ROSEMONT, Ill. — It’s hard to ignore, as much as Alexis Markowski tries to avoid thinking about it.
The entire season is still in front of Nebraska’s senior forward, so she doesn’t have to pay too much attention to the reality that her college basketball career is almost over. Instead, she focuses on what is directly in front of her, building on a solid 2023-24 season and adjusting to a new era of Big Ten hoops.
Markowski struggled with the size and physicality of Oregon State forward Raegan Beers as the Huskers were bounced from the NCAA Tournament last season, so she spent the offseason preparing for a new stable of West Coast post players that are now conference opponents.
Improving her ball handling and becoming a more consistent shooter were priorities. Both would help Markowski better leverage her quickness and skill to counter bigger post players.
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It all takes place against the backdrop of her final season, the looming fact that this is her last ride in a Nebraska uniform, her last chance to do something special in her hometown.
“That pressure always comes when it’s your last year to do something,†Markowski said. “Just you want it to go so well and you want it to be the best, but I’m trying to not think about that. I’m trying to just live in the moment because I feel like if you overthink about it, you underperform, so I’m just trying to embrace the day, embrace it being Oct. 2. You’re at Big Ten media days for the last time. Just things like that that really just help me not think too much about the future.â€
Freshman Hargrove turning heads early
Amiah Hargrove has the size and skillset to bring Nebraska versatility as a freshman. The 6-foot-2 wing has the size and length to fit into a variety of lineups, the scoring touch to be a factor offensively and an eagerness for physicality not always present in freshmen.
A former high school track athlete and softball and volleyball player, Hargrove has shown an early willingness to throw her shoulder into the chest of the Huskers’ male practice players, go through opponents instead of around them on offense.
“I just think that’s a unique thing sometimes for freshmen to come in and already be craving that physicality and not shying away from it,†NU coach Amy Williams said. “What an awesome teammate. She’s already just like, ‘What do you need me to do? If you just want me to go get an offensive rebound.’ She’s hungry to learn. Smile on her face every day. The epitome of what we want in a Husker women’s basketball player.â€
Iowa readies for a new era
The Caitlin Clark era in Iowa ended, and Lisa Bluder followed it shortly out the door. Jan Jensen, the face of the Hawkeyes’ next phase, made her media days debut Wednesday.
There’s no easy way forward after losing a transcendent talent like Clark and the overseer of the program for almost a quarter-century in Bluder. But Iowa added pieces over the offseason, notably point guard Lucy Olsen to try to hang onto its status as a Big Ten heavyweight.
“It’s there. It’s obvious,†Jensen said. “We’re gonna get a lot of questions about that out of respect, out of gratitude, but this is the new chapter. And we’re excited to be reading this chapter, and they’re just really ready to read that next chapter and kinda write the next book.â€