Iowa’s Addison O’Grady Was Perfect in Win Over Virginia Tech

Watching Iowa women's basketball this season is going to be different. How could it not be? As I sat down to watch the Hawkeye women take on Virginia Tech yesterday afternoon in the Ally Tipoff there was no Lisa Bluder roaming the sidelines. There was no Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, or Gabby Marshall on the court. Hawkeye fans have been spoiled, but the cupboard is certainly not bare in Iowa City.

New Iowa head coach Jan Jensen has been with Bluder every step of the way and her transition to the head coaching position is as seamless as it gets. And make no mistake, this Hawkeye team plays the same up-and-down fast-paced kind of basketball you'd expect from an Iowa team. And while Caitlin Clark is gone, Iowa has new leaders for this season.

How about Addison O'Grady? She had a career-high 18 points in the 71-52 win and was a perfect 9 for 9 from the field. Iowa's post feeds were impressive and Virginia Tech had no answers.

Iowa might have won the transfer portal in the off-season with the addition of former Villanova star Lucy Olsen. Hawkeye Wire reports that Olsen filled up the stat sheet with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. She isn't Caitlin Clark and isn't going to hit those logo threes. But she is a great ball handler and looks to be the go-to player when Iowa needs a basket.

Cedar Rapids native Hannah Stuelke looked great running up and down the court, scoring 16 points in the Iowa win. And Sydney Affolter saw her first game action of the season after suffering a knee injury early this season.

My first impression of this Iowa team is that they are talented, deep, and are still learning how to play together. It is going to be another fun season in Iowa City!

Get our free mobile app