still needs a point guard. What are you hearing? Is there another name or two that might make sense that maybe not everybody is, but this guy's appeared on everybody's radar yet?

Starting point is 00:17:15 Where's McCollum going if he doesn't get Ace class to fill the point guard spot? For right now, it appears it'll be Tyree Coleman that they're really going to prioritize a guy that they actually recruited when they were at Drake, Ben McCollum, and his staff. So there's a prior relationship there. He is visiting other programs like a Nebraska. I can't remember who else is involved up the top of my head, but other power four or high major programs are involved here. Iowa is towards the end of his official visit list. So as long as he can get there, it sounds like Iowa is in a good spot. and this is a guy that they would want.

Starting point is 00:17:51 And I mean, think about another point guard that Iowa, or yeah, this staff recruited out of high school and almost got Ed Drake and Keaton Blagler. So obviously they've done a pretty good job of recruiting these point guards and finding talent that they feel they can develop. So Tyree Coleman would be the guy to keep an eye on there. As long as he gets through all these official visits

Starting point is 00:18:14 and doesn't commit elsewhere on the spot, because, I mean, we all know, recruiting and even in the transfer portal can be super volatile. So as long as you can get him on campus, I think the Hawkeyes are going to be in a decent spot to go and get him. Coleman shot over 40% from three during his freshman campaign at Illinois State. And he is, according to defensive metrics, a good defender. Coleman maybe is a little bit better fit.

Starting point is 00:18:38 Let's jump over to some football. Elliott Club joining us from Hawkeye Insider.com. Elliot, before we get into spring practice, just your takeaway from yesterday, the vacating of the four wins handed down by the NCAA. And reading on the message boards at hawkeye insider.com, a lot of frustration from the Hawkeye fan base. Yeah, to be expected. I mean, it's just silly.

Starting point is 00:19:00 Like, first it was the betting situation. Now it's that these are things that are running rampant across college football. And the only difference with Iowa is that they admitted to it and instituted their own suspensions or, or, uh, what would you call it? Obviously, Kirk suspended himself for that one game and, of course, the Noah Shannon issue. But, like, I was the only program that owned up to it. And meanwhile, we've got programs. I mean, like, we know Bennett's third was recruited out of the portal, offered millions of dollars to go elsewhere when he had a do not contact tag on his decision to enter the portal and go to Iowa. Like, we know that for a fact. I mean, these are, it's just, there's an. There's an. avalanche and they caught a snowflake with a program that actually took responsibility for the

Starting point is 00:19:52 things that minorly did wrong and slapped them not on the wrist across the face. It's really just silly. It's like a kid telling a little white lied, be like, okay, now we need you to tell the truth. We love you. We just want you to listen. We want you to see somebody who's known to tell the truth. And then you ground him for a month. Say, oh, you can't watch TV for a month. It's just, it's so silly. And to have it all happen over Cade-freaking McNamara. Of all people. Come on. What are we doing?

Starting point is 00:20:23 Of all people. I couldn't agree with you more. Hey, I want to go back to one that Iowa had on campus that there was some speculation that Jake, is it Narot? Is that what we say his last name, a quarterback, a legacy, that Iowa was in a pretty good spot for, I believe he's certainly highly regarded. I know where you guys had him ranked, but I believe he's a four-star. but he's going to, of all places, Lexington, Kentucky to play for the Wildcats. Did Iowa, I mean, does this seem like it was going to happen? And if so, what went wrong at the end, if anything, or was this always a long shot at best?

Starting point is 00:21:02 So I would say that Iowa was definitely in a good spot. I mean, when you've got a legacy quarterback on campus who is from the Chicago area, that's always going to be a position that's going to be favorable for Iowa. And for a kid that knew the program, grew up around the program, it would make a lot of sense. But as he started to rise up those rankings, ended up number two with the other play, it just became a situation where he blew up more than Iowa expected him to. And therefore, again, price tag increased as well competing against programs.

