Iowa Hawkeyes guard Molly Davis has not been cleared to return to play yet.
“I don’t know how effective she’s going to be, but I just want her to have the right to be in an NCAA Tournament game for her fifth and final year.”
Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes have had a strong showing in the 2024 NCAA tournament. The squad has booked its ticket to the Final Four and is only two games away from lifting a trophy as national champions. As supporters prepare for the team’s Final Four game versus UConn, some are wondering about Molly Davis’s injury status.
Molly sustained an injury during the team’s last regular season game against Ohio State, and she has missed the whole NCAA tournament so far. Here’s what we know about Molly’s chances of returning for one of the team’s last two tournament games.
Molly Davis is yet to be cleared to play following her injury.
Although Iowa Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder was initially optimistic about Molly’s chances of returning to the tournament, she has yet to be formally approved.
A tape from the Hawkeyes’ practice on April 4, 2024, prior to their game versus UConn on April 5, has received viral since it shows Molly shooting around the gym while wearing a knee brace. While many people were encouraged by this video, their optimism was dampened by Lisa’s talk with Molly, which left her looking angry.
Molly has not been officially ruled out of the game versus UConn, but Lisa did not seem positive when asked if Molly will play.
“I just hope for her sake that she can get into a game again,” Lisa remarked on April 2. “I don’t know how effective she’s going to be, but I just want her to have the right to be in an NCAA Tournament game for her fifth and final year.”
What happened to Molly Davis in Iowa?
Molly had started 27 of the Hawkeyes’ 30 games previous to the injury, averaging 6.1 points and 3.1 assists on 53.9/40.7/85.7 shooting. She had a right knee injury that kept her out of the lineup for over four weeks.
Molly’s replacement in the lineup, forward Sydney Affolter, has played a critical role in the Hawkeyes’ long playoff run.
