Senior Guard Gabbie Marshall has been the defensive stopper for the Iowa Women’s Basketball team, making big stops in clutch moments, including guarding Paige Bueckers and forcing a late offensive foul against UConn.

DITV Sports Director Michael Merrick talks with the Hawkeyes about Marshall’s impact on the floor.

Michael Merrick is a Senior Journalism and Sports Studies Major. Michael is the returning Sports Director and loves covering events.

He has worked at DITV since his freshman year and his favorite memories are covering Iowa Football in the Citrus and Music City bowls and also covering the 2022 Women’s Basketball team.

Watch the video below!

Lisa Bluder’s culture makes Iowa a destination, and players don’t want to leave

Sydney Affolter praised Lisa Bluder’s coaching style. Bluder has made two Final Fours in two straight years. Iowa had been to one Final Four before Bluder.

“She really grows the game and she cares about us more than just basketball players,” said Affolter.

Bluder’s culture is all about love.

“She treats us like family and I think that’s the most important part,” said Hannah Stuelke. “That’s why we’re so successful, we play together and we stay together on and off the court.”

The Hawkeyes’ two Final Four rosters are very similar, with no transfers coming in or out.

“People are valued in our program,” said Bluder. “I think if you treat people right and they understand how important they are to your success, they genuinely feel like they’re a part of it. I think they’ll stay, I really think it’s as simple as that.”

“They don’t really go to the transfer portal looking for new people, they focus on developing relationships with people and development of players that we already have,” said Addison O’Grady. “It’s really just the family atmosphere. She really just makes us the best version of themselves.”

Bluder gives a lot of the credit to Jan Jensen and Jenni Fitzgerald, whom she’s been with for over 2 decades at Iowa.

“I mean I get to work every day with my best friends,” said Bluder. “It is such a comfort, but it also helps you get through the really low times and enjoy the high times even.”

“God, I get choked up thinking about it. You can’t describe what it’s like for us to have made it last year, but then go back to back as young coaches man,” said Jensen. “God has blessed us with friendship, with great teams, we get to coach these great young women, and Lisa in my opinion is as good as it gets as a leader.”

“We’ve all stuck together. It’s a dream we’re living our dreams”.

Not a single basketball fan was surprised when the Indiana Fever selected Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

Everyone assumed that would happen, especially after the season she just had at Iowa.
What people didn’t expect, however, was for Clark’s teammate, Kate Martin, to come off the board in the second round of the draft.

The Las Vegas Aces selected Martin 18th overall on Monday night.

Martin was nicknamed “The Glue” while at Iowa because she always kept the team together.

She played great defense, rebounded well, and would always come up big in crunch time.

As you’d expect, Clark was thrilled that Martin got drafted as early as she did.

Clark posted a selfie with Martin on Instagram along with this caption: “Couldn’t be happier for you.”

Martin spoke to ESPN after getting drafted by the Aces. She told Holly Rowe that she attended the draft in Brooklyn simply to support Clark.

“There are a lot of emotions right now,” Martin said.

“I’m really happy to be here. I was here to support Caitlin, but I was hoping to hear my name called.

All I wanted was an opportunity and I got it. I’m really excited.”

WNBA training camp begins on April 28. We’ll find out then if Martin can make an impact.

Iowa vs. UConn.

Don’t look now Caitlin Clark fans. Social media is convinced that the Iowa vs. UConn Final Four game was “rigged” in favor of the Hawkeyes following a controversial finish in a thrilling back-and-forth affair.

The Huskies were trailing by just one point with less than 10 seconds to go as they moved up the court into Iowa territory, looking for the game-winning basket. Aaliyah Edwards tried to set a screen, but the officials called an offensive foul which resulted in a change of possession:

The controversial call led to Caitlin Clark getting fouled, and she made one of two free throws to increase the lead to two. Though she missed the second free throw, the Hawkeyes regained possession and were able to drain the clock for a 71-69 win to punch their ticket to the finals.

Unfortunately, the questionable call will remain a key talking point for years to come, even though this will go down as one of the greatest games in history. The NCAA doesn’t want to hear this, but plenty of fans took to X/Twitter and accused them of “rigging” the game for Iowa:

With the victory, Iowa reaches the National Championship Game for the second straight year. A year ago, they lost to Angel Reese’s LSU Tigers by a final score of 102-85. Iowa, of course, would get a nice piece of revenge by eliminating LSU in the Elite 8.

Iowa will meet South Carolina in the National Championship Game on Sunday.

Caitlin Clark & Iowa Get A Chance At Redemption

The all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball has a near-perfect resume. The only thing missing is a national championship, and now Caitlin Clark will get the chance to win it once and for all in what will be her last college game.

Clark previously announced that she’s headed to the WNBA, and the 22-year-old is a virtual lock to go first overall to the Indiana Fever, who own the top selection.

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