Iowa

Greg McElroy defends Iowa after Kadyn Proctor comments: ‘It’s all about relationships’

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Greg McElroy defends Iowa after Kadyn Proctor comments: ‘It’s all about relationships’

Former Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor raised some eyebrows following his transfer to Iowa when he commended the Iowa staff on keeping in touch with and encouraging him throughout his freshman year at Alabama.

Proctor, a Des Moines native, explained his decision: “It was so easy for me to pick them when I did enter the transfer portal. Because we still had those relationships. Even after I was doing bad in the SEC and struggling, they hit me up and said, ‘We’re proud of you. You’re gonna get through this.’ And that’s what ultimately helped me with my decision because they still believed in me.”

What sounded like clear-cut tampering to some throughout the college football world, however, sounds like something else entirely to former Alabama quarterback and current college football pundit Greg McElroy.

REQUIRED READING: Texans rookie Will Anderson Jr.: DeMeco Ryans ‘might be No. 1 over Coach Saban’

“A lot of people are all bent out of shape about the tampering,” McElroy said, per Athlon Sports. “Y’all — it’s about relationships. It’s all about relationships. Iowa stayed in touch with Kadyn Proctor, maybe he was a little homesick. He’s now going to go home.”

Tampering has been a talking point among coaches for as long as the transfer portal has been effective in college football. What Alabama fans are wondering is: When do relationships become transactional with regards to players like Proctor?

What is tampering?

In a Powerpoint posted by the NCAA entitled “Transfers, Tampering, and Trends,” the body lays out the distinction between impermissible contact and tampering.

All tampering is a case of impermissible contact — but not all impermissible contact rises to tampering. The slide reads:

“Pursuant to Bylaw 13.1.1.3, any communication with an enrolled student-athlete is impermissible. Although communication is impermissible, not every instance rises to the level of tampering.”

Some of the “factors to consider” according to the Powerpoint include:

Results (did the student transfer)
Pre-existing relationship (former coaches talking to students)
Timing of events (when did the student transfer and how did initial contact happen?)

The transfer portal is still, for all intents and purposes, a nascent being in the world of college sports, so the rules are still being ironed out. But there are those who believe if Iowa was reaching out to Proctor, even if it was to encourage him, then there were ulterior motives to doing so.

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Iowa women’s basketball vs. Nebraska: Live Updates, Score

Published

4 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Iowa women’s basketball vs. Nebraska: Live Updates, Score

After No. 12 Iowa women’s basketball (19-5, 10-3 Big Ten) snapped its three-game losing streak on Feb. 11 with a 65-56 home win over Washington from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the Hawkeyes hit the road for a Presidents’ Day rivalry clash against Nebraska (16-9, 5-9 Big Ten) from inside Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.

Against Washington, Iowa was led by sophomore point guard Chit-Chat Wright, who scored 21 points and made five 3-pointers. Following Wright in the scoresheet was senior forward Hannah Stuelke, who notched her seventh double-double of the season and the 18th of her career with 14 points and 16 rebounds.

For Nebraska, the Cornhuskers enter today’s matchup on a four-game losing streak after dropping their last contest at a red-hot Minnesota squad on Feb. 11 by an 84-67 final score. While Nebraska has struggled as of late, the Cornhuskers still boast a potent offense led by sophomore guard Britt Prince’s 17.4 points per game on 55.4% shooting, 48.6% from 3-point range, and 93.9% from the free-throw line.

Today’s game also has a significant impact on Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament seeding, as a win over Nebraska would elevate the Hawkeyes to the No. 3 seed in the conference’s standings. However, a loss to the Cornhuskers would slide the Hawkeyes to the No. 5 seed and out of the double-bye with four league games remaining.

With Iowa looking to sweep the season series over the Cornhuskers, follow along with HawkeyesWire for live scoring updates, highlights, and analysis of today’s action:

Timeout Iowa.

Iowa calls a timeout after Nebraska’s 8-0 scoring run cut the lead to 12 points. Hawkeyes are playing a bit sloppily over the past few possessions, which has allowed the Cornhuskers to mount an offensive surge.

Iowa has dominated Nebraska through the first two quarters, leading the Cornhuskers by 18 points.

Ava Heiden leads all scorers with 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. As a team, Iowa has shot 19-for-28 from the floor, including 5-for-11 from 3-point range and 2-for-4 from the charity stripe.

Defensively, Iowa has forced 15 turnovers by Nebraska (6 steals and 1 block) so far. The Hawkeyes have also held the Cornhuskers to 12-for-27 shooting, including 2-for-7 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Timeout Iowa.

Jan Jensen has called a timeout to appeal an out-of-bounds call that was originally signaled as Nebraska’s possession.

Update: Iowa’s appeal was unsuccessful, costing Iowa a timeout. The review was upheld by officials.

Media Timeout.

Iowa continues its impressive defensive presence from the opening quarter into the second frame, allowing its transition offense to thrive and extend its lead.

Hawkeyes are doing an excellent job of frustrating Britt Prince and the Cornhuskers’ offense, forcing Nebraska to find scoring elsewhere.

