Hawkeyes go back to basics to open B1G
The Hawkeyes had four returning starters coming back from a 22-win team and an incoming freshman class ranked 11th nationally.
So Iowa coach Lisa Bluder went into this season full steam ahead.
“I forgot the aspect of we had 11 healthy players and really six of them were freshmen,” Bluder said. “I was looking at maybe the glass half-full that we had four returners.
“I probably rushed them along too much. I needed to bring it along a little slower and that’s my fault. So we’re trying to make amends for that right now.”
Coming back from a short holiday break, Bluder has spent time going back to the basics in preparation for today’s Big Ten opener. Iowa (8-5) hosts Northwestern (10-3) at 6 p.m.
“Things have really moved quickly,” senior Kamille Wahlin said. “We expected (the freshmen) to catch on and be at our level quick. But we have to put ourselves back in their position.”
Freshman Samantha Logic has started every game, and freshmen Melissa Dixon, Bethany Doolittle and Kathryn Reynolds have been key reserves this season.
Iowa also welcomed back sophomore Theairra Taylor, who had missed nearly two years with ACL injuries.
“I think we did alright,” Logic said. “But the offense is kind of complex in some ways. We were bringing a lot of new people in. We had a lot of learning to do.”
Junior Jaime Printy started every game as a freshman. She said it can be a lot to take in.
“It’s really overwhelming,” Printy said. “Not only is everyone bigger and stronger, but just the mental part of the game. How to handle every situation.
“I think our freshman are doing a great job of it. They’ll keep getting better throughout the Big Ten season.”
Iowa finished the pre-conference schedule with five losses. The last time the Hawkeyes had that many was the 2006-07 season when Iowa finished 14-16.
Since that year, Iowa has won 20-plus games and made the NCAA Tournament in each of the past four seasons.
The Hawkeyes were a preseason favorite to contend for the Big Ten title and still have that expectation.
“It’s time to step it up,” Wahlin said. “We have to make that change now. We have to make that change on the defensive end.”
Bluder has been impressed with the way her team has responded to going back to the basics.
“They’re excited,” Bluder said. “They’re excited to be back and they’re playing with a little more fire than they saw at the end of the non-conference season.
“I think they’re ready for the Big Ten.”
Northwestern provides a big test right away. But the Wildcats may be without one of their top players.
Dannielle Diamant left their last game, a 75-56 loss to Toledo on Tuesday, on crutches. Her status is uncertain.
But even without the 6-foot-5 forward, the Wildcats have plenty of size. They are led in scoring by 6-2 forward Kendall Hackney (17.2 poionts per game). Six-foot-2 freshman guard Morgan Jones averages 15.5 ppg.
“They have a lot of height,” Bluder said. “They are a big basketball team.”
Northwestern rolled UNLV 79-49 in Las Vegas. Iowa lost to the Rebels 69-59 in Iowa City. The teams lost to Kansas State, Iowa 81-78 in overtime on the road and the Wildcats 64-45 in Las Vegas.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball
