Iowa Women’s BB Wednesday: 2 Wins and 2 More to Go

Coach Lisa Bluder’s squad has bounced back nicely from the abysmal defensive showing against Maryland. The Hawkeyes collected two Big Ten victories over Michigan and Wisconsin, allowing just 67 and 70 points respectively. Caitlin Clark has continued to play like a 5th-year senior, and the Hawkeyes have a big matchup with Indiana and finish the regular season against Nebraska.

Hawks upset Michigan 89-67

The Hawkeyes took down number 12 Michigan and the difference was the three ball. The Hawkeyes shot 59.3 from three while Michigan struggled, shooting just 21.1 percent from deep. Caitlin Clark’s line was 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. Monika Czinano had a nice game with 15-4-4. Kate Martin had a great all-around game with 15-3-8, and Sharon Goodman provided a spark with 10 points. Here was an excellent job of the Hawkeyes moving the basketball, finishing with a Caitlin Clark 3. That’s some beautiful basketball.

Hawkeyes get the road win against Bucky 84-70

The Hawkeyes continued their blistering shooting from downtown against the Badgers, connecting on 45.8% from three point land. Caitlin Clark had 19 (just 19?!?!?) points with 7 rebounds and 14 assists. Clark is an excellent, and willing, passer. Not all phenoms come into their first year knowing how (or wanting) to pass the basketball. Clark will own most all of the Iowa record books before she is done. Gabbie Marshall had 19 points for the Hawkeyes in an excellent game. Monika Czinano (18) and McKenna Warnock (14) also provided offensive firepower for Coach Lisa Bluder. Defensively, if the Hawkeyes can keep opponents in the low-70’s you can expect great things from this team. They will score points; of this there is no doubt. Here is a deep three for Caitlin Clark right before the halftime buzzer.

Caitlin Clark Accolades

This Tweet is pretty much self-explanatory. Goodness gracious she is a talented ballplayer!

Indiana Will be a Terrific Challenge! (Re-printed from an earlier BHGP)

Iowa travels to Indiana on Wednesday, March 3rd. This game was originally going to be played February 21st. The Hoosiers are ranked #11 in the country. Iowa lost the first meeting against the Hoosiers at home 72-85. The Hawkeyes competed and stuck with the Hoosiers, but the Hawks couldn’t get enough defensive stops and took a loss in a winnable game at home.

In the first meeting between these two teams Indiana outrebounded the Hawkeyes 42-35. The Hoosiers got to the paint too easy, scoring 50 of its 85 points in the lane. That’s a losing recipe if you’re a Hawk fan. The Iowa defenders need to do a better job this time around against Mackenzie Holmes (25 pts), Ali Patberg (23), Nicole Cardaño (17), and Grace Berger (15).

Now the Hawks must go on the road to get one back. It will be a very tough challenge. In order to win Iowa needs to get offensive production from Clark, Warnock, and Czinano and one other player needs to get 10-plus points. More importantly, Coach Bluder needs to get get better defensive production/effort/execution from her squad in order to get a road victory. If the Hawkeyes could steal one in Bloomington, that would go a long ways in improving its seeding for the Big Dance.

Hawks End Regular Season with Nebraska

The Hawkeyes will play their last regular-season game against Nebraska (11-10, 9-9). Iowa beat the Huskers 88-81 on the road a few weeks back. Iowa sits just above Nebraska in the Big Ten standings. Every win this time of year goes a long way in determining seedings in both the Big Ten tournament and the NCAA tournament. This young Hawkeye team could knock off a team or two in the postseason as they shoot the basketball very well from three and from the free throw line. It’s going to be a wild ride. Let’s pick up two more wins this week, Hawks! The Indiana game would be a monumental victory. Go Hawks!