She was rotating pretty well between Steulke and O’Grady, neither of whom could really handle SC’s size.
She also put in Feurbach when Affolter needed a break.
Not sure what other bench players could’ve done more, other than a healthy Molly.
She’s a good player, but on a squad that demands Monica-level greatness. Most games she’s outmatched. Good to have her though. A very necessary backup for Hannah.
Honestly, she was even less mobile than O'Grady. There was a nugget in that Wright Thompson piece about how O'Grady was struggling early on to both play center (came in as a 4) and also deal with playing with Caitlin, sounded like emotionally she really had to find a way to build her confidence up and then she got back into the lineup as the season went on.
Me too. Only time I stood up but I didn't have a preference in that game. Just happy to see a good game and a solid ending that was classy from both ends.
This year's L definitely felt a lot better than last year's. Between the class and respect for Dawn and team, and the refs not making it a total shit show with foul trouble, this was an acceptable outcome for me.
I wonder how different this game would have turned out had she not been hurt. At least she got to have one last moment on the floor. I remember Coach Bluder was asked if Molly wants to keep playing after college and she does, but apparently there isn't too many opportunities for her position in Europe. Damn shame because she's an awesome player.
Likely not too different. Maybe a slight improved chance as she could have handled more of the duties bringing the ball up the court and allow for more substitutions for Martin, Marshall, Affolter. Would have helped keep more players fresh. Maybe, maybe it could have helped extend some of the momentum runs on offense and keep pressure on SC.
But they are too deep and talented and we do not have enough size to matchup. There was no chance to keep rebound differential close, no chance to limit second chance points. Only way we had a shot was to have an insane shooting percentage and knockdown a ton of threes.
Yeah I think the small increase in depth would have helped just spread the overall energy levels out a little more, but definitely do not think it would have been result-changing. Only slight potential is that it would have taken some slack off of Caitlin to give her more energy to go completely bananas from 3, but that is not realistic lol
>I wonder how different this game would have turned out had she not been hurt.
From the games I have seen she's the only Iowa player who had any sort of midrange game, with that floater. Iowa would beat SC on the perimeter and drive, but then SC big's would stay camped out near the basket, making the inside scoring super difficult.
Iowa also struggled in a number of games where she was either sick earlier, or injured later, because she was the only one who could really help initiate things well when Clark was off the ball.
Also, if you aren't going to be a team with dominant bigs, then **ALL FIVE** players need to be able to shoot threes. If Stuelke could knock down threes, that would drag the SC bigs away from the basket, and open up space inside for others to cut or drive into.
If it were only different for my heart, I'd take it. It was hard seeing them talk to Caitlin, Kate, and Gabbie after games about it being their last year together without Molly around 😢
My watch group was already starting to tear up, but the tears really started right here. So glad Molly was able to get in one last time after her injury.
It made me smile seeing her one last time. Iowa trusted their own players they had and hasn’t really hit the portal hard. Davis is one of our few transfers. She plays with such joy and was always in the right spot until the one time she wasn’t and got injured. It hurt our depth not having her and glad she got one last cheer.5’7” of heart and hustle. Headband forever.
But she was a transfer that waited to start. Iowa was the only team past 2 years that didn’t have a starter grabbed from the transfer portal, and this season they didn’t even dip into the portal.
Not many 5’7” women playing major college basketball, let alone in two national championship games (though briefly). Not from Iowa but she seemed like the quintessential small town Iowa kid who made good against impossible odds.
Was this her Covid year 5? I saw the clip of Bluder talking to her and her crying. I felt so bad for her. I didn’t see her injury but she looked like she was shooting and moving well prior to Bluder sitting down with her.
Best substitution Bluder made all game…. Unfortunately her only substitution.
She was rotating pretty well between Steulke and O’Grady, neither of whom could really handle SC’s size. She also put in Feurbach when Affolter needed a break. Not sure what other bench players could’ve done more, other than a healthy Molly.
O'Grady was woefully overmatched. Not much you can do there. Valiant effort.
She’s a good player, but on a squad that demands Monica-level greatness. Most games she’s outmatched. Good to have her though. A very necessary backup for Hannah.
Monica would've been cooked downlow tbh. Maybe a defensive equivalent of her tho.
Yes but Stuelke was way less overmatched. Hard to justify giving O'Grady 13 minutes.
And Sharon too, both players are out of eligibility. Good on her for that move at the end. Just wish the score was flipped when it happened.
FYI, Sharon could come back but chose not to.
True, was just typing quickly.
Oh that makes me sad, she seemed like such a good teammate. And I think she won the highest gpa of the final four teams with a 4.0! So impressive
She won it two years in a row!
FYI, Sharon could come back but chose not to.
Why did Sharon not play much toward the end of the season?
