Tag: Lucy Olsen

Three stars of Iowa women’s basketball’s 71-52 victory vs. Virginia Tech

Three stars from Iowa women’s basketball’s 71-52 victory vs. Virginia Tech.

Iowa women’s basketball passed their first true challenge of the young 2024-25 campaign on Sunday with a 71-52 victory versus Virginia Tech at the Ally Tipoff from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The Hawkeyes and Hokies started in a back-and-forth affair before Iowa was able to close out the first quarter with a 10-point lead. The second quarter saw Virginia Tech claw back into the game to end the first half down by just four points.

The third quarter saw Iowa expand its lead to a 16-point advantage thanks to stellar defensive plays and 3-pointers from senior guards Sydney Affolter and Kylie Feuerbach.

As the fourth quarter rolled around, the Hawkeyes were able to ride the offensive momentum created in the third to close out the Hokies for a convincing 71-52 win.

As a team, the Hawkeyes shot 46% from the field and 22.2% from deep, while collecting 46 rebounds, three steals and one block. In terms of areas of point production, the Hawkeyes dominated the interior by scoring 44 of their total 71 points from inside the paint.

While the victory over Virginia Tech was an all-around effort by the Hawkeyes, three players stood out as difference-makers contributing to the team’s success in Charlotte.

Lucy Olsen

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Olsen finished with a team-leading 20-point performance, making 9-of-21 shots from the field that included 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. Olsen also recorded six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block in 39 minutes of play.

While Olsen led the score sheet, her ability to facilitate the ball into the paint to other teammates was a major contributor to the offensive success throughout the night for the Hawkeyes.

The aggressive style of play that Olsen has shown so far is exactly what the Hawkeyes will rely on offensively this season.

Addison O’Grady

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

O’Grady had herself a stellar shooting performance as she registered 18 points on a 9-for-9 from the field to go along with three rebounds and one steal in 26 minutes played.

The senior center’s perfect shooting night allowed the Hawkeyes to take control of the offensive interior, which was a massive area of production throughout the night for Iowa.

Hannah Stuelke

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Stuelke had a solid performance Sunday afternoon as well by scoring 16 points and finishing with seven rebounds and two assists. While her shooting from the field was 6-for-17, she did finish 4-for-6 from the free throw line.

Even though Stuelke’s scoring performance hides behind Olsen and O’Grady, the ability to secure rebounds and push the ball upcourt is a skill that coach Jan Jensen certainly appreciates.

The Hawkeyes now improve to 2-0 on the campaign and return home to face the Toledo Rockets (1-0) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. CT. The game is set to be broadcast and air on the Big Ten Network.

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Who is Lucy Olsen? Meet the Iowa guard leading the Hawkeyes in the post-Caitlin Clark era

Lucy Olsen won’t be Caitlin Clark. And she doesn’t have to be.

The Iowa Hawkeyes will enter a transformation when its 2024-2025 season starts Wednesday.

Caitlin Clark, the generational hooper who changed the fabric of Iowa, is now in the WNBA, leaving the proverbial door wide open for someone else to walk through it.

Enter Lucy Olsen — the Pennsylvania native and senior guard who transferred to Iowa in the offseason after three seasons with the Villanova Wildcats. Olsen seemingly takes over for Clark, stepping into the spotlight to keep the Hawkeyes on the path to title contention.

Will Iowa get back to the national championship game with Lucy Olsen leading the team in a post-Caitlin Clark era? That remains to be seen. But now is a good time to familiarize yourself with the player leading the charge.

1. Lucy Olsen picked the Iowa Hawkeyes for the team’s family culture

Former Iowa’s women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder greets Lucy Olsen after practice Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen-USA TODAY NETWORK)

Why would Lucy Olsen pick Iowa as her next destination, knowing she would have so many expectations — fair or unfair — placed on her?

