Rutgers visits Iowa on Sunday, and it just won’t be the same

C. Vivian Stringer has retired, and the Scarlet Knights are ‘like having a brand new staff within the convention,’ in response to Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder

Iowa’s Monika Czinano (25) reaches up and scores in opposition to Northwestern on Jan. 11. The Hawkeyes host Rutgers on Sunday. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — It gained’t be the identical.

There gained’t be the nice and cozy ovation for C. Vivian Stringer as she walks out the Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment tunnel.

A pedestrian Rutgers membership involves city for a 2 p.m. ladies’s basketball assembly with No. 5 Iowa on Sunday.

“They’ve a brand new coach, loads of new faces,” Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder mentioned Friday. “It’s like having a brand new staff within the convention.”

Stringer, who coached at Iowa for 12 seasons (together with a Closing 4 run in 1993), retired at Rutgers after final season. Her profession featured 1,055 wins.

Coquese Washington is accountable for the Scarlet Knights now.

“They’re nonetheless making an attempt to play superb protection, what Coach Stringer tried to do,” Bluder mentioned.

Iowa (19-5 general, 11-2 Large Ten) has performed by way of a collection of massive video games since early January. The Hawkeyes got here by way of with key highway wins in opposition to Michigan and Ohio State, then beat Maryland at dwelling.

The Hawkeyes have been tied with 7 minutes left at No. 2 Indiana on Thursday earlier than bowing, 87-78.

“We had loads of self-inflicted turnovers. Eighteen is loads,” Bluder mentioned. “We may have taken management of the sport early if we might have valued the ball just a little extra.”

Nonetheless, the Hawkeyes had an opportunity late on the highway in opposition to an elite opponent.

Rutgers, alternatively, not is an elite opponent. The Scarlet Knights haven’t gained an NCAA event sport since 2015, and this yr’s version is 10-15 general, 4-9 within the league.

This sport, and Wednesday’s dwelling date with Wisconsin, are absolute musts if Iowa intends to win the Large Ten regular-season championship.

“These subsequent two video games are simply as vital (as every other sport),” Bluder mentioned. “They’ll both go within the ‘L’ column on the ‘W’ column. We have now to arrange the identical means.”

The Hawkeyes will gameplan for freshman Kaylene Smikle, a 6-footer who averages 17.0 factors per sport.

“She’s actually gifted,” Bluder mentioned. “She will play small ahead or energy ahead.”

Along with the 18 turnovers, two elements performed in opposition to Iowa at Bloomington.

First, Monika Czinano tried solely six pictures (she made three), and was outscored by Indiana counterpart Mackenzie Holmes, 24-6.

“We have to get Monika the ball extra,” Bluder mentioned.

Second was Hannah Stuelke’s 0-for-8 efficiency on the free-throw line.

To be truthful, Stuelke is an rising star. The Cedar Rapids native is a crowd favourite and one of many league’s prime freshmen.

However her foul taking pictures — 44.3 p.c this season — must be mounted if she goes to be on the ground late in a detailed sport.

“I believe it obtained into her head (at Indiana). It was a heck of an surroundings,” Bluder mentioned. “She missed the primary couple, and it obtained to her head.

“My coronary heart aches for Hannah. She takes it actually personally. The center and the work ethic are there.

“She is aware of (44 p.c) is unacceptable. We all know it’s unacceptable. We’ll get there.”

Feedback: jeff.linder@thegazette.com