Hawkeye fans react when the Iowa women’s basketball target selects a Big Ten rival. Iowa fans woke up to a bit of a gut punch this morning. Guard Madison Carter, one of the Hawkeyes’ top recruiting targets, shocked the Big Ten recruiting community by announcing her commitment to Michigan, leaving many black-and-gold supporters perplexed.
For months, Iowa had Carter, a 5-star prospect from Illinois, at the top of their list. Earlier this year, she went to Carver-Hawkeye Arena and even sat courtside at one of Iowa’s most important home games. The Hawkeyes seemed to have the inside track for a while. However, Michigan ultimately prevailed.
After announcing her choice to the world, Carter told reporters, “I just felt at home the second I stepped on campus.” “Coach [Kim] Barnes Arico gave me a plan that really addressed my goals for the future. It felt natural.
Fans of Iowa, who have watched their program soar in recent years, will find that difficult to accept. There has been a sense of urgency to maintain the momentum by recruiting top talent now that Caitlin Clark’s time is officially behind us. It would have made a statement to acquire Carter. She will be playing against Iowa, not for them, instead.
This dedication has generated a lot of discussion on the internet. Hawkeye message boards were ablaze with responses that ranged from outright frustration to disappointment but understanding. “This one stings,” one fan put it simply. Her scoring punch was exactly what we needed.
In terms of basketball, Carter’s choice is a significant victory for Michigan. She is a versatile guard with the swagger that Big Ten coaches adore, the ability to get to the rim and create her own shot. The Wolverines could be a strong contender in the upcoming seasons if she is paired with Michigan’s returning backcourt. Iowa isn’t exactly without anything, though.
In addition to having a few more targets on the board, Lisa Bluder and her team have established one of the conference’s most reputable hiring pipelines. Additionally, Iowa has a track record of transforming underappreciated prospects into superstars; just ask Kate Martin or Gabbie Marshall.
This one does hurt, then. However, there is always another battle looming in the fiercely competitive world of Big Ten recruiting. For the time being, Iowa supporters will mark the Michigan game on their calendar for the following year. It’s safe to assume that the energy will be electric when Carter enters the Carver floor wearing blue and maize.
