Latest news with #Stremlow
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New Iowa women's basketball 'glue' piece emerging
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team has built itself into a sustained power in the Big Ten and nationwide over the past few years. There are the big names, such as Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, and Lucy Olsen, but a major part of the Hawkeyes' success was the hard work and behind-the-scenes effort put in by Sydney Affolter. Known as the "glue" for Iowa during her tenure, she was diving for loose balls, playing good defense, and doing the gritty, little things that add up to make the difference in winning and losing in tight games. That is a piece Iowa has been looking to replace after her departure this year, and it seems they are on track to find that player in Taylor Stremlow. In a report from On3's Kyle Huesmann, Stremlow has shown the signs of leadership and toughness to step into Sydney Affolter's space. 'Taylor's got that Kate Martin, Syd Affolter kind of ability. No matter how she might be playing or how she might be feeling, she's able to get that out of herself and make sure that everybody else is good," Iowa women's basketball head coach Jan Jensen said about Taylor Stremlow. The native of Verona, Wisconsin, Taylor Stremlow enters her second season with Iowa carrying expectations to take the next step as a contributor for Iowa after she found her footing late in the year last year. In the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament opening round game against the Murray State Racers, Stremlow poured in 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a block in 17 minutes of action to get her feet wet in postseason action. In her freshman season, Stremlow shot 46.3% from the field, 30.8% from three-point range, and 90.9% from the free throw line. With an influx of very talented, but also very young, players to the roster, Stremlow's role will be expanded during the 2025-26 season as Iowa revamps its roster to blend skill, grit, and toughness. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
USA Today
23-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa women's basketball freshmen comment on big March Madness debuts
Iowa women's basketball freshmen comment on big March Madness debuts Two Iowa freshmen delivered career days in the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament opener against 11th-seeded Murray State. Freshman center Ava Heiden registered a career-high 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting and she grabbed seven boards as well. Freshman guard Taylor Stremlow added a career-high 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting to help Iowa's bench score 41 points in the 92-57 win. Heiden's contributions were particularly important early as junior forward Hannah Stuelke picked up a quick pair of fouls in the game's first two minutes that sidelined her for the remainder of the first half. "I think with my team, it's just next man up. So, always being ready on the bench, ready to come off and do well and perform for the team," Heiden said of being able to step right in and play well for Iowa. Stremlow echoed those sentiments. "Agree with what Ava said. That's our whole mindset is being ready when your name is called. Obviously today it worked well for us and everybody on the bench came off and did good and put some good minutes in," Stremlow said. Heiden has now scored in double-figures in three consecutive games for Iowa. The 6-foot-4 center from Sherwood, Ore., scored 11 points against Michigan State and then 10 points against Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament. "I think that just over the past few months I've put in a lot of extra work, and that has helped me get to the competence level and skill level to be able to come into games like this and perform well," Heiden said. Stremlow also assisted twice for Iowa in the win over the Racers. The 5-foot-10 freshman guard was asked what it's like being able to impact the game in multiple ways offensively for the Hawkeyes. "They make it really easy. It's fun to score obviously but being able to make the extra pass, and I think we had our most assists in an NCAA game ever. That just shows how special this team is how much we love to share the ball and support each other," Stremlow said. Iowa did register a new program single-game NCAA Tournament record with 28 assists. Iowa (23-10, 10-8 Big Ten) will battle No. 3 seed Oklahoma (26-7, 11-5 SEC) on Monday at 3 p.m. CT for a right to advance to the Sweet 16 from the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF
