“It was a little shaky”: Iowa’s Lucy Olsen describes challenges of taking up the leadership mantle
Iowa transfer guard Lucy Olsen described the challenges of immediately taking up the leadership role following the departure of Hawkeyes women's basketball legend and all-time leading scorer Caitlin Clark.
Olsen admitted that she had a shaky start because she didn't know the system of new coach Jan Jensen. However, with time, she got a grasp of the Iowa system, which boosted her confidence to share her insights during practices.
"In the beginning, it was a little shaky just because I didn't know where I stood. I don't know the system that well and but I've played college basketball (for) three years and I'm going to be a senior so it was like I don't know where I stand," Olsen said. [2:10-2:27]
Last year's third-leading scorer brings her mid-range game to Iowa, but Olsen revealed that she trained to shoot long-range bombs during the offseason to add another dimension to her growing game.
Lucy Olsen expresses excitement to play against Big Ten teams
Lucy Olsen expressed excitement to play against Big Ten Conference teams in the 2024-25 college basketball season. The familiarity with the teams would put her in a better position to perform well.
"My dad always reminds me that I've played Big Ten teams before in Villanova.
"Obviously, the Big Ten is adding some teams. I've never played (against) USC, UCLA (and) some of the other Big Ten schools, but he's like, you played three levels of college basketball you played tough teams," Olsen said. [0:22-onwards]
Lucy Olsen is set to become one of the Iowa Hawkeyes' leaders in the post-Caitlin Clark era. Her mid-range game and on-court savvy are something to watch out for this season as Iowa transitions to a new system under coach Jan Jensen.
The Iowa Hawkeyes were not a part of ESPN's way too early Top 25. That would be additional motivation to surprise the nation and produce their best basketball in the Big Ten Conference.
Iowa coach Jan Jensen wants her team to take advantage of the next opportunity that comes in every game and play with all their might to prove to the nation that the Hawkeyes are still a good team without Clark and retired coach Lisa Bluder.
Iowa opens the 2024-25 college basketball season with an exhibition game against Missouri Western on Oct. 30 at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes commence their regular season at home against Northern Illinois on Nov. 6.