IOWA CITY, IOWA – As the Iowa Women’s Basketball team enters the final stretch of the regular season, they are poised to face the Wisconsin Badgers on March 1, 2026. With a chance to secure their 24th victory this season, head coach Jan Jensen is on the verge of matching the second-highest regular season win total in the program’s history during her second year in charge.
This season has been remarkable for Iowa, especially in light of the challenges faced after the injury of senior guard Taylor McCabe, who is recovering from an ACL tear. The team hit a rough patch with three consecutive losses following her injury but has rebounded strongly, thanks to significant contributions from sophomore Taylor Stremlow and freshman Journey Houston.
Houston, in particular, is set to start for the second time in her college career as senior Hannah Stuelke sits out to recover from an elbow injury sustained in a close win against Illinois. Although Stuelke could potentially play, the decision to rest her allows opportunities for other players like Addie Deal, Callie Levin, and Teagan Mallegni to gain valuable playing experience. Freshman Layla Hays is also expected to see increased minutes as Ava Heiden works towards a full recovery from an illness in preparation for the upcoming Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.
The last time Iowa played without Stuelke, they achieved a noteworthy win against Purdue, despite allowing the Boilermakers to narrow a previously substantial lead. Fans are hopeful for a repeat performance as the Hawkeyes aim to conclude their regular season on a high note.
The matchup against Wisconsin will take place at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, at 2 p.m. CST, and will be broadcast on B1G+. As the season wraps up, both the team and its supporters remain optimistic and eager for the challenges that lie ahead in the postseason.