In Iowa, it’s not just cornfields making waves this season—it’s the dynamic duo, Lucy Olsen and Hannah Stuelke, stirring up some serious excitement in Hawkeye country. With a fresh season around the corner, the buzz surrounding Stuelke, Iowa’s hometown hero, and Olsen, the Villanova Wildcats transfer, has reached a fever pitch. They’re officially on the watchlist for the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year award, a list typically dominated by the likes of big names such as JuJu Watkins, Alyssa Ustby, and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson. Yes, Olsen and Stuelke are ready to shake things up. Game on!
The Naismith award is basically the Oscars of college basketball, only with way more sweat and a lot fewer sequins. A panel of college basketball’s finest minds – head coaches, NCAA bigwigs, and media powerhouses – will whittle down the list as the season progresses, ultimately crowning the MVP of college hoops. And our Iowa stars are ready to make their case.
Lucy Olsen: The Mid-Range Marvel
With an average of 23.3 points per game last season, Olsen is Iowa’s not-so-secret weapon. The guard also snagged 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting a slick 43.8% from the field. Oh, and she’s got a shelf full of accolades to back her up – from All-BIG EAST honors to BIG EAST Most Improved Player. It’s safe to say, Olsen isn’t here to blend into the Iowa cornfield scenery.
But let’s address the obvious: comparisons to Iowa legend Caitlin Clark were inevitable. Head coach Jan Jensen, though, put that to rest with a chuckle. “Lucy’s her own beast,” Jensen mused. “She’s like one of those unstoppable running backs. How is that person squeezing through the defense? And yet, here comes Lucy Olsen, slicing through like it’s rush hour.” Forget Clark – Olsen is cutting her own path in the Hawkeye playbook.
Hannah Stuelke: The Silent Thunder
As a sophomore, Stuelke was an unexpected powerhouse, averaging 14 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 62.7% from the field. She also drained 50% of her three-pointers, probably without breaking a sweat. Dubbed a “difference-maker” by basketball insiders, Stuelke’s presence on the court is intimidating to say the least. Second-team All-Big Ten last season? Check. Rising Hawkeye legend? Double check.
Former coach Lisa Bluder recently sang Stuelke’s praises on B1G Tailgate, gushing over her growth and leadership potential. “Hannah’s just out there, raising the bar for the whole team,” Bluder said. “And don’t even get me started on Sydney Affolter. Those two are practically leading a revival in Iowa basketball!” With Stuelke’s killer efficiency and Sydney’s growing confidence, the Hawkeyes’ playbook is going to be full of highlights (and probably some nasty ankle-breaking moves).
The Iowa Impact: Can Olsen and Stuelke Deliver?
If you thought Olsen was just going to blend in with the Iowa roster, think again. This mid-range wizard has a bag of tricks to get her to the basket and snag points like nobody’s business. She’s Iowa’s smooth operator, making defenders look silly as she glides to her spots.
And then there’s Stuelke, who’s redefining what it means to be “everywhere at once.” Rebounds? She’s got them. Defense? She’s locked in. Need some muscle down low? Stuelke’s got you. Experts say her biggest hurdle will be maintaining her eye-popping efficiency as the volume of her attempts skyrockets this season. But hey, if anyone’s ready to rise to the occasion, it’s Stuelke. She’s here to handle business – and maybe break a few records along the way.
Final Take
The Hawkeyes have an exciting season ahead, and Iowa fans know it. With Olsen and Stuelke on deck, Iowa is primed for a season full of nail-biters, buzzer-beaters, and maybe even some upsets that leave rival fans reeling. So, get your popcorn ready – these ladies are here to make some noise, steal some headlines, and maybe bring home a shiny new trophy for Iowa.