Former coach Lisa Bluder and the Hawkeyes seemed to have fostered a warm and inviting culture. From a quick phone call right after she transferred to a Zoom meeting with her parents, Iowa was all in on Lucy Olsen. That notion was only reinforced when she met the team in person.

“When we got on campus for a visit, I was like, ‘Wow, this feels like family already,'” Olsen told Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register earlier this year. “There was something about the culture they’ve built (that) felt so like home. That’s what sold me.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C54XgCXuAiC/?igsh=dmVuMXF0ancybmpw

2. Lucy Olsen isn’t trying to be Caitlin Clark

Iowa’s Lucy Olsen (33) reacts during a game against Missouri Western Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA TODAY NETWORK)

Stepping in behind Caitlin Clark (and her legacy) can feel daunting. But Lucy Olsen isn’t trying to fill Clark’s shoes.

“Caitlin Clark is Caitlin Clark. I’m not going to try to be her,” Olsen said. “But they need a point guard, and it’s a perfect opportunity to try to make something happen.”

To her credit, Olsen holds her own on the court, which is a huge reason why she was also heavily pursued by schools like LSU and Maryland when she entered the transfer portal. The senior guard was third in Division I women’s basketball scoring last season, just behind Clark and JuJu Watkins, averaging an impressive 23.3 points per game.

3. Lucy Olsen brings her own unique game to the Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa’s Lucy Olsen (33) sets up a play against Missouri Western Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Lucy Olsen works very well in the midrange and has a patented stepback fadeaway jumper that should get some real shine this season. It’s her go-to move, unleashing it from multiple spots within the arc. She’s also a willing three-point shooter despite only shooting 30 percent from deep last year.

Also, Olsen has plenty of basketball experience that should lend well to a young Iowa team. In addition to three productive seasons at Vilanova, where she finished her career ranking ninth all-time in scoring with 1,504 points, Olsen has also played on the international stage. She’s been playing for Team USA Basketball for nearly two years and won a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League Final.

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Iowa duo named to preseason All-Big Ten rosters by USA TODAY Sports network

Iowa guard Lucy Olsen and forward Hannah Stuelke each earned preseason All-Big Ten honors from the USA TODAY Sports network.

As the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare for another march toward a Big Ten championship and deep NCAA Tournament run, senior transfer guard Lucy Olsen and junior forward Hannah Stuelke earned preseason All-Big Ten honors from the USA TODAY Sports network.

Olsen was named a member of the preseason All-Big Ten first team, while Stuelke joined as part of the All-Big Ten second team.

Even though both will be critical to the Hawkeyes’ offensive production this season, they differ in their journeys to Iowa City.

Stuelke committed to Iowa as a high school freshman and had key roles on the Hawkeyes’ back-to-back Final Four squads, including a 23-point performance in last season’s national semifinal game against Connecticut.

Olsen joined the program through the transfer portal this offseason after starting three years at Villanova. In her 35 games played last season, she averaged 23.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest while averaging 36.2 minutes per game.

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

With the offensive production of Caitlin Clark no longer present, Iowa will look for Olsen and Stuelke to spearhead a large portion of the Hawkeyes’ attack this season.

Iowa’s home and season opener is on Nov. 6 versus Northern Illinois at 6:30 p.m. CT and will air on Big Ten Network Plus.

Below are the rest of the preseason All-Big Ten selections and awards.

Preseason All-Big Ten first team

  • G JuJu Watkins, USC
  • G Lucy Olsen, Iowa
  • F Cotie McMahon, Ohio State
  • F Kiki Iriafen, USC
  • C Lauren Betts, UCLA

Preseason All-Big Ten second team

  • G Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
  • G Kiki Rice, UCLA
  • F Serah Williams, Wisconsin
  • F Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
  • C Alexis Markowski, Nebraska

Preseason Coach of the Year

Lindsay Gottlieb, USC

Preseason Player of the Year

JuJu Watkins, USC

Preseason Newcomer of the Year

Kiki Iriafen, USC

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Serah Williams, Wisconsin

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Iowa women’s basketball duo named to 2024 Naismith Trophy watch list

Iowa’s Lucy Olsen and Hannah Stuelke have been named to the 2024 Naismith Trophy watch list.

As the 2024-25 Iowa women’s basketball season swiftly approaches, Iowa senior guard Lucy Olsen and junior forward Hannah Stuelke are named to the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year watch list.

Olsen joined the Hawkeyes this offseason through the transfer portal after spending the previous three seasons with Villanova. During the 2023-24 campaign, she started all 35 games, averaging 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 36.2 minutes per contest.

Olsen also shot 43.8% from the field, 29.4% from three-point range, and 80.7% from the free throw line.

Her impressive play last season earned her a unanimous first-team All-BIG EAST selection, BIG EAST Most Improved player, and an honorable mention All-American honoree by both the WBCA and the Associated Press.

Stuelke enters her junior season with the Hawkeyes after a breakout 2023-24 campaign where she started 32 of 35 games and averaged 14.0 points and 6.6 rebounds. She shot 62.7% from the field and 62.9% from the free throw line.

Stuelke’s impressive play last season also earned her second team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media.

Some of the other 48 players accompanying Olsen and Stuelke on the watch list include TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, USC guard JuJu Watkins, LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson, and UConn guard Paige Bueckers.

The Hawkeyes’ first act of the season will be an exhibition matchup on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT against Missouri Western from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The matchup will stream on Big Ten Network Plus (BTN+).

Iowa’s regular season opener will be against Northern Illinois on Nov. 6 with a 6:30 p.m. CT start from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. That contest is also set to air on BTN+.

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Iowa’s Lucy Olsen named to USA Basketball women’s 2024 USA 3×3 Nations Leagues team

What an honor for Lucy Olsen.

Lucy Olsen gets to represent the Iowa Hawkeyes and America later on this month.

On Friday, USA Basketball revealed that Iowa point guard Lucy Olsen has been named to the U23 2024 USA 3×3 Nations Leagues team. The squad is set to compete at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas Conference July 22-28 in Mexico City.

USA Basketball’s 3×3 Women’s Nations League Team also features Maryland forward Christina Dalce, Creighton forward Morgan Maly, Ohio State forward Cotie McMahon, LSU guard Mikaylah Williams and Wisconsin forward Serah Williams.

Per FIBA, the seventh edition of the 3×3 Nations League will feature 13 conferences including U23 and U21 teams. The 2024 FIBA 3×3 Nations League includes seven conferences from Europe, including three U21, two from Africa and Asia, and one each from Americas and U21 Asia-Pacific.

The Americas Conference will feature six three-game tournaments in seven days. The six team members can substitute as needed for each day’s four-person entry.

For the first time, the FIBA 3×3 Nations League will be a qualification route to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2024. Conference winners will qualify for the event, set for Sept. 11-15 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The 2024 FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League will stream live on YouTube.

Different than five-on-five, 3×3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, as teams “clear” the ball behind the 2-point line following a made basketball, defensive rebound or steal. The first team to score 21 points via 1-pointer field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc is victorious; or if time expires then the team leading wins.

Olsen transferred and signed with Iowa this past spring after ranking third in Division I women’s basketball averaging 23.3 points per game last season at Villanova.

“I love to play basketball, so I’m going to have fun with it. Whatever we need, whatever coach needs us to do to win, that’s what I’m going to try to do. If I need to score the ball, I’ll try to score the ball. Play defense, get a little scrappy. That’s the goal. Anything to help us win,” Olsen said of what Iowa fans can expect from her back in June.

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Lucy Olsen confirms commitment to Iowa women’s basketball, Jan Jensen

Lucy Olsen isn’t going anywhere.

Things have seen quite the shake up for the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team. While there was Lisa Bluder announcing her retirement and Jan Jensen being named the new head coach, there was also a focus on checking in with the roster and recruits.

