Burkhall stepping up once again for the Cyclones
AMES, Ia. — When Bryanna Fernstrom transferred from Iowa State to Minnesota, the Cyclones looked to Meredith Burkhall to help fill the loss.
When Heather Bowe went down with an ankle injury this season, Iowa State leaned on Burkhall even more.
The former Des Moines Roosevelt star has taken advantage of both opportunities and could continue to get extended minutes when the Cyclones take on Iowa at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
“Mer’s opportunity for increased minutes is there, and to her credit, she’s taken advantage, for the most part,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said.
Opportunities have been presenting themselves to Burkhall ever since she arrived in Ames last season. The biggest may have come when Fernstrom, Iowa State’s starting center, left 15 games in.
Burkhall, who had already gotten some starting experience, stayed in the lineup and got even more minutes than she expected with some on-the-job training.
“Last year, I was only a freshman, so I really didn’t know what to expect,” Burkhall said.
She finished the season averaging 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. The numbers were good, but Iowa State needed more production from the post position in the future.
So Iowa State landed Bowe, a Vanderbilt transfer who has come off the bench. But Bowe has missed Iowa State’s past four games with an ankle injury, meaning more minutes for Burkhall and reserve Claire Ricketts.
Burkhall has again made the most of the situation. She’s averaging 10.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. She credits an offseason spent in the weight room for her increased success.
“I feel like I can play a little more physical — and I can hold my ground a little bit more down low,” Burkhall said.
Fennelly said last season's experience is helping Burkhall now.
“It sounds simple, but she’s a sophomore, not a freshman,” Fennelly said. “When you’re a freshman and you’re a true post player, playing in this league at the level that we’re playing, that might be the hardest thing there is to do.”
Iowa (6-3) will provide its own share of challenges.
“It’s going to be the same thing on Wednesday,” Fennelly said. “It’s Megan Gustafson, it’s Hannah Stewart, Chase Coley. There’s a lot of bodies that she has to compete with. But the thing about Mer, she loves basketball. She loves Iowa State. She’s a hard worker. She never makes an excuse — ever — for anything that happens, and she wants to get better.”
Burkhall could get some help again if Bowe, who has averaged 6.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, is back. Fennelly said that Bowe jogged Monday but wouldn’t have been able to play if the Cyclones had a game that night.
“She’s getting better,” Fennelly said. “I haven’t seen her today, but I think the chances of her playing are 50/50 — but she’s making progress.”
If Bowe can't go, the Cyclones will continue to lean on Burkhall for long stretches and on Ricketts to help at times. Ricketts scored 10 points in Iowa State’s last game, a 100-63 win over New Orleans.
“They know that I have all that experience, and I’ve been watching for the past couple of years, so they’re expecting you to just be able to come in and be productive and make the most of your minutes,” Ricketts said.
For Burkhall, Wednesday’s game will be special. The Iowan said she grew up watching the two teams tangle over the years.
She won’t be the only one with extra motivation.
“Anyone who doesn’t play hard and doesn’t play with a great sense of emotion, energy in this game, you don’t deserve to wear an Iowa State uniform," Fennelly said. "And I’m sure the Iowa players and coaches probably feel the same about their program."
Wednesday's Cy-Hawk game:
WHO: Iowa State (6-1) at Iowa (6-3)
WHERE: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City
TIME/TV: 7 p.m., BTN Plus