Tag: Lisa Bluder

ESPN names Iowa Hawkeyes’ Lisa Bluder as its Coach of the Week

Lisa Bluder had her team ready to go for two Big Ten tilts. ESPN named her as its Coach of the Week after the Hawkeyes’ strong performances.

Lisa Bluder has a supremely talented roster, but that can only take you so far. Every team runs into a squad with just as much talent or a team that is shooting lights out against you. At that point, the difference can be how well a team is coached.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are among the best-coached teams in the nation. Lisa Bluder knows how to win games, adapt on the fly and get the most from her squads. The strong showing this past week by the Hawkeyes has ESPN naming her as its Coach of the Week.

Coach of the Week: Lisa Bluder, Iowa

Sure, Bluder had a lot of players return from last season, starting with Clark, but she lost two key starters and has had to rely on some younger, less-experienced players to fill big roles.

The Hawkeyes are again competing for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Bluder has allowed Clark to soar while fostering a strong team chemistry. And the leader in Big Ten women’s hoops coaching victories got her first win at Maryland on Saturday. – Michael Voepel, ESPN

Bluder has the Hawkeyes 21-2 overall and 10-1 in Big Ten play. Iowa is trending toward a top seed in the NCAA Tournament and Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. Bluder has her work cut out for her, but she has her players confident and sometimes that is all that matters.

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Lisa Bluder previews 2023-24 season at Big Ten Media Days

Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder shared her thoughts on the Hawkeyes ahead of the season from 2023 Big Ten Media Days.

Fresh off a magical run to the national championship game, Iowa women’s basketball is anxious to start another run after championships.

The Hawkeyes march through the NCAA Tournament actually began with a sprint to the 2023 Big Ten Tournament crown. By the time Caitlin Clark and Iowa were finished, the whole nation was buzzing about Hawkeye basketball.

Now, as Clark inked another NIL deal just before the onset of the 2023-24 women’s basketball season, it’s officially time to turn the page.

Obviously, returning the consensus National Player of the Year in Clark is a great place to start. The 6-foot guard set all sorts of records in last year’s NCAA Tournament and finished with season averages of 27.8 points, 8.6 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game.

She will be joined by fellow returning starters in guards Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin. That duo combined to average 13.9 points per game and each shot better than 37.9% from 3-point range last season.

Iowa also brings back the Big Ten’s Sixth Player of the Year in sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in just 12.9 minutes per game.

With Iowa’s Crossover At Kinnick scrimmage versus DePaul slated for this Sunday on Big Ten Network at 2 p.m. CT, Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder and company descended upon a familiar scene to preview the season.

Accompanied by stars Clark, Marshall and Stuelke, Bluder and Iowa returned to the site of their Big Ten Tournament championship from last spring, the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., to share thoughts on the upcoming season.

Here’s everything Bluder had to say from 2023 Big Ten Media Days.

Lisa Bluder: Iowa Hawkeyes’ transfer portal salary cap ‘wasn’t as good’ as its competition

Lisa Bluder shared one of the reasons why Iowa didn’t land a player out of the transfer portal. Its “salary cap wasn’t as good.”

As the Iowa women’s basketball program readies for its foreign overseas trip at the end of next week, head coach Lisa Bluder took time out to meet with the media.

One of the items Bluder discussed was why Iowa didn’t add a player out of the transfer portal.

After an historic run to the NCAA Tournament’s national championship game, the nation wondered how Iowa would replace key players such as forward McKenna Warnock and center Monika Czinano. With the national player of the year, Caitlin Clark, returning alongside a talented nucleus, Iowa looked like an obvious landing spot for other stars that put their name into the NCAA’s transfer portal.

There were talented names in the portal, too. Former Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith entered. Former DePaul and Stanford bigs Aneesah Morrow and Lauren Betts did as well.

Then, a weird thing happened. None of those three — or anyone else — transferred to Iowa City.

Instead, both Van Lith and Morrow transferred to the team that topped Iowa in the national championship game in the LSU Tigers. Meanwhile, Betts went from Stanford to UCLA.

Bluder commented on why it didn’t work out for the Hawkeyes.

