Bringin’ In Brazil:

It’s not uncommon for a WNBA team to host a national team in the preseason. In fact it happens quite a bit. Today’s game pit the Indiana Fever against the Brazilian Women’s National Team. Highly anticipated, but not a close match. In the 108-44 beatdown, the Fever slaughtered Brazil. But this game wasn’t played in Indianapolis, where the Fever normally reside. It was played in Iowa, the same state where Caitlin grew up, and in the same arena she knows so well. When Fever president Kelly Krauskopf called her with the idea months ago, she couldn’t wait to come back. 

“I did not expect it to happen this year,” Clark said during the pre-game press conference, “I was so excited, and I knew Iowa and Fever fans would be thrilled.”

Both fanbases certainly were. The WNBA rookie of the year in 2024 had 16 points, adding six rebounds and five assists to her scoresheet for the day. In typical Clark fashion, she wasn’t satisfied.

“I did alright,” Clark said in an interview with ESPN following the game. “We’ll clean up some stuff.”

If the shoes fit:

Caitlin packed three pairs of shoes for this trip. She made sure all of them had a little yellow. But the ones she slipped on this morning felt familiar. 

“They’re kind of like my magic shoes,” she said, smiling. “I’ve worn these for literally every big game of my career. There was no other option.”

In November of 2020, Nike released a Bruce Lee collaboration with the Kobe 5 Protros. Not only are they black and yellow, but the shoes also feature a small hint of Fever red. When they first dropped, sneakerheads snagged them for just under 200 dollars. Now? They resell for an average price of 582 big ones, not far off from the cost of admission for today’s game. 

“They were pretty hard to come by,” she said, laughing. 
Both the shoes, and the tickets. 

Woodn’t have it any other way:

A small piece of Carver’s wooden court will always belong to Caitlin. Just beside the infamous Mediacom logo, a black “22” marks the spot on the court, about 35 feet from the hoop. Beneath it, one name: Clark. It commemorates her record-breaking shot on Feb. 15, 2024, the night she became college basketball’s all-time leading scorer. That historic three-pointer against Michigan was one of many, but unforgettable.

Coming into this game, fans couldn’t help but think about it. And with 25 seconds left in the third quarter, it happened again–kind of. Catching an inbound from Bree Hall, Clark pushed up across the floor. In a near carbon copy of her iconic moment, she pulled up. Only this time, it was a single step farther out.

“36 feet…that’s far,” Clark said, smiling as laughter filled the media room. “I knew I was coming out, so I figured, why not?”

It wasn’t scripted. It rarely is. Knowing she’d be subbed out, Clark did what she always does. She let it fly.

As her coach Stephanie White put it, “Nobody tells Steph Curry not to take good shots.”

For one more look back:

Hats, jerseys, and shoes flail over the railing of Carver’s tunnel. Miniature hands dangle Sharpies, posters, and dreams—hoping to meet the sweaty fingers of Caitlin Clark. Fans press against the barrier, shrieking her name.

One parent holds a sign that reads, “Adults can have role models too.”

Even Brazil’s National Team, after a 64-point loss, waited their turn. When Clark asked if this was the biggest crowd they’d ever played in front of, a resounding “yes” echoed at center court. They posed for photos with her one by one, as if she were a golden monument. Above them, high in the rafters, hung the banner bearing the number she made iconic. No. 22. Still stitched in black and gold, still watching over the court she once ruled—and the one she returned to, if only for a day.

“I don’t know if it’ll be next year,” she said. “But I would love to come back.”

She’s not Iowa’s anymore. But she always will be.

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The crowd got to work early, showing their love for head coach Lisa Bluder as she was honored before the game for her accomplishment in reaching 500 career wins. Even with all the excitement, it seemed the team were going to start out slow, with two turnovers to start the game and a few missed shots. However, who else would it be other than Caitlin Clark to hit a smooth three-pointer in transition to get things started. 

After that, it looked as if there had been no previous hiccups, as the team hit a total groove and started to dominate each phase of the game. They took advantage of a Bowling Green team who struggled offensively, and was just completely outmatched. 

The Hawks moved the ball at an incredible pace. They owned the perimeter and created open spaces for each other through their speed and ability to recognize the flaws in Bowling Green’s defense. This led to 29 assists as a team on the night for Iowa, as Bowling Green only had 9. On top of the major score margin, Iowa took over in almost every other category as well. A major difference was that they finished the game with a 66.7 field-goal percentage compared to Bowling Green’s 34.3%. Another reason for their total command of the game was their full ownership of the boards on both sides of the floor. Iowa out rebounded the Falcons 44-27, an impressive difference. 

However, there were some issues. Iowa did get through the Bowling Green defense exceptionally well, but they also committed 14 turnovers, one more than their opponent did today. Credit also needs to be given to the lead member of the Falcons cast today. Lexi Flemming led Bowling Green with 24 points and was the major reason they were not down even more so early on. Iowa’s defense has been slightly questionable up to this point, but outside of Flemming’s bigger performance for Bowling Green, they really kept everyone else pretty contained, as only one additional Falcon reached double figures. 

Even so, Caitlin Clark continued her show in front of a packed house with 24 points and 11 assists. Praise should also be shared to Addison O’Grady and Sharon Goodman. They were faced with a few extra challenges today without the help of Hannah Stuelke after she was ruled out, yet they still combined for 22 points. 

Kate Martin was the Hawks second highest scorer with 17 today, and really clicked with Molly Davis. Davis was unstoppable with the ball, and made some incredible passes. Her court vision was impressive and fed Martin a few times, passing and cutting through needle-sized gaps. Martin flew around the court on both offense and defense, and always seemed to find herself in the right spot to help the team. She was down the court quick for easy layups and snuck in for backside blocks. 

It was great to see the team click so well today because their next matchup will be much tougher. They will get their shot at the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series against Iowa State in Ames. That game will be on ESPN2 on Wednesday, December 6^th at 6:00 p.m. CT. 

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The big contributors for the Hawkeyes were Senior guard Ally Disterhoft and Sophomore center Megan Gustafson. Disterhoft had 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals while Gustafson had 12 points and 8 rebounds. But the biggest story of the night was Alexa Kastanek coming off the bench and shooting 7-11 from the field and 5-9 from deep, totaling in a game high, and Kastanek’s season high of 19 points.

The three were a big part of the Hawkeyes success. According to the stat sheet, they had an average game shooting 36%, but contrary to the “numbers never lie”

cliché, the 36% doesn’t tell the whole story. In the second and third quarters, Iowa was able to hit three after three to build their big lead, at one point going on a 17-0 run in which Kastanek hit 3 threes. Gustafson’s big game against South Dakota St. was a major reason why.

JR Payne said, “There was a focus on being able to contain (Gustafson)…obviously, that opened up the shooters.”

Defense was another area where the Hawkeyes shined, holding the Bison to 39% shooting from the floor and holding the first-team all-Pac-12 Sophomore Kennedy Leonard to just 2-14 shooting and forcing her into 6 turnovers. Turnovers were another positive for Iowa, creating 18 turnovers while giving up 14, 7 of them in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.

It was also a big win for Iowa’s head coach Lisa Bluder, who won the 699^th game of her career. She currently sits 29^th all time for women’s college basketball coaching wins. Both Bluder and her players were very happy with the crowd at Carver-Hawkeye last night.

“It means so much to us when people come out and help give us energy,” said coach Bluder after the game. “When we can bring some happiness, (the atmosphere) is really fun.”

The Hawkeyes hope to keep up their tournament run Sunday afternoon at 2 pm at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It will be the Elite 8 of the WNIT tournament, and the Hawkeyes will play Washington St. (15-19), as they come off their win against UC Davis. A win for the Hawkeyes will be Bluder’s 700^th all-time win and mean a trip to the WNIT final four.

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Iowa City, IOWA- The University of Iowa Women’s Basketball team won its opening game of The Hawkeye challenge on Friday 97-68 over a pesky Pepperdine Waves squad.

Ally Disterhoft got The Hawks off to another quick start, scoring the team’s first five points en route to her fourth career double-double: she finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

However, The Lady Hawkeyes were challenged by The Waves in the first half as they were unable to pull away.

Pepperdine was able to knock down some tough contested shots as well as connect on the open looks they did have in order to stay within striking distance through the first half.

Iowa switched between man and an aggressive match-up zone defense throughout the game which kept Pepperdine guessing on their offensive end.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the aggressive zone from Iowa this year: it’s proving to be a viable second option on defense. However, the zone did allow for some open looks for Pepperdine. When they were able to skip the ball across the floor, they were able to get open jump shots.

In addition, Iowa failed to box out a handful of times out of the match-up zone which also lead to a couple easy baskets off of offensive rebounds for Pepperdine. The zone still has some question marks, but seems to be a serious speed bump for opposing offenses.

