Hawks have gotten better since going bigger

IOWA CITY — This double-post project is starting to click.

It hasn't always been an easy sell on Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder, who prefers to have four players — at least — on the perimeter.

'I was asked at the beginning of the season if Chase (Coley) would play outside, and I said no,' Bluder recalled Monday.

Bluder did the same thing for a year with Morgan Johnson and Bethany Doolittle, then went back to her traditional approach.

And now, with Coley and Megan Gustafson both highly productive, Bluder has gone big again out of necessity.

'We started exploring this option over Christmas break,' Bluder said. 'It took some practice, then we tried it in a couple games. They're starting to feel more comfortable with it.'

Coley is good with it. More than good.

'Playing (power forward), I like it a lot,' she said. 'I like shooting my shots facing up and pulling (the opponent's) big girls out and looking for my teammates inside.'

Coley earned Big Ten player-of-the-week consideration this week, and Gustafson has recorded two straight double-doubles. More importantly, the Hawkeyes (15-7 overall, 5-5 Big Ten) have won two straight games and have regained some momentum heading into Thursday's game at Indiana (13-9, 5-5).

Tipoff is 6 p.m. (Iowa time) at Assembly Hall in Bloomington.

'This is a lot more enjoyable than last week,' Bluder said. 'To win two games, it's amazing for a young team. I'm excited with where we are right now.

'Tania Davis is playing really, really well. Megan has had two double-doubles. Chase continues to improve. Whitney is doing a good job leading the team. And Ally (Disterhoft) is Ally.'

Indiana is a traditional second-division Big Ten program, but has ascended through the first half of the league season. The Hoosiers are 9-0 at home.

Christina Buttenham is day-to-day after suffering a concussion. Likewise Claire Till, who is battling chronic knee problems.

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