Hawkeye Women’s Hoops Wednesday: Caitlin Clark is Good and Iowa Postpones Two Games

Coach Lisa Bluder’s team lost a close one to Ohio State, rallied to beat Purdue, and now faces an excellent Maryland team on Thursday. The Hawks also have already had their Sunday game vs Rutgers postponed.

Ohio State

The Iowa Women’s Basketball Team lost an overtime thriller to Ohio State last week by a score of 84-82. I was off my couch watching Caitlin Clark’s last second three point shot bounce off the rim. I thought it was going to go in. It didn’t, snapping a 42 game home winning streak. Caitlin Clark went off for 27 pts, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. McKenna Warnock had an excellent game with 19 and 8. Monika Czinano fouled out of the game. This was a significant factor down the stretch.

Purdue

Coach Bluder’s crew got back in the win column beating Purdue 87-81 on Monday. The Hawkeyes improve to 9-3, 5-3. Iowa’s “Big Three” McKenna Warnock (19, 8), Monika Czinano (12, 9), and Caitlin Clark (26, 9, 4 assists, 3 steals) played well as we are accustomed to seeing.

Here’s an inside-outside game with Caitlin Clark feeding Monika Czinano and getting the ball back for a three point shot.

Here’s Caitlin Clark pushing the ball up ahead in transition and then getting it back to drain another three ball.

Here’s a simple, yet effective give-and-go with McKenna Warnock to Monika Czinano. The Hawkeyes’ excellent spacing allows this play to happen.

Clark Honored Again

In news that’s not at all news at this point, Caitlin Clark was once again named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week for her performances.

For those keeping track at home, Clark has now won the award every week that Iowa has taken the court. Every. Week.

Maryland Postponed

The Hawkeyes were all set to travel to Maryland Thursday, January 21st for a 4pm game to be televised on the Big Ten Network. It would have been an incredible test for the Hawks. Maryland is 11-1, and 7-0 in the conference and they’re extremely balanced and extremely talented. They have all 5 starters averaging over 13.3 points per game. The first player off the bench for the Terps also averages 10 ppg. Statistically here’s how Maryland and the Hawkeyes compare:

Maryland 92.5 ppg. 3FG .396 FT .799 43.8 rpg

Iowa 88.8 ppg. 3FG .385 FT .778 39.3 rpg

It would have been excellent measuring stick for the Hawkeyes. But now that test will have to wait as Iowa has opted not to fly to Maryland on inauguration day.

That’s a pretty wild development less than 48 hours before tip off. Per the official release from Iowa:

The women’s basketball game between the University of Iowa and University of Maryland, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. (CT) in College Park, Maryland, has been postponed.

Out of caution due to Wednesday’s inauguration activities in Washington, D. C., Iowa made the decision to not travel to Maryland, which was supported by the Big Ten Conference.

The institutions will work with the conference office to identify potential rescheduling options.

Rutgers Also Postponed

In addition to the delay in tomorrow’s game, it has already been determined that Iowa’s matchup with Rutgers on Sunday, January 24th will be postponed after positive COVID-19 tests for the Scarlet Knights.

Two scheduled games remaining this week, two postponements. Might we finally know a way to slow down Caitlin Clark?

The Hawks will next take the floor on Thursday, January 28th when they are scheduled to host Northwestern.