10 months ago—on January 2, 2022—Iowa faced Evansville in dramatically different circumstances. In late November of 2021, Iowa experienced a long COVID pause. The Hawkeyes came back from that pause and went just 2-3, including a stunning loss to IUPUI.
In search of an opponent to build some momentum, the Evansville game was put together at the last last minute. But even then, things weren’t normal. Evansville was down a couple starters for the game, and Iowa was without Monika Czinano and McKenna Warnock.
Ultimately, the first Evansville game went well even with the limitations. Caitlin Clark scored 44 points, Addison O’Grady had a double-double, and Iowa rolled 93-56.
This time around, the season is still young. Iowa is, for the most part, healthy. And COVID pauses really aren’t being discussed any longer. Would Iowa roll to a second victory over Evansville in less than a year, or would the Aces give Iowa a better game than last time?
Recap
Unlike the season opener, Iowa’s offense was rolling early. Clark hit a couple deep threes, Iowa dominated in transition, and seven different players scored.
The inevitable: death, taxes, and Caitlin Clark 3s @CaitlinClark22 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/xU2wWCqywH
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) November 11, 2022
Defensively, Iowa had another great quarter, holding Evansville to just 3/16 shooting, and limiting the Aces to one offensive rebound. All told, Iowa had a commanding 26-7 lead. And three of Evansville’s seven points came when Iowa was defending 4-on-5 due to Molly Davis briefly hurting herself on a steal attempt.
In the second quarter, Iowa mixed its subs in early and often and the defensive effort was a little more disjointed. But Iowa’s offense kept rolling along, and the Hawks took a 54-23 lead into halftime.
In the early third quarter, Iowa’s starters and key reserves went on another run, and the Hawks led 72-29 at the five-minute mark. Iowa put in the reserves for most of the remainder of the third quarter, and Evansville did better offensively. Yet Iowa still led by a ridiculous score of 89-46.
The Iowa offense rolled on in the fourth quarter, and Iowa won 115-62. It was the most points Iowa has scored in a game in program history. And the scary part is that might not be the last time we say that this season. This Iowa team is an offensive juggernaut.
Clark led the way with 26 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds. She did that all in just 22 minutes. Czinano added 23 points and 7 rebounds in 19 minutes. Warnock was nearly as good with 15 points and 8 rebounds also in 22 minutes. Hannah Stuelke was the final Hawkeye in double-figures with 14 points and 8 rebounds. She’s having a very impressive start to her college career. A box score for the game is here.
Most points ever... literally.
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) November 11, 2022
The #Hawkeyes set a single-game program record for points scored. pic.twitter.com/l2NnJspT03
Depth Is Strong
This is my sixth year covering Iowa women’s basketball. In those six years, Iowa has had some very good teams. Iowa hasn’t had a ton of depth in any of those years, however. Usually Coach Bluder plays only 8-9 players, and sometimes it’s as few as seven in big games.
This year, Iowa can go at least 12-deep without a significant drop off in quality.
Thaat depth starts at the 5 position. Two years ago, Sharon Goodman did a great job backing Czinano up at the 5. She’s still working her way back from injury now, but looks strong as ever in the post. Addison O’Grady did well at the backup for Czinano last year, and has significant potential on both ends of the court.
At the 4, Stuelke has athleticism that Iowa hasn’t had in a forward for years. She will be an impact player for Iowa for years to come. Shateah Wetering has also looked very good in her first significant college minutes.
invest in Hannah Stuelke . @StuelkeHannah x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/U7FVEmt8kn
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) November 11, 2022
Going to be seeing a lot more of this from the Freshman @StuelkeHannah. @IowaWBB x @B1Gwbball pic.twitter.com/UAmu0GAa7x
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) November 11, 2022
At the 3, Sydney Affolter is a good defender and better rebounder who plays as hard as anyone. At the 2, Taylor McCabe is another sharpshooter who will fit into Gabbie Marshall’s role with the team well when Marshall graduates.
And last but not least, Molly Davis was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal. She would start for most teams. But Iowa has the luxury of using her as the backup 1 and 2 and getting her near-starter minutes.
.@davismolly14 with the - dime #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/mLP9CrvR2K
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) November 11, 2022
Iowa’s depth this season could well make a huge difference both in big games during the regular season and come March.
