The Iowa State women are playing at Iowa tonight, and I must decide whether to return to the Carver-Hawkeye House of Horrors. Yes, I engaged in this internal debate four years ago too.
In the 11 games in Iowa City in the Fennelly era, ISU has won three, the last in 2006. Save for those magical seasons of 1997-2001, the era seriously slants toward the home team, and then last year, Iowa took one in Hilton Coliseum for the first time since 1989.
Last year, I splurged on a ticket to watch the men’s team play in Iowa City, only to witness another losing effort. “Hey Cyclones, your mom called … you left your game at home,” a student’s sign taunted, and she was right. I am now 0-for-5 in games there.
The Iowa women could be even better this year. Being expected to come in second behind Brenda Frese and having the Big Ten preseason player of the year in Megan Gustafson is nothing to sneeze at. Iowa State, meanwhile, is expected only to finish sixth in the Big 12.
But things are looking up for the Cyclones women’s team. Bridget Carleton is really, really good! We have 2018 Miss Iowa Basketball Ashley Joens who’s from Iowa City and would love some bragging rights! Meredith Burkhall has recovered from a scary health issue! The poster looks pretty darn good EXCEPT FOR THE GRAY ON GRAY TYPE STOP DOING THAT.
I know the odds, yet the siren song is so strong…
You’re going, aren’t you?
*Sigh* Go Cyclones.
UPDATE: The lesson, as always, is don’t get in a 10-point hole in the first quarter. Also, do you really need five to ten seconds of music waiting for an inbounds?