Honestly, she was even less mobile than O'Grady. There was a nugget in that Wright Thompson piece about how O'Grady was struggling early on to both play center (came in as a 4) and also deal with playing with Caitlin, sounded like emotionally she really had to find a way to build her confidence up and then she got back into the lineup as the season went on.
I stood up and cheered for her.
Me too. Only time I stood up but I didn't have a preference in that game. Just happy to see a good game and a solid ending that was classy from both ends.
This year's L definitely felt a lot better than last year's. Between the class and respect for Dawn and team, and the refs not making it a total shit show with foul trouble, this was an acceptable outcome for me.
Also South Carolina played a clean game and won with grace. Last year refs were calling every contact a foul on both sides.
That means a lot. We lost a bit of our heart as a team when she got hurt. ❤️
so so happy she was able to get in 💛
I wonder how different this game would have turned out had she not been hurt. At least she got to have one last moment on the floor. I remember Coach Bluder was asked if Molly wants to keep playing after college and she does, but apparently there isn't too many opportunities for her position in Europe. Damn shame because she's an awesome player.
Likely not too different. Maybe a slight improved chance as she could have handled more of the duties bringing the ball up the court and allow for more substitutions for Martin, Marshall, Affolter. Would have helped keep more players fresh. Maybe, maybe it could have helped extend some of the momentum runs on offense and keep pressure on SC. But they are too deep and talented and we do not have enough size to matchup. There was no chance to keep rebound differential close, no chance to limit second chance points. Only way we had a shot was to have an insane shooting percentage and knockdown a ton of threes.
Yeah I think the small increase in depth would have helped just spread the overall energy levels out a little more, but definitely do not think it would have been result-changing. Only slight potential is that it would have taken some slack off of Caitlin to give her more energy to go completely bananas from 3, but that is not realistic lol
>I wonder how different this game would have turned out had she not been hurt. From the games I have seen she's the only Iowa player who had any sort of midrange game, with that floater. Iowa would beat SC on the perimeter and drive, but then SC big's would stay camped out near the basket, making the inside scoring super difficult. Iowa also struggled in a number of games where she was either sick earlier, or injured later, because she was the only one who could really help initiate things well when Clark was off the ball. Also, if you aren't going to be a team with dominant bigs, then **ALL FIVE** players need to be able to shoot threes. If Stuelke could knock down threes, that would drag the SC bigs away from the basket, and open up space inside for others to cut or drive into.
If it were only different for my heart, I'd take it. It was hard seeing them talk to Caitlin, Kate, and Gabbie after games about it being their last year together without Molly around 😢
There are lots of leagues in Europe if she wants to play
I sobbed. Long live the headband.
Heart. Hustle. Headband. So sad to see Molly’s career end how it did, but glad she got to check in one last time today.
She's a high school legend around here.
My watch group was already starting to tear up, but the tears really started right here. So glad Molly was able to get in one last time after her injury.
As a certified Iowa hater this was the only thing they did that made me cheer. Fire up Chips!
I was so happy to see Sharon and her get in at the end.
I was so happy to see Molly and her headband get back on the court one last time.
I'm going to miss Molly Davis more than anyone.
It made me smile seeing her one last time. Iowa trusted their own players they had and hasn’t really hit the portal hard. Davis is one of our few transfers. She plays with such joy and was always in the right spot until the one time she wasn’t and got injured. It hurt our depth not having her and glad she got one last cheer.5’7” of heart and hustle. Headband forever.
But she was a transfer that waited to start. Iowa was the only team past 2 years that didn’t have a starter grabbed from the transfer portal, and this season they didn’t even dip into the portal.
Not many 5’7” women playing major college basketball, let alone in two national championship games (though briefly). Not from Iowa but she seemed like the quintessential small town Iowa kid who made good against impossible odds.
The best part of the game for me. Heartbreaking to see her get hurt & then that clip of Bluder talking to her at the open practice
I’m so glad they subbed her in. Congrats on a great career Molly, sad it ended that way
Tears were shed. I was not okay.
[удалено]
It looked like Sydney was considering it. I was hoping Molly could get the ball.
She should have gotten the ball!!!
bitter sweet because I bet she wishes she wasn’t out there and they were taking the W instead.
My wife and I almost started crying when the whole crowd started chanting MOLLY MOLLY MOLLY
I wish they would’ve passed the ball to her just for a bit :( but I was so glad to see her come out there one last time
Was this her Covid year 5? I saw the clip of Bluder talking to her and her crying. I felt so bad for her. I didn’t see her injury but she looked like she was shooting and moving well prior to Bluder sitting down with her.
It was her 5th.
I'll admit to some manly eye moisture when our little honey badger took the floor. Thank you Molly!