Hawkeye’s Women’s Basketball Set to Take Center Stage this Winter

By Kif Richmann

Last year Lisa Bluder took the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team to the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament. While the Hawkeyes gave the top seeded Ohio State Buckeyes a whirl, they were unable to come away with a Big Ten Tournament title.

Still, when you consider how banged up the Hawkeyes were, losing their only senior before the season started and playing without high-energy Kachine Alexander during seven games of the regular season, a three seed and second place finish in the tournament was dynamite.

Kachine Alexander (Photo via Campus Sports Connection)

Now the Hawkeyes enter the 2010-11 season with all kinds of preseason expectation. AP has them ranked #22 and the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll has the Hawkeyes pegged at 25th.

The Hawkeyes are returning every single one of their starters from last season. Here is what the starting five should look like this season.

PROBABLE STARTERS:

KACHINE ALEXANDER- Guard: First of all, the Hawkeyes are returning “Little-Miss-Hustle”, Kachine Alexander for her senior season. Alexander, listed at all of 5-9, led the Big Ten in rebounds, was named to the all-Big Ten defensive team, first team coaches all-Big Ten,and Big Ten Tournament all-tournament team. Expect an outstanding leadership year from Alexander, and as always, expect her to be the hardest working player every time the Hawkeyes take the court. I said repeatedly last year that she was the most entertaining winter-sports athlete to watch. That includes the entire women’s and men’s basketball team, and, anyone on the national champion wrestling team. You want entertainment this winter, go check out Kachine Alexander.

KAMILLE WAHLINE- Guard: The Hawkeyes also return a 3rd team all-Big Ten selection in Wahline. Another 2010 all-Big Ten Tournament selection, Wahline has become a regular face for the Hawkeyes over the past two seasons. As a freshman in 2008-09, Wahline played in all 32 games, and started the final 14. As a sophomore, she was third team all-Big Ten and academic all-Big Ten. During 2009-10, Wahline’s 84 treys tied the team record for three points made in a season and set the school record for threes by a sophomore.

MORGAN JOHNSON- Center: Want defense? Last year Johnson not only led the Big Ten in blocks, she broke both the school and freshman record for blocks in a season with 79. She set a school record for blocks in a game against Minnesota, and led Big Ten freshmen in rebounds, field goals, and..uh…BLOCKS!!! Expect a heavy dose of NOT-IN-MY-HOUSE from Johnson in year two.

KELLY KREI- Forward: Yet another all-Big Ten tournament team selection and all Big Ten academic. Krei (pronounced Cry) was named the Hawkeyes Most Improved Player for 2009-10. As role player who fits well into coach Bluder’s aggressive, kick out based system; Krei played an important role in ball movement and helping the exterior player find open looks. Aggressive defender, Krei also led the team in steals.

JAMIE PRINTY: Guard: Bluder’s fast paced style usually features three starting guards, which allowed Printy to step up last year and capture Big Ten freshman of the year . Printy set school freshman records for points(501), and three points made(99). Probably even more important, Printy also set a school freshman record for assists, which probably makes coach Bluder sleep well at night. (If coaches actually slept.) With her skills as a passer and a scorer, Printy will play a big role in her second year at Iowa.

BENCH:

Guards Trisha Nesbitt, Megan Considine and Theairra Taylor all saw significant time last year, and will be expected to contribute again in 2010-11.

Senior forward Kelsey Cermak played in all 34 games last year, including two starts. As a veteran in Bluder’s system with a few solids performances last year, she will be expected to fill in again to give Krei and Johnson a breather.