Iowa Faces Major Test on the Road Against Maryland: Three Keys for the Hawkeyes
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The grind is officially on for Jan Jensen and the Hawkeyes. After a statement win over a top-15 Michigan State squad earlier this week, Iowa now heads to the East Coast for a battle with Big Ten powerhouse Maryland. This will be the 20th meeting between the two programs, with the Terrapins holding a 12-7 edge in the all-time series.
This is one of the marquee matchups in women’s college basketball this week, and it could have major implications for both teams as they jockey for postseason positioning. Here’s what to watch for when the Hawkeyes take the floor at the XFINITY Center on Thursday night.
1. Navigating Maryland’s Relentless Pressure
If there’s one thing you can always count on from a Brenda Frese-coached team, it’s pressure. Maryland doesn’t just press occasionally - they press on makes, misses, dead balls, free throws - you name it.
It’s constant, it’s aggressive, and it’s designed to disrupt rhythm and force mistakes. So far this season, it’s been working: the Terps are forcing nearly 21 turnovers per game.
“They’re going to press us all the time,” said Jensen. “They go from zone into man, sometimes zone into zone. You’ve got to be ready for it all.”
That unpredictability makes Maryland especially difficult to prep for, particularly for a team still developing its backcourt chemistry. Against Michigan State, Iowa coughed up 10 second-half turnovers - six in the fourth quarter alone - as the Spartans amped up their defensive intensity. That kind of sloppiness won’t fly against a Maryland team that thrives off transition opportunities.
Chit Chat Wright has been steady at the point, showing an ability to control tempo and stay composed under pressure. But she’ll need help. Players like Kylie Feuerbach, Taylor McCabe, and Addie Deal will need to be sharp, decisive, and strong with the ball - especially when Maryland throws their three-quarter court trap into the mix.
Look for Iowa to use more screening actions, especially from veterans like Hannah Stuelke, to help relieve pressure on the guards. Expect some creative sideline and baseline out-of-bounds sets as well - anything to keep the Terrapins from dictating the pace.
2. Keep Feeding the Hot Hand: Hannah Stuelke
Hannah Stuelke is playing the best basketball of her collegiate career - and it’s not close. Coming off a week where she picked up multiple National Player of the Week honors thanks to big-time performances against Oregon and Michigan State, the Cedar Rapids native is blossoming into the leader Iowa needs down the stretch.
Her teammates are noticing it, too.
“Hannah has had the leadership for our team that we needed to push through this,” said Ava Heiden. “She’s just battling. And now she’s directing traffic, she’s talking more - she’s stepping into that role.”
Stuelke’s growth isn’t just emotional or vocal - it’s tactical. She’s become more of a facilitator, racking up 13 assists over the past two weeks, and her chemistry with Heiden in the high-low action has opened up Iowa’s offense. She’s shooting better than 55% from the field, and perhaps more importantly, she’s starting to extend her range.
Earlier in the season, teams sagged off Stuelke, daring her to shoot from mid-range. That’s no longer a safe bet. Her fadeaway jumper against Michigan State was a dagger - the kind of shot that signals confidence and evolution.
When Stuelke and Heiden are both clicking, Iowa becomes a nightmare to defend. It stretches the defense, opens up the perimeter, and gives shooters like McCabe and Feuerbach more space to operate. If Stuelke stays hot, Iowa has a real shot to steal one on the road.
3. Weather the Early Storm
Maryland is coming off a humbling 30-point loss to UCLA - a rare lopsided defeat for a program that’s used to being the one dishing out punishment. That kind of loss doesn’t sit well with a coach like Frese, and it’s safe to assume her team will come out with something to prove.
“Brenda’s a great motivator,” Jensen said. “She doesn’t like to lose, and she certainly never loses in that fashion. I’m sure they’ve critiqued it, and they’ll be extra motivated.”
Translation: Iowa better be ready for a fired-up Maryland squad, especially in the first quarter.
The Terrapins are one of the most physical teams in the country, and they dominate the glass. They rank sixth nationally in rebounding margin (+12.4) and are putting up 84.8 points per game - good for 12th in the country. They’re also top-20 in field goal percentage and free throws made, which means they know how to score, and they know how to get to the line.
Iowa has shown resilience this season, winning games in different styles - whether it's a grind-it-out defensive effort or a shootout. But they can’t afford to fall behind early in this one. Maryland feeds off momentum, especially at home, and the XFINITY Center can get loud fast.
Keep an eye on Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland’s leading scorer, who’s averaging over 17 points per game on a blistering 52% shooting clip. Also dangerous is Yardon Garzon, the sharpshooter who transferred from Indiana and currently leads the Big Ten - and ranks sixth nationally - in three-pointers made with 57. Iowa’s perimeter defense will need to be locked in.
The Bottom Line
This is a measuring-stick game for Iowa. Maryland is a tough, physical, well-coached team with postseason aspirations of their own.
The Terrapins are 141-6 in Big Ten play when holding opponents under 70 points, and 165-20 when scoring 70 or more. That’s the kind of efficiency that wins championships - and makes life miserable for anyone trying to steal a win on their floor.
If Iowa can split their next four games at 2-2, they’ll be in excellent position to host in the NCAA Tournament. But this stretch starts with a serious challenge.
Prediction: It’s going to be close, but Iowa may come up just short in a tough road environment.
Maryland 73, Iowa 69