As No. 9 Iowa women’s basketball (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) prepares for its Big Ten regular-season home finale against Illinois (19-8, 9-7 Big Ten), the Hawkeyes will be taking on a Fighting Illini squad that will be without redshirt sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan for the remainder of the season.
Dolan, who has averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 39.4% shooting will unfortunately see her redshirt sophomore campaign end prematurely for the second consecutive year due to a torn meniscus that will require season-ending surgery.
Dolan hasn’t appeared in a game since playing just four minutes in a 75-66 win at Washington on Feb. 1.
Advertisement
The news is particularly frustrating for the 5-foot-11 third-year star from Buffalo, N.Y., who received a medical hardship waiver last season due to a separate knee injury, limiting her 10.5 points and 2.6 rebounds through eight games played last season.
According to Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green, this year’s meniscus injury is an ailment that Dolan has been dealing with for more than a month at this point.
“Really just want her to be healthy and get back as soon as she can, but we’re not gonna bring her back until she’s 100% ready to go,” Green said.
Although Illinois has anticipated Dolan’s absence for some time, it is still a blow to the Fighting Illini’s depth at the guard position, especially for a team seeking its first NCAA Tournament win in 25 years.
Advertisement
Iowa will host Illinois from Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. CT, with the game being broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Illinois loses key piece before Iowa women’s basketball tilt
