Printy Gets Even Better

Dec. 30, 2010

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Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.

Iowa City, Iowa — In the world of sports, coaches, players and media discuss the role experience can play between a freshman and a sophomore. Jaime Printy buys into some of the talk, but not all of it.

Printy, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, believes experience can help to a certain extent. But she also thinks there is something to be said about just going out and playing the game.

Printy burst on to the scene last year during conference play, scoring 15.8 points per game on her way to becoming just the fifth Hawkeye in school history to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Even with a year of experience behind her, Printy wants to keep the same attitude she had as a rookie.

“Last year during the Big Ten season, I was just able to play free,” Printy said. “I really didn’t know what to expect. Now, I know what to expect, but I want to keep that same mindset. I just want to feel loose and play free, like I have been doing throughout my sophomore season.”

Part of “playing free,” according to Printy, is relying on instincts.

“I think last year, as a freshman, I was able to play without thinking,” Printy said. “Just doing what comes natural. I’ve worked really hard with the coaches to tune up parts of my game, but instincts are such a big part of basketball.”

According to the stat sheet, Printy’s instincts are pretty good. She’s Iowa’s leading scorer at 15.1 points per game and has a team-best 57 assists. It’s hard to find a limit on her three-point shooting range. She can get to the rim with deceptive speed and finishes at a high percentage. Not to mention, she is the best free throw shooter in the Big Ten, only missing two freebies all year (37-39, .949).

“How do you guard this kid,” said UI head coach Lisa Bluder. “She can shoot from 22 feet if you’re not in her face. If you’re in her face, she’s going to take it right around you. You foul her; she’s going to make you pay at the free throw line. That’s a really hard combination to defend.”

For Printy, her personal success goes back to coaching.

“I feel like our coaches do a great job of putting us in a position to succeed,” Printy said. “Our offense is so much fun to run. As a team, we have a lot of fun making that awesome pass or draining that long three-pointer. Our coaches have a lot of confidence in us, and that’s a big key.”

Even in games Printy has struggled to score points, she has been a key teammate with her assists. Printy set a career-high with nine assists against Iowa State when she had an off shooting night. Printy has had five or more assists in eight of Iowa’s first 13 games.

“Honestly, I love making a sweet pass rather than draining a sweet shot,” Printy said.

Bluder has also noticed Printy’s ability to distribute.

“At times, maybe she’s done that (looked for an assist) when she hasn’t had the hot hand and not scored,” Bluder said. “She feels like ‘I’m going to get other people involved in the game.'”

They don’t give out a Big Ten Sophomore of the Year Award, but they do give out first team all-Big Ten trophies. At this pace, Printy can plan on making a little extra room on her mantle for that award as well.