The Hawkeyes' Emely Rodriguez will not travel with her team to Brooklyn to meet the Huskies.
No. 11 Iowa reportedly will be without one of its top reserves in its clash with No. 1 UConn on Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y.
On3’s Talia Goodman reported Thursday that Hawkeyes’ guard/forward Emely Rodriguez has been suspended indefinitely.
The suspension, per Goodman, is for an unspecified violation of team rules. Goodman also reported Rodriguez could be back with the Hawkeyes (10-1, 1-0 Big Ten) at some point if she “recommits to the standards” set by the program.
About Emely Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a 6-foot sophomore in her first season in Iowa after transferring from UCF. Last season, she was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team after averaging 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 26.4 minutes over 25 games. She scored in double-figures in 16 games.
For the Hawkeyes, she is averaging 7.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game over six games. She is shooting 42.5% from the floor and 80% from the free-throw line.
Rodriguez last played Nov. 22 against Miami in a 64-61 Iowa win, reportedly because of a back injury. She was not on the bench last Saturday when the Hawkeyes defeated Lindenwood 102-68.
In speaking with the media on Dec. 9, Iowa head coach Jan Jensen discussed the injury and said Rodriguez was not ready to return.
"It hasn't gotten to the place where she feels comfortable returning yet with the rehabbing," Jensen said, not giving an inkling that there were signs of any trouble.
In her meeting with the media on Tuesday, Jensen said Rodriguez remains listed as day-to-day with the injury. And when a reporter asked whether the native on the Dominican Republic remains part of the team, Jansen gave a somewhat cryptic response.
"She is as of right now," Jensen said. “Yeah.”
More UConn stories
UConn vs. Iowa
The Huskies (11-0, 3-0 Big East) will provide the Hawkeyes with a challenge. UConn is averaging 89.7 points per game and allowing 51.9 – a scoring margin of 37.8.
UConn is shooting 50.9% with its opponents responding with a 33.1 field goal percentage. From 3-point range, the numbers are 40.2% for the Huskies and 29.3% for opponents.
The Huskies’ defense also is forcing 23.4 turnovers per game, leading to an average of 33.0 points per game off turnovers.
The game between the Hawkeyes and Huskies will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET . Fox will be on the broadcast.
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