Iowa women's basketball
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Coach Bluter's opening statement, your questions.
00:04 Obviously, congratulations to Kaitlyn.
00:07 Triple-double, impossible to do almost.
00:09 And she has 17 rebounds tonight to go with her 10 assists
00:13 and 35 points.
00:14 But we had several good shooting performances.
00:17 I mean, Kate Martin, 68% adjusted.
00:21 Hannah Stolke shot 60% from the field and could have shot 70.
00:25 She missed too many bunnies.
00:27 I really challenged her at halftime.
00:28 She had one rebound, and she ended up with eight.
00:31 So I'm happy with the way she responded with that.
00:33 But our defense wasn't very good to begin the game,
00:37 but it got a lot better in the second half.
00:38 And we held them to 23 points in the whole second half.
00:42 But Loyola shot the ball extremely well, too well.
00:45 That's on us.
00:46 But obviously, they came in here.
00:48 They fought.
00:49 They did a great job.
00:50 And maybe this break's coming at a good time for us.
00:54 What did you change defensively in the second half?
00:57 Well, we did a little bit more zone defense
00:59 and to take them out of the rhythm a little bit.
01:01 But hopefully, we got back in transition a little bit better
01:06 than we did the first half.
01:08 Kaitlin, just talk about that first half.
01:09 It kind of looked like maybe a little tight, a little sluggish.
01:11 Just talk about what it felt like for you
01:13 out there on the floor.
01:14 I think it was just discipline on defense, really.
01:17 A lot of the things that were things
01:18 we had talked about in the week, prepping for this game
01:21 and just mentally, kind of just some mental errors for us.
01:23 And we were switching our matchups quite a bit.
01:26 And that can never really be an excuse.
01:28 I think that just comes down to communication and focus,
01:30 really, at the end of the day.
01:31 And I think that did change in the second half.
01:34 For us, we were much more locked in on defense.
01:36 So yeah, you'll have things like that.
01:38 And you also have to give credit to Loyola.
01:39 They shot the ball really well.
01:40 They made some threes.
01:41 They made some contested threes.
01:43 We sagged off a few girls that made some threes.
01:45 So things like that are going to happen.
01:47 It's just how do you adjust and respond.
01:50 Is that why they had a lot of really open shots
01:53 in the first half?
01:54 I mean, were you consciously going
01:56 to sag off certain kids?
01:57 One person, one time.
01:58 And then it was off after that.
02:00 So just not getting the job done defensively.
02:03 Lisa, you guys had 10 turnovers, I think, in the first half.
02:06 But you guys locking in defensively,
02:08 I think you were on a 19 to 3 run over the next seven minutes
02:11 to kind of open the third quarter.
02:13 Did better defense kind of lead you guys
02:14 to maybe being a little bit more careful with the ball
02:17 on the offensive end?
02:19 I think it's just the matter of--
02:20 I mean, the beginning of the game,
02:22 we were playing pretty fast.
02:23 Made some careless turnovers, some handoff turnovers.
02:27 And I just think that we came out
02:29 a little bit more assertive in the second half
02:32 and kind of determined not to do that.
02:34 But yeah, that was pretty bad to begin this game
02:37 and the turnovers.
02:38 Was Gabby's absence-- did that contribute
02:42 to the defensive effort?
02:44 It could.
02:45 It could.
02:46 She is a person that we usually would
02:48 have on one of their best offensive players.
02:51 So certainly not having Gabby.
02:53 And then also, we switched our lineup
02:55 with Hannah and for Sharon.
02:56 So we had a different lineup tonight than what we've had.
03:00 But no excuses.
03:03 We have to still--
03:04 we never know when we're going to be down a person.
03:06 Kate, you guys--
03:07 Is that Ellis?
03:08 Yeah.
03:09 Sorry, Kate.
03:10 Let's get you involved here.
03:11 Yeah.
03:12 You guys went into the--
03:13 Shut up.
03:15 You guys had so many turnovers in the first half.
03:17 That was kind of the storyline.
03:18 But you ended the game having more assists
03:19 than turnovers still.
03:20 As the person who takes that responsibility
03:22 as the glue of this team, do you guys
03:24 address the team at halftime?
03:25 Anything said to turn things around in the second half?
03:28 I think we just tried to build each other up at halftime
03:32 there.
03:33 We were a little disappointed with how we came out.
03:36 And I'm a little disappointed in my leadership
03:40 there with how we started the game.
03:42 I think I can be a lot more vocal
03:44 and keep people together a little bit better
03:46 in that first half.
03:47 But at halftime, it's just value the ball.
03:51 Value the ball.
03:52 And we knew what we needed to do.
03:53 It was just uncharacteristic mistakes.
03:56 And Loyola did a good job, but I think a lot of them
03:59 were on us.
04:00 So just coming out in the second half more focused and ready
04:04 to go.
04:06 Offensively, what did you guys do in the third quarter
04:09 to really take the game by the throat?
04:11 We got stops.
04:13 We got stops and we pushed.
