Okay…I started watching Iowa women’s basketball because of Caitlin Clark. I had read about her for a few years and was amazed to finally see her play on TV. (I must confess…I’ve watched every YouTube video of her games, including college and high school…and even soccer). Then I became a fan of all her teammates along the way and have since followed them all. So…now I’m a Hawkeye and Fever fan but above all, Caitlin Clark is the driving force.
Now…This is the morning before the game with Rutgers. I don’t know much about the Rutger’s team but I hope the Hawkeyes prevail with Iowa State and UConn looming ahead. As the team has won every game thus far, I’ve wondered how they would do against Audi Crooks or Lauren Betts…or powerhouses like UConn. The Big Ten is loaded with formidable opponents and even with eight straight wins the season is still just beginning.
Ava Heiden seems to be for real and Chit Chat Wright (if she can return from injury) is a legitimate ball-handler. Taylor McCabe can turn around a game when she’s hitting her shots and I wish she would be more assertive, offensively. Kylie Feuerbach is the Hawkeyes’ indispensable version of Lexie Hull. And then there’s Hannah Stuelke, my favorite (just ahead of Feuerbach). She seems to always be smiling or unfazed with the pressures of the game. Actually, she might do well with a bit more fire in her. I mistakenly compare her with Aliyah Boston but that’s not fair. She’s smaller and now is playing forward anyway. I do worry about her WNBA future because I want her to be more assertive offensively on the court and shoot more (and make more of those shots!). Heck, she scored 48 points in a game with Caitlin Clark at the helm so she CAN score!
Anyway, I think the depth of talent on the team is remarkable. I wish they could all play more! Taylor Stremlow needs to be on the court but so do so many others. Emely Rodriguez looks like she's really athletic, has great ball handling skills but seems to lack court awareness and doesn’t look for her teammates enough. I think that negative aspect can be improved in time but for now, she’s the only (very slight and temporary) weak link. It’s fantastic when Jada Gyamfi gets on the floor and the crowd goes wild and Journey Houston looks like she can be a starter. I can’t ignore the ability of Addie Deal or the talent of Layla Hays, Callie Levin and Tegan Mallegni! This team is stacked! And, as I said, I wish they could all play! (I don't think I've ever seen Kennise Johnson in a game. At her height, however, I assume she's athletically gifted.)
Oh...I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I think Jan Jensen is a fantastic coach!
I don’t expect them to go undefeated…although that would be nice. I hope when they do lose a game, they are able to regroup and learn. All I really want is for all of them to play and to win every game. That's not asking for too much, is it?
