Iowa

Iowa basketball: As Hawkeyes exit Big Ten Tournament, uncertainty looms over program

Published

4 months ago

March 14, 2025

Iowa basketball: As Hawkeyes exit Big Ten Tournament, uncertainty looms over program

INDIANAPOLIS — At this very venue on this very day three years ago, Iowa basketball stood atop the Big Ten’s mountaintop.

The Hawkeyes won four games in four days to capture a Big Ten Tournament title. Capped off by a win over Purdue, those four days were filled with thrills and euphoria. Iowa coach Fran McCaffery spoke fondly of that team earlier this week.

Thursday was three years removed from that tournament championship. And things looked much different.

After back-to-back wins over Nebraska and Ohio State, Iowa’s hopes to make an improbable run to the NCAA Tournament were put to an end. The Hawkeyes were unable to overcome the usual suspects — defense and rebounding — in a 106-94 loss to Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

That win over Ohio State on Wednesday was Iowa’s first victory in the Big Ten Tournament since beating Purdue in 2022. That year was also the last time the Hawkeyes made the NCAA Tournament. They haven’t won a game in the Big Dance since 2021.

The energy surrounding the program is drastically reduced from that memorable day three years ago.

As Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament run came to an end on Thursday, uncertainty looms over the future of the program.

For the second time in less than two weeks, McCaffery was prompted to speak about his future at Iowa. For the second time, he reaffirmed his commitment to the program.

On Thursday, McCaffery was asked if he expects to be Iowa’s coach next season and beyond.

“I do,” McCaffery said.

If that is the case, attention turns to Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz, who will have a decision to make.

In 15 seasons as Iowa’s head coach, McCaffery orchestrated success for the program. He helped develop nationally distinguished players such as Luka Garza, Keegan and Kris Murray, and others. Iowa won at least 20 games for four consecutive seasons in two separate stints during McCaffery’s tenure. The Hawkeyes did it from the 2012-13 to 2015-16 seasons and the 2018-19 to 2021-2022 seasons.

At its best, the program was relevant on a national scale.

But there are also fair criticisms of McCaffery’s tenure.

His teams’ lack of NCAA Tournament success are illustrated by the fact that he has never reached a Sweet 16 with the Hawkeyes. Defensive struggles are as woven into the fabric of the program as the Hawkeyes’ high-octane offense. McCaffery’s temper flare-ups occasionally brought unwanted national attention.

Iowa checked a few of those boxes on Thursday.

The Hawkeyes scored 94 points, shot 55% from the field, 46% from deep, turned the ball over just five times and still managed to lose by double-digits. In the second half, McCaffery was called for two technicals and thrown out of the game.

After the game, McCaffery indicated that he was pointing out the fouls discrepancy when he was hit with the first technical.

“I’m always going to advocate for my guys,” McCaffery said. “That’s my job.”

Thursday’s loss was not for a lack of trying. Payton Sandfort drilled eight 3-pointers (tying a Big Ten Tournament record) en route to a 30-point outing. A team that battled through injuries this season simply did not have enough answers, which might sum up where the program currently stands under McCaffery.

“It’s the greatest honor of my life to be able to represent the black and gold,” Sandfort said. “And that’s why I gave it everything I did every day. The chance to play for coach and the chance to play with so many great Hawkeyes. It’s the honor of my lifetime. I wish I could repay this place as much as it gave to me. But I gave it everything I had.”

Goetz has a lot to consider as she evaluates the future of the men’s basketball team. The last two seasons have been stale. Iowa managed a mediocre 36-31 record during that stretch. One win in the Big Ten Tournament. Zero appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowds that were small and spiritless far too often reflected a fan base distancing itself from the program.

But if Goetz decides it’s time for the program to go a different direction, there is no guarantee Iowa will be destined for greater heights. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, the longest-tenured Big Ten men’s basketball coach, warned of that last week.

Iowa’s roster payroll is in the range of $1.1 million to $1.5 million, according to reporting by the Register’s Chad Leistikow. Not nearly enough, McCaffery said after Thursday’s loss.

“You’d probably need 6 million, and we were nowhere near that,” McCaffery said. “I think you know that. Those numbers are going to go north of that.”

If Iowa elects to embark on a new era, it will be a test of whether the program’s struggles were more of a McCaffery problem or an athletics department infrastructure problem.

Was McCaffery set up for failure due to a lack of financial resources? Or was it burnout from his tenure that caused the downturn?

For what it’s worth, McCaffery said Iowa playing in the debut of the College Basketball Crown postseason tournament is “going to happen.” But that is not currently the most pressing issue.

