Iowa’s leading rebounder? It’s not a post; it’s not a starter ... it’s Sydney Affolter

IOWA CITY — Sydney Affolter isn’t a dirty player. But she sure isn’t afraid to do the so-called “dirty work.”

“She has that tenacity,” Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said. “She’s going to go get that ball. It sounds so easy, but it’s not. She has an aggressive mindset.”

Iowa’s leading rebounder through three games? It’s not one of their posts. It’s not even a starter.

It’s Syd.

A 5-foot-11 junior guard, Affolter has been a force on the boards for the second-ranked Hawkeyes (3-0). She is averaging a team-high 9.3 rebounds per game.

That’s even more remarkable when you consider her modest minutes (19.7 per game). So, prorate her production on the glass, and it’s 18.9 rebounds per 40 minutes.

“We talk about extra possessions, and an offensive rebound is one way to get that,” said Affolter, who grabbed 14 caroms in the Hawkeyes’ win over then-No. 8 Virginia Tech last Thursday. “Rebounding is a lot of work and hustle ... get in, get after it.”

Affolter is a steady defender, willing to hit the deck for a loose ball. Remember that dive for the ball that led to Molly Davis’ acrobatic basket at the end of the first quarter against Fairleigh Dickinson?

That was Syd, too.

“She’s not afraid to be physical and will do the dirty work when she has to,” Bluder said.

The second-ranked Hawkeyes are outrebounding their opponents by more than 13 boards per game, and that will be a key factor when they host Kansas State (2-0) on Thursday.

Tip time is 7:30 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in a game that will be televised nationally by FS1.

K-State is led by 6-foot-6 Ayoka Lee, back this season after missing the 2022-23 campaign with a torn ACL.

Two years ago, Lee averaged 22.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest, which featured an NCAA Division-I record 61 points.

“She’s a great post,” Affolter said. “Guarding her — getting rebounds against her — it’s really going to be critical.”

Even without Lee, K-State edged the Hawkeyes, 84-83, last year at Manhattan. This year’s Wildcats are allowing 37.0 points per game, which ranks third-best in the nation.

That will present a challenge to the prolific Hawkeyes, who are scoring at a 92.0-point clip. Caitlin Clark is second in the nation in both scoring (32.0 points per game) and assists (9.0 per contest).

But the most startling stat in Clark’s corner, thus far, is her assist-to-turnover ledger (27 to 4).

That’s a ratio of 6.75 assists per turnover, far better than her first three seasons (1.75 to 1).

“That’s a remarkable statistic,” Bluder said. “Even after last year, there were areas she could improve, and that’s an area we thought she could make improvement.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com