Freshmen growing up fast for Iowa women

IOWA CITY - Lisa Bluder dared to compare.

“This freshman class reminds me of the group that came in here four years ago,” said Bluder, the women's basketball coach at the University of Iowa.

The one that came in four years ago included standouts like Kristi Smith, Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby.

They're gone. In their place are Jaime Printy, Theairra Taylor, Morgan Johnson, Gabby Machado and Trisha Nesbitt.

The rookies are contributing. Out of talent. Out of necessity.

“Everyone is getting hurt, and it's a good opportunity to come in and step up,” said Printy, a product of Linn-Mar High School. “Each game, it gets a little easier.”

Two days after combining for 53 points in the Hawkeyes' 78-54 victory over William & Mary, the freshmen took their first lengthy road trip. Today, they face West Virginia (3-1) in the first round of the Nugget Classic in Reno, Nev.

Game time is 6 p.m.

The Hawkeyes (4-1) were without four injured players Tuesday. Bluder expects Hannah Draxten to be back today.

Iowa has made an annoying habit of starting slow.

“We've gotten away with it the last couple of games. Against West Virginia, we've got to play 40 minutes,” Bluder said. “We're not doing that right now.”

With Kachine Alexander out with a stress fracture, Kamille Wahlin has picked up the scoring slack. She scored 53 points in the last two games, bumping her average to 18.0 points per game.

The next three active leading scorers are freshmen - Printy (11.0 ppg), Taylor (10.3) and Johnson (8.4).

Iowa will face host Nevada or Columbia in the final round Saturday.