The Iowa Hawkeyes are blazing through this season. They are on an undefeated 8-0 game-winning streak, and they’re hungry to keep that momentum going. But, the team faced a bit of a bump in the road with their starting point guard, Lucy Olsen’s injury.
Even though their streak is alive, Olsen will sure be needed on the court soon. Well, the good news for the Hawkeyes is, the star guard is nearing her return just in time to protect that streak.
Coach Jan Jensen gave an update on Olsen’s status. “It’s more likely than not that she’ll return because she’s so tough,” the HC said, adding that they needed to monitor how she responded after getting in some more practice reps. The team has been cautious, but Jensen is optimistic, and with her track record, it’s hard not to be hopeful.
Is JuJu Watkins the new face of women’s college basketball, surpassing Caitlin Clark’s legacy?
Absolutely, she’s the future.
“I think we just have to see how it responded today with a lot more reps,” she shared. The Villanova transfer has been an asset for the team. She’s been a game-changer. Averaging 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, she is contributing on both ends of the court. However, further reports are awaited as the team hopes for the best.
The injury, though, came unexpectedly. The 21-year-old was just about to practice in Cancun when she tripped off the elevated court, falling and scraping her knee badly on a tile. She shared the experience, explaining how it was weird at first because she didn’t feel much pain, but when she looked down, she knew something was wrong.
The gash was deep, and while the initial bleeding wasn’t bad, once she started washing her hands, the blood started gushing. A while ago, her dad also provided an update via Twitter. He joked that it was “just a flesh wound” but then went on to describe how the injury was pretty serious, with the baller needing several stitches to close it up.
He expressed frustration about the timing but reassured everyone that she would be back on the court soon, likely just in time for the next big game. And it looks like his prediction was right, and Olsen will rejoin the team for their showdown in Brooklyn to help the ‘Team of the Week’ to stay undefeated.
Lucy Olsen & Co. named NCAA.com team of the week after Impressive wins
The Hawkeyes have proven they can handle adversity, which was clear from their performance at the Cancun Challenge. They clinched two wins—a 69-62 victory over Rhode Island and a 68-48 win over BYU without Olsen, thanks to players like Taylor Stremlow, who stepped in for the guard.
According to Aaliyah Guyton, it was easier because they trust each other. “It was just like, ‘OK, Lucy’s out. We’ve just got to think about the next man up,” she said. Senior Addi O’Grady and junior Hannah Stuelke also contributed big-time, with O’Grady leading the way against Rhode Island with 18 points.
It all paid off, earning them NCAA.com’s Team of the Week title, and rightfully so. Their 8-0 start is now the fourth-best in program history, and they moved up five spots to No. 17 in the AP Women’s Basketball Poll. And with their latest two wins, they’ve improved to 10-1 all-time at the Cancun Challenge.
But now, the real test is ahead. Iowa’s next challenge is a massive one. They’ll be facing Tennessee at the Women’s Champions Classic in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Saturday, Dec. 7. This is the perfect opportunity for them to prove they can keep the streak alive with #33 back in action. So, keep an eye!