The future of the program is in Goetz’s hands. The ball is in her court.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com

Source link

Click to comment

Iowa

Here’s the path forward to protecting Iowa farmers and Iowa property rights | Opinion

Published

4 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Press Room

Here’s the path forward to protecting Iowa farmers and Iowa property rights | Opinion

Iowa needs a compromised approach to eminent domain.

Michael Brixius
| Guest columnist

Michael Brixius is a pharmacist and the current Story County GOP organizational chair.

Iowa has an important question to answer: How do we balance keeping Iowa’s farmers and ethanol industry competitive with the fundamental protection of private property? The proposed carbon capture pipelines, like Summit Carbon Solutions’, force this question into the forefront.

While those in favor of the pipeline view such projects as vital for Iowa’s ethanol industry, the reality is far more complex, driven by private gain and misdirected environmental concern.

The crux of the issue is the controversial use of eminent domain. Historically reserved for public infrastructure like roads and schools, its application for a private, for-profit pipeline has unfortunately been upheld in federal court. These projects are fueled by billions in federal 45Q tax credits, turning taxpayer dollars into private profits.

Even more concerning, a majority of the captured carbon is slated for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), effectively using public subsidies to extract more fossil fuels — a practice that unequivocally undermines genuine carbon reduction goals and highlights the costly, inefficient nature of these pipelines for true climate action.

Yet, one must acknowledge the challenging position of Iowa’s ethanol industry. Facing competition and the necessity to access low-carbon fuel markets like California’s, our ethanol plants feel economically compelled to participate in these projects. It’s a bitter pill: being “forced to play the game” to remain competitive (some estimates calculate a reduction of $0.75 per bushel of corn without the pipeline), even if the means raise profound concerns about property rights — in addition to the aforementioned dubious utility of carbon capture pipelines. This is an unfortunate, but necessary Faustian bargain that must be carefully measured.

Iowa needs a compromised approach to eminent domain. First, mandate a high threshold of voluntary easements of 80% to 90% before eminent domain can be considered. This at least forces the opportunity for genuine negotiation and significantly strengthens landowners’ property rights. Given that these negotiations are frequently far from good faith, such a mandate is necessary.

Second, for the few remaining landowners facing condemnation (if that high threshold is met), mandate enhanced compensation, at least 125% of the appraised fair market value. “Fair market value” is almost always insufficient, failing to account for the long-term impacts on farming operations, soil health, or the inherent coercion of an involuntary taking. Drawing inspiration from models in other states, this multiplier ensures landowners are more justly compensated for contributing to a private entity’s profit, especially in a project whose viability is heavily subsidized by taxpayers.

This approach allows Iowa’s agricultural industries to remain competitive, while stemming eminent domain abuse. We must respect private property rights, keep Iowa’s ethanol industry competitive, and ensure that private gain does not come at the undue expense of Iowa’s landowners.

Michael Brixius is a pharmacist and the current Story County GOP organizational chair.

Source link

Iowa

McLaughlin leads Iowa practice | RACER

Published

1 day ago

July 12, 2025

Press Room

Friday’s intense weather, which included a tornado within sight at Iowa Speedway, was traded for a warm 75 degrees and problem-free running to start a busy Saturday morning IndyCar practice that was led with ease by Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin.

McLaughlin’s No. 3 Chevy turned a 183.514mph lap to lead an all-Chevy top six with Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel (182.645mph), Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi (182.512mph), Pato O’Ward (182.393mph), Josef Newgarden (182.319mph), and Christian Rasmussen (182.189mph).

Championship leader Alex Palou was first among the Honda-powered drivers in seventh (182.013mph).

Cautions were needed for Pato O’Ward spinning while exiting pit lane, a stalled Jacob Abel, and a brush of the wall by Christian Rasmussen.

Within the field of 27 drivers, 26 participated in the practice session, which followed the high-line rubbering-in session where Andretti’s Kyle Kirkwood crashed and broke the right-side suspension. As a result, Kirkwood – who holds second-place in the championship – was unable to participate in the open practice and will go straight into qualifying with the repaired car.

“We were running fine up top and I went down low and it got loose and see ya’ later. It’s a mistake on my part. Really caught me off guard there,” Kirkwood said.

After losing Friday, a hectic pace will dominate the day with qualifying up next at 1:30pm ET and the first 275-lap Sukup-sponsored race of the weekend goes live on FOX at 5pm ET.

RESULTS

Source link

Iowa

What do Fox Sports analysts think will happen during the IndyCar races in Iowa?

Published

2 days ago

July 11, 2025

Press Room

What do Fox Sports analysts think will happen during the IndyCar races in Iowa?

