Loss still stings, but it’s time for Hawkeyes to move on

IOWA CITY — Who’s playing? Nobody’s saying.

In the aftermath of Iowa’s loss to Ohio State on Monday, Coach Lisa Bluder said, in reference to her banged-up roster:

“I don’t know if we’re going to be able to field a team (Thursday). It’s that bad.”

Gabbie Marshall appeared to hurt a shoulder in the second half of the 92-88 defeat, which ended a seven-game win streak. McKenna Warnock was on the floor in pain in the final, frantic seconds.

The 21st-ranked Hawkeyes (14-5 overall, 8-2 Big Ten) visit Wisconsin (5-15, 2-8) Thursday; tipoff is 6:30 p.m. at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

So, about Marshall, Warnock and everybody else, for that matter. Who is probable? Possible? Doubtful?

“I’m not willing to talk about it,” Bluder said during a Zoom call Wednesday with the media. “I have to be prudent and not give a lot of details.

“Sorry if that’s a cop-out. I have to do what’s best for the team.”

Iowa’s roster was getting perilously slim anyway. Nine players dressed for Monday’s game, and eight played. If that number dwindles further, that’s a problem.

The Hawkeyes own a 24-game win streak against the Badgers in a run that dates back to 2007. That was three UW coaches ago. The Badgers couldn’t beat the Hawkeyes under Bobbie Kelsey or Jonathan Tsipis, who was let go after last season.

Marisa Moseley gets her first shot Thursday.

Wisconsin’s last winning season was 2010-11. In the meantime, some of the state’s top players — Samantha Logic, Megan Gustafson and Warnock are notable on that list — have made their way to Iowa City.

“Our program has been better than theirs, and we’ve able to draw some very good players,” Bluder said.

The Hawkeyes were idle Tuesday (all teams must take an NCAA-mandated day off every week), and Bluder rewatched film of the Ohio State game.

“I got more emotional about the calls that weren’t called,” she said. “The lack of whistles being blown ... that’s my opinion. I’m not an official.

“It’s over now. You can’t dwell on it, or it will beat you down. It can get to you. So you have to let it go.”

In Monday’s postgame, Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano both said they would use the bitter loss “to fuel to our fire.”

Wednesday, Bluder said, “I’m not a big believer in fueling a fire. We get to play the game of basketball. I don’t know what other fuel you need.”

Clark leads the nation in scoring (26.4 points per game) and assists (8.0 per game). Czinano is fourth in field-goal percentage (.657).

Julie Pospisilova leads Wisconsin at 14.3 points per game.

A win Thursday would keep the Hawkeyes on the heels of Michigan (19-2, 10-1) and Indiana (14-3, 6-1) in the Big Ten race.

Iowa plays at Michigan on Sunday.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com