New beginning: Hawks open Big Ten against 'Cats

IOWA CITY -- Lisa Bluder said she goofed. A Bluder blunder, so to speak.

"With four starters returning, I thought we could go through things a little quicker," said Bluder, the women's basketball coach at the University of Iowa.

"I made a mistake, and now I'm trying to make amends."

That means slowing things down. More explaining. More teaching.

"We've been going through the basics more thoroughly," said freshman Samantha Logic.

The Hawkeyes (8-5) open Big Ten action Friday against Northwestern (10-3). Tipoff is 6 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

And after a somewhat disappointing pre-conference season, they're viewing it as a fresh start.

"I think (starting over) will be a good thing," Jaime Printy said. "The (non-conference season) didn't go as everyone expected. Now we have another chance."

Iowa has won 18 of its last 19 games against the Wildcats and hasn't lost to them at Carver since January 1995.

If the Hawkeyes are to contend in the Big Ten and reach their fifth straight NCAA Tournament, it's paramount that they make hay at home.

"We have to hold court at home," Bluder said. "If we're going to be successful, we have to win our home games."

The Hawkeyes took four days off after receiving a scare Dec. 22 against Mississippi Valley State -- an 86-80 win. Much of the time since they returned was spent scrimmaging. Some was based around re-development of fundamentals.

They've done it without freshman Virginia Johnson, who suffered from a concussion Dec. 19 and has been unable to participate in virtually all team activities.

"She's missed a lot of basketball, a lot of learning," Bluder said.

Northwestern started 9-1, but has lost two of its last three games. The Wildcats lost all-conference player Amy Jaeschke to graduation, but is a more balanced team this season.

Four players average in double figures, led by Kendall Hackney (17.2 points per game).

NORTHWESTERN (10-3, 0-0) at IOWA (8-5, 0-0)

Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City

Tipoff: 6 p.m. Friday

TV: Mediacom Connections

Radio: None locally

Scouting report: Big Ten opener for both teams ... Iowa is 21-4 against Northwestern in Iowa City ... Jaime Printy continues to lead the Hawkeyes at 17.2 ppg and Morgan Johnson adds 14.2 ... Kendall Hackney leads the Wildcats at 17.2 ppg.