With Pepperdine proving to be more trouble than most figured they would, senior guard Samantha Logic took control and led the way for The Lady Hawkeyes. Logic led the transition offense time after time: creating open looks for her teammates as well as getting to the rim herself, resulting in points or a trip to the foul line.

Logic finished with 12 points on five of nine shooting in addition to her six rebounds and nine assists. After the game she spoke about carrying over the second half momentum from Friday into their Saturday rematch of the 2013 Hawkeye Challenge championship game vs. Dayton.

“Yeah, I mean, we’re going to have to ride that momentum because Dayton’s a really good basketball team,” said Logic. “They play a lot like us: like to push the ball in transition, get quick shots, everyone can score on their team. I think we can take away from the first half knowing we didn’t play well and still had a lead going into half time and then capitalized on a lot of things in the second half.”

Ally Disterhoft also explained what helped the Lady Hawkeye’s put away Pepperdine in the second half of Friday’s game. “We let the offense come to us, stopped trying to force things, looked to hit our teammates, worked the ball a little bit more than in the first half,” said Disterhoft.  “We played Iowa basketball: looking to make the extra pass. That’s how we like to play and it’s a fun way to play. I think we did that in the second half.”

Iowa’s ability to go ten players deep in a given game contributes to their up tempo, run and gun style we’ve grown accustomed to. It showed in the second half of Friday’s game: Pepperdine was unable to continuously sprint up and down with The Lady Hawkeyes and eventually fell by the wayside.

Freshman Whitney Jennings also had a cool five assists and zero turnovers off the bench. Fellow freshmen Chase Coley and Carly Mohns also joined the fun and contributed valuable minutes, points, and fresh bodies, off the bench. Coach Lisa Bluder claimed all of the freshman improved greatyl on Friday night.

Not to be forgotten is Senior Melissa Dixon, who, after being recognized for scoring one thousand points as a Hawkeye before the game, poured in a team high 20 points on 7-12 shooting: 6-11 from three.

Dixon’s ability to knock down the outside shot has propelled her into fourth all time in Iowa Women’s basketball history in three point shots made, passing Wendy Ausdemore last night.

Few teams in the nation have the ability to go up and down with The Lady Hawkeyes over a forty minute game. So long as they continue to utilize their depth, athleticism, and size they will be extremely tough to beat.

Iowa looks to defend its 2013 Hawkeye Challenge Championship on Saturday 7:30 p.m. at Carver vs. The Dayton Lady Flyers: Admission is free for all.

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IOWA CITY, Iowa.- The University of Iowa Women’s Basketball team opened its season Friday night with a 107-56 stomping of University of South Carolina Upstate.

Five players scored in double figures for the Lady Hawkeye’s lead by sophomore, Ally Disterhoft who totaled 19 points on seven of eight shooting.

Disterhoft lead the first half charge with 16 of her 19 coming in the first twenty minutes. The Lady Hawkeye’s played stifling defense holding the Lady Spartans to 23.3% shooting from the field and just 22 first half points.

Iowa was able to extend their lead by securing defensive rebounds and pushing the tempo up and down the floor: earning easy transition baskets time after time.

Bethany Doolittle was able to collect eight first half rebounds, and find Freshman guard Whitney Jennings with her outlet passes: Jennings lead break after break, facilitating the transition offense and forcing fouls leading to many easy scores.

Jennings, who played in her first ever regular season game for the Lady Hawkeye’s, wowed with her sound ball handling and array of passes. Jennings finished with just seven points (1-7 shooting) with five assists and four turnovers in her regular season debut, but her potential appears to be through the roof.

The Freshman was able to dribble out of any type of extended defensive pressure USC Upstate showed, and showed her ability to beat her defender off the dribble and get into the lane and create for her teammates. She also showed her impressive passing ability with a variety of sound post entries and kick outs to set up her teammates with good looks.

Perhaps Jennings played a little bit too sped-up in her first game, but her natural ability at point guard will allow her to impress for the next four years.

In addition to Doolittle’s rebounding prowess, she was able to run the floor on the break, with her teammates, and get good looks in the transition game as well.

It certainly appears as if The Senior’s back to the basket as well as mid range game has improved over the off season as she was able to score on face-up jump shots from ten feet as well as harass defenders on the low block earning easy looks: she finished with 15 points.

