IMHO, Bluder should be able to find a Bona fide post player in the portal. Hannah has athleticism we usually don’t see and can play the 4.
We really need a 6’4 or taller player at the 5 if we truly want to be in the national championship conversation. Clark is already talking about 2 more years, so Bluder could possibly find a real post player out there who has watched Iowa and realize that 20 of Czinano’s 24 points per game are all due (directly or indirectly) to Clark. The prospect of playing with Clark for 2 more years should be appealing to some gifted center out there.
Having said that, I think it is time for O’Grady to put on her big girl pants. I recall how bad I thought Czinano was when Gustafson was the star and Monica would spell her for a minute or 2. I was screaming at the TV to get Monica out of the game and get Meghan back in. (Sadly, the screaming at the TV is a regular occurrence at my house). Anyway, the point is that I never believed Monica could be a center that would contribute much, but Jan Jensen worked her magic. Maybe O’Grady can take that big step forward next year.
Stuelke, Wettering and Gyamfi can man the 4 and possibly what we give up in outside shooting can be made up in better defense and rebounding than we get there now.
Kate Martin and Affolter are perfectly suited for the 3. Keep them there. I really think McCabe could be that Melissa Dixon-type sharp shooter we need at the 2. Gabby did great these last half-dozen games … can she keep it going during the NCAA’s?
The team will also take their biggest step forward when the guards (including Caitlin) realize that YES! You do have to box out, every single shot, even if you are 22 feet from the basket. Had they done that, even every other time on defense vs Creighton, we win that game easily. Not that I am still bitter about that game…