Iowa controlled the pace of play in the first quarter with a ferocious defensive presence, creating quality offensive looks and a large advantage over Nebraska after 10 minutes.

Foul trouble could be brewing early, as the Hawkeyes have picked up six fouls in the first quarter, including two on center Layla Hays.

Stremlow leads the team with 9 points on 3-for-3 from 3-point range.

Timeout Nebraska.

Hawkeyes starting efficiently early on offense with Chit-Chat Wright scoring five points and Taylor Stremlow adding a 3-pointer to force a timeout by the Cornhuskers.

Once again, Iowa’s injury report indicates the Hawkeyes will be without the services of sophomore guard Emely Rodriguez (back) and senior forward Jada Gyamfi (knee) for today’s matchup at Nebraska.

For Rodriguez, it will be her 19th consecutive absence due to the back ailment. Meanwhile, Gyamfi is still recovering from her December knee procedure.

Nebraska is entering today’s contest with a clean slate outside of its two season-ending injuries.

How to watch Iowa women’s basketball vs. Nebraska

TV: Fox

Tipoff Time: 11 a.m. CT

Iowa’s trip to Nebraska will be televised on Fox, with Kylen Mills (play-by-play) and Isis Young (color) on the call from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.

Watch Iowa vs. Nebraska

How to stream Iowa women’s basketball vs. Nebraska

Hawkeye fans can stream Iowa women’s basketball at Nebraska via Fubo, which offers a free trial to first-time subscribers.

Hawkeye Radio Network

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network

Iowa fans can also tune in to play-by-play voice Rob Brooks and color analyst Kathryn Reynolds on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Iowa women’s basketball schedule

All times CT

Nov. 3 vs. Southern: Iowa 86, Southern 51
Nov. 9 vs. Evansville: Iowa 119, Evansville 43
Nov. 13 vs. Drake: Iowa 100, Drake 58
Nov. 16 at Northern Iowa: Iowa 74, UNI 41
Nov. 20 vs. Baylor (WBCA Showcase in Orlando): Iowa 57, Baylor 52
Nov. 22 vs. Miami (WBCA Showcase in Orlando): Iowa 64, Miami 61
Nov. 26 vs. Western Illinois: Iowa 86, Western Illinois 69
Nov. 30 vs. Fairfield: Iowa 86, Fairfield 72
Dec. 6 at Rutgers: Iowa 79, Rutgers 36
Dec. 10 at Iowa State: Iowa State 74, Iowa 69
Dec. 13 vs. Lindenwood: Iowa 102, Lindenwood 68
Dec. 20 vs. UConn (Champions Classic): UConn 90, Iowa 64
Dec. 28 vs. Penn State: Iowa 99, Penn State 76
Jan. 1 vs. Nebraska: Iowa 86, Nebraska 76
Jan. 5 at Northwestern: Iowa 67, Northwestern 58
Jan. 11 at Indiana: Iowa 56, Indiana 53
Jan. 15 vs. Oregon: Iowa 74, Oregon 66
Jan. 18 vs. Michigan State: Iowa 75, Michigan State 68
Jan. 22 at Maryland: Iowa 85, Maryland 78 (OT)
Jan. 25 vs. Ohio State: Iowa 91, Ohio State 70
Jan. 29 at USC: USC 81, Iowa 69
Feb. 1 at UCLA: UCLA 88, Iowa 65
Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota: Minnesota 91, Iowa 85
Feb. 11 vs. Washington: Iowa 65, Washington 56
Feb. 16 at Nebraska: Fox, 11 a.m.
Feb. 19 at Purdue: BTN+, 6 p.m.
Feb. 22 vs. Michigan: Fox, 11 a.m.
Feb. 26 vs. Illinois: Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
March 1 at Wisconsin: BTN+, 2 p.m.
March 4-8 Big Ten Tournament

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

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Whiskers, wows and winners at Iowa cat extravaganza

Published

16 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Whiskers, wows and winners at Iowa cat extravaganza

160 cats. Zero dogs. Unlimited cattitude. 😼The Iowa State Fairgrounds turned into a full-on feline frenzy this weekend — complete with Best in Show showdowns, a meow-velous costume contest and a “Meow Mall” that had tails twitching.Yes, it was as paws-itively adorable as it sounds. 🐾

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Iowa State basketball vs. Houston prediction, game preview

Published

1 day ago

February 15, 2026

Press Room

Iowa State basketball vs. Houston prediction, game preview

The win over Kansas was an exciting one for Iowa State men’s basketball, but the Cyclones are already on to the next one.

There was hardly any time to soak in the Saturday, Feb. 14 victory over the ninth-ranked Jayhawks, as there will be a quick turnaround into another marquee matchup.

Iowa State will host No. 3 Houston on Monday, Feb. 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN as part of its “Big Monday” showcase.

The Cyclones (22-3, 9-3 Big 12 Conference) enjoyed a resounding 74-56 win over Kansas in a rematch, after dropping the earlier meeting against the Jayhawks on Jan. 13.