04:14 14 points were in the last minute and 30
04:16 of that third quarter.
04:17 So I think it was just playing defense
04:20 and going in transition.
04:21 And I think that was the biggest thing.
04:23 Lisa Shandlin played 7 and 1/2 minutes tonight.
04:26 Hannah got the most of the minutes there.
04:27 Was that just kind of a matchup thing?
04:29 Or what were you kind of going for there?
04:31 Well, it was a matchup thing.
04:32 They were really playing--
04:34 I mean, she's really like a stretch four.
04:36 And so that's a little bit harder for Sharon DeGuard
04:38 and Addy and AJ.
04:40 So Hannah had to play a few more minutes tonight.
04:43 Lisa, with non-conference kind of in the books here,
04:45 how are you generally feeling going
04:47 into the thick of the Big 10?
04:49 Yeah, I mean, I feel like up until tonight,
04:51 I thought our defense had really improved.
04:53 I know our rebounding has improved.
04:54 Again, we out-rebounded this opponent 51 to 27,
04:57 almost double them up on the rebound.
04:58 So that's really good.
05:01 But I mean, we're always a work in progress.
05:03 I mean, again, tonight we have a different lineup again tonight.
05:06 And so we're just going to keep trying to get better every day.
05:09 I feel like we're good right now,
05:11 but I feel like we can get a lot better.
05:12 It looked like Kylie Fairbach stepped in and really played
05:15 well, got some steals.
05:17 I think she only took one shot, but she
05:20 seemed to be all over the place.
05:21 What did that mean, especially with the absence of Gabby
05:24 Marshall?
05:25 Yeah, Kylie can play defense pretty well.
05:27 And she did take a couple of charges tonight,
05:29 which was good.
05:30 And you're right, her plus minus is very, very good,
05:33 which shows her defensive effort as well as her offense.
05:35 So she was perfect from the line.
05:38 We need Kylie.
05:39 We need Sid.
05:40 We need all those guys to continue playing well
05:42 like they are.
05:43 And I thought Kylie came in and did some good things.
05:45 Kaitlin, at the Forever game, you go and sign the autographs.
05:48 And I'm sure fans always appreciate that.
05:50 But you don't maybe get as many moments
05:51 as when you walked up to that girl
05:52 and you gave her the shoes.
05:53 And I had a chance to see her face,
05:55 and it just lit up like a few that I've
05:56 seen when you go and do those autograph
05:58 sessions after the game.
05:59 What's that mean for you, just to know that you really
06:01 made that girl's year probably?
06:02 Yeah, I think it's really cool.
06:03 And I wish I could make time for every single kid that's
06:06 standing there screaming my name.
06:07 I really do.
06:08 And I just don't have the time.
06:09 Obviously, we have meetings afterwards.
06:11 So it's really cool.
06:13 I mean, if I can make somebody's year or month or second,
06:16 I really want to be able to try to do that,
06:18 even if it's a couple autographs.
06:19 So hopefully she cherishes those shoes
06:23 and puts them up on a shelf somewhere and loves them.
06:26 Kaitlin and I actually got the chance to--
06:28 I ran into her going to a press conference.
06:30 She was telling me it was her first Iowa game ever.
06:32 And she actually went as you for Halloween.
06:34 Oh, no.
06:35 That's cute.
06:35 That's really sweet.
06:36 So when you hear stuff like that,
06:37 you kind of think about that.
06:38 How crazy is that?
06:39 It's really cool.
06:40 And she had my jersey on also.
06:41 So that was really special.
06:43 And I think my mom went up to her, too.
06:45 And I don't even think she plays basketball.
06:47 I think she's a softball player.
06:48 But she just loves Iowa women's basketball.
06:50 And I think that just shows how far Impact reaches.
06:52 People just love our team.
06:54 They love the role models we have on this team.
06:56 They're just attracted to the way we play a competitive sport
06:59 and the team aspect of sport.
07:01 And I think that's the coolest thing.
07:03 And that's cool that it was her first ever Iowa basketball
07:05 game.
07:06 I'm sure she'll want to come back for a long time.
07:08 Can't promise shoes every time, though, sweetheart.
07:10 [LAUGHTER]
07:11 What's the brand?
07:13 I mean, obviously Nike.
07:14 But what's the name of the shoe?
07:15 Kobe's Reverse Grinches.
07:17 I like those green ones I wear, but in reverse.
07:19 So red and green.
07:21 Nine and a half men.
07:22 It's very Christmassy.
07:23 Lisa, we talked--
07:25 You had to wait a little bit, maybe longer,
07:27 than you'd hoped to get that last assist.
07:29 Just were you getting a little anxious there?
07:31 And then, I guess, your feelings on the Iowa triple-double?
07:33 No, not really.
07:34 I mean, I knew we were going to make some bunnies.
07:36 I feel all around, there was all
07:38 of us missed a few bunnies that we would have made tonight.
07:40 And sometimes that just happens.
07:42 But as the season goes on, you'll kind of progress.
