Iowa women’s basketball is making waves in the post-Caitlin Clark era under the guidance of head coach Jan Jensen. The Hawkeyes have achieved a remarkable 9-0 record for the fourth time in the history of their program and the first instance during Jensen’s tenure, which began last year.
Preseason rankings placed Iowa outside of the Big Ten’s top five, but they have made a strong start in conference play, highlighted by a convincing 79-36 victory over Rutgers. The Big Ten is known as one of the most competitive conferences in the country, featuring top-ranked teams like UCLA, Michigan, and Maryland. Currently, Iowa finds itself at No. 11 in the AP poll, with an opportunity to enhance its credentials this week in a crucial match against in-state rival No. 10 Iowa State, both of whom remain undefeated this season. Iowa State’s star player, Audi Crooks, is leading the nation in scoring, promising an exciting showdown.
The Hawkeyes already made a statement earlier this season with a hard-fought 57-52 win over then-No. 7 Baylor, and they have a challenging schedule ahead, including a matchup against No. 1 UConn later in the month.
One of the standout players this season has been sophomore Ava Heiden. Standing at 6-foot-4, Heiden has shown incredible promise, currently leading the team in points, rebounds, and blocks, with averages of 16.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting over 63% from the field. Heiden’s performance in a recent game against Fairfield, where she notched up 18 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, demonstrates her potential. Jensen commended her progress, stating, “I think she is on her way to becoming one of the great ones.”
Iowa’s rebounding game has been a particular strength, as they average over 46 rebounds per game, ranking them 12th nationally. Heiden leads the squad in this category, followed closely by teammate Hannah Stuelke. Jensen has emphasized the importance of rebounding, noting how it creates possessions and ultimately enhances a team’s chances of winning.
Defensively, Iowa has shown prowess, currently ranking in the top 25 for scoring defense by limiting opponents to an average of just 53.7 points per game. This statistic was notably influenced by their impressive victory over Rutgers, marking the fewest points allowed by Iowa in a Big Ten game since 1999. In their win against Baylor, their defensive strategy included forcing six turnovers in the first quarter, which helped them secure victory despite not having their best shooting performance.
As they prepare for the Iowa State matchup, the focus will be on containing Crooks while also limiting contributions from other key players like Addy Brown and Jada Williams. The rivalry promises to be intense as both teams vie for supremacy.
Despite facing some injury challenges early in the season, the Hawkeyes are optimistic about their depth returning. Senior forward Jada Gyamfi is out for three months due to knee surgery, but the returns of players like Emely Rodriguez and Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright, who has shown leadership and efficiency on both ends of the court, could provide significant boosts.
As Iowa continues to build on its early successes and navigate through a rigorous schedule, the team remains determined to prove itself as a contender in women’s college basketball. The energy and momentum surrounding the team are palpable, making this season one to watch closely.