IOWA CITY — A tune-up before things get turned up sets the stage for another highly anticipated Iowa women’s basketball season.
Jan Jensen’s second season as head coach unofficially begins with the Hawkeyes’ exhibition game against Division II Ashland University. The Oct. 30 soft open should still see Carver-Hawkeye Arena full of energy ahead of its third straight season sellout.
While there shouldn’t be any drama on the scoreboard, Jensen and her staff can still take away plenty from their young but promising roster. Here are three things to watch for in the Hawkeyes’ exhibition.
How beneficial will the first taste of Carver-Hawkeye Arena be for Iowa’s newcomers?
Those who trek regularly to Carver-Hawkeye Arena have gotten used to the robust home-court advantage it provides. But what about those absorbing this environment for the first time? Several new Hawkeyes can get their feet wet with this spectacle.
Addie Deal, Journey Houston, Layla Hays, Chit-Chat Wright and Emely Rodriguez will all be making their Carver-Hawkeye Arena debuts against the Eagles. And while that fact may be exaggerated at some places, it isn’t here. Positive noise takes some time to digest when it’s this unique.
Even if every seat isn’t filled, the exhibition will almost certainly be the most people those five have ever played in front of. And as we all know, the crowds won’t be waning as this season unfolds. Bigger home affairs are on deck, making this the perfect opportunity for Iowa’s newcomers to get adjusted to their new (positive) reality.
Which of Iowa’s several lineups delivers the most productive stretches?
Several different lineup combinations will be used, and the most important may not be the first one you see. The exhibition offers an early chance for in-game cohesion to develop among what is largely a new group.
Expect the Hawkeyes to run through several pairings in the post, as Hannah Stuelke, Ava Heiden and Hays work on finding the most effective way to use all three. Seeing some added range from Stuelke would be an early positive sign.
The backcourt is just as pivotal. Wright’s pass-first approach will need some game action to fully weave into Iowa’s offense, as will Deal’s offensive prowess. Defensive improvement from Taylor McCabe has a chance to get off on the right foot.
Not everything has to come together right away. Iowa’s schedule does allow for some trial-run opportunities early, even once the regular season begins. What progress the Hawkeyes can make in the exhibition will still carry weight in cementing early confidence.
Who sends an early message from outside Iowa’s main nucleus of contributors?
For as solidified as Iowa’s starting lineup may seem, the opportunity to carve out a bigger role than expected is there for any players who want to snatch it. Heiden’s late-season ascension a year ago is a perfect example of that. Her freshman campaign was trending one way — until it wasn’t.
So do we see a somewhat unexpected showing in this dress rehearsal? Last year, it was Teagan Mallegni draining four treys against Missouri Western. Two seasons ago, Sharon Goodman flirted with a double-double while a sophomore Stuelke went for 27 points. You never know what can kick-start an early surge from someone looking to shine.
Every Iowa player should see the floor, all looking to make the most of their minutes with position battles everywhere.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3 things to watch for in Iowa women’s basketball exhibition against Ashland University
Reporting by Dargan Southard, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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