“There’s like a thousand people in the portal and about 10 of them are good enough to play for us. I mean, they’re in the portal because they weren’t getting playing time, right? That’s why they’re usually in the portal.

“And then we really couldn’t get a one, two or three because we’re so heavy at that position. So, we were really only looking at four and five and now it takes you down to about three kids in the country, and, quite honestly, our salary cap wasn’t as good as the other people’s. You know, that’s what it comes down to for a lot of kids that are in the portal: They want a lot of money,” Bluder said.

It’s really not a surprise to hear Bluder point toward name, image and likeness opportunities as a difference-maker in transfer portal recruitments. It’s the not-so-secret reality of where college athletics finds itself.

The good news for the Hawkeyes is they have a very talented roster even without a transfer portal addition. Beginning with its three-game overseas trip, Iowa gets a jumpstart on the 2023-24 women’s college basketball season.

The Hawkeyes will leave for Southern Italy and Croatia on Aug. 4 and return home on Aug. 16.

Bluder touched on a number of other topics as well. Here’s everything else Bluder had to say with Hawkeye Report and the rest of the Iowa reporters.

 

Iowa will have to overcome these LSU stats to become national champions

In order to become national champions, Iowa will need to overcome these LSU stats.

Iowa women’s basketball finally did it! Your Hawkeyes are heading to their first national championship game! They became the first team in over a year to beat defending national champion South Carolina.

Conventional box score knowledge would tell you the Gamecocks should have won this game. South Carolina had nearly double the rebounds as the Hawkeyes, 49-25, and made their money on second-chance points. In an extreme rarity, South Carolina had more offensive rebounds (26) than defensive rebounds.

The size advantage Dawn Staley’s squad held over the Hawkeyes was evident. At times, South Carolina made Iowa look like middle schoolers in comparison to the Monstars wearing red.

Despite getting vastly outrebounded and not even shooting lights out from deep, the Hawkeyes were pulled out this tight contest. Caitlin Clark led the way with a Kobe-like 41-point performance, aided by the threat of Iowa’s shooters to hit from downtown. Those 3s didn’t always fall, but South Carolina knew it couldn’t just leave lethal shooters such as Gabbie Marshall open from 3.

It was a David vs. Goliath performance for Lisa Bluder’s squad, and they’it will have to do it again if it hopes to become national champions. The LSU Tigers also possess great size. Ten players are listed as 5-foot-10 or taller, and the Tigers are led by dominant big Angel Reese.

Prior to the start of the Final Four, the Tigers averaged 16 more rebounds than their opponents on a given night. LSU ranked third nationally in total rebounds and offensive rebounds per game behind just Troy and South Carolina. The Tigers came into Dallas averaging 46.6 rebounds and 17.1 offensive boards per contest.

LSU is another team that looks to beat up its opponent inside, opting to drive and crash the glass rather than settling for the jumper. The Tigers have not shot particularly well in recent tournament games, but have played tough defense and dominated the glass. Just like SC, they will make you work for every single bucket, every single rebound.

If Iowa can hold its own on the glass — particularly the offensive glass — the Hawkeyes are likely going to be cutting down nets in Dallas and hoisting a national championship trophy.

It all takes place at 2:30 CT on ABC.

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The show goes on! Takeaways from Hawkeyes’ historic Final Four win to advance to title game

The song keeps on playing and the Hawks keep on dancing! The biggest takeaways from Iowa’s historic Final Four win to advance to the title.

Every team wants the chance to take its shot at the top team, the team no one else can figure out — the team that is supposed to be dominant.

The Iowa Hawkeyes earned that chance against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four.

The Hawkeyes didn’t flinch.

Iowa jumped to a quick lead, showed it wanted to give everything and them some to South Carolina and proved it had every right to play for a national title. From the first quarter onward, Iowa weathered every run the Gamecocks thew at them and responded with one of their own. The Hawkeyes took down the team no one was supposed to beat.

Iowa’s 77-73 win was a heavyweight boxing fight with two powerhouses trading blows back and forth. It exceeded the lofty expectations America had set for it.

