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Depth has given Iowa women’s basketball an element of mystery

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Depth has given Iowa women’s basketball an element of mystery


The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

IOWA CITY — Who will it be next?

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Who knows?

Could be one of the veterans. Could be one of the newcomers.

Last time out, it was Taylor McCabe.

The junior sharpshooter hit for a season-high 17 points in Iowa’s 80-68 win over Penn State on Wednesday.

“It was just an example of, ‘I’m ready,’” Iowa Coach Jan Jensen said Friday.

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“I don’t buy into her being a one-dimensional shooter. We saw at Penn State that she’s so much more. Her vision is as good as I’ve seen. It was one of the best games she’s ever had.”

McCabe’s gem came a game after four freshmen combined for 35 points in Iowa’s win over Purdue last Sunday.

So, who will it be next?

“It makes us so much harder to scout,” McCabe said. “When you have to put 10 people on your scouting report, it does have its advantages. It keeps team morale very high, and it makes us more excited to come to work.”

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The 23rd-ranked Hawkeyes (12-2 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) will need a full team effort Sunday, when they host Cedar Rapids native Brenda Frese and No. 8 Maryland (13-0, 3-0).

Tipoff is 5 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“They pose a lot of challenges,” Jensen said of the Terrapins. “This is a vintage Brenda Frese team. They are tough, fast and really explosive. They are physical, and they are going to pressure you.

“Brenda is an excellent coach, a great recruiter. She knows her stuff.”

Former coach Lisa Bluder will be honored at halftime.

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“I had to do some convincing (with Bluder),” Jensen said. “Marketing said she might be busy that day. I told Lisa, ‘Look, you need to do this.’

“I know she doesn’t want to be a distraction. But she’s the reason I’m here. She’s the reason we’re all here.”

Bluder coached 24 years at Iowa, compiling a 528-254 record. She led the Hawkeyes to NCAA tournament finals appearances in 2023 and 2024.

“For her to be back and to be honored like this, she deserves it,” senior Sydney Affolter said. “I’m excited for her.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com

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Iowa

Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident

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Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two suspects in the incident at the Lyon County, Iowa, courthouse were arrested in Spearfish, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post earlier Saturday.

The sheriff’s office identified two suspects as Brandon Lyle High Pipe, 39, and Luciano Eliseo Sanchez, 18, in a social media post on Thursday. Nationwide warrants were issued for the two suspects.

The sheriff’s office said on Tuesday the courthouse had burglarized overnight. The damage inside includes writing on walls, broken glass, tipped-over Christmas trees and other items tossed around.

The incident caused the courthouse to be closed for at least one day.

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The sheriff’s office said on Saturday morning that more information should be released later.



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Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests

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Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Grace Fincham led the West High girls to a second-half comeback in a 60-51 win over City High, giving the Trojans a win on their rival’s home floor.

The Trojans improve to 6-2 with the win. The Little Hawks drop to 6-2.

In the boys’ nightcap, the Little Hawks’ comeback attempt fell short, as the Trojans held on for a 53-51 win.

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Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan

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Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan


The loss of LeVar Woods, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ long-time, elite special teams coordinator, cannot be dismissed. The Hawkeyes have consistently been among the nation’s best special teams units, from punting to kicking to owning the return and field position battle.

With LeVar Woods departing Iowa for Big Ten foe, the Michigan State Spartans, the Hawkeyes have a big hole to fill, and head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke to the media this week on what that succession plan may look like.

“Yeah, it’s not a light decision. The trick will be to find the next LeVar Woods. He’s done a fantastic job. He didn’t have the profile necessarily maybe at that point to predict what he was going to do, but he’s done all the work. It’s like a good player; players do the work. LeVar has done a great job immersing himself and learning every aspect and then growing with each and every turn. So I guess I’m describing what we’re looking for, a guy who’s a good coach, who’s eager to take a challenge on, and immerse themselves in that world.

“Special teams is a unique niche, if you will. I’m sure we’ll have good candidates. It’s not pressing right now in my mind. What is pressing is the next two weeks getting ready for the game, and then after that we’ll have eight plus weeks or eight plus months actually to get it right. I don’t plan on waiting until August to fill it, but we’ll figure that out when we get in the new year,” Ferentz said about LeVar Woods.

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The past few seasons, Iowa has been elite on special teams with kicker Drew Stevens being incredibly consistent, the punting game flipping fields, and the run of returners consisting of Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaden Wetjen.

The Hawkeyes have won more than their fair share of games relying on this unit, and to continue that success, Ferentz needs to hit on this hire.

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





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