Tag: Iowa

2021 Big Ten-ACC Challenge matchups released

See who’s playing who in this year’s edition of the exciting event.

One of the biggest events of the college basketball season, at least in certain parts of the country, is the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. This is when teams from two of the nation’s power conferences get together to see which of the conferences is better. Historically, the ACC has the upper hand with a 12-7-3 advantage in the series and a 138-113 record. The Big Ten won’t be able to catch up in either category this year’s event, but maybe it can make up some ground with these matchups:

2021 Big Ten-ACC Challenge matchups released

See who’s playing who in this year’s edition of the exciting event.

One of the biggest events of the college basketball season, at least in certain parts of the country, is the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. This is when teams from two of the nation’s power conferences get together to see which of the conferences is better. Historically, the ACC has the upper hand with a 12-7-3 advantage in the series and a 138-113 record. The Big Ten won’t be able to catch up in either category this year’s event, but maybe it can make up some ground with these matchups:

Notre Dame gives offer to offensive tackle recruit Ashton Craig

The Irish are after a recruit who could end up with them or in the Big Ten.

With much of his 2020 unit not returning in 2021, Notre Dame offensive line coach Jeff Quinn has his work cut out for him. He will do everything in his power to keep the Irish’s reputation for churning out quality offensive linemen going for as long as possible. To that end, he has presented an offer to a tackle who would need to wait only a year before arriving in South Bend. This latest target is the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Ashton Craig from Lawrenceburg, Indiana:

Craig is very interested in Notre Dame, but he also is giving serious consideration to numerous Big Ten schools. Namely, he is looking at Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa and Nebraska. Other programs in the running include Duke, Wake Forest, Florida State, Boston College, Purdue, Indiana, Cincinnati and Toledo. Wherever he ends up, he has the body that belongs in college football, and any offense would benefit from having him.

Notre Dame gives offer to power forward recruit Jalen Washington

The Irish could use some size in the future.

When Anthony Solomon returned to Mike Brey’s staff, it was fair to wonder how soon he would pay dividends. While we don’t know yet as far as landing recruits, we now know as far as presenting offers to them. Jalen Washington, a power forward going into his senior season at West Side in Gary, Indiana, can add Notre Dame to the list of offers he’s already gotten. He credited both Brey and Solomon for their interest in him:

Washington has received over a dozen offers so far. The schools he’s mostly trending towards are North Carolina, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan State, Stanford and Alabama. He visited the Tar Heels on June 2 and is scheduled to meet with the Cardinal on Saturday. The other schools in the mix are Louisville, Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Maryland, DePaul and Oklahoma.

The Irish really need some depth with their size, and Washington would fit the bill perfectly.

Rivals: Notre Dame could steal recruit in Wisconsin’s backyard

This could be a huge development

The rivalry between the Badgers and the Irish didn’t get a chance to see the field last season, their game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but their other battles off the field still are happening. With a report from Adam Gorney of Rivals, Wisconsin offensive lineman Carson Hinzman might not be a lock to the Badgers that many have thought.

Gorney suggests that the planned visits to Ohio State, Iowa and the Irish have now put a wrench into the Badgers locking up one of the best prospects in their backyard.

Hinzman could still very well end up with the Badgers like many other elite offensive lineman from the state, but saying no to the Buckeyes and the Irish among other is easier said than done. – Gorney

The six-foot-five-inch and 280-pound lineman is being courted by some of the best Midwest programs, putting thoughts into Hinzman’s head that could ultimately lure him away from his home state.

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The early signing period is rapidly approaching and the Irish currently have 13 commits, two of them being offensive lineman. Brian Kelly would love to add Hinzman to the group and is seems like they currently have a fight chance to gain his commitment in the near future.

Ranking Wisconsin’s 2021 schedule game-by-game from easiest to most difficult

110. That’s the number of days before September, 4 when the Penn State Nittany Lions visit Camp Randall Stadium and the Wisconsin Badgers

110. That’s the number of days before Sept. 4 when the Penn State Nittany Lions visit Camp Randall Stadium and the Wisconsin Badgers kick off their 2021 football season.

While some big-name schools are on Wisconsin’s 2021 slate, the schedule is actually manageable. Almost all of the big games are at home. Ohio State is nowhere to be seen. And out-of-conference bouts against Army and Eastern Michigan will give the team valuable experience before the must-win games come up.

But not all opponents will be an equal test for Paul Chryst’s team. Here is a ranking – from easiest to most difficult – of Wisconsin’s opponents this season.

