Hoosiers close road schedule against Hawkeyes

The last time IU was preparing to face Iowa, it had started Feb. undefeated. Now that the team is getting ready to face the Hawkeyes again, it’s quite a different story.

The Hoosiers are on a four-game losing streak during the month IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack called the most important for tournament bids. And as the team hits its last road game of the regular season, it has become a must-win for a Hoosier squad that has been lackluster in the past several games.

“The change will just be picking up the defense intensity,” junior guard Jori Davis said. “But recently it’s just a mental side of things, and we have to really study and know our game plan so we don’t leave people open for 3s.”  

Shooting and rebounding were big components in the Hawkeyes’ win at Assembly Hall on February 11. Even though the Hawkeyes were without one of their best shooters, Kamille Wahlin, other Iowa players filled the void. Guard Jaime Printy put up a career-high 28 points against the Hoosiers and went 4-10 from downtown.  

However, the Hoosiers plan to counteract the Hawkeyes’ offensive ability by focusing on playing their game and playing defense, senior guard Jamie Braun said.

“That means taking the open 3, driving to the basket and getting to the free-throw line, Braun said. “We know we can hit the open 3, and we know you aren’t guaranteed to make every single one, and no matter what we just have to keep thinking that the next one’s going in.”

The Hoosiers shot 35.1 percent from the floor in the first half and only 36.7 percent on the game. Its 3-point shooting in the first half was also low, as the team hit only four of its 16 shots.  

But Legette-Jack won’t be telling her players to take less 3s against the Hawkeyes this time.  

“We put a lot of time in shooting, and we think if they are open shot we should take them,” Legette-Jack said. “Why? Because it’s a microcosm of life. You only get one chance at an open shot.”

The Hoosiers must also focus on offensive rebounding to defeat the Hawkeyes. The Hoosiers are 7-1 when winning the rebounding battle this season, and they have been working extensively on rebounding in practice by utilizing a tracking system.

“There’s a board that they keep track of offensive rebounds and missed offensive rebounds and not boxing out,” Davis said. “That’s a big part for coach Jack because, obviously, rebounding and defense wins games.”  

Unfortunately for IU, its lack of post presence might have gotten smaller, as sophomore forward Danilsa Andujar suffered a sprained ankle during Tuesday’s practice. Her injury’s seriousness is currently unknown, but she was unable to finish practice.

But with seven, eight or nine players, the philosophy is still the same with Legette-Jack.

“Our hope is that we bring our focus, our defense, our discipline and our desire to be great for that particular day,” she said.