The effort by the Hawkeyes was incredible in every sense of the word from all sorts of contributors. Here are the biggest takeaways from the Hawkeyes’ historic Final Four win.

Final Four: Here come the Hawkeyes! The biggest takeaways from Iowa’s Elite 8 win

Final Four bound! The Iowa Hawkeyes’ magical season continues with their Elite Eight victory. Here are the biggest takeaways.

Your Iowa Hawkeyes are headed to the Final Four!

This season has been an incredible ride already but it has leveled up from something fun to thrusting itself into the history books and memories as one of the best seasons ever for a Hawkeyes’ squad.

In what was essentially like playing another game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena last night due to the support from Iowa fans, the Hawkeyes put on a show to make the trip worthwhile. The 97-83 win over Louisville in the Elite Eight sends the Iowa Hawkeyes to the Final Four in Dallas. It just their second time advancing this far into the tournament and the first since 1993.

The incredible part about this game was that it took everyone. There were contributions across the board and some to dive deeper into but all deserve their flowers. Monika Czinano once again showed her dominance in the paint with a masterclass on footwork.

Kate Martin is a glue piece that makes this team go and her contributions can’t be forgotten. Hannah Stuelke played significant minutes and played them well in the biggest moment of her young career. Assistant coach Jan Jensen, coaching with a heavy heart, dug deep and helped lead this family of Hawkeyes to a Final Four.

There are countless takeaways to discuss from this performance, but here are five of the biggest takeaways from the Hawkeyes’ Elite Eight victory over Louisville.

Lisa Bluder previews Iowa’s Elite 8 battle against the Louisville Cardinals

Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder previewed the matchup against Louisville where a Final Four berth awaits the victor.

The Iowa Hawkeyes battle Louisville in the Elite Eight tonight at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN for a spot in the Final Four.

It would be the second all-time trip to the Final Four for the Hawkeyes after going 30 years ago in 1993. With the star duo of Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano surrounded by a soaring supporting cast, Iowa feels well positioned to lock down a Final Four trip in Dallas.

Obviously, there’s plenty of work yet to be done against a talented Louisville team that’s beaten Drake, Texas and Ole Miss to get to this point.

Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder met with the media yesterday to offer some final thoughts ahead of the massive showdown against the Cardinals.

Iowa Hawkeyes’ Lisa Bluder among finalists for the Naismith Trophy’s Coach of the Year award

Lisa Bluder has the Hawkeyes on the rise right now. Her coaching has her among finalists for the Naismith Trophy’s Coach of the Year award.

A Big Ten Tournament title, a 26-6 mark on the season, and a current No. 2 ranking in the AP Top 25 is quite the 2022-23 resume for Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball head coach Lisa Bluder.

Heading into the NCAA Tournament with the opportunity to host the first two rounds at home in Carver Hawkeye Arena is just the start of the goal that Bluder set out for her team this season. With all of these goals, the recognition has begun as she has been named as one of ten finalists for the Naismith Trophy. Bluder was the recipient of this award in 2019.

The Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award was created in 1987 and is given out annually to the best basketball coach after a vote conducted by Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors.

Bluder has a career record of 463-242 (.657) as the head coach of the Hawkeyes and an outstanding overall record of 819-384 (.681). She is also one of five active coaches to have more than 815 wins, one of 14 women’s coaches to ever reach that mark, and one of just 25 coaches (men’s or women’s basketball) to get to 815 wins.

Also up for the award from the Big Ten is Indiana Hoosiers head coach Teri Moren. She led Indiana to a regular season Big Ten title, a 27-3 overall record, and a current AP Top 25 ranking of No. 3 in the nation.

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Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Southern Jaguars: Stream, injury report, broadcast info

No. 6 Iowa women’s basketball opens up its season hosting the Southern Jaguars at 8:30 p.m. Here’s all the broadcast details.

The Iowa women’s basketball team enters this season ranked No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll and with legitimate national championship aspirations.

