Lisa Bluder will be on the mic Thursday when Drake visits Iowa

IOWA CITY — Two things Jan Jensen expects Lisa Bluder won’t pack for her trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday:

“Lisa didn’t get this far because of emotion,” Jensen said during her news conference Wednesday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“She has the highest level of integrity, so she won’t be pulling up in black and gold, I know that.”

So no Hawkeye colors. What else?

“She’s not going to be needing the Tums,” Jensen said. “She can sit and enjoy.”

Former head coach at Drake and Iowa, Bluder will be serving as color commentator Thursday for Big Ten Network when the 21st-ranked Hawkeyes (2-0) welcome the Bulldogs (1-1).

Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. Mike Hall is play-by-play for BTN.

It’s the first of three in-state encounters for the Hawkeyes, who travel to UNI on Sunday and visit Iowa State on Dec. 10.

“Usually when we play the in-state teams, the Iowa kids get to give the pregame speeches,” Iowa senior Taylor McCabe said. “Jada (Gyamfi) will be giving it this game. I’m excited to see what she says.”

Iowa has swept its three in-state rivals in each of the last three seasons. The Hawkeyes have won seven straight against Drake, 21 of the last 22.

For McCabe, Thursday marks a family reunion with younger sister Peyton, a Drake sophomore.

“It’s pretty special,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to it. She’s taken a bigger role this year. Hopefully, we’ll both be out there quite a bit. We’ve become a lot closer since we have both been in college.”

This will be Iowa’s biggest challenge of the young season thus far. The Hawkeyes blitzed Southern University, 85-51, and Evansville, 119-43, in their first two outings.

Iowa’s size has been dominant: Ava Heiden is averaging 17.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, Hannah Stuelke is at 16.5 points and 7.5 boards per game, Layla Hays scored a team-high 20 against Evansville.

That trio is shooting 37 of 53 from the field (69.8 percent).

“I’m excited about the production of the inside kids, and it’s good to see the guards’ 3-ball going down,” Jensen said.

McKenna Woliczko signs

The paperwork is in: McKenna Woliczko has signed to join the Hawkeyes next season.

Ranked as the nation’s No. 6 recruit out of the Class of 2026, Woliczko committed to the Hawkeyes on Oct. 1. Her signature came to the Iowa women’s basketball office Wednesday.

And with that, Jensen can officially speak about her blue-chipper.

“Hawk fans are really going to enjoy watching her,” Jensen said of the 6-foot-2 native of San Jose. “She’s smooth, it’s a pretty game she plays, very impactful.”

For now, Wolizcko is the lone member of Iowa’s 2026 class.

In a statement Wednesday, Wolizcko said, “Culture, community and relationships are why I chose the University of Iowa. The Hawkeye fan base has welcomed me with open arms, and I am thankful for the immediate acceptance. The countless connections with staff, players and Iowa City have been exactly what I was looking for.”

Woliczko’s junior season ended due to injury after 10 games (she was averaging 22.2 points and 8.6 rebounds). As a sophomore, she averaged 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com