07:44 And like Coach Buter said, Hannah's still coming back
07:46 from injury, and just kind of getting her feet under her,
07:50 her touchback.
07:50 But no, I mean, 10 assists is all because of my teammates.
07:54 So I'm just thankful for them.
07:55 And Coach Buter let me have the opportunity to get it.
07:57 So it's always cool when you get one of those.
08:00 Caitlin, it seems like Molly gets a bad call here and there,
08:03 and she kind of gets frustrated.
08:05 Is there anything you talk to her about?
08:07 I think just encouragement.
08:08 I think Molly's one that's actually
08:09 very steady for our team.
08:11 I think she's one that's always very level-headed.
08:13 She's in her fifth year and really understands the game
08:15 well.
08:15 I think her basketball IQ is through the roof.
08:17 It's just almost getting her to believe in herself
08:20 and instilling confidence in her.
08:21 I think that's what all of us try to do,
08:23 is let her know how much all of us believe in her,
08:25 and so she can believe in herself
08:26 and continue to contribute to our team.
08:28 Lisa, we've talked about Sid's rebounding a lot this season.
08:31 Six or seven rebounds came on the offensive end.
08:33 And I just talk about how important
08:35 is that you can rely on someone-- not the tallest
08:36 player on the floor, but rely on someone
08:38 to do that for you guys.
08:40 That's her game, though, right?
08:41 She's going to go and clean up the garbage.
08:44 And I mean, the girl, she's a blue-collar player.
08:46 She's going to get on the floor for loose balls.
08:48 She's going to work hard on defense.
08:50 She's going to get rebounds for us.
08:53 It's not always pretty, but it's effective.
08:54 And that's all that matters to me.
08:56 What is Gabby's situation?
08:58 I mean--
08:59 Just sick.
09:00 Oh, OK.
09:00 So maybe by Minnesota, she'll be--
09:02 Oh, yeah.
09:03 OK.
09:03 Definitely.
09:05 It's a 5 o'clock on a weekday, a workday for here.
09:08 The students aren't here yet.
09:10 The place is practically full.
09:12 I mean, that's hard to do a lot of times,
09:15 but yet you guys are still bringing it.
09:16 What is your just general thoughts
09:18 when you look out here at 5 o'clock game on a Thursday
09:21 before Christmas?
09:22 I'm just thankful, honestly.
09:24 I'm just thankful.
09:26 I'm proud of my team because I think Caitlin's fun to watch.
09:29 But I think there's a lot of people
09:29 that are fun to watch on this team.
09:31 And they're incredible role models.
09:32 And I'm thankful that I work at a place where
09:35 it promotes women's basketball.
09:36 It stands behind women's basketball.
09:38 And the Iowa fans, I mean, they're just amazing.
09:41 They showed that all last year.
09:43 And just, you know, I think there
09:45 was a lot of kids that had Christmas presents today
09:47 coming to our game.
09:48 Caitlin, I am going to keep asking you
09:50 about these players that you pass as you climb
09:51 the NCAA scoring list tonight.
09:53 Rachel Bannon was one.
09:54 I have to imagine that you have some memories of seeing her
09:56 play.
09:56 I'd be curious to get your thoughts on her.
09:58 And you're one point behind right now, Lori Bauman,
10:00 somebody maybe that Coach Bluto remembers a little better.
10:02 But I'd be curious to hear you both share
10:03 about some of these players on your sites right now.
10:06 Yeah, I think, obviously, Rachel is somebody
10:09 that's a great player, still plays in the WNBA,
10:11 plays for my favorite WNBA team in the Minnesota Lynx.
10:14 You know, I grew up loving the Lynx.
10:15 So it's always cool to be on the same list
10:18 as a lot of great players that you idolized growing up.
10:20 And I think, I don't know, it still kind of takes you back
10:23 a little bit with your names kind of in the mix of some
10:25 of those really, really tremendous players.
10:27 So yeah, it's special.
10:29 Kate, you're a bit of a--
10:31 obviously, your role as blue player, your staff chief,
10:34 stuffer, I don't know if that's where it's out.
10:37 With Syd a fulter in the starting lineup,
10:39 does it change your role at all when
10:42 she's getting more minutes?
10:43 Or are you still just playing your game the same way?
10:46 Going out there and playing basketball, really,
10:49 nothing changes for me in that regards.
10:52 I mean, Syd, like we said, she's going to go get boards.
10:56 And it doesn't mean I don't have to box out
10:59 and I don't have to go get rebounds too.
11:03 But no, I'm just focused on playing my game
11:05 and doing my thing as well.
11:06 What's it like to have her on that court with you?
11:09 Oh, I love playing with Syd.
11:10 20 minutes now.
11:10 Yeah, I mean, that's the type of person you want on your team
11:13 but you don't want to play against,
11:15 because she's going to crash the boards, crash the boards.
11:17 And she's just going to go hard, play great defense.
11:21 And she's just super tenacious out there.
11:22 So anytime I'm in the game with Syd, I'm really happy.
11:28 Thank you.