NEWTON — This weekend’s IndyCar racing at Iowa Speedway will likely be better than last year’s processional races, but passing could still be hard, according to members of Fox Sports’ broadcasting team.

In 2024 a partial repave of all four corners resulted in processional racing where passing was almost impossible. Heading into the Saturday and Sunday races (July 12-13), drivers are uncertain whether the racing will be better, with some saying it will be and others saying it could still be hard to pass.

Fox Sports analyst James Hinchcliffe won at Iowa Speedway in 2018. Hinchcliffe thinks the racing will be better than in 2024.

“I do think we’re going to see it much better than what we saw last year,” Hinchcliffe said.

Skyscraper-sized cumulus clouds loomed over Iowa Speedway on Friday, July 11. Sunny skies are forecast on Saturday and Sunday, but a practice scheduled for Friday afternoon was critical to giving drivers confidence to drive in the second lane, Hinchcliffe said.

“The reality is,” Hinchcliffe said, “and we’ve learned this doing this at a few different tracks. When you’re driving around in practice on your own, there’s not a whole lot of reason to go up into the high lane. When you get into the race you don’t want to go up there for the very first time when an incident is going to take you out of the race. So forcing the guys to get comfortable up there, for me I think it’s a placebo effect as much as anything. What I think it does more than anything is it gives drivers some experience up there, comfortable. Up there so early in the race that starts exploring and that just keeps that high line clean all night long and allows it to be useable.”

Will Buxton’s impressions of Iowa

Fox play-by-play announcer Will Buxton gained worldwide fame in the Netflix series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” serving as an expert on the series. He is in his first season as IndyCar’s play-by-play announcer for Fox. Buxton also had a cameo in the Brad Pitt movie “F1.”

When Buxton, who lives in England, arrived at the track July 11 he wandered through the corn maze behind the backstretch, and he still had muddy boots to prove it.

“I didn’t realize. Have you been close up to those things, they’re freaky!” Buxton told Hinchcliffe and Fox pit reporter Jack Harvey of his first encounter with field corn. “The roots aren’t underground. They’re above ground, and it holds itself up. It’s like a tripod!”

About a quarter of the winners at Iowa have started from outside the top 10 and the track is known for producing great racing, Buxton said. Last year Will Power won the second race after starting 22nd.

“This is renowned as being one of the best short-course oval tracks in the world,” Buxton said. “I think you come in expecting the unexpected. So even with the repave there’s still the opportunity for people to have astonishing races from wherever they started in the field.”

How did the repave impact IndyCar racing at Iowa Speedway?

The repave added a high amount of grip to the bottom lane. Think of winter roads. The old asphalt is like untreated ice where drivers slip and slide. It’s technically challenging to drive, but entertaining.

Think of the new asphalt as plowed concrete. It’s easy to drive on, but mundane. In highly aerodynamic IndyCars with faster speeds than stock cars the old surface created unpredictable IndyCar racing.

What is IndyCar doing to make the racing better?

In 2025 IndyCar lengthened both races at Iowa Speedway from 250 laps to 275 laps. Before the repave tire degradation was so high that teams never knew how long a full fuel stint could last, Hinchcliffe said.

“More often than not you were pitting for tires more than you were for fuel,” Hinchcliffe said.

With the new pavement on repaved portions, tires lasted a lot longer and teams ran cars out of fuel. So teams realized they could stop for fuel one less time than what had traditionally been done there, Hinchcliffe said.

“By adding the extra laps they’ve made that window harder to achieve,” Hinchcliffe said. “Which takes the incentive to drive around to a fuel number out of the equation and hopefully means that drivers can push flat out for the entire race.”

Essentially IndyCar also “repositioned downforce on the car” to make the racing better, Harvey said. The amount of downforce allowed on cars is essentially what it was in 2024, but is in different places, Hinchcliffe said.

“I give IndyCar a lot of credit,” Hinchcliffe said. “They’re doing a lot to try to combat this issue that wasn’t of their making.”

Race needs to move to Saturday night

Saturday night racing on short-track ovals in IndyCar are as synonymous as church on Sundays. For years IndyCar scheduled its Iowa race on Saturday nights where the track gained a reputation for its unpredictable chess matches. Television schedules set times for races, but Hinchcliffe and Harvey said the racing and crowds could be better by holding the race at night.

“It’s hot in Iowa in July,” Harvey said. “Let the temperature come down a bit. Let it cool off. I feel like that’s an easy win.”

“From a visual standpoint, open-wheel cars around the lights, sparks flying, it just looks cool,” Hinchcliffe said. “It’s almost always the case that the conditions in a night race are advantageous for racing.”

Philip Joens covers retail, real estate and motorsports for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184 or pjoens@registermedia.com.

Source link