One of the most high-profile transfers this offseason was former Villanova guard Lucy Olsen committing to the Iowa Hawkeyes. She is a pure scorer at guard and plugs into the starting lineup for Iowa.

While there is always some sense of worry about losing recruits or roster pieces after a coaching change, David Eickholt of Hawkeye Insider reported that Lucy Olsen has confirmed her commitment to the Hawkeyes.

Olsen may have needed to reassess her future with Iowa after the coaching change, but she reportedly thought it through and wants to become a Hawkeye.

This is an example of something Jan Jensen brings to this program as the newly named head coach. Jensen has always been a vibrant personality that gets to players. She is a high-level recruiter and has players that want to play for her.

Jensen’s next task is to keep Iowa’s recruiting classes together with Lisa Bluder stepping away. Taking advantage of Iowa’s deep, experienced, and talented roster in the upcoming season gives her a great opportunity to showcase that this program isn’t going anywhere.

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Lucy Olsen near the top of 247Sports’ best women’s basketball transfers

Iowa is reloading this year, not rebuilding. Lucy Olsen joining via the transfer portal is one of 247Sports’ top transfer moves.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are looking to prove they are not a one-hit wonder with the roster they constructed over the past few years. After back-to-back Final Four runs and national championship appearances, they are aiming to continue their trajectory as one of the top dogs in women’s college basketball.

This starts with replacing the shoes worn by Caitlin Clark, which we all know are Nike now and forever due to her mega-endorsement deal she signed with them. That replacement comes in the form of Lucy Olsen, a transfer portal addition from Villanova, to step in and provide high-powered offense from the guard position.

Olsen joining Iowa is a huge addition for both sides. Olsen gets a chance to come into a program oozing with success and Iowa gets a playmaker. The move finds itself among 247Sports’ best women’s basketball transfers this offseason. Lucy Olsen joining Iowa ranks at their No. 6 best transfer move.

Iowa knows it cannot replace Caitlin Clark. But Lucy Olsen is a pretty nice way to start its AC era (After Clark, of course). Olsen was a walking bucket during the 2023-24 campaign averaging 23.3 points per on 43.8 percent from the field. Olsen also managed to grab 4.8 rebounds to go along with 3.8 assists per as well. She’ll have a major impact this season. – Brandon Clay, 247Sports

The good thing for Olsen is that she doesn’t have to step in and try to be Caitlin Clark. Those would be lofty, and downright unfair, expectations for her to take on. Rather, she can come in and join forces with Hannah Stuelke and Sydney Affolter, two key contributors to Iowa’s success as of lately.

How Olsen fits in with the Hawkeyes and how her styles meshes with the rest of the group remains to be seen until they take the court, but on paper this move is a massive addition for Iowa.

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Lucy Olsen to Iowa ranked one of ESPN’s top-five transfer portal moves

Iowa had a gap at guard and did more than just fill it with the addition of Lucy Olsen. The move is ranked a top-five transfer portal move.

Caitlin Clark left a crater-sized gap on the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team with her departure to the WNBA as the No. 1 draft pick by the Indiana Fever.

Iowa didn’t panic, though. They reloaded with very high-level talent. Former Villanova guard and the NCAA’s third-highest scoring player last season, Lucy Olsen, hit the transfer portal and didn’t take long to find her new home in Iowa City.

ESPN ranks the addition of Olsen to the Hawkeyes as a top-five women’s basketball transfer portal move this offseason.

5. Lucy Olsen, 5-9, G, Jr., Villanova Wildcats

Committed to Iowa Hawkeyes
With no chance to replace Caitlin Clark‘s impact, the Hawkeyes needed someone to take on some of that production. In Olsen, they found the best possible replacement in the portal. Only Clark and JuJu Watkins averaged more points per game this season than Olsen.