Starting point is 00:21:41 like Kentucky, like Oregon, like Kansas State. I mean, when you're a new coach there who's coming over from Oregon, obviously he's got some pedigree with what he's done, Will Stein, with quarterbacks at Oregon, and then you're in a position where you need to build a program. Okay, here you go. Here's your money. And this was the situation where Iowa didn't value him quite as much as some of these other programs and said, okay, we'd love to have you, but we're not going to throw out the red carpet.

Starting point is 00:22:10 we're not going to throw out a bag, cash. And therefore, now right, there he goes. He ends up at Kentucky, which if that's where he wants to be, there you go. Iowa, like I said, wasn't going to, you know, spend more than they felt like they needed to. We jump into practice, the actual things going on. A lot of good nuggets you guys have over at Hawkeye Insider. Let's start, though, with the most obvious, the quarterback position. What are you hearing Jeremy Hecklinsky against Hank Brown?

Starting point is 00:22:38 man i tell you what you guys uh i i can keep giving you the same update for the next few months because that's just the way what we're here and you know i'll quote a force and say that um it it appears like it's going to go again and i quote down to the wire so this might be one we don't find out fully until we get that first step chart and who knows we might not even get it then we might get a big old or right there um so we might not know until the first snap against Northern Illinois and Kinnick Stadium on September. I think it's September 5th.

Starting point is 00:23:15 But yeah, it's just one of those things where one guy has a great day, the other guy doesn't, and then vice versa. They bring different things to the table, Hank Brown, more of a mechanical guy that actually has had some experience playing college football, whereas Heklinsky hasn't. But then again, Hicklinsky is a gamer that a lot of people really like that can extend plays, make some tough throws, but also will take a risk here and there.

Starting point is 00:23:44 So Heklinski, a guy that could win you a game, but also could lose you a game. And then you look at Hank Brown, and he's a guy that probably won't win you a game, but might not lose you a game, too, depending on, you know, the throws and the decisions he makes. So both need to become better decision makers, both still have a lot to learn.

Starting point is 00:24:05 So, yeah, I'd love to tell you right now, oh, Hank Brown or Jeremy Hecklinsky is going to be the guy. In my opinion, it should be Hecklinsky, but we'll see. We'll see how things develop. We still got quite a while before that first snap. Yeah, and you know what? It's great for business, for both the websites and certainly for talk radio. The longer it goes, the better it is for everybody. So here's hoping that this thing drags out for a while.

Starting point is 00:24:32 What else you watch it, Elliot? What's a position that's caught your eye that you'll pay maybe closer attention? I mean, obviously, it's hard not to watch the quarterbacks. But once we get to a week from Saturday, what will you be watching? I'm really intrigued at the safety, those two new safeties, Anthony Hawkins and Tyler Brown. Anthony Hawkins from Villanova, Tyler Brown from James Madison, both received their accolade, their previous schools, been hearing a lot of good things. Tyler Brown wasn't in practice when we were there.

Starting point is 00:25:02 just sounds like it was minor bumps and bruises. So that's why he didn't practice that day. So be one that I want to watch. We'll be watching corners. I mean, you kind of know what you're going to get from Deshaun Lee at this point, but sounds like there's going to be a real competition between Jalen Watson and Rashad Godfrey for that second corner spot. You have these moments where you see Godfrey do really well in run support.

Starting point is 00:25:26 And he's a bigger guy that can kind of compliment maybe what Deshaun Lee does on the field. And then Jalen Watson sounds like he's just. a playmaker. Kind of known for that at a high school speed, ability to stick with guys. And then, yeah, I mean, linebacker is going to be really fun to watch too. I think, I mean,

Starting point is 00:25:44 I just keep hearing really, really good things about Cam Buffington. So that's one we're going to keep an eye on. I mean, defensive line, it's a whole new group other than Kenneth Meriweather. You lose all four starters plus Brian Allen. So basically the entirety of the defense is what I'll be wanting,

Starting point is 00:26:00 I guess, at this point. I mean, and there's so many new faces all over the place. Like 25% of this roster, you basically know what you're going to get, but then there's 75% where we just really don't know. How are the snaps going to go with Cade Piper? Is he going to be thinking too much about what's happening if he's playing center? Who's going to be at right guard? Layton Jones taking over at left guard.