The Hawkeyes bring back all five starters and the firepower from point guard Caitlin Clark and forward Monika Czinano. Of course, Clark was the Big Ten Player of the Year last season after averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Czinano earned first team All-Big Ten status last year in her own right after averaging 21.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

The duo were named to the 2023 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s Watch List last Friday. Clark was an unanimous preseason Associated Press All-American, while Czinano was an AP All-America honorable mention.

“We have every reason to have high expectations for this upcoming season. We return, in my opinion, the best point guard in the country. Caitlin Clark not only led the United States in points per game, but also led the United States in assists. First time that’s ever been done in the history of women’s basketball.

“Obviously a Naismith finalist, the MVP preseason and last year’s pick from the Big Ten. We also have one of the best centers in the country. When you think of Monika Czinano has led the United States in field goal percentage shooting at 68% for the last two years, that’s an amazing accomplishment. I always felt if you have a really good point guard and a really good center that you have the opportunity to have a really good year,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said of her two big stars.

Iowa’s other three returning starters are guards Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin and forward McKenna Warnock. Warnock averaged 11.0 points and 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game last season. Martin averaged 7.2 points per game, while Marshall connected on 39.3% of her 3-point tries to average 6.8 points per game.

Not only with those two women, but we have all the people around her. We have Gabbie Marshall, who is lethal from three-point range. We have Kate Martin, who I honestly believe can just contribute in so many areas. She’s a great captain, the glue to our team. We have McKenna Warnock at the power four position. Return all five starters from last year.

“We have some newcomers. I think Molly Davis is somebody that you’re really going to hear a lot about. Molly Davis transferred from Central Michigan. She has two years of eligibility left. She is going to give us depth at the point guard, which we did not have last year. We’re extremely excited to have Molly join our team.

“We also have Hannah Stuelke, who is a freshman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ranked as one of the top 50 players in the country, Miss Iowa Basketball. We also have Miss Nebraska basketball join our team with Taylor McCabe who is the best three-point shooter ever in Nebraska girls basketball history. We have experience, offense, a great schedule, and we have a great fan base. It’s going to be a fun year for the Iowa Hawkeyes,” Bluder said.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at how fans can watch the Hawkeyes tip off their 2022-23 women’s college basketball season against the Southern Jaguars.

Caitlin Clark named unanimous Associated Press preseason All-American

Caitlin Clark picks up right where she left off. The Iowa women’s basketball star was named an Associated Press preseason All-American.

Caitlin Clark is picking right back up where she left off. After averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game last season, the 6-foot West Des Moines native earned all sorts of accolades.

Clark was named the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year and was the Dawn Staley Guard of the Year Award recipient following the 2021-22 women’s college basketball season. She was also the Big Ten’s Player of the Year and a first-team Associated Press All-American.

The AP expects more of the same. On Tuesday, the Associated Press revealed its preseason women’s college basketball All-American team and Iowa’s Clark was an unanimous selection. She joins South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston in that distinction.

The other members of the AP’s preseason women’s basketball All-America included seniors Haley Jones of Stanford, Ashley Joens of Iowa State and Elizabeth Kitley of Virginia Tech as was sophomore Aneesah Morrow of DePaul.

“We have every reason to have high expectations for this upcoming season. We return, in my opinion, the best point guard in the country. Caitlin Clark not only led the United States in points per game, but also led the United States in assists. First time that’s ever been done in the history of women’s basketball. Obviously a Naismith finalist, the MVP preseason and last year’s pick from the Big Ten,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said of Clark.

It’s more than just Clark, too. Iowa brings back one of the nation’s top centers in Monika Czinano along with guards Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall and post McKenna Warnock. The Hawkeyes added transfer Molly Davis and freshmen Hannah Stuelke and Taylor McCabe.

Bluder and her team are working to embrace the high exactions this season brings. Iowa enters the season as the No. 4 team in the preseason Associated Press Poll.

“Honestly, I think if you think about it all the time, you’re going to strangle it. We don’t want to do that. We want to enjoy it. I told the team the other day when we were picked as the No. 1 team in the pre-season in the Big Ten that that can be a lot of pressure, but it can also be something that’s really enjoyable. You’ve earned this,” Bluder said.

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