I’m happy that Affolter, Davis, & Stuelke are playing quality minutes. Last year, I was impressed with the play of Addison O’Grady. I anticipated that she would play a lot this year but that’s not been the case. Why?
WBB bench players
- Thread starter Pentacrest
- Start date
She seems to have stepped back a step or two. She now has competition she didn’t have last year. Stuelke, Goodman and the big girl from Michigan are beating her. She acts defeated and needs to fight for playing time rather than giving in.
Addie seems kind of passive. Ediger has stepped in and will keep getting more minutes. The back up 5 has been a problem this season for Iowa.
I felt like putting her in vs. PUR w/ 2 mins left was a clear message. I’d love to see her get more minutes based on last year’s performance. Have to think she’s not bringing it in practice, I guess?
Against Penn State, Addie was 2-2 shooting and had a rebound in just two minutes of playing time. She played the fewest minutes of any player on the team. I was hoping she would play more minutes. Per a previous poster’s comment, I gather she’s not practicing up to the expectations of the coaching staff.
My impression is Addie has been too passive. I love seeing Hannah Stuelke call for the ball now. In fact, the biggest change in the team this year is cultural. They are all more aggressive and act like they belong there. See Molly Davis and Sydney Affolter off the bench also. They are all fighting for playing time. I think Caitlin's take no prisoners attitude has permeated the team. And Lisa Bluder has been preaching it too.
The hawks are going to need her going forward. She was too timid, not getting to rebounds earlier. I think coach Bluder cut her playing time to see how she would react. Fight for playing time or go into a shell, so to speak. I really liked what I saw in the Penn State game, she looked relaxed and aggressive. I have always pulled for her, I hope she stays away from the portal because she has alot of potential.
Bluder has said more than once that Addi wants to play the 4. But she's a perfect 5 (on paper) and doesn't seem like a great 4 -- she's not really fast or agile, and Hannah is clearly gonna get minutes over her there in any case. Bluder has also said that Addi needs to be more aggressive, embracing contact, and it's just not in her personality. I worry she may transfer tbh -- not unlike what Angel Reese went through at Maryland.
probably would be best. A 5 that thinks she is a 4 is not going to work. Especially when you have no quicks.