Starting point is 00:26:23 Who's going to be, is it going to be Jack Toothler at right tackle? Do we know that for sure? Is Tannen Leonard going to get a shot? I mean, and then you throw L.J. Philipson, the transfer from South Dakota. Evan James, receiver from Furman. So this time of year is always really fun just because of all the new faces. But this time, it's going to be a lot of new faces and just basically pretty much every position. Elliot Clef, Hockey Insider.com.

Starting point is 00:26:47 Have it covered over there along with David Eicholt, as they keep an eye on Iowa HockeyinSider.com, part of 24-7 sports. Elliot, thanks for giving us a few minutes today. Appreciate it. Yeah, thanks, Ken. Don't forget, John Bach, too. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely.

Starting point is 00:27:03 Thank you for minding me. I'm glad you got that in there. Sean Bach as well. And I got to meet Sean down in Houston. You did? Yes. Did you have a beer with them? He did.

Starting point is 00:27:11 Yes. We chatted for a little bit. First time we've actually met in person, conversed a little bit online. But yeah, it was good to actually meet him in person as he was getting ready to head over to the arena much earlier than I did. Yeah. I had to get another beer too. Why wouldn't you? Oh, absolutely.

Starting point is 00:27:25 You're there for fun, not for worry. I had to get revved up. Yeah. Rhymed up and away he went. Absolutely. Thanks again to Elliott Clufford joining us. And yeah, great to beat Sean down there. Hawkeye Insider, David, Sean and Elliott.

Starting point is 00:27:39 They do great work. Hawkeye Insider part of 24-7 sports. We continue here, Lockdown Hawkeyes. And Addie Deal has found a home. Not just a home, a home in the Big Ten. Not just a home in the Big Ten. I'll rival. That's next.

Starting point is 00:27:58 I'm Clea 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,

Starting point is 00:28:29 leading a team effort that caps a 31 game winning streak. Under head coach, Corey Close, UCLA secured a lander, mark 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. I'm coming back for more every time. Mazda puts that same drive into every detail. Winds 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. Locked on Hawkeyes. Thanks for being with us and making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day.

Starting point is 00:29:09 Well, as we wrap things up, Addie Deal has found a home in the Big Ten with the Wisconsin Badgers. A surprising development, I think, for a lot of people. Obviously, we go back to the high school level, McDonald's All-American, top 20 player, five-star, all the different things that we talked about. And we saw this season, I think a disappointment to a lot, a lot of expectations that came along with it, and it just never came to fruition. Got the starting role after the injury to Taylor McCabe.

Starting point is 00:29:34 It did not go very well. Iowa went on a three-game losing streak after she was inserted into the starting lineup. Played incredibly well in the game against Ohio State when we saw the McCabe injury happened very early in that game and probably had her best game of the season against the Buckeyes, but then it just never clicked. And she is looking for playing time and assurances that she's definitely most likely going to get it at Wisconsin. A Wisconsin basketball program, what's a winning streak now for Iowa? I mean, 30 in a row, something like that. just absolutely ridiculous. This is a program that certainly has not had much success throughout the years. In fact, the last time that the women from Wisconsin have made the NCAA tournament,

Starting point is 00:30:14 you have to go back to the 2009, 2010 season. That's right, the last time that they made it there. They have made one postseason in the last 15 years. That came a couple of years ago when they went to the WNIT. Playing time, opportunity, shots are going to be there. But for the betterment of the player, I'm not sure this is the right call. If that's what she's looking for, a payday, looking for shots, looking for assurances, she's going to be a starter. She'll definitely find that in Wisconsin. And I do wonder, what is the reception going to be when she makes her way back to Carver

Starting point is 00:30:50 Hawkeye Arena in a Wisconsin band uniform? That'll do it for today. Back with you tomorrow on your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast. Thanks for being with us. We'll talk you then. Until then, go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - PORTAL HIT? Is Ben McCollum & Iowa Hoops Close to Landing a Commitment from the Transfer Portal?

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.