Reliable youth in Ally Disterhoft and Whitney Jennings coupled with the senior leadership of Bethany Doolittle and Samantha Logic will lead The Lady Hawkeye’s this season in which they should contend for the Big Ten Championship.

The Lady Hawk’s are on display again on Sunday, 2 p.m., at Carver against a Robert Morris University team that returns four starters from a team that made the tournament last year.

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Coach Bluder’s squad has been picked to finish 3^rd in their conference by the coaches’ preseason poll behind Final Four finalist Maryland and Michigan State.

Iowa has been a host for the first round of the NCAA tournament for the last two years.  Coach Bluder pointed out during her press conference that the rules have changed and the top 16 teams host the first round of the NCAA tournament.

One of the season goals for the Iowa women’s basketball team is to prove to the country that they are one of the best sixteen teams in the nation. To host one of the tournament games gives the fans an opportunity to come out to Carver and watch their performance in the NCAA tournament.

RETURNING PLAYERS

The Hawkeyes have four returning starters from last year, three of whom are seniors.

The first returner being senior Sam Logic, who has become one of the most talented players in the nation at guard.

Secondly, Bethany Doolittle a senior will occupy center, and be one of the premiere shot blockers in the conference.

Thirdly, Melissa Dixon also a senior, known as a three point specialist, will be back playing shooting guard.

Finally, Ally Disterhoft, the sophomore and Iowa City native, worked her way into the starting line-up half-way through the season at guard.

Sam Logic, a four year starter, looks to lead the Hawks to its 8^th straight tournament appearance. She has already shattered the assist record, but will continue to add to that this season.

Bethany Doolittle is 109 blocked shots away from tying the Iowa record held by Morgan Johnson. It will be a tough task but is attainable. It will be a great senior season from the center of Iowa.

The accolades does not change their style of play because of one common goal, winning as a team at the end of the day.

Ally Disterhoft will be expected to fill bigger shoes this season. She will take that challenge with great pride while doing anything to help the team win. Whether that’s getting an old fashion three point play or shooting from beyond the arc.

The other key players returning are Kathryn Reynolds (senior), Kali Peschel (junior), Nicole Smith (junior), Claire Till (junior), Alexa Kastanek (sophomore), and Hailey Schneden (sophomore) who will hold important roles this season.

Kathryn Reynolds is a great leader on and off the court and has graduated in three years and is starting her first year at Law school. Even though Reynolds stats are not significant as a guard, Bluder said, “When she talks, everybody listens.”

Nicole Smith a center did not play much last year with a right knee injury.  You should expect to see her healthy and more involved this year.

Claire Till the forward has not been able to practice much with her current knee problems she has been having. Coach Bluder mentioned, “Just being able to guard a five is a lot easier for Till than having to go out on the perimeter and having to close out on a driver.”

Alexa Kastanek played in 34 games last year as a freshman, and is expected to fill the same type of role as guard similar to last year.

Hailey Schneden a forward, who is a non-scholarship athlete played in 11 games last year.

INCOMING PLAYERS

The new incoming freshman are: Christina Buttenham, Chase Coley, Whitney Jennings, and Carly Mohns.

Christina Buttenham was named to the 2014 Canadian Junior Women’s National Team. She missed summer workouts because of that but is catching up quickly and will play a wing position.

Whitney Jennings was named Indiana Miss Basketball. As a guard she is a very fast ball handler with an excellent jumper and three point shot. Coach Bluder said, “I don’t know how you keep Whitney Jennings off the floor, and that’s a great problem to have, isn’t it?”

Chase Coley was the Gatorade player of the year in Minnesota. She gives more depth at the Center position and reminds Coach Bluder of a Freshman Bethany Doolittle.

Carly Mohns a forward, was a first team All-State honoree in Wisconsin. “She’s a great rebounder and that’s something Iowa really needed,” coach Bluder said.

Bluder talked about how other Big Ten teams take the non-conference schedule lightly. Under her leadership Iowa has never taken that route. This gives the Hawks a leg up on competition, because of the stiffer competition from non-conference opponents allows the team to be ready for the Big Ten schedule.

She feels the biggest improvements need to be made on defense and rebounding, because when you are playing an up tempo game, the defense will get a lot of chances to be scored on.

Lisa Bluder also gave her staff, which has been together for a long time, a great deal of appreciation since they bring multiple abilities that mesh well with each other to bring out the best in the players on and off the court.

Iowa plays St. Ambrose in an exhibition game on Sunday November 9^th at 3 p.m.

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