Reigning Big 12 regular-season and tournament champion Houston (23-2, 11-1) enters with a six-game winning streak and is currently in first place within the conference standings. The Cougars defeated Kansas State in their previous game on Feb. 14. At one point, they had a 28-4 run to finish the first half and went on to win 78-64.

Here are three things to watch for in Monday’s game:

Houston freshman Kingston Flemings, one of the biggest stock risers

Kingston Flemings certainly wasn’t an unknown coming out of high school.

The top-ranked recruit from Texas in his class, Flemings entered college as a five-star guard and the No. 16 overall prospect, according to 247 Sports.

However, he wasn’t on any NBA mock drafts before the start of the 2025-26 college basketball campaign, or even in the early parts of the season.

All that has quickly changed over the course of his freshman year.

Flemings has turned plenty of heads with his play this season. The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 16.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while shooting 50.7% overall and 36.5% from deep.

A shifty, speedy guard, Flemings is a weapon in transition, but he also has the quick burst to get past his defender in half-court sets. He is a crafty and smart guard who is calculated when it comes to pulling up in the mid-range or taking shots at the basket. He is a good facilitator and can occasionally take-and-make 3-pointers when left open.

His best showing came in a 42-point outing in a 90-86 loss at Texas Tech on Jan. 24. He also had six assists, two steals and two turnovers.

His speed and quickness seamlessly translate over to the defensive end. He is a perfect fit in Sampson’s scheme and he has the quick hands and physical tools to wreak havoc on that end of the court.

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger on win over Kansas

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger on the Cyclones’ win over Kansas in the Feb. 14 rematch.

Houston’s dominance on both sides of the ball

There might not be enough words to describe the continuity and success that Kelvin Sampson has been able to establish at Houston, especially since the start of the decade.

The Cougars were dominant in the tail end of their stay in the American Athletic Conference, and they never missed a beat since coming to the Big 12. They’ve reached at least the Sweet 16 in each of their last six NCAA Tournaments, with two Final Four appearances, including a national runner-up finish last year.

A large part of that success is attributed to its defensive style of play under Sampson. However, in each of the last six years, the Cougars have exceled on both ends of the court. According to KenPom, they’ve ranked in the top 20 for both offensive and defensive efficiency.

Houston ranks No. 12 in offensive efficiency and No. 6 for defensive efficiency.

Guards Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler are key returners from last year.

Tugler, a 6-foot-8 forward, is a defensive stalwart. The reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is contributing a tad more on the scoring end, but he remains a hard-working player on the court.

Sharp, a three-year starter at Houston, has built off of his postseason success last season – which included Big 12 Tournament MVP and NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player honors – with his best year yet. He is averaging 16.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Uzan remains a productive starter for the Cougars, but his shooting percentages have dropped since last season. He is averaging 11.2 points and 3.9 assists per game, but he is shooting 38.0% overall and 32.6% from deep.

Aside from Flemings, Chris Cenac Jr. has also carved out a starting role as a freshman. The 6-foot-11 New Orleans native is averaging 9.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Former five-star recruit Isiah Harwell is one of the Cyclones’ go-to players off the bench. He’s still raw, but the Cougars believe in the freshman guard’s upside.

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger on Pleta, Buchanan

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger shared his thoughts on the play of big men Dominykas Pleta and Blake Buchanan against Kansas.

The turnover, rebounding battle

Houston and Iowa State are two defense-first teams that take great pride in their all-out effort and physical style of play. They both try to wear their opponents down, be disruptive, and generate turnovers.

Both teams have also exceled on the offensive glass this season. The Cyclones and Cougars are in the top 20 nationally for offensive rebounding rate. Iowa State secures 37.3% of offensive rebounding chances, while Houston is right behind at 37.0%. Tugler and Cenac are both strong rebounders for the Cougars. Cenac is tough on the glass on both ends, while Tugler is one of the top offensive rebounders in the country. He has the second-highest offensive rebounding rate in the Big 12.

The Cyclones rank No. 5 in defensive efficiency. In their recent win over Kansas, they returned to form on the defensive end by keeping Kansas to a season-low 56 points. They set the tone early with their ability to generate turnovers. Perhaps Hilton Magic played a role, but they were able to pressure the Jayhawks, make them uncomfortable and create scoring opportunities off turnovers.

Iowa State generates turnovers on 22.4% of opponents’ possessions, the eighth-highest rate in the country.

Houston is stingy across the board, holding opponents to an effective field goal percentage of 46.0% this year. Houston remains one of the most disruptive teams around, with a turnover rate of 22.6%, the fifth-best mark in the country. The Cougars also take great care of the ball, with the second-lowest turnover rate.

Iowa State basketball vs. Houston prediction

Home-court advantage will help the Cyclones, but they’ll need to execute against a team that prides itself on making opponents uncomfortable. The team that can get defensive stops and create more extra possessions will be in better shape to win this Big Monday marquee matchup. If you like grit and grind, there will be plenty of that when Iowa State-Houston squares off. Prediction: Iowa State 69, Houston 65

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.

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