After the departure of Maddy Siegrist, Olsen thrived as the Wildcats’ new go-to player, jumping from 12.4 to 23.2 points per game and earning Big East most improved player honors. She also led the conference in minutes played and started all 105 of Villanova’s games over the past three seasons. – Charlie Creme, ESPN

Olsen provides instant experience and scoring ability to the Hawkeyes’ offense. Olsen shot a career-best 43.8% from the field last season and upped her free throw shooting to 80.7%, another career-best.

Lucy Olsen projects to be in the starting lineup next year. Olsen and the rest of the team know she doesn’t need to try to fill Caitlin Clark’s shoes. With the experience of forward Hannah Stuelke and guard Sydney Affolter next to her, Olsen can be a pure scorer from the guard position, an addition that takes Iowa from good to great.

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Kentucky transfer G Maddie Scherr cancels Iowa visit following Lucy Olsen commitment

Following Lucy Olsen’s commitment to Iowa, Kentucky transfer guard Maddie Scherr canceled her scheduled visit to the Hawkeyes.

The Iowa Hawkeyes originally had a visitor scheduled for Thursday.

Instead, Kentucky transfer point guard Maddie Scherr will look elsewhere. The 5-foot-10 senior guard canceled her visit after Iowa picked up a commitment from Villanova transfer point guard Lucy Olsen.

Hawkeye Report‘s Kyle Huesmann confirmed that news on Wednesday night.

It makes sense. Olsen steps right in as Iowa’s incumbent starting point guard, which would have been the starting slot Scherr was seeking. Plus, with Olsen’s commitment, Iowa is at the full 15 scholarship players.

That group features incoming freshmen Ava Heiden, Taylor Stremlow, Teagan Mallegni, Callie Levin and Aaliyah Guyton, redshirt freshman Ava Jones, sophomore Kennise Johnson, juniors Taylor McCabe, Jada Gyamfi and Hannah Stuelke and seniors Lucy Olsen, Sydney Affolter, Kylie Feuerbach, AJ Ediger and Addison O’Grady.

Scherr averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season with the Wildcats. The Florence, Ky., native shot 33.5% from the field, 28.8% from 3-point range and 81.6% from the charity stripe.

While the Hawkeyes don’t have another roster spot for Scherr, Iowa fans will no doubt be excited about adding last season’s No. 3 leading scorer nationally in Olsen.

Olsen averaged 23.3 points per game last season with Villanova. The junior shot 43.8% from the field, 29.4% from 3-point range and 80.7% from the line. Olsen also averaged 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

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Iowa Hawkeyes land high-scoring guard Lucy Olsen in transfer portal

Iowa women’s basketball made a huge splash in the transfer portal. The Hawkeyes have landed high-scoring guard Lucy Olsen.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are making moves early in the transfer portal! Just days after losing their top star Caitlin Clark, Iowa has already found the next woman up. It was announced on Wednesday evening that Villanova guard Lucy Olsen has committed to Iowa.

The commitment comes quickly after Olsen visited the Hawkeyes on Tuesday. Iowa was reportedly one of the top teams making a heavy push to pick up Olsen in the transfer portal and it didn’t take long to bring her into the program.

Just who exactly is Iowa getting in Olsen? She was the third-highest scorer in the nation last season. Olsen was given the tall task last year of filling the shoes of one of the best women’s basketball players in the country after Maddie Siegrist left for the WNBA. She performed quite valiantly averaging 23.3 points per game.

Villanova, unfortunately, suffered a bit of disappointing season, failing to reach the NCAA Tournament though making it to the WBIT Finals. Villanova has seen a bit of a mass exodus following the season, with six players including Olsen hitting the transfer portal.

For the Hawkeyes, it’s a huge addition and a great statement from Lisa Bluder. The squad easily could have just been content with the success they’ve had in recent years with Caitlin Clark and opted for a bit more of a rebuilding approach. Instead, they recognized that there is still a lot more talent left in Iowa City and that a few big pieces could help them get back to the big dance.

Adding a top transfer portal recruit in Olsen sure is a fantastic way to help Iowa compete next year.

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