Big Ten season resumes for Iowa women

IOWA CITY - After Tuesday's victory over South Dakota State, the Iowa Hawkeyes proclaimed themselves ready for the Big Ten women's basketball race.

“Our non-conference games have prepared us well,” said Kamille Wahlin.

“As young as we are, we're heading in the right direction,” said Coach Lisa Bluder.

Iowa (7-5 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) travels to Penn State for a 6 p.m. date today with the Nittany Lions (8-3, 0-1).

The Hawkeyes' preparedness might not be an issue. But their health, as it has been all season, is a question.

Theairra Taylor, one of three freshman starters, apparently injured a knee early in the South Dakota State game.

Sports information contact Aaron Blau did not have a status update on Taylor as of Saturday night.

In the pregame notes provided by Blau, Kachine Alexander was in the tentative starting lineup in Taylor's place.

Only six players have seen action in all 12 games.

Iowa dropped its Big Ten opener, at home to Michigan on Dec. 6. Penn State fell to Minnesota the same night.

So, as the race begins in earnest, where do the Hawkeyes fit in?

Their RPI is No. 76, the seventh-highest in the Big Ten. Wisconsin (10-2, 0-1) is the highest, at No. 10, followed by Michigan (9-2, 1-0, 14th) and preseason favorite Ohio State (13-1, 1-0, 15th).

Iowa has emerged as a second-half team. Its point differential is minus-22 is first halves, plus-68 after intermission.

In victories over Drake and SDSU last week, the Hawkeyes rallied from halftime deficits to win going away.