Preview: UI women at Iowa
Find out how UI softball coach is juggling coaching and her pregnancy.
Game 25
UI women at Iowa,
2 p.m. Sunday
LINEUPS
iowa (13-11, 6-7)
Probable starters
P Name HT. YR. PPG
G Kamille Wahlin 5-8 So. 14.0
G Jaime Printy 5-11 Fr. 14.9
G Kachine Alexander 5-9 Jr. 15.1
C Morgan Johnson 6-5 Fr. 9.4
F Kelly Krei 6-2 So. 8.0
Top reserves
F Gabby Machado 6-0 Fr. 3.9
G Trisha Nesbitt 5-7 Fr. 2.7
F Kelsey Cermak 6-1 Jr. 1.4
illinois (13-11, 5-9)
Probable starters
P Name HT. YR. PPG
G Lacey Simpson 6-1 Sr. 9.8
G Lydia McCully 5-9 So. 3.5
C Jenna Smith 6-3 Sr. 18.5
F Kersten Magrum 6-1 Fr. 3.3
F Karisma Penn 6-2 Fr. 11.2
Top reserves
G Fabiola Josil 5-9 So. 2.3
G Whitney Toone 5-10 Sr. 2.7
G Adrienne GodBold 5-11 Fr. 6.3
Facts & figures
Site: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City.
Radio: Dave Loane and Mike Koon call the action on WDWS 1400-AM and WDAN 1490-AM.
Series: Iowa leads 45-16 after a 75-64 win Jan. 21 in Champaign. In Iowa City, the Hawkeyes lead 23-5. The Illini have won twice in Iowa City since 1983.
Coaches: Lisa Bluder (182-120 in 10th season at Iowa; 538-262 in 26th season overall); Jolette Law (43-47 in third season at Illinois and overall).
Tony Bleill's Storylines
Change of fortunes
At one point, Iowa was 1-6 in the Big Ten and seemingly destined to finish last in the Big Ten. But no team has shown more perseverance this season than the Hawkeyes, who have overcome a slew of injuries and that disastrous start to become a factor, having won five of six – and the only loss was a four-pointer at Ohio State. If the Hawkeyes can somehow stay around .500, Bluder deserves consideration for Big Ten Coach of the Year after a remarkable turnaround.
Back in town
Law has made no secret of her fondness for Iowa, where she starred for four Big Ten title-winning teams from 1986 to '90. She returned to Iowa City last season for the first time as a head coach, and the emotions were present. But this time around, she said, it'll be a bit different. "I love my alma mater, but right now I'm on a mission," Law said. "I bleed orange and blue. I do get sort of emotional when I walk in there, but once you get on that bench, I'm focused." Law is 0-4 against Iowa as the UI head coach.
More injury woes
Iowa's laundry list of injuries has been well-documented, but it seems to be never-ending. On Thursday, the Hawkeyes won at Indiana despite the absence of starting point guard Wahlin, who is suffering from concussion symptoms. It's unclear if she'll be available today. "The headache has been pretty bad," Wahlin said Tuesday. If she can't go, freshman Nesbitt will get the call. In any event, the Hawkeyes' guard play was a key in the win against Illinois last month, and it figures to be a major factor again.
Prediction
IOWA 63, ILLINOIS 56
We've established that Illinois doesn't often beat Iowa, and it's even more rare for that to happen in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes are arguably the league's hottest team, and if they shoot anything like they did against Illinois at the Assembly Hall, the Illini won't be able to keep up. Rest assured, Law is desperate to get a win against her alma mater, but unless something changes, it won't be today. (News-Gazette prediction record: 15-9).
Another loss. Continued woes. Imagine, if you will, the damage self-inflicted on the Illinois WBB recruiting effort.
The team's performance, the loss of a spectular recruit, the seniors out for a game. I think recruiting for our team has just become almost impossible. Let's drain the swamp and, once again, start anew.
Is it just me or does anyone else find Z's last 3 Feb 14th posts inappropriate!?
No problems with the first 2 posts! I too am disaappointed the team has not had a better season, but advocating for bodily harm against another person (even if the intent was to be metaphorical) for being a poor coach crosses the line. Some nut could read those posts & decide to fulfill Z's words during a game. That would hurt WBB at IL more than poor coaching or loosing seasons.
Z, you have every right to continue posting your displeasure of the coach, but consider leaving out the violent rhetoric. You don't know who may be reading & your words could be misconstrued.
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