Hear from Iowa coach Jan Jensen before the Hawkeyes face Evansville
Hear from Iowa women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen before the Hawkeyes face Evansville
IOWA CITY — Sunday celebrations have become a staple of the Iowa women’s basketball experience at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It’s no surprise one of the most boisterous buildings knows how to do the sport’s premier day right.
The Hawkeyes (1-0) get their first Sunday showdown of the season in game number two, as Iowa welcomes Evansville (0-1) to town for a 2 p.m. tipoff on BTN+. The Nov. 9 showdown will allow the Hawkeyes to build off their season-opening win over Southern, while also welcoming one of their own back for a riveting reunion.
With that, here are three things to watch and a prediction.
How much does this game advance Iowa’s hunt for its clear-cut emotional leader?
Before the Iowa starters head out for the opening tip, there’s one final huddle with usually one voice talking. During the Hawkeyes’ Final Four runs, it was often Kate Martin. Last season, Sydney Affolter unsurprisingly took on that role.
So when Iowa trotted out for the Southern tip, it was interesting to see Kylie Feuerbach delivering the closing words of reassurance. The sixth-year senior has the experience to match the respect as a key cog in the program.
Consider that a microcosm of Iowa’s hunt for its next emotional leader. It doesn’t always have to be one person — and frankly, teams regularly mesh better if multiple voices aren’t afraid to step up and deliver what needs to be said. Iowa coach Jan Jensen is as excited to watch that development.
“We’re watching that unfold. You guys are, and so are we,” Jensen said. “Kylie and (Taylor) Stremlow are our captains, and they do a fantastic job. The emotional component, just like all of us in this room, some of us have the ability to just manage when the you-know-what is hitting the fan. Other people maybe take a step back. I think that’s the one thing we’ll watch unfold.
“Kylie is doing a great job. But you talk about a Syd or a Kate or a Caitlin, there are just different ways those huddles go when you need it to go. I think Kylie is doing a good job trying to step outside that comfort zone. But I think that’ll be the story as we watch it unfold. Who is going to be that? Who is going to take the game over? Who’s going to get the clutch shot? Who’s going to step up?”
The Hawkeyes likely won’t need any late-game heroics against Evansville, but keep an eye on who’s talking in the timeouts and huddles when even the smallest bit of adversity develops. Bigger challenges are down the road, and Iowa will need its emotional resiliency on point for those tougher affairs.
Hear from Taylor Stremlow, Kylie Feuerbach before Iowa faces Evansville
Hear from Taylor Stremlow, Kylie Feuerbach before Iowa women’s basketball faces Evansville
Can the Hawkeyes’ young nucleus take another step forward in one of Iowa’s few manageable non-conference games remaining?
With Evansville coming off a 7-25 campaign that marked a 17th straight losing season, Iowa will get another opportunity to build confidence within its young core. The season-opening win and this matchup are really the only drama-free games Iowa gets in the first couple of weeks, so taking advantage of this chance to bring everyone another step closer is paramount.
Peeking ahead, in-state showdowns against Drake (Nov. 13) and at UNI (Nov. 16) — followed by matchups against No. 18 Baylor (Nov. 20) and Miami (Nov. 22) at the WBCA Showcase in Orlando — create a tough wave after Evansville leaves town. Iowa won’t have another breather until Nov. 26 versus Western Illinois.
Confidence is key with any team, but especially one with ample youth trying to slide everything into place for the first time. Those who need a boost before this upcoming stretch should be able to get one against Evansville.
“I feel like we’ve taken big steps already,” sophomore Taylor Stremlow said. “One thing we’re focusing on is our gap defense from game one to game two. Free-throw percentage was way better (in the opener than the exhibition). I think overall, just getting more comfortable and confident each game.”
Molly Davis’ return should be a nostalgic blast from the past.
Whatever Carver-Hawkeye Arena’s unofficial record is for loudest pregame cheer honoring an opposing graduate assistant, it’s getting snapped against the Purples Aces.
That’s because fan favorite Molly Davis is returning to Iowa City as a member of the Evansville staff. She’s entering her second season as a graduate assistant after playing key roles in both of Iowa’s Final Four runs.
Expect to see a few headbands in the stands honoring Davis’ signature look.
“I think about her randomly all the time,” said Feuerbach, one of five former Davis teammates still on the Iowa roster. “Actually, Chit-Chat (Wright) kind of reminds me of Molly to an extent, with how they play — just that calm, composed kind of point guard. But I’m very excited to see her. She’s very nonchalant, so she’ll probably just say a few words. But they mean a lot.”
Iowa women’s basketball vs. Evansville prediction
The Hawkeyes treat their first home Sunday crowd of the season to a strong performance. Look for steady improvement from Iowa’s younger backcourt pieces in this one. Iowa 87, Evansville 57.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