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Austin Blythe was born in Kansas City, grew up rooting for Chiefs

One of the newest members of the Chiefs has Kansas City roots and they played a large factor in his free agency decision.

One of the newest players for the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just getting a welcome to the team, he’s getting a welcome home.

Former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Austin Blythe agreed to terms with the Chiefs in the final days of March. He officially signed his contract to join the Chiefs on Monday. While meeting with the media for his introductory press conference, Blythe revealed a little-known fact about himself to reporters.

Blythe was born in Kansas City.

“I actually was born in Kansas City,” Blythe told reporters on Monday. “My parents moved up to Iowa shortly after I was born and then just continued to root for the Chiefs. So (I’m) kind of coming full circle here, being able to come play for the Chiefs. Obviously, I mentioned the team has been in a great spot, the last several years and I’m just really excited to get to work.”

Blythe’s parents were living in Liberty, Kansas at the time and he was born in the Kansas City area, but they moved to Iowa shortly after he was born. He claims Iowa is where he’s from because of that detail. He never really got to experience the city as a child, however, his mom and dad were both Chiefs fans, so he grew up as a fan of the team too.

“I’m originally from Iowa,” Blythe explained. “So there’s not a pro team in Iowa, my family, they grew up Chiefs fans as well. So (I was) just a midwest guy, who grew up without a pro team in his state (and) kept rooting for the Chiefs.”

Blythe went on to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes, so it was easy to maintain his Chiefs fandom. Part of the appeal of coming to Kansas City was because Blythe would be playing for the team he grew up rooting for.

While he hasn’t yet learned his role with the Chiefs, Blythe knows that this was exactly where he wanted to be during the 2021 NFL season.

“My mindset is, I just wanted to be here,” Blythe said. “Coming in to play for a great organization, a great team and coming in and playing offensive line. Wherever my piece may fit that’s what we’re going to do.”

Entering his sixth NFL season, Blythe seems excited about his homecoming and what the future holds. He’s starting a new chapter, whether that means he’s starting at guard, center or working as a depth piece, he knows that he’s right where he belongs.

“I have Kansas City roots and I’m excited to get back and to explore the city as an adult.”

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Rookie Rundown: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa

Could the NFL and fantasy footballers have a sleeper on their hands?

Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette enters the 2021 NFL Draft as one of the most explosive weapons in the vertical game. In his four years playing for the Hawkeyes, “ISM” delivered the goods as a receiver, rusher and special teams returner with explosive success.

Many people may recognize him from an ill-fated flip into the end zone that resulted in a sprained ankle in December of last year. While it may have been a poor decision in hindsight, Smith-Marsette said he’d do it again as it was his final game in his home stadium. It may prove to be a cautionary tale, although it shouldn’t be held against him when evaluating his overall body of work.

Height: 6-foot-0 1/2
Weight: 181 pounds
40 time: 4.43 seconds

The above measurables are from Iowa’s recent pro day. Smith-Marsette stood out among his school’s peers, displaying his speed, quickness and agility … every bit helps in a year without a scouting combine.

Table: Ihmir Smith-Marsette NCAA stats (2017-20)

Year
School
Class
Gm
Receiving
Rushing
Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD
2017
Iowa
FR
11
18
187
10.4
2
7
41
5.9
0
2018
Iowa
SO
12
23
361
15.7
3
9
71
7.9
0
2019
Iowa
JR
13
44
722
16.4
5
11
108
9.8
3
2020
Iowa
SR
7
25
345
13.8
4
7
54
7.7
1
Career
110
1,615
14.7
14
34
274
8.1
4

*includes postseason/bowl games

Used in a number of ways, but primarily lined up as the “Z” (flanker) receiver, ISM made plays as a freshman and continued to improve over the next couple of seasons. He may be pigeon-holed as a slot receiver in the NFL.

The Hawkeyes played only eight games in 2020, and there was a quarterback switch after 2019 after Nate Stanley was drafted. The program turned to redshirt sophomore Spencer Petras, which returned mixed results for Smith-Marsette.

Pros

  • Electric, game-changing ability in the open field
  • Adept at tracking the ball over his shoulders and not losing a step
  • Versatility will immediately endear him to an NFL franchise — can line up inside and out, run jet sweeps, and contribute as a return man
  • Demonstrated consistent ability to come back for an underthrown pass and make a play on the ball
  • Moves effortlessly in traffic and displays plus read-and-react skills
  • Averaged 28.7 yards per kickoff return and scored twice
  • NFL-based offensive system will help prepare him
  • Serious upside to expand his game into being more well-rounded

Cons

  • Arrested Nov. 2020 for driving under the influence and speeding
  • The aforementioned celebratory flip-turned-injury will turn off some teams
  • Slight frame impacts his role and ability to contribute as a blocker — also begs the question about whether he can beat press-man coverage on the outside
  • Limited route tree — not that he is incapable of being better in this area, but Iowa didn’t ask him to run many intermediate paths
  • Suspect hands early in his career — while improved, some of it has been masked by route choices and shaky QB play

Fantasy football outlook

With an expected draft placement in the Round 3 neighborhood, it’s unlikely Smith-Marsette will be featured in his rookie year. Extenuating circumstances could change this outlook, of course, but fantasy footballers shouldn’t get overly excited right away.

In Year 2 and beyond, ISM should have more considerable potential for a primary role in the offense of his drafting team. His style of play makes ample of sense for the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints based on current needs.

Nearly anywhere he lands in the upcoming draft will find creative ways to manufacture touches. Much like his collegiate stats, gamers should expect low-volume, high-output results. In the ideal setting, there’s considerable upside for more from Smith-Marsette.

Packers high on Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

The Green Bay Packers could kill two birds with one stone by drafting Iowa’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

The Green Bay Packers could kill two birds with one stone by drafting Iowa’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette. He’s a highly-skilled receiver that just so happens to be a talented return specialist. According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, the Packers have been high on Smith-Marsette for quite some time.

Smith-Marsette is set to be the first Iowa wideout drafted since Marvin McNutt in 2012. After four years of playing for the Hawkeyes, Smith-Marsette finished his college career with 110 receptions, 1,615 yards, 14 receiving touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns. Smith-Marsette also served as the team’s kick return specialist, returning 53 kicks for 1,520 yards, two touchdowns and a 28.7 average.

Smith-Marsette benefited from a breakout season in 2019 when he finished with 44 receptions, 722 yards, and 10 total touchdowns. In 2020, he totaled 25 receptions, 345 yards, and five total touchdowns in seven games. Wisconsin fans may remember his performance from a 28-7 loss in which Smith-Marsette had a career-game of seven receptions for 140 yards and two scores.

Many scouts view Smith-Marsette as the prototypical z-receiver. He’s got plenty of speed to take the top off of a defense and can be a viable threat in a vertical offense.

When looking at his film, it’s obvious Smith-Marsette’s speed is one of his best traits. He validated this when he ran a 4.43 at his pro day. Coming from a track background, Smith-Marsette is a smooth runner that accelerates with ease. He’s also got some decent wiggle when the ball is in his hands.

Smith-Marsette has a chance to a great fit in Matt LaFleur’s offense. He’s got decent size at 6-1, 181 lbs. and would bring a multitude of skillsets to the table. On top of being a specialist, Smith-Marsette has the tools to be a versatile gadget player. Whether it’s quick screens or hands-offs, Smith-Marsette is a player LaFleur would enjoy having at his disposal.

There are some who view Smith-Marsette as a potential steal in this year’s draft class. And because so many wide receivers are getting a lot of attention, Smith Marsette is flying under the radar. If a team snatches him up early on a Day 3 or late on Day 2, it would be great value.

According to Pauline, Green Bay views Smith-Marsette as a Day 2 prospect.  The Packers currently have picks No. 62 and 92 in Round 2 and Round 3 and then No. 135 in Round 4. If Smith Marsette is still on the board at 92, he may wind up in Green Bay.

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UConn’s Christyn Williams put on a show in the first half of women’s NCAA Sweet 16 game vs. Iowa

UConn’s UConn’s Christyn Williams scored a career-high 18 points in the first half and managed to contain Iowa guard Caitlin Clark.

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament kicked off the Sweet 16 round with an anticipated match-up featuring two of the most exciting players in college sports in UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.

But it was another player that stole the show in the first half of Saturday’s first Sweet 16 game.

UConn guard Christyn Williams had an impressive first half for the Huskies, where she scored a career-high 18 points in the first half. She shot 8-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-6 from behind the three-point line. That helped give the No. 1 Huskies a 49-35 lead over No. 4 Iowa at halftime.

But Williams’ feat is even more impressive given she had the difficult task of defending one of the best players in college basketball in Clark, who was held to just seven points in the first half.

The winner of this Sweet 16 game will advance to the Elite 8, where they’ll face the winner of No. 2 Baylor and No. 6 Michigan.