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After a year-long hiatus scouring the planet to find recruits, I’m back to give Bartt a vacation week. You’ll be back to better quality writing next week!
Iowa begins action in the Big Ten Tournament tonight as they earned the sixth seed and will play Purdue in Indianapolis. The game will be shown on FS2 around 8:00 (after the Penn State vs. Michigan State game).
Hawks defeat Nebraska 83-75
The Hawkeyes come into the tourney on a bit of a run as they are winners of three of their last four games including an 83-75 win over Nebraska in the regular season finale. Caitlin Clark continues to re-write the Iowa record books with her freshman year performance.
Against the Cornhuskers, Clark scored a ho-hum 35 points as Iowa outscored Nebraska by ten points in the fourth quarter to win going away. Gabbie Marshall had 14 points and McKenna Warnock added 12 to lead the Hawkeyes. Junior Monika Czinano had a quiet game as she only scored six points and grabbed four rebounds. Look for her to have a big tourney.
Re-Match against the Boilermakers
Earlier this season, Iowa defeated Purdue 87-81 at home with Clark and Warnock leading the way. You can read all the highlights from the BHGP archives here.
Purdue is struggling, losers of nine out of their last ten. They are led by Second-Team All-Big Ten player Kayana Traylor (14.8 ppg) and Honorable Mention Fatou Diagne (8.7 ppg, 8.0 rbg).
Should Iowa hold seed, they will then play the third-seeded Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday evening.
Big Ten Awards
In case you missed it, Iowa was well-represented in the Conference Awards again in 2021. Though for the first time in four years, a Hawkeye wasn’t the Player of the Year (though that could change again next season).
Clark and Czinano were both recognized by the Big Ten coaches and media as the conference announced the Women’s All-Big Ten teams for 2020-2021. Both Clark and Czinano were named to the first team by both groups. Clark was named the Freshman Player of the Year to no one’s surprise.
Redshirt sophomore guard Kate Martin was Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Hawks Currently Projected as a Tournament Qualifier
Iowa is currently projected as a seven seed in ESPN’s latest Women’s Bracketology. However, a win against Purdue would help alleviate any stress come Selection Sunday.