Latest news with #TaylorStremlow
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
22-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Takeaways as Iowa women's basketball cruises past Murray State in March Madness opener
Takeaways as Iowa women's basketball cruises past Murray State in March Madness opener The NCAA Tournament tipped off and the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team flipped a switch as they have done the past few seasons. Their opening-round game against the Murray State Racers stayed close for most of the first half until a late surge gave the Hawkeyes a 12-point lead at the break that ballooned to a 34-point lead in the third quarter letting Iowa turn on cruise control on their way to a 92-57 victory. Iowa had it all working on the offensive end receiving contributions from the paint, three-point range, starters, and the bench. It was a quintessential Iowa performance in March and as good of an NCAA Tournament win as they could have scripted. As a team, Iowa shot over 50% from the field and had 12 different players not only play in this game but also score in this game to highlight the entire team effort this game was. As Iowa awaits the Oklahoma and Florida Gulf Coast winner, check out the takeaways from Iowa's NCAA Tournament win. Ava Heiden has arrived Ava Heiden took this game over in the first half and had a coming-out party on the biggest of stages on national television. Her NCAA Tournament debut was everything Iowa could have asked for and then some. Heiden gave Iowa 15 points and 7 rebounds with a very efficient 7-11 shooting performance. Her emergence for Iowa has given them depth and talent down low that they can lean on. As a freshman, Heiden is already shining and her star is only going to get brighter. Taylor Stremlow deserves her flowers Taylor Stremlow was incredible off the bench today. After averaging two points per game in the regular season, she exploded for 10 points and 4 rebounds today. If she can play with this confidence and give Iowa more depth off the bench, the Hawkeyes become even deeper and more dangerous as they seek an upset. The moment this game swung toward Iowa Things were 37-30 late in the second quarter and Murray State was lingering as so many lower seeds looking for an upset often do. Iowa was in foul trouble and it felt that the Racers had some momentum. Iowa went to the bench and their production is the moment this game swung. Taylor McCabe hit a three, Taylor Stremlow hit a jumper, and Aaliyah Guyton sent the game into the break to cap off a 7-0 run and push things to 42-30. From this moment on, Iowa was in full control. Lucy Olsen is embracing March It may not have been Lucy Olsen's highest-scoring game but it didn't need to be. What she gave Iowa today was absolutely perfect and made this offense go. Olsen poured in 12 points and 12 assists to register an NCAA Tournament double-double running this offense like a maestro at a world-class concert. It was a sight to see and if she can continue to see the court like this, the country will realize who Lucy Olsen is. This team is confident Jan Jensen has this team playing their best ball down the stretch. The end of the regular season success has carried over into the NCAA Tournament and that is a dangerous thing. Iowa has been among the best teams in America over the last few weeks and today further cemented that. This team is primed for a run if they can stay confident. Monday is their chance to flip the script and pull off the upset after so often having the target on their backs. 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
