Hawks Eye View 4.12: Iowa Falls to Illinois, Portal Talk, Bigs & Guards Needed + April Fools Chaos

Andrew Barber and AJ Hawksby-Defino break down Iowa’s Elite Eight run and heartbreaking loss to Illinois. The Hawkeyes hung tough for 32 minutes before Illinois’ size and talent took over in the final stretch. The guys discuss rebounding woes, Bennett Sturtz’s tournament dominance, Keaton Wagler’s dominance, Ben McCollum’s bright future, and what the transfer portal means for next season.They dive deep into roster needs — a true scoring guard (or two), a rim-protecting big man, and how to best use the extra NIL money from the Elite Eight run. Plus, speculation on who might return or enter the portal, emerging freshmen like Trey Thompson and Ethan Harris, and realistic transfer targets.They also touch on the women’s side with Addie Deal entering the portal and what that means for next year. The episode wraps with football buzz, spring ball notes, and plenty of Hawkeye optimism heading into the offseason.Sponsors:Revelton Distilling – Crafted in the heart of Iowa. Pour yourself a Revelton and enjoy the show.Jenny Farrell Team at REMAX Concepts – Trusted local experts for buying, selling, or refinancing. Call or text 515-779-7500.Iowa Beef Steakhouse – Hand-seasoned Iowa beef, legendary salad bar, and old-fashioneds done right. 1201 East Euclid Ave, Des Moines.Creasman Foods – Bold, loaded Iowa-made frozen pizza. Find it at Hy-Vee, Fairway, and local grocers.Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage – Expert mortgage guidance for buying, selling, refinancing, or renovating. Call 515-473-0546.Go Hawks!