Indiana University Athletics
Holmes, Gulbe Comprise Formidable Frontcourt
11/9/2021 6:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Mackenzie Holmes as shut-down perimeter defender?
Could we see that?
Can Indiana's junior forward do that?
The short answer -- Yes, within reason.
The long answer -- She will not replace Ali Patberg and Nicole Cardaño-Hillary as the main Cream and Crimson guard stoppers, she will not be asked to contain ultra-quick Big Ten backcourt players, but that's not the point.
Winning is.
Aleksa Gulbe as consistent double-digit rebounder?
Can the senior forward duplicate her performance from last season's NCAA tourney success?
Will spending a couple of months with the Latvia National Team facilitate that?
The quick thought -- Why not?
Prospects are everywhere you look in a season rich in national title possibilities. IU is ranked 7th and 8th in preseason polls after last year's Elite Eight run, and opens its season Wednesday night at Butler.
Reaching championship heights means asking more of everyone, including frontcourt players defending the perimeter, and more.
Holmes makes everything possible these days. She's a 6-3 basketball force out of Maine with a work ethic to do what needs to be done.
That includes taking full advantage of the Hoosiers' strength-and-conditioning program.
"I'm getting stronger," she says. "I'm getting a little quicker laterally. I want to get better defensively off the ball and in rotations. If I need to defend a player on the perimeter, I can do that."
That reflects elite dedication crucial for elite success, individually as well as collectively.
During the pandemic shutdown of 2020, Holmes was forced to train in Maine, which sometimes meant training outside in less-than-ideal weather.
Everything was back to mostly normal last spring and summer.
"I didn't have to spend three months in Maine," she says. "I didn't have to shoot on any outdoor hoops or run on any random outdoor fields. That was nice. I'm thankful for that."
As you would expect for a veteran player, leadership is a top priority. That includes providing guidance for 6-2 freshman Mona Zaric, a promising forward out of Serbia.
"I've tried to be more of a vocal leader and be extra supportive of the young players," Holmes says. "With Mona as a post player, I've tried to help her as much as I can. Make sure all the young players are familiar with what's going on, so when we step on the court, we don't have to waste much time. It's being on the same page."
Holmes has made the watch list for the Lisa Leslie Award, which goes annually to the nation's top center. Last year, she led IU in scoring (17.8 points) and rebounding (7.6), led the Big Ten in blocks (3.0), shot 60.7 percent from the field (fourth in school history) and became the program's first Associated Press All-America honorable mention.
She wants more.
"I've continued to get more comfortable with my shot from 15 feet to three-point range," she says. "I continue to work on that every day. I continue to fine tuning the things I've already begun to work on."
It showed during last Friday's exhibition victory over the University of Indianapolis. Holmes made 8-of-10 shots for a team-leading 19 points, plus grabbed seven rebounds.
IU's top-10 ranking will earn it national exposure. Beyond the Big Ten Network, Sunday's game at Kentucky will be on ESPN. Games against North Carolina State and Michigan are set to be on ESPN2.
That's not a distraction, Holmes says.
"I'm not worried about who's watching. I just want to win. It's great to get that recognition. It will be a lot of fun. It's exciting to be part of big-time basketball that people will be able to watch, but I'm worried about the team, not about how much publicity we're getting."
Then there's the 6-3 Gulbe, who combines with Holmes to form one of the Big Ten's most imposing frontcourts.
Her goal this season, Gulbe says, is more aggression.
"I talked to all of our coaches. (They want me to) get more aggressive on offense and defense. Put my teammates in better positions to score. That's what I have to focus on. Take shots when I'm open and make the right decision against the defense."
In three seasons and 90 games at IU (with 57 starts), Gulbe has averaged 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. Last year, she averaged 9.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting a career-best 44.8 percent from the field. She's a 30.7 percent three-point shooter with 39 three-point baskets on her resume.
During last season's Elite Eight run, she had three games with double figures in rebounding -- 10 against VCU and North Carolina State, and a career-high 15 against Belmont to set IU's NCAA tourney record.
Time spent in Latvia could boost that productivity, Gulbe says.
"In mid-April, Coach (Teri) Moren allowed me to go home. It had been a long year since I had been back. I'm thankful they allowed me to go home earlier than the rest of the team to see my family. I got to surprise them. That was fun and awesome."
As far as training with the Latvian National team, she says, "The first two months I focused on my individual stuff. I was working out with the coaches of the National team. Focusing on conditioning and building my body to be ready for this season."
Gulbe worked out with professional players on a daily basis.
"Practicing with women who are more experienced than I am was a great opportunity. I loved I was given that.
"And to work with such experienced coaches and learn different offensive and defensive sets. It was great experience."
That could lead to a great Hoosier season. For this, Holmes gives thanks.
"It was a blessing last year to have a season," she says. "It's more of a blessing this year that things have calmed down, fans back in (Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall).
"Things are looking up."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Mackenzie Holmes as shut-down perimeter defender?
Could we see that?
Can Indiana's junior forward do that?
The short answer -- Yes, within reason.
The long answer -- She will not replace Ali Patberg and Nicole Cardaño-Hillary as the main Cream and Crimson guard stoppers, she will not be asked to contain ultra-quick Big Ten backcourt players, but that's not the point.
Winning is.
Aleksa Gulbe as consistent double-digit rebounder?
Can the senior forward duplicate her performance from last season's NCAA tourney success?
Will spending a couple of months with the Latvia National Team facilitate that?
The quick thought -- Why not?
Prospects are everywhere you look in a season rich in national title possibilities. IU is ranked 7th and 8th in preseason polls after last year's Elite Eight run, and opens its season Wednesday night at Butler.
Reaching championship heights means asking more of everyone, including frontcourt players defending the perimeter, and more.
Holmes makes everything possible these days. She's a 6-3 basketball force out of Maine with a work ethic to do what needs to be done.
That includes taking full advantage of the Hoosiers' strength-and-conditioning program.
"I'm getting stronger," she says. "I'm getting a little quicker laterally. I want to get better defensively off the ball and in rotations. If I need to defend a player on the perimeter, I can do that."
That reflects elite dedication crucial for elite success, individually as well as collectively.
During the pandemic shutdown of 2020, Holmes was forced to train in Maine, which sometimes meant training outside in less-than-ideal weather.
Everything was back to mostly normal last spring and summer.
"I didn't have to spend three months in Maine," she says. "I didn't have to shoot on any outdoor hoops or run on any random outdoor fields. That was nice. I'm thankful for that."
As you would expect for a veteran player, leadership is a top priority. That includes providing guidance for 6-2 freshman Mona Zaric, a promising forward out of Serbia.
"I've tried to be more of a vocal leader and be extra supportive of the young players," Holmes says. "With Mona as a post player, I've tried to help her as much as I can. Make sure all the young players are familiar with what's going on, so when we step on the court, we don't have to waste much time. It's being on the same page."
Holmes has made the watch list for the Lisa Leslie Award, which goes annually to the nation's top center. Last year, she led IU in scoring (17.8 points) and rebounding (7.6), led the Big Ten in blocks (3.0), shot 60.7 percent from the field (fourth in school history) and became the program's first Associated Press All-America honorable mention.
She wants more.
"I've continued to get more comfortable with my shot from 15 feet to three-point range," she says. "I continue to work on that every day. I continue to fine tuning the things I've already begun to work on."
It showed during last Friday's exhibition victory over the University of Indianapolis. Holmes made 8-of-10 shots for a team-leading 19 points, plus grabbed seven rebounds.
IU's top-10 ranking will earn it national exposure. Beyond the Big Ten Network, Sunday's game at Kentucky will be on ESPN. Games against North Carolina State and Michigan are set to be on ESPN2.
That's not a distraction, Holmes says.
"I'm not worried about who's watching. I just want to win. It's great to get that recognition. It will be a lot of fun. It's exciting to be part of big-time basketball that people will be able to watch, but I'm worried about the team, not about how much publicity we're getting."
Then there's the 6-3 Gulbe, who combines with Holmes to form one of the Big Ten's most imposing frontcourts.
Her goal this season, Gulbe says, is more aggression.
"I talked to all of our coaches. (They want me to) get more aggressive on offense and defense. Put my teammates in better positions to score. That's what I have to focus on. Take shots when I'm open and make the right decision against the defense."
In three seasons and 90 games at IU (with 57 starts), Gulbe has averaged 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. Last year, she averaged 9.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting a career-best 44.8 percent from the field. She's a 30.7 percent three-point shooter with 39 three-point baskets on her resume.
During last season's Elite Eight run, she had three games with double figures in rebounding -- 10 against VCU and North Carolina State, and a career-high 15 against Belmont to set IU's NCAA tourney record.
Time spent in Latvia could boost that productivity, Gulbe says.
"In mid-April, Coach (Teri) Moren allowed me to go home. It had been a long year since I had been back. I'm thankful they allowed me to go home earlier than the rest of the team to see my family. I got to surprise them. That was fun and awesome."
As far as training with the Latvian National team, she says, "The first two months I focused on my individual stuff. I was working out with the coaches of the National team. Focusing on conditioning and building my body to be ready for this season."
Gulbe worked out with professional players on a daily basis.
"Practicing with women who are more experienced than I am was a great opportunity. I loved I was given that.
"And to work with such experienced coaches and learn different offensive and defensive sets. It was great experience."
That could lead to a great Hoosier season. For this, Holmes gives thanks.
"It was a blessing last year to have a season," she says. "It's more of a blessing this year that things have calmed down, fans back in (Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall).
"Things are looking up."
Players Mentioned
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