It’s not every day that you transfer schools and get a personal pep talk from a living legend. But for Lucy Olsen, the stars seem to have aligned—or maybe Caitlin Clark just couldn’t resist flexing her mentorship muscles. Either way, Olsen is living her best life as she transitions from Villanova to the cornfields of Iowa, with Clark, the WNBA’s #1 draft pick, offering sage advice like a basketball Yoda.
“I’ve talked to Caitlin a little bit,” Olsen said with the enthusiasm of someone who just discovered their idol actually answers texts. “She’s very nice. She’s like, ‘Let me know if you need anything. I’m always here. I went through a lot, and I got you.’” That’s got to be reassuring when you’re adjusting to a new team, new coach, and, let’s face it, a lot of corn.
Iowa’s New Era: Same Hype, Different Stars
With Jan Jensen stepping up as head coach and Olsen taking her talents to the Black and Gold, the Hawkeyes are cooking up something special. And if her debut performances are anything to go by, Olsen is already thriving in her new nest. In a preseason exhibition, she casually dropped 14 points, snagged six rebounds, and dished out six assists, leading her team to a 110-55 demolition of Missouri Western. Oh, and she didn’t miss a single free throw because why not be perfect?
Fast forward to the regular season opener against Northern Illinois, and Olsen was back at it, lighting up the scoreboard with 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists. Let’s just say the Huskies might still be having flashbacks.
Big Shoes to Fill, But No Pressure, Right?
As the 2024 Big East Most Improved Player and a two-time All-Big East honoree, Olsen’s Villanova resume speaks for itself. She’s bringing the kind of stats that make coaches salivate: 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and nearly two steals per game last season. And let’s not forget, she was third in the nation in scoring, trailing only Caitlin Clark and USC’s JuJu Watkins. No big deal.
Now she’s got her sights set on leading the Hawkeyes to new heights, and she’s already making waves. Olsen’s transition to Iowa hasn’t just been smooth—it’s been downright seamless. She’s playing like she’s been wearing Black and Gold her whole life.
The Road Ahead: A November Gauntlet
If you think Olsen’s just going to coast, think again. The Hawkeyes have a packed November schedule that includes matchups against powerhouses like Virginia Tech, Kansas, and Washington State. But Olsen seems ready to take on the world—or at least a solid chunk of it.
And let’s be honest, with Caitlin Clark in her corner, she’s got some top-tier backup. Who needs a life coach when you’ve got Clark offering motivational nuggets? Olsen’s journey in Iowa is off to a blazing start, and if her early games are any indication, she’s about to make Hawkeye fans forget they ever needed convincing.
Final Thoughts: The Lucy Olsen Show Is Just Getting Started
It’s a new chapter for Lucy Olsen, and she’s writing it in bold, italicized, and underlined. With her skills on the court and Clark’s wisdom in her back pocket, the Hawkeyes are looking like serious contenders. So, grab your popcorn—or corn on the cob, if you’re in Iowa—and get ready for the Lucy Olsen Show. This season, it’s all gas, no brakes.
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