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How will Iowa replace Kathleen Doyle’s production?

By Jared Hines

COLLEGE PARK, MD - JANUARY 04: Kathleen Doyle #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dribbles the ball around Brianna Fraser #34 of the Maryland Terrapins during a women's college basketball game at Xfinity Center on January 4, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. The Terrapins won 80-64. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - JANUARY 04: Kathleen Doyle #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dribbles the ball around Brianna Fraser #34 of the Maryland Terrapins during a women's college basketball game at Xfinity Center on January 4, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. The Terrapins won 80-64. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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A huge blow for the Hawkeyes, but there is a Plan B for Lisa Bluder.

Just five days away from Iowa’s season opener against Dakota Wesleyan, the Hawkeyes received terrible news on Friday, as it was announced that Junior guard Kathleen Doyle would be sidelined 4-6 weeks with a broken hand.

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A preseason All-Big Ten selection, Doyle’s absence will leave the Hawkeyes looking for one or more people to fill that role in a span of games where the Hawkeyes will play in the Junkanoo Jam, the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and the Corn Cy-Hawk Series. To say Doyle will be missed is an understatement. Let’s look at a couple players who have an opportunity to step up in Doyle’s absence.

Makenzie Meyer

The 5-9 junior from Mason City started in 26 games last year, scoring in double figures 14 times. Meyer also led the team in assists nine times, recorded single season career highs in points, assists, steals, blocks, field goals made, and 3-pointers made last season and was an Academic All-Big Ten Selection. With Doyle out, Meyer will be counted on more than ever by her teammates.

Tania Davis

After an ACL tear left Davis missing most of last season, the senior guard from Flint, Michigan has a huge opportunity open to her as she looks to make a 100-percent recovery from surgery. While Davis only played in 12 games last year, she distributed five or more assists in eight of those games en route to averaging 5.2 assists per game last season. Those assists went along with 9.7 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game, pretty impressive for someone who is 5-foot-3. Davis looks to get back to her 10.9 scoring average that she had as a sophomore for the Hawkeyes in 23 games. While Davis is not completely healed, Doyle’s injury might rush the senior back earlier than expected for No. 13 ranked Iowa.

“We’re a better team with Tania on the floor,” Lisa Bluder said at Wednesday’s media day. “She is such a good floor general out there, and so is Kathleen. I’m lucky to have two really good point guards on my team, and both scoring point guards.”

Alexis Sevillian

The redshirt sophomore probably sees the biggest increase in playing time from Doyle’s injury as Sevillian’s best games from last season came late in the season. Playing in 31 games last season (23 starts), Sevillian led the team with 59 3-pointers made, the second-most by a freshman in program history. She scored a career high 21 points in wins over Elon and Illinois last season and scored nine points in the fourth quarter of a win over Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament. The 2016 Finalist for Michigan Miss Basketball is ready to make the 2018-19 season one for the ages.

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