Happy Hour: New Recruits and the Scariest Thing You Will See On The Road In Iowa

DAILY SPECIAL: Iowa picked up a third commit to the 2011 recruiting class.  Austin Blythe, an offensive lineman from Williamsburg Iowa, has widely been considered the top prospect in the state.  He is a dual sport athlete, wrestling at heavyweight (though he will not wrestle in college) in addition to football, and had offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Wisconsin, and Stanford.  He is most likely an offensive guard but who knows, judging offensive lineman coming out of high school is like me trying to predict what the weather will be like in February.  I should mention now I won't mention stars a lot on here, recruiting stars are about as helpful at determining how successful a kid will be as the color of his car.  Stars belong on flags and in the sky, not on football players (unless you play for the Cowboys).


DRAFTS: It's spring which means the I-Club tours are in full force.  Kirk Ferentz's remarks at the Cedar Rapids Rotary Club were published in the Gazette by the illustrious Marc Morehouse.  The remarks themselves were not too eye opening.  Ferentz still isn't big on kids leaving High School early, James Vandenberg improved alot last year the usual.  Also, Ferentz divulged that Tom Brands and Norm Parker will be traveling together for their annual I-Club visits.  We think the picture provides an accurate depiction of what this looks like.

SHOTS: 

- Ricky Stanzi is cutting down on his interceptions (thank God)

- Phil Johnson's gym, which was originally founded in his garage, has helped numerous UI athletes

- Charles Boozer says he will transfer from Iowa State to treat an "anger issue".  In his defense, if I got stuck playing for the Cyclones, I would be pretty angry too.

-The folks over at Black Shoe Diaries enjoy seeing Penn State students get tazed at Phillies games (yes there is video).
- The Rivalry Esq says that preseason expectations have been the enemy of Wisconsin.  They have been spending a week going through each Big Ten team and I would recommend reading back if you haven't been following (if nothing else at least read this epic post by Black Heart Gold Pants' Hawkeye State on Minnesota).

The First Case of The Mondays

MEN'S GOLF: The men's golf team finished second at the Big Ten tournament this past weekend.  The Hawks finished three strokes behind first place Illinois in what was their best finish since 1992.  Barrett Kelpin shot a 284 which was good enough for third place individually.  Brad George tied for 13th place with a 293 and Chris Brant tied for 16th with a 294.  The men's golf team has had an up and down year but this was a great showing for them.  I was a little disappointed in Vince India, he was the man for this team last year but he placed fourth on the team (tied for 22nd overall) with a 296 and never really looked like he was capable of having a sub-70 stroke round.  The strong finish ensures the team will beheaded to the regional NCAA tourney and perhaps beyond if they manage to get hot.

SOFTBALL: The Hawks dropped a pair of contests to Ohio State, losing 4-3 on Sunday and 6-5 today after nine innings.  Yeah Ohio State was no. 19 nationally but considering how hot this team was early in Big Ten play it is really surprising Iowa has fallen this far.  I know getting runs has been a problem, but now it seems as if minor inconsistencies in the pitching are getting exposed.  The Hawks have two winnable series on the road against Illinois and Minnesota before coming back to host an extremely talented Michigan squad.

BASEBALL: Iowa split a double header with Minnesota at Duane Banks field on Sunday, winning the first contest 11-4 and losing the second 12-2.  Iowa dropped the rubber match today 6-1, moving to 18-24 on the season.  Frankly, it isn't very surprising.  Iowa baseball has a couple of decent players and then a bunch of so-so college players.  They try hard sure, but the defense and hitting just aren't there and the bullpen is certainly suspect.  In short, they are the Kansas City Royals of college baseball.  Up next is the Corridor Classic which, since UNI and Iowa State no long have baseball programs, is against Coe College.........Yeah.

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