Hawkeyes renew acquaintances with Megan Meyer on Sunday

IOWA CITY — Megan Meyer has found a good home. A great fit.

“I’m happy for her,” Caitlin Clark said. “I love Megan. I talk to her quite a bit. She’s done a nice job at Drake.”

Better than merely nice.

A native of Mason City who played two years at Iowa, Meyer transferred to Drake after her sophomore season. She was the Missouri Valley Conference newcomer of the year last year and selected to the all-MVC first team.

The fourth-ranked Hawkeyes (2-0) renew acquaintances with their former teammate Sunday. Tipoff is 2 p.m. at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.

“Megan Meyer is a fabulous shooter. She adds a whole different element to (this game),” Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said.

There were plenty of elements to begin with.

Bluder coached 10 years at Drake before her 2000 arrival in Iowa City. Assistant Jan Jensen was an All-American there.

Plus, “when we go back there, I’ll think of Lisa Brinkmeyer,” Bluder said of one of her former players, now an assistant director at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union who is battling brain cancer. “Lisa is such a great Bulldog.”

A native of West Des Moines, Clark grew up a Drake fan.

“My team growing up was called ‘Drake,’ she said Thursday, after the Hawkeyes smoked Evansville, 115-62, breaking a school record for points in a game.

“I remember their little blimp at (the Knapp Center). I went to a lot of Drake games, men and women.”

This is Iowa’s first of three games against in-state competition. The Hawkeyes host Iowa State on Dec. 7, then welcome Northern Iowa on Dec. 18.

“Any time you play an in-state rival, you’re going to get their best shot,” Clark said.

Drake (1-0) opened with an 80-67 home victory over Green Bay on Monday. Grace Berg, from nearby Indianola, led the Bulldogs with 20 points.

Meyer added 10.

“I’m looking forward to seeing her,” Clark said. “Maybe I’ll talk a little crap with her.”

Iowa won both of its first two games by 53 points. The Hawkeyes are averaging 101 points per game, allowing 48.

One major factor so far has been in the rebounding game. Iowa is plus-28.5 on the boards through two games.

“I’m proud of our rebounding tenacity,” Monika Czinano said.

Iowa has won 18 of the last 19 of the series, but the teams generally play high-scoring, competitive games, particularly in Des Moines. The Hawkeyes won 103-97 two years ago.

The scheduled game last year in Iowa City was canceled due to a COVID outbreak in the Iowa program.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com