The Iowa Hawkeyes are making waves in Jan Jensen's second year at the helm, reminiscent of the electrifying Caitlin Clark era. After taking over from the legendary Lisa Bluder in 2024, Jensen has successfully guided the team to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
This season, Iowa has secured a two seed in the NCAA Tournament, their highest since being a top seed in 2024. Jensen's leadership has the Hawkeyes firing on all cylinders, and she believes that the challenges of the Big Ten Conference have primed her team for a deep postseason run.
With a solid 26-6 overall record and a 15-3 mark in conference play, Iowa finished as the runner-up to UCLA. The Hawkeyes have proven their mettle by defeating 10 of the 12 Big Ten teams that made it to the tournament this year-a testament to their strength and preparation.
Jensen, speaking on Selection Sunday, expressed confidence in her team's ability to compete against the nation's best, citing their success against top-tier Big Ten opponents as a significant confidence booster.
Hosting the first round in Iowa City provides the Hawkeyes with a home-court advantage, and they have already bested two formidable teams in the Sacramento region, Washington and Michigan State. This experience is expected to be invaluable as they advance deeper into the tournament.
Jensen's confidence in her squad's readiness for the postseason is palpable, and the Hawkeyes are poised to leverage their experience